Evaluation of a program which taught six severely mentally retarded individuals (ages 8-25) to sign interactively with each other found participants showed increased signing skills in a training play situation, generalized use of these skills in a second play situation, and maintained the trained skills over a 2 to 4 month period. (Author/DB)

The Sequential Prompt Reduction Technique (SPRT) was used with a 5-year-old severely retarded boy to develop his play skills. The SPRT has four components: identification of a desired terminal behavior, establishment of task sequences, delineation of prompts, and establishment of a prompt sequence. (DB)

Proposes a dialogic method of training tutors, based on a learning theory which views the "class" as a conversation, where teacher and learner are indistinguishable. Asserts that where dialogue is lacking, information may be transferred, but little is learned. (MM)

The article provides a review of behavioral staff training (focusing on antecedent, contingency management, and multi-faceted procedures) in special education settings, primarily institutions. Techniques are discussed according to such criteria as evaluation of staff behavior, changes in client behavior, inclusion of follow-up observations, and…

To produce spontaneous and generalized language use by severely disabled individuals, the language training context and content must be examined. Training methods can better approximate the conditions of natural language use when they involve: generation of spontaneous language responses to effect real-world changes, single performance "trials,"…

Presents a situation by response model that enables trainers to organize and simplify the planning, training, and application of making appropriate response choices. The discussion covers the possible uses of the model and the necessary steps involved in the creation of the model. (CLB)

Describes a training program in human relations for camp directors. Intended for groups of 8 to 12 people over 15 to 20 hours of group time. Lists topics for discussions about group process. Addresses participant concerns about feelings generated by workshop activities. Provides 22 references for experiential learning. (CS)

Five experiments with severely retarded noncompliant males made use of behavioral momentum to increase compliance. A series of commands with which the subject was very likely to comply were issued immediately prior to issuing a low-probability command. Results indicated increased compliance and decreased compliance latency and task duration.…

Nine mentally retarded mothers received group training in decision making using vignettes describing child raising situations. Significant changes in identification of decision-making steps and their application were observed and maintained for a month after training for both types of vignettes. (Author/DB)

Discusses how interactive video can be used as a training tool for process operators. Highlights include instructional features of interactive video, random access and branching capabilities, examples of training for operators of automated processes, simulation and interactive video, designing interactive video programs, and suggestions for…

Variations of backward chaining--backward chaining with leap-aheads (BCLA) and reverse chaining with leap-aheads (RCLA)-- were compared with four severely retarded learners (17-32 years) who were trained on two complex vocational tasks. Learning rate for the BCLA procedure was superior to the RCLA procedure. Time to criterion differences were…

Describes the Training Effectiveness Algorithm, a systematic procedure for identifying the cause of reported training problems which was developed for use in the U.S. Navy. A two-step review by subject matter experts is explained, and applications of the algorithm to other organizations and training systems are discussed. (Author/LRW)

Developed and systematically evaluated a prototype set of procedures called the Freshman Athlete Scholastic Training (FAST) program. Describes the design of this applied program and evaluates its efficacy in improving the academic performance of freshman student athletes, male and female, from a variety of athletic programs. The FAST program…

Correspondence training (in which verbalized promises and accurate self reporting of their fulfillment were both reinforced) was used to improve the generalization of social skills training in three mentally retarded adult males. After correspondence training targeted behaviors increased in the generalization setting and this increase was…

The study evaluated the effectiveness of an assertiveness training program with three young adult male stutterers. The program included instruction, modeling, behavior rehearsal, feedback, social reinforcement, and homework. Results indicated substantial increases during employment interviews in such target behaviors as responding to pejorative…