Discusses the use of role plays in training for human communication skills, sales skills, and management skills. Rules for the application of role plays are given, steps in designing role plays are described, typical role play structures are explained, and materials for instructors and participants are discussed. (LRW)

This paper reviews 31 studies which directly compared two or more instructional strategies used with students who display moderate to severe handicaps. The efficiency and effectiveness of 13 strategies are reported, including error manipulation strategies, response prompting strategies, naturalistic teaching strategies, and stimulus modification…

Twenty single-subject investigations on early language interventions were reviewed. Treatments, including direct reinforcement of verbalization, mand-model, and time delay, were generally successful. Specific generalization training procedures were also supported. (Author/DB)

This paper identifies characteristics of poor speechreaders, defines developmental dyspraxia in profoundly hearing-impaired children, and outlines the speechreading process. An active training method is described in which expressive and receptive skills are integrated, by having hearing-impaired people speechread their own speech via videotape…

Describes a Total Quality Management training plan implemented at Wayne State University (WSU) that allowed the university's reference librarians to construct a cost-effective rotational cross-training program. This program was designed to improve reference referral service among WSU's five libraries. Participants concluded that the program was…

The intelligibility of three synthesized voices was evaluated by unfamiliar listeners (total n=120 secondary students) with or without listener training, using a 2 X 3 design. Results indicated that intelligibility for all three voices significantly improved following listener training. (Author/DB)

This article describes the development of training materials for individuals with developmental disabilities and their families and discusses statewide systems efforts to promote self-determination. The materials, developed by Florida agencies, are designed to enable individuals and family members to envision and realize choice, inclusion, and…

Twenty-seven Children (ages 42-66 months) with articulation impairment were taught to identify natural speech tokens as belonging to either the "sh" or not "sh" categories. Results showed that a computer-driven speech perception training program, provided concurrently with sound production training, can facilitate sound…

Explains the Intelligent Maintenance Training System that allows a nonprogramming subject matter expert to produce an interactive graphical model of a complex device for computer simulation. Previous simulation-based training systems are reviewed; simulation algorithms are described; and the student interface is discussed. (Contains 24…

Discusses the effect of object-oriented programming on the evolution of authoring systems. Topics include the definition of an object; examples of object-oriented authoring interfaces; what object-orientation means to an instructional developer; how object orientation increases productivity and enhances interactivity; and the future of courseware…

This report describes a behavior analysis treatment approach to establishing oral feeding in children with multiple developmental disabilities and gastrostomy-tube dependency. Pretreatment screening, functional assessment, and treatment are reported as implemented within a behavioral consultation model. A case study illustrates the sequence and…

A teaching procedure incorporated high-probability request sequences to increase low-probability communication behaviors of a 4-year old and an 8-year old with severe disabilities. Findings included increases in communication responses by both participants, as well as increases in unprompted communication responses by one participant. (Author/DB)

This study of visual discrimination training with 22 adults with mental retardation involved either computer-delivered instruction with a stimulus-fading procedure or teacher-delivered verbal and nonverbal prompts. While the teacher prompts were effective with more subjects, participants learned more discrimination problems with the computer…

This article reviews the literature on interdisciplinary approaches to training infant specialists and discusses the challenges of implementing such programs. The Interdisciplinary Infant Intervention Program at Temple University (Pennsylvania) is described as an example of how these challenges can be met. Challenges identified include…

People will learn better if they like what they are learning. Computers offer an extensive library of cases, examples, and stories that are easy to access, fun to work through, and tell students what they want to know. One example is the ASK system, a 15-module, self-study, multimedia program that is fun for trainees to use, which should enhance…