Computer Assisted Instruction to Teach Item Selection in Grocery Stores: An Assessment of Acquisition and Generalization

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a computer-based program designed to increase percentage of correct match to sample discrimination tasks and generalization of the skills to a natural setting. Four students with moderate to severe intellectual disabilities participated. The dependent variables were: (a) the percentage of correct match to sample trials completed on the computer and (b) the percentage of items correctly selected in the natural setting of a local grocery store. Pre and post generalization testing included locating items presented and not presented during instruction. The independent variable was a multimedia computer program entitled Project SHOP that provided instruction through interactive practice activities incorporating a graduated response criterion. A multiple probe design across behaviors and replicated across four participants was used to evaluate experimental control. Results indicated that following intervention, the percentage of correct response in the community increased.

Use of Computer-Based Interventions to Promote Daily Living Skills in Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities: A Systematic Review

“…The ages of the participants ranged from 7.7 to 58 years (M=19.1 years). In addition to ID, four participants had a diagnosis of autism (Ayres et al 2009;Hutcherson et al 2004) and one study involved a participant with the diagnosis of PDD-NOS (Mechling and O'Brien 2010). Although IQ scores were rarely reported, the participant descriptions provided by the authors of the included studies suggest that the majority of the participants could best be described as having moderate ID.…”

“…Participants used a variety of external devices to provide input during CBI. In six studies, participants operated mouse/trackballs and interacted using the click function (Ayres and Cihak 2010;Ayres et al 2006;Ayres et al 2009;Hansen and Morgan 2008;Hutcherson et al 2004;. A touch-screen was used in four studies (Davies et al 2003;Mechling 2008a, b;Mechling et al 2002;Mechling and O'Brien 2010).…”

“…Three of these studies used the program "Project Shop" (Ayres et al 2006;Hansen and Morgan 2008;Hutcherson et al 2004) and two used a program named "I can! Daily Living and Community Skills" (Ayres and Cihak 2010;Ayres et al 2009).…”

Assistive Technology for People with Autism Spectrum Disorders

“…For example, Sigafoos and colleagues examined the efficacy of computer delivered video prompting on teaching dish washing skills to three adults with autism. Two studies focused on using CBI to teach skills that are essential for independent living such as using public transportation (Mechling and O'Brien 2010) and purchasing groceries (Hutcherson et al 2004). Rosenberg et al (2010) compared commercially available videotapes and customized videotapes to examine effectiveness for teaching hand washing skills to three children diagnosed with autism.…”

“…Across the studies, a variety of assistive technology systems were used to deliver instruction. Three studies evaluated CBI to promote independent and daily living skills in individuals with ASD (Ayres et al 2009;Hutcherson 2004;Mechling and O'Brien 2010). For instance, Ayres et al (2009) delivered instructions using a computer software program to teach food preparation and table setting to three children (ages 7 to 9 years old) with autism.…”