This meta-analytical review of seven studies examined the effectiveness of two intervention approaches--(1) behavior training strategies and (2) cognitive process strategies--to teaching social skills to learners with moderate to severe mental retardation. Although both approaches were effective, the cognitive process appeared more effective in…

Two studies evaluating a video-based instructional package for training 12 respite care providers found that performance during simulated situations improved in 5 of 6 skill areas, with no differences whether videotapes were viewed alone, with a partner, or with structured group training. Correct responding was generalized and skills were…

The effects of analog language teaching and natural language teaching on language generalization and long-term retention in 23 adults with autism and severe/profound mental retardation were examined. Natural language teaching was found to have many strengths and few drawbacks and to produce equal generalization and retention under conditions…

Clarifies the idea of prediction in science teaching by distinguishing between the two extremes of guessing and making logical deductions. Discusses the use of predictions in testing teachers' and students' explanations. (MDH)

Dismissing research that is not theory driven, hypothesis testing, or generalization producing does injustice to the variety of contributions that qualitative research can make. Studies conducted through qualitative approaches are reviewed to summarize the desirable outcomes that can result. No research model has a monopoly on quality. (SLD)

Three mentally retarded students (ages 9-12) who exhibited challenging behaviors to escape from academic demands and to receive social attention were taught alternative assistance-seeking and attention-getting phrases. Data indicated that the intervention reduced challenging behavior. The results transferred across settings, and were maintained 18…

Describes an action research project conducted in eighth-grade algebra and prealgebra classes. Suggests ways in which students can use their creativity to progress from a simple solution method to a method that produces a generalization and a formula. (AIM)

Four students (ages seven to nine) with moderate mental retardation were successfully taught to name photographs of foods using a progressive time delay procedure. Presentation of the supermarket grocery department as part of the discriminative stimulus was effective in increasing the percentage of correct responding. Some generalization occurred…

Adaptations to the Candy Land board game to allow play by children with moderate or severe disabilities are suggested, such as attaching a small photograph of the student to the marker and using large heavily weighted markers. Ways to generalize new skills and gradually remove the adaptations are discussed. (DB)

A study investigated the effects of using videotaped self-modeling on the acquisition of new linguistic structures used for requesting in three preschoolers with developmental disabilities. Participants were able to learn through self-modeling; however, initial difficulties with generalization to the classroom setting were found. (CR)

Focuses on the stereotyping of learners by exploring the beliefs of Japanese students about appropriate writing styles and strategies. Results confirm earlier work that generalizations about the expectations and attitudes of students from particular cultural and regional backgrounds are likely to be misleading. (Author/VWL)

Previous work by our group has shown that infant emotional vitality (EV), the lively expression of shared emotion both positive and negative, predicts cognitive and language abilities in toddlerhood. Specifically, infants who demonstrated a pattern of high emotional expression combined with high bids to their caregivers, fared significantly better…

Purpose: To investigate individual and contextual antecedents of learning, transfer of learning, training generalization and training maintenance in a work context. Design/methodology/approach: The hypotheses were tested using hierarchical regression analysis on data obtained from 119 employees who attended training programs. Findings: The data…

The objectives of this study are: (a) elaboration of a history and philosophy of science (HPS) framework based on a reconstruction of the development of the periodic table; (b) formulation of seven criteria based on the framework; and (c) evaluation of 57 freshman college-level general chemistry textbooks with respect to the presentation of the…

Generalizing or making claims that extend beyond particular situations is a central mathematical practice and a focus of classroom mathematics instruction. This study examines how aspects of generality are produced through the situated activities of a group of middle school mathematics students working on an 8-week population-modeling project. The…