The purpose of this study was to determine whether struggling adolescent writers could learn sentence and paragraph writing skills from a software program. Nine junior-high and nine senior-high struggling writers participated in a multiple-probe across-students design that was replicated six times. Instructional procedures within the software…

We examined the effects of a computer-based strategy to develop self-advocacy skills for 15 middle school students with mild and moderate disabilities. A pre- and posttest experimental design with random assignment to treatment and wait-list control groups was employed to investigate changes in student participation and level of…

This study reports the effects of an interactive multimedia computer program for teaching social skills to youths with social-adjustment problems. Twelve youths (aged 11-17) were referred by the county diversion program or school guidance counselors. Seven were formally classified as having disabilities and had active Individualized Education…

This study investigated the effects of computer-based practice on the acquisition and maintenance of basic academic skills for two children with moderate to intensive disabilities. The special education teacher created individualized computer games that enabled the participants to independently practice academic skills that corresponded with their…

This study used a multiple-probe across participants design to examine the effects of the CD-Rom version of the "Self-Advocacy Strategy" on quality of contributions in Individual Education Plan (IEP) meetings of five high school students with intellectual disability. Results indicated a functional relationship between using the CD-Rom…

Enhancing students' ability to make informed choices is an important precursor to successful choice-making, decision-making, and goal-setting. This study used a multiple-baseline design across behaviors replicated across participants to examine the effects of computer-assisted instruction on acquisition of students' knowledge of postschool options…

A model of computer managed instruction is reported which emphasizes the use of the Wisconsin System for Instructional Management (WIS-SIM) in classroom level decision making. Two major decision areas, specifying performance expectations and selecting appropriate educational experiences, were identified, and five major processes involved in…

An investigation of learning styles was jointly conducted by the Fox Valley Technical Institute and the Center for Vocational Technical and Adult Education at the University of Wisconsin at Stout. After a study of learning styles, a computerized model to manage an instructional system was developed. Analysis of information necessary to manage a…

The Program for Learning in Accordance with Needs (PLAN) was incorporated into the Washington-Carver Community School in Muncie, Indiana in 1973 as a computer management system for individualized learning. The school is located in a low socioeconomic neighborhood with a population of 600 students identified as low achievers. Language arts,…

Optimization procedures for a computer-assisted instruction (CAI) system were developed using iterative development and tests of a series of instructional decision models (IDM). The result was a total systems effort in which the instruction was carried on by a dialogue between a computerized tutor and the student. A profile of the student, student…

A CETA youth project was designed to provide training in vocational awareness, self-awareness, coping skills, job skills, employability skills, career planning, and remedial reading. Over 500 youth between 14-21 were involved and many received computer interactional career training in coordination with an individualized career class. Significant…

For a school year, a language arts software program was used to help special needs children in Marblehead, Massachusetts who represented a range of learning disabilities and emotional, behavioral and physical disorders of varying degrees of severity. The program had three major components, entitled "Nouns,""Verbs," and "Adjectives." These…

Secondary students with learning disabilities, behavior disorders, and health impairments (n=16) learned a self-advocacy strategy via an Interactive Hypermedia Program (IHP) or through live instruction. After instruction, each student ran his own Individualized Education Program conference. The IHP was as effective in teaching the students the…

Discusses the decision making process needed to effectively integrate computers into individualized instruction in a resource room. Student scheduling is explained, and four case histories are presented that take learner needs and styles into account and incorporate a variety of instructional materials. (five references) (LRW)

Describes a study which assessed impact of computer assisted instruction on reading and mathematics achievement of disadvantaged youths participating in US Department of Labor's Job Corps, a federal vocational and educational program. Greater reading achievement gains but no statistically significant mathematics gains were found in experimental…