An Analysis of the Relevance of Topographical Similarity on Positive Practice of Spelling Errors

Abstract

Two studies were conducted assessing the relevance of having students perform exercises with words spelled incorrectly on weekly pretests. Both studies used a multi-element design in which baseline was followed by the alternation of relevant positive practice (RPP) and irrelevant positive practice (IPP). In RPP, students were required to perform a variety of exercises on words spelled incorrectly on the pretest. In IPP, for each word spelled incorrectly, students had to perform similar exercises on words which were not on the spelling list. In all condition students took a posttest at the end of the week. In both cases, RPP and IPP produced superior spelling score on weekly tests compared to baseline. There were, however, insignificant differences between RPP and IPP. The superior scores on the posttests as compared to the pretests indicate the possibility of an educational component to the practice exercises. Comments by the students and teachers indicated their preference for RPP over IPP. Nevertheless, the extensive duration of the practice exercises may limit their usefulness.