Basic principles of effective software implementation with learning disabled students are discussed. A prototype software package is described that is specifically designed to help develop discriminatory skills in recognizing letter shapes and letter combinations. (JW)

Two studies of 300 elementary schools in 52 California school districts (all schools had computers for instructional use) found that two-thirds allowed learning handicapped (LH) students access, that only half provided computer instruction to LH students, but that the more microcomputers a school had the more access LH students had. (Author/DB)

Practical guidelines are offered to help the teacher integrate microcomputers into a resource room environment for learning disabled students. The author lists basic software packages that are reported to provide proven "starter paks" in language, reading, and mathematics at specified grade levels. (JW)

The paper describes and provides pilot study data on a computer-based reading comprehension program for learning disabled students in grades 4-9. The program features diagnosis and practice in five skill areas: semantics, syntax, relationships, inference, and interpretation. (CL)

A day in a learning disabilities resource room with children in grades one through six is described. The teacher used a personal microcomputer and no commercial software. The computer offers many advantages and rewards for children with learning disabilities. (Author/SEW)

A new computer assisted instructional program designed to increase decoding fluency in reading was evaluated for use with 20 learning disabled elementary grade children. After 10 weeks of daily 15-minute practice sessions, subjects showed substantial improvement on words practiced, words never practiced, and reading speed and accuracy. (Author/DB)

The results of a study designed to compare the performance of learning handicapped and normally achieving students on microcomputer-administered spelling tests led the authors to suggest that microcomputer-administered dictation spelling tests may interfere with the cognitive process required in spelling for learning disabled students. (JW)

Three male and three female fourth grade learning disabled students received microcomputer assisted instruction in multiplication. Results indicated that about 12 days' computer drill yielded mean gains of 4.7 and 6.1 facts per minute for girls and boys, respectively. Results suggested transfer of learning to conventional paper-and-pencil tasks.…

A resource room teacher describes the versatility of a microcomputer in programing for learning disabled or emotionally handicapped students (grades K-8). She cites the microcomputer's contributions to student self-concept. (CL)

In Sunnyvale, California (the computer industry's "Silicon Valley") two teachers of elementary learning disabled (LD) students took a course in microcomputers, acquired three microcomputers with a grant, and trained the students to use computer-assisted instruction, with such results as that in one year, 37 LD students tutored 100 primary…

Describes a program designed to provide students with individualized spelling remediation using imitation and modeling techniques. (Author)

Suggests ways to use microcomputers to teach reading skills to students with learning disabilities. Discusses the operation of microcomputers, learner-centered software, and current research. Concludes that using microcomputers to remediate reading difficulties has great potential, provided the needs of the individual student are met. (RS)

Presents an overview and evaluation of a computer program directed toward the remediation of children's deficits in word recognition and phonological decoding. Finds that students improved their word recognition skills and phonological decoding of nonwords. Notes that the most severely disabled readers showed the largest gains. Discusses…

The report reviews the implementation of computer programs in special education in the District of Columbia Public Schools (DCPS) and describes specific applications at the Prospect Learning Center, a special elementary school for moderately to severely learning disabled students. Goals for a 3-year project on computers in DCPS are listed. A brief…

The study describes a computer-assisted instruction program that implemented a constant time delay procedure to teach the spelling of 15 state names to a sixth grader with a history of spelling disabilities. Maintenance and generalization of training effects also occurred. (Author/DB)