Microcomputers in Special Education: Implications for Instructional Design

The development of computer-assisted and computer-managed instruction involves a number of instructional design issues. The implications of these instructional design issues for special education populations are discussed. Reference is made to algorithmic and heuristic procedures, individual rate of learning, feedback, and instructional task hierarchies.

Interactive Video Authoring of Instruction for the Mentally Handicapped

The article describes the development and field testing of a Microcomputer/Videodisc computer assisted instruction system for mentally handicapped students with primary emphasis on the authoring system, which is a set of computer programs designed to allow noncomputer programmers to write instructional programs for use with the Microcomputer/Videodisc system. The objectives of the authoring system were evaluated as part of the overall field tests. Evaluation results are reported along with details on the operational aspects of the authoring system.

High and Low Technology Approaches in the Development of Communication Systems for Severely Physically Handicapped Persons

An understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of both high and low technology implementations of approaches to providing effective means of communication to individuals with severe speech and motor impairments is important both to avoid the inappropriate application of high technologies where they are not needed and to ensure their application when they are in fact required. Misconceptions about the relative strengths of both high and low technologies contribute to the general confusion in this area. Presented is an overview of the basic approaches to providing augmentative communication modes to severely physically handicapped individuals. Various implementations of these approaches ranging from simple to advanced aids as well as the relative advantages of each level are discussed.

Electronic Travel Aids for Blind Persons

This article describes four of the most widely accepted and utilized Electronic Travel Aids—the Lindsay Russell Pathsounder, the Mowat Sensor, the Sonicguide™, and the C-5 Laser Cane. Current uses and applications of the four aids for specific populations of visually impaired persons are discussed. In addition, a research review provides insight into the issues affecting future use of the devices.

The Potential of Videodisc Technology for the Hearing Impaired

The videodisc is a recently developed technology that combines the interactive, individualized qualities of the computer with the visual qualities of television, film, and filmstrips. The videodisc, available publicly since 1978, has great potential for improving the quality of instruction for the deaf. It exhibits tremendous flexibility in the presentation of instructional materials. It can present all other media forms—films, filmstrips, books, etc.—and provide multi-media learning experiences in which each medium is used to its best advantage. Since it can present television or film materials, it offers a high degree of visual stimulation, critically important in the education of the deaf.

Making Microcomputers Accessible to Blind Persons

Without specialized “access technology,” blind students are precluded from full access to microcomputers. Research on multimedia access to microcomputers has explored tactile, auditory, and visual means of access. This article considers the advantages and limitations of these means and related equipment, and concludes with a look into the future of computer access technology.

Nonvocal Communication Augmentation Using Microcomputers

Microcomputers are being used with increasing frequency to enhance communication effectiveness for individuals who are unable to speak. As components of commercially available augmentative communication systems, microcomputers support the storage and retrieval of messages, speech synthesis, and elementary word processing. Custom programs have been developed so that personal computers can serve as communication systems capable of transducing restricted motor movements into messages, predicting and completing messages, and producing messages in either spoken or printed form. In preparation for augmentative communication system use, microcomputers are employed for motor, linguistic, and visual training of nonvocal persons.

Once More with Feeling: The Absence of Research on Teacher use of Microcomputers

This article presents a brief overview of research relating to teacher use of microcomputers. Emotional responses to microcomputers are compared with those that accompanied the advent of previous technological innovations. A discussion of research deficiencies follows, and suggestions for further research are provided.