Four autistic children, age 8-15, exhibited fewer correct responses to a stimulus as the number of stimulus components was increased from 1 to 4. Training was effective in producing some generalized increases in responses to complex stimuli. (Author/JDD)

This study evaluated the importance of active student responding while using the microcomputer to deliver the contingencies of programed instruction. Results from 75 undergraduates found that students who covertly responded to frame blanks or were required to type frame answers performed better on a posttest than students who passively read…

The relative effectiveness of three procedures for increasing vocal response to prompt in 15 preschool children with Down Syndrome was compared. Light-dimming and visual screening, when combined with positive reinforcement, were both found to be significantly more effective than positive reinforcement alone. (Author/JDD)

To stimulate discussion among students, an instructor introduced interrupted videos in an interpersonal communication class. The videos consisted of brief 2-3 people conversations taken from films such as "Ordinary People,""Volunteers,""Planes, Trains, and Automobiles," and "The Joy Luck Club." Sometimes the…

Students' class participation can be increased by having each child display a response to each of the teacher's questions. Suggestions are given for evaluating and using pre-printed response cards and write-on response cards. Evidence for the effectiveness of response cards in increasing learning and on-task behavior is offered. (DB)

This study compared the effects of two cover, copy, and compare interventions on the written multiplication performance of two elementary school students with behavioral disorders. The verbal response condition resulted in greater increases in written multiplication performance and occasioned more than twice the number of opportunities to respond…

This study, involving four secondary-age students with moderate to severe mental retardation, found that four response prompting conditions (progressive time delay and the system of least prompts, both with and without a descriptive consequent event) were effective in teaching reading of recipe words with similar efficiency and maintenance. (JDD)

The study evaluated the impact of two frequencies of collecting data on five severely mentally retarded adults' responsiveness to skill acquisition training programs. Daily versus weekly data collection did not have a differential impact on student progress. The study also examined amount of instructional time required and staff preferences.…

The Code for Instructional Structure and Student Academic Response--Special Education (CISSAR-SPED) is an observation system which assesses the ecobehavioral processes within learning environments. Use of CISSAR-SPED with 12 students with autism or developmental disabilities provided both molar and molecular descriptions of special education…

Research has shown that when peer tutoring is used as an instructional procedure, student test scores increase and failure is rare. Research has also shown that not only tutees gain academically but also that tutors tend to gain in both academic and social outcomes. Moreover, teachers can implement the technique efficiently and cost effectively.…

Progressive time delay is presented as a nonintrusive method of teaching receptive vocabulary to a 5-year-old girl with severe mental retardation. The girl was trained in pointing to photographs of various unfamiliar objects when the object was named by the teacher. Results indicate that the presentation of a time delay procedure resulted in a…

This study examined the extent to which categorical differences exist in the instructional environment for students with mild handicaps. Subjects were 30 learning-disabled, 32 emotionally/behaviorally disturbed, 30 educable mentally retarded, and 30 nonhandicapped students in grades 2-4. Twenty-four special education teachers and 54 regular…

Describes an introductory undergraduate survey course on European history that incorporates three interrelated sections: constitutional government in Europe, the American revolution, and the French Revolution. The instruction emphasizes the interconnectedness among the events and includes repetition of key ideas and information. Discusses the…

Presents the results of a study that measured the efficacy of an international economics simulation among undergraduates. The simulation consisted of a macroeconomics game where students develop economic policies for four hypothetical countries. A multiple choice test and posttest questionnaire suggests that classroom games are more effective than…

Discusses evaluation criteria for selecting courseware that teaches basic concepts appropriate for preschool and early elementary students. Reviews of the software manual, the courseware itself, and reviews by students are suggested. Other areas of concern that are addressed include instructional quality, production quality, flexibility, and cost.…