This study examined representational matching to sample with 68 subjects with severe mental retardation. Participants differed in their expressive communication and included symbolic (speaking) individuals, distal-gesture users, and contact-gesture users. Contact-gesture users performed significantly more poorly on identical matching to sample…

Presents information on the normal sequence of speech and language development in young children. Describes how a teacher or family member can recognize a potential problem or delay in a child's language skills. Offers suggestions for enhancing early speech and language development, such as talking during routines. Lists favorite books for…

Compares the impact of two different computer-mediated communication (CMC) systems, with different prescribed guidelines for use, on the per-person volume of online interchanges in two graduate classes. Hypothesies a relationship between system characteristics, guidelines for use, and the perpetuation of verbal interaction in settings where CMC is…

The effects of speech training with real-time spectrographic displays (SDs) were examined and compared to the effects of noninstrumental instruction (NI) for four adolescents with deafness. All subjects demonstrated improvement under both forms of instruction. Maintenance of improvements was observed 6-week post-treatment for two NI-trained…

This paper presents a case study of the process of conceptual change in six-year-old children. The process of conceptual change in learning about floating and sinking is described from two different viewpoints: how the children's conceptions change during the instructional process, and how the social discussion during the experimental exploration…

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effectiveness of a family-focused early intervention program developed to meet the needs of children with hearing loss and their parents. The participants were 12 children with severe and profound hearing loss who lived in a rural area of Turkey. They did not have any additional disabilities. Their…

This study examined the attendance behaviors of undergraduate students. Much of the existing literature had focused on student variables in determining attendance in the classroom. In the present study, the focus was on students' perceptions of instructor behaviors instead. Students completed questionnaires and reported their own attendance in…

The Standardized Letter of Recommendation (SLR) is a Web-based admission tool designed to replace traditional, narrative letters of recommendation with a more systematic and equitable source of information about applicants to institutions of higher education. The SLR includes a rating scale and open-ended response space that prompt evaluators to…

Recent learning theories and the suggested importance of 'interactive' approaches in national initiatives, (NLS, NNS) led to an ESRC-funded action research project involving the University of Exeter and teachers in three schools--'Using Talk to Activate Learners' Knowledge' (TALK). This investigated how 'interactive' whole class teaching was and…

This paper reports on a study that attempts to encourage teachers to use a visual and verbal approach to storytelling as a method of critical reflection. It demonstrates and discusses how one teacher uses the visual images to comment critically, adding a playfully ironic dimension to a verbal perspective of everyday teaching activities. Many…

Based on in-depth qualitative interviews, this article gives the opportunity to 145 sixth graders to tell, in their own words, how they felt and reacted when verbally and emotionally abused by their classmates. Content analysis of interviews revealed gender differences in students reactions to verbal aggression. Another interesting finding was the…

This study examined associations between acculturation and teaching styles among 55 young mainland Puerto Rican mothers. Mothers (M age = 19.2 years) and their children (M age = 19.2 months) were videotaped during a puzzle-completion teaching task. Three aspects of acculturation were assessed: language, cultural involvement, and exposure to…

This report synthesizes the discussion that took place in a Conference on Qualitative Classroom Research ("What in the world happens in classrooms?" ), organized by the authors and held in Oaxtepec, Mexico in May 2002. The primary aim was to visualize possible interconnections among the various disciplines represented by the 35 scholars who were…

Palilalia, the delayed repetition of words or phrases, occurs frequently among individuals with autism and developmental disabilities. The current study used a combined multiple baseline and reversal design to investigate the effectiveness of presenting tacts as corrections for palilalia. During baseline, five preschoolers with autism emitted high…

Both applied and conceptual experiments based on Skinner's theory of verbal behavior have led to significant benefits for: (a) persons with language disorders and delays, (b) students who need to bridge the achievement gap, (c) professionals who work with students, and (d) individuals who wish to design functional curricula and pedagogy to meet…