Full Title:
Comparison of error-correction procedures for teaching topography- and selection-based responses
Co-Investigators:
May Lee, M. A.,
Dr. C.T. Yu
Affiliations:
St. Amant and Department of Psychology, University of Manitoba
Practicing the correct response several times after an error is a common strategy
for teaching functional skills to individuals with developmental disabilities. However, this teaching strategy
seems to help with learning some tasks and not others.
The purpose of this new project is to understand better the type of tasks it helps or
does not help. The researcher will compare two procedures for teaching copying and matching skills to individuals
with developmental disabilities. During the study, participants will be taught to copy various symbols (e.g.,
alphabets, numbers, or shapes) and to match objects to printed words. In both teaching procedures, the teacher
will provide praise and a small edible for each correct response. Verbal feedback will be provided immediately
following an error. In one procedure the participant will also be requested to practice the correct response 5 times;
there will be no practice in the other procedure.
This project is important because the more we learn about how different teaching
procedures may work better for different types of tasks, the better we will be in improving our teaching methods
for individuals with developmental disabilities.
We are now recruiting individuals with a diagnosis of developmental disabilities
and with limited to no speech. Individuals may benefit most from this project if they do not have severe visual
impairments, have adequate motor coordination to perform copying tasks and the ability to follow simple
instructions.
If you would like to participate or receive more information about the project, please feel free to contact:
May Lee, PhD. Candidate
Student Researcher
St. Amant Research Centre
mlee@stamant.mb.ca
204.256.4301 ext. 5445
