Laboratory research that compared the effects of various types and combinations of feedback on children's conceptual learning was reviewed and evaluated in terms of theories involving reinforcement, motivation, and information-processing interpretations. It was concluded that some important laboratory research findings and implications have been…

The article discusses methods of making the high school accounting class more appealing to attract more students. Methods include individual attention, in-class tutoring, no-grade evaluation, optional examination plan, career talk, success reinforcement, and others. (MF)

This article surveys several teacher interventions supported in the research literature to prevent the development of behavior problems in school-aged children. Strategies include specific teaching of social communication skills, clear communication of behavior expectations, creating a supportive school climate, and continual reinforcement of…

Reviews the uses of computer technology for students with behavior disorders. Three categories of applications are discussed: (1) computerized instruction to enhance academic skills or achievement; (2) computers used as reinforcers to modify behavior; and (3) the use of computers to improve social skills or interpersonal deficits. (14 references)…

Presents guidelines for developing computer-assisted instructional materials that are based on theoretical instructional theories, including behaviorism; neobehaviorism (imitation and modeling); information processing; cognitive psychology; and learning styles. Guidelines highlight feedback and reinforcement, practice opportunities, sequencing,…

Middle-school social studies teachers (n=26) were observed to assess their use of reinforcement and corrections. Time-of-year effects showed a midyear deceleration of corrections, followed by an end-of-year increase. A midyear drop in reinforcement also was seen, with no year-end increase. Mainstreamed and low-ability students received greater…

Group leaders who offer affirmations to participants in outdoor education encourage healthy relationships and group cohesion and increase individuals' self-esteem. Personal affirming includes actions and statements that make participants feel comfortable in their environment, support capable work, and encourage behavior change in a supportive and…

The effects on compliance of two types of differential negative reinforcement (DNR) were studied with a five-year-old girl with moderate mental retardation and a history of severe disruption. Escape from instructional trials was either contingent on a communicative behavior or compliance. Behaviors improved with both interventions, but compliance…

Two severely handicapped children (ages 5-6) exhibiting self-injurious behavior were treated with negative reinforcement (brief escape from grooming activities) contingent upon a behavior that was incompatible with self-injury (pressing a microswitch that activated a "stop" message). Treatment led to decreased self-injury, which was maintained at…

This article defines, provides a rationale for, and describes the implementation of a classroom management level system in a middle school program for students with severe behavior disorders. The system is a motivational plan for behavioral improvement based upon a graduated series of levels with increasing student responsibility and privileges.…

A retrospective review of 51 studies from 22 journals (1976 to 1990) concerning generalization of social skills training with preschool children was conducted. Strategies employed by the most successful studies were identified, such as addressing functional target behaviors; using prompts, positive reinforcement, and feedback strategies; and…

This study involving three autistic and four nondisabled preschool children found that a peer-initiation intervention produced increases in peer initiations and social interactions when the teacher verbally prompted, but not without verbal prompts. When a correspondence training/visual feedback package was implemented, peer initiations and social…

Describes a partnership between Zoo Atlanta and the Georgia Institute of Technology in teaching the principles of operant conditioning to students in an experimental psychology class. Maintains that the positive training techniques used in zoos are models of applied operant conditioning. Includes a discussion of zoo training goals. (MJP)

Personalized instruction focuses specifically on each learner's needs, talents, learning style, interests, and academic background and challenges each learner to progress from one stage to another. This article presents a four-phase continuum of personalized teaching strategies, ranging from behavioral approaches (reinforcement and feedback)…

A study analyzed ratings of 55 teachers for the effectiveness and acceptability of a range of interventions and evaluated the impact on those ratings of providing functional information about the problem behavior. Teachers differentially rated brief interruption and differential reinforcement according to the functional information provided in the…