The pyramid training model was evaluated as a means to teach six supervisors and aides working with profoundly retarded adults the training skills of increasing assistance prompt hierarchy and specific praise in developing clients' daily living skills. Providing training to supervisors resulted in improved training skills for them and subsequently…

The article describes teacher-directed and student-mediated comprehension strategies to improve the text comprehension skills of mainstreamed students with mild disabilities. Techniques include advance organizers, study guides, color coding, oral reading, critical thinking maps, and self-questioning techniques. Guidelines are offered for assessing…

Three youths with speech and language disorders completed an interview-training strategy emphasizing self-monitoring procedures. The results indicated that the training procedures were effective in increasing the use of positive comments, questions, and self-disclosures both in mock interviews and actual interview situations. (Author/JDD)

Examined are the effects of testing on the achievement of students using self-instructional materials to learn science process skills. Results indicated that frequent quizzes did not differentially affect process skill acquisition. (Author/CW)

There is strong evidence that massed practice depresses performance and learning when learning is assessed by absolute retention measures. This finding is discussed relative to other literature on distribution of practice as well as recent issues in motor learning. (JD)

A brief training manual was developed to teach child-care workers to contingency contract with delinquent youths living in residential care facilities. Results from analogue training simulations and generalization tests indicated that workers became more proficient in contract negotiation and writing behaviors and were able to apply the skills.…

Research on language intervention in the natural environment was reviewed in relation to the variables of context, analysis of communicative behaviors, and intervention strategies. Intervention strategies described include naturally occurring opportunities, skill cluster training, interrupted behavior chain strategy, and milieu training.…

Evaluates the potential of optical data disks as an online training tool based on experiences with information and library studies students and end users. The discussion weighs potential benefits and drawbacks of this type of training, including user reactions, the effect of online skills development, and cost effectiveness. (nine references) (CLB)

Presented are examples of academic, social, daily living, and motor skills that might be targeted for observational instruction for students with handicaps. At each of three phases of development (acquisition level, fluency level, and generalization level), suggestions are offered on choosing what to teach and deciding how to teach. (JDD)

Describes the potential benefits of the Pre-Teacher Assessment Project, that assesses sophomore education majors on 13 skill dimensions essential to effective teaching. Students demonstrate their skills during four simulated activities and receive follow-up modules to remediate weak areas. (Author/CB)

Describes a preschool child's gradual acquisition of a play language, Pig Latin, and discusses the abilities and errors that were measured over the course of acquisition. Acquisition improved as the subject developed language abilities involving word identification, first-consonant deletion, suffix creation, and short-term memory for speech units.…

Trinity University's philosophy laboratory provides a think tank for philosophy students, allowing them to practice such skills as logic, critical reasoning, and the application of moral responsibility in decision-making by applying their skills to real-life situations. Students, selected as fellows and paid, are divided into teams for projects.…

The effects of cooperative learning strategy manipulations on the enactment and recall of a medical procedure were examined, using 98 undergraduates. Results shed light on prevalent theories of skill acquisition. Written recall of the procedure was enhanced by prior performance, and performance was enhanced by prior recall. (TJH)

Describes several high school television communications projects. Asserts that video production helps develop students' basic reading and writing skills as well as higher thinking skills. (MM)

Reviewed are 14 studies employing single-subject methodology to investigate the results of interventions to improve developmental functioning in handicapped preschoolers. Interventions included treatments to develop physical responsiveness, increase feeding behavior, and decrease rumination or compulsive vomiting. Knowledge concerning the…