Three high school students with severe disabilities were taught turn-taking conversational skills utilizing a communication book (containing pictures pertaining to the student's interest areas). After training, which included minimal training of conversational partners, balanced conversational turn-taking increased significantly and skills…

Describes the Corporate Educational NETwork developed at IBM that uses interactive television for training. Reasons for a new training method are discussed, including lowering costs; technical details are explained, including the use of a communications satellite; course offerings are described; and results of evaluations are discussed. (LRW)

This special section on the spirit of play discusses (1) characteristics of adult play; (2) styles of playfulness; (3) the creation of environments that foster children's sense of wonder; and (4) strategies for training teachers to be playful and to be attentive to children's play. (HOD)

Examines the use of the microcomputer in video production and considers the types of equipment, the management, and the technological capabilities that need to be available to a small producer. Highlights include software packages for character generation; digitization; three-dimensional image animation; and graphics modules. (four references)…

Describes the development of interactive video technology and discusses its use for instruction and training. Topics addressed include individual learning; the use of interactive video compared to other media; use with broadcast television; and the element of time, including charges for videoconferencing for businesses. (nine references) (LRW)

Responses of 25 mobility instructors to a survey concerning long cane instruction with preschool children with severe visual impairments found that 80 percent favored introduction of cane skills during the preschool years, that 90 percent or more agreed with almost all listed advantages, and that no particular training technique was favored. (DB)

Provides an overview of issues concerned with the design and use of computer-based simulations. Learning processes are discussed, and the SIMULATE project, which was developed to design an integrated set of authoring tools for the construction of an intelligent simulation learning environment (ISLE), is described. (15 references) (LRW)

Administrators (n=235) of programs for children with communication disorders in 11 midwestern states were surveyed to assess trends in the training and utilization of paraprofessionals. Topics included current trends in employment; paraprofessional training; use of professional and state guidelines; and district policies for supervision.…

Describes a study of desirable components for undergraduate corporate trainer preparation programs. Responses from 323 of 1,093 people listed in the 1987-88 Senior Trainer Roster related to their level of education, major, kinds of training, training methods used, and perceptions of the appropriateness of competencies taught at college. (DMM)

Presents a model training protocol for case management of child sexual abuse cases and a training protocol for the development of case planning skills. Findings from an evaluation of case management skills suggest that child protective service workers need training in formulating goals and objectives and negotiating contracts with sexually abusive…

Describes a computer simulation, CACTUS, that was developed in the United Kingdom to help police with command and control training for large crowd control incidents. Use of the simulation for pre-event planning and decision making is discussed, debriefing is described, and the role of the trainer is considered. (LRW)

Discusses CD-ROM as a cost-effective method of adding a multimedia hardware platform to office personal computers. Topics covered include hardware requirements; CD-ROM capacity; mixed-mode CD-ROMs containing audio, graphics, and text; audio-only CD-ROMs; and development costs. Examples of mixed-mode and audio-only titles are described, and…

Describes TECH 2000, a permanent gallery of interactive multimedia applications contributed by manufacturers and producers of multimedia systems. Located in Washington, DC, the gallery includes examples of multimedia technology in the areas of arts and culture, new technology, interactive training, educational tutorials, community information,…

Examines definitions and goals of the field of performance technology. Topics discussed include a model for visualizing performance technology; needs assessment; front-end analysis; the design and development of relevant and cost-effective training/educational interventions; testing; implementation; evaluation; and job aids. (LRW)

Describes an experimental study that tested the impact of a conceptual illustration on college students' understanding of the structure, function, and behavior of complex technical systems. The use of functional flow diagrams in aircraft mechanics' training is explained, a concept map analysis is discussed, and implications for technical training…