This quantitative, quasi-experimental research study was designed to determine the impact of a computer assisted reading instruction program on the fluency rates and comprehension skills of third and fourth grade students with reading disabilities at an Ohio suburban-metropolitan elementary school. Pretests established the participants' baseline…

The purpose of this study was to synthesize the effectiveness of computer-assisted instruction (CAI) studies aiming to increase vocabulary for students with disabilities in an effort to identify what type of CAI is promising for practice. An extensive search process with inclusion and exclusion criteria yielded a total of 13 single-subject design…

Computer-assisted instruction (CAI) for students with disabilities can be categorized into the following categories: visual, auditory, mobile, and cognitive skills-based CAI. Cognitive-skills based CAI differs from other types of CAI largely in terms of an emphasis on instructional design features. We conducted both systematic review of…

Instruction about goal setting can increase students' self-determination and reduce problem behavior. Computer-assisted instruction could offer teachers another format for teaching goal setting and self-determination. This study used a multiple probes across participants design to examine the effects of computer-assisted instruction on students'…

Students with disabilities are guaranteed access to assistive technologies (AT) by provisions of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Improvement Act (IDEIA) (2004) and its predecessor, the Technology Related Assistance Act (Tech Act) (1988). Design and development of AT, including devices and software programs, has burgeoned to a point…

Speech technology--especially automatic speech recognition--has now advanced to a level where it can be of great benefit both to able-bodied people and those with various disabilities. In this paper we describe an application "TalkMaths" which, using the output from a commonly-used conventional automatic speech recognition system,…

Writing is a recursive and complex set of cognitive processes that can be taught effectively to students with disabilities. Employing an adapted cognitive theory of writing, a broad view of what constitutes evidence, and the support of a variety of assistive and internet-based technologies, we developed a writing instructional program to meet the…

Five different levels of instructional videodisc and microcomputer configurations are described and discussed in relation to needs and resources of the special education program. Principles of effective instruction should be applied to the development and utilization of videodisc technology.(Author/DB)

The article attempts to provide a rationale for the use of computer assisted learning with handicapped and nonhandicapped students and suggests implications of computer assisted learning. Computer usage is differentiated from computer assisted learning; computer assisted learning is compared to other methods; and limitations of computer assisted…

Students with disabilities often lack the skills required to access the general education curriculum and achieve success in school and postschool environments. Evidence suggests that using assistive technologies such as digital texts and translational supports enhances outcomes for these students (Anderson-Inman & Horney, 2007). The purpose of the…

The article focuses on the first two of six elements of effective instruction (warm-up and introductory activity) and applies them to the use of computer software aids in special education. Examples of suitable warm-up and introductory activities are provided. (DB)

This article reviews the use of computer-based technology in teaching reading to students with disabilities. Research from the last 10 years is examined using the metaphors of Tutor, Tool, and Agent as categories of instructional purpose. Most of the substantive data supporting computer use concerns drill and practice and tutorial assisted…

This article describes a set of software programs designed to teach mathematics to all students including students with disabilities. The programs are based on the standards of the National Council of Teachers and Mathematics. The article reports on the effective use of one of these programs with four students with various disabilities. (Contains…

Two parallel studies were conducted to determine whether students' achievement in reading and/or mathematics would be affected by the use of Education Systems Corporation (ESC) Software for Chapter 1 students. Students in the experimental groups used the software twice a week during a period of one school year, with 561 Chapter 1 students in…

The reinforcing characteristics of bonus feedback were investigated, as 130 children from both regular and resource classrooms in grades two-four were taught time-telling using a microcomputer-controlled videodisc system. No significant differences were found among five feedback conditions used, indicating that bonus feedback had little positive…