Computer-Based Video Instruction to Teach Persons with Moderate Intellectual Disabilities to Read Grocery Aisle Signs and Locate Items
By Mechling, Linda C.; Gast, David L.; Langone, John; Journal of Special Education, Vol. 35, No. 4, pp. 224-240Publication Date: Winter 2002
Study evaluates the use of computer-based video instruction to teach generalized reading of words found on grocery store aisle signs and the corresponding items. Four specific skills are addressed in the program: (1) identifying items to be purchased by reading a written shopping list or matching pictures and symbols to target items; (2) managing money; (3) locating and obtaining items in the store through memorization of item locations in stores, reading aisle sign headings, or scanning aisles in sequence; and (4) identifying prices and paying for items using calculators, number lines, or the next dollar strategy. The participants were four students, ages nine to seventeen, with moderate intellectual disabilities. All training sessions occurred through simulation using the computer-based program with life-like video recordings of multiple examples of three grocery stores. A Sony SteadyShot Handycam recorder was used to make the video recordings. The relevant segments of each video caption were assessed using the Hyperstudio 3.1 software program. The Hyperstudio program controlled the progression of each lesson based on the students' responses through touching the TouchWindow, which is used for direct selection of images on the computers screen. A Macintosh G3 Powerbook computer was used during training. The actual measures were assessed in actual grocery stores. Results indicated that the computer-based video program was successful in teaching generalized reading of aisle signs and the location of items. Results are discussed in terms of the advantages of computer-based video instruction.
Assistive Products Discussed: TOUCHWINDOW
Published by: Sage Publications (Website:http://www.sagepub.com)
Division for Research of The Council for Exceptional Children (CEC-DR) (Web Site: http://www.cecdr.org )
