This Digest looks at recent research, and then asks and considers some important questions about choosing a handwriting program for young children, i.e.: (1) which alphabet is developmentally appropriate; (2) which alphabet is easier to use; (3) which alphabet is easier to read; (4) which alphabet is more easily integrated; (5) which alphabet is…

This project involved a program for improving student behavior. The targeted population consisted of second and third grade students in a rural community located west of Chicago, Illinois. Data indicated that behavior problems were disrupting instructional time and students' involvement in learning. The evidence for the existence of the problem…

This final report discusses the outcomes of a federally funded study of nine toddlers and preschoolers (ages 29-63 months) with a variety of disabilities. The project investigated the effectiveness of embedding systematic instruction within inclusive, developmentally appropriate practice (DAP), play-based environments to teach young children with…

This final report discusses the outcomes of a research project that examined which training procedures lead to effective acquisition and generalization of social skills of students with serious emotional disturbances and behavior problems. Specifically, goals of the project were: (1) to determine the effectiveness and efficiency of five training…

This document consists of four papers presented during a symposium on learning research moderated by Keith Johansen at the 1996 conference of the Academy of Human Resource Development (AHRD). "A Goal-Based Scenario (GBS) as a Unified Approach to Integrated Skills Development Training: Andersen Consulting's BanDS School" (Kurt J. Olson, Jeffrey M.…

This paper discusses the difficulties deaf and hard-of-hearing children (d/hh) have in test taking and the test-taking strategies they use, such as visual matching of words in the text to words in the question. These specific strategies are different from those used by children without disabilities. Also examined are the characteristics and…

This study: (1) examined assumptions made about development of second-language writing skills by the teaching profession, as reflected in the American Council on the Teaching of Foreign Languages (ACTFL) proficiency guidelines, and (2) investigated the relationship between those assumptions and actual skills development, as reflected in the work…

This compilation presents material related to the HOSTS (Help One Student To Succeed) Reading Mastery/Learning/Tutorial System, a program consisting of the use of electronic databases, comprehensive diagnostic tests, computer software, instructional materials, staff development, tutorial master plans, and a professional support system to support…

This collection of papers, the sixth in an annual series, presents the views of members of the Professional and Organizational Development Network in Higher Education on improving research, career development, conceptual models for program planning, and teaching and learning. Articles and authors are as follows: "The Need for Classroom Research"…

Traditional cure-then-place approaches to vocational rehabilitation of individuals with psychiatric disabilities have had little success. An approach known as psychiatric rehabilitation, advanced by William Antony, emphasizes occupational and independent living adjustments and has a relative lack of emphasis on a psychiatric cure. Such approaches…

A step-by-step model for training peer counselors forms the basis of the trainer's manual and accompanying exercises for trainees which are organized into two books for effective skill building. Designed for peer counseling trainees, this document presents the second of these two exercise books. The book begins with a brief introduction to…

Recent writing theory, research, and pedagogy have aided in the development of several models for improving second language writing skills. Attention is focused more on writing as a process, the importance of practice in writing improvement, and the need to learn cognitive structures contributing to writing. Daily journal writing is one method of…

This document proposes the project approach as one element of early childhood education that can function in a complementary relationship to other aspects of the early childhood curriculum. The term "project" is defined as an extended investigation of a topic that is of interest to participating children and judged worthy of attention by…

This handbook provides guidelines for instructors to follow in developing test items for occupational task lists. It begins with directions for task analysis: identifying major performance steps of a task, identifying supporting knowledge for each performance step, identifying supporting performance skills for each performance step, identifying…

In recognition of the close relationship between motor skill and cognitive development in the first 2 years of life, this guide presents 78 developmentally appropriate activities that parents and teachers can use to enhance infant and toddler motor development. Activities are categorized by age group as follows: (1) 16 activities for newborn to…