The computer has been used successfully in the education of persons with handicaps. Five subjects with developmental disabilities were selected for a six-month study and trained to use the microcomputer in performing basic data entry and word processing tasks. Four of the five subjects were placed in computer-related occupations following the…

Discusses the use of keyboarding skills in elementary classrooms and stresses the importance of establishing writing environments that help children to understand writing as communication. (MG)

Discusses the problems of teaching very young students to keyboard well enough to use a computer effectively in composition. Suggests that there is sufficient software to teach keyboarding as young as the fourth grade, and that teachers who have typing skills can teach keyboarding to their students. (JC)

This paper describes the development of a new technique for augmentative and alternative communication text input, commercially known as T9. T9 stands for "typing with 9 keys." The basic T9 technology is designed so that 3 or 4 letters are printed on each of 7 keys, and an 8th key is used as an unambiguous "space" key. Each keystroke designating a…

Describes an ongoing research study investigating the value of using the concept keyboard as a device to assist children in creating functional texts. Suggests that the use of the conceptual keyboard as an alternative input device for word processor use has the potential to help children better structure their writing. (AA)

Discusses new possibilities that computers and laser printers offer instructional technologists. Includes a brief history of printed communications, a description of new technological advances referred to as "desktop publishing," and suggests the application of this technology to instructional tasks. (TW)

This guide provides a collection of ideas for word processing activities that teachers have found to be useful in special education classes. The guide begins with a list of 41 computer skills, the grade levels at which the skills are usually introduced (from kindergarten to secondary levels), and provides names of commercial programs which may be…

Investigates the ability of third-grade students to generate essays either by hand or with a word processing program. Indicates that the length and quality of the handwritten essays were superior to the computer-generated ones, suggesting that third-grade students were not as efficient in using a word processing program to generate essays as they…

One of nine brief guides for special educators on using computer technology, this guide is specifically directed to special education teachers and encourages them to become critical consumers of technology to ensure its most effective use. Brief descriptions of the various uses of the computer in the school setting--as an instructional tool, as an…

A curriculum was developed to address the needs of a high school special education computer science class. Class members included both resource-room learning disabled and the more severely learning disabled, and the project aimed to help them fulfill the school district requirement of the completion of a one-semester computer class prior to…

This practicum was designed to increase the skills of 13 middle school students with learning and behavioral disabilities in the use of personal productivity software. In addition, teacher training and motivational activities were included. Consultation with the school technology instructor and creative scheduling provided the students with hours…