Facilitating Children's Learning of Dynamic-Display AAC Devices: The Effect of two Instructional Methods on the Performance of 6- and 7-year-olds with Typical Development Using a Dual-Screen Prototype

Abstract

This study compared the operation of a dynamic-display AAC device in two instructional conditions: corrective feedback (CF) and dual-screen guidance (DSG). In the CF condition prompts/feedback were provided for incorrect responses; the DSG condition used errorless guided instruction only. Twenty-one children with typical development – ten 6-year-olds and 11 7-year-olds – were randomly assigned to one instructional condition and completed five sessions: three learning/testing, one generalization, and one maintenance. The children were required to reproduce visual sentence stimuli on the AAC device. Differences were found in accuracy and efficiency of 6- and 7-year-olds. The 7-year-olds were more accurate and quicker than the 6-year-olds. Differences due to instructional condition were observed for 6-year-olds only. All children generalized and maintained learning.

Keywords:

• AAC
• Dual screen
• Errorless learning
• Operational competence
• Instruction
• Children

Acknowledgements

This research was supported in part by the Barkley Trust and Grant #H113#980026 from the National Institute on Disability and Rehabilitation Research (NIDRR), U.S. Department of Education. The opinions expressed in this publication are those of the grantee and do not necessarily reflect those of NIDRR or the Department of Education. The authors wish to thank the children and parents who participated in this research. Special thanks to the following individuals who helped with the recruitment and data collection processes: Miechelle McKelvey, Kristy Weissling, Torri Lienemann, and Mitzi Ritzman.

Declaration of interest: The authors report no conflicts of interest. The authors alone are responsible for the content and writing of the paper.

Notes

1 Dell Computers: Dell Inc., One Dell Way, Round Rock, Texas.

2 Dynavox Technologies is located in Pittsburgh, PA.