Microcomputer-Based Instruction in Special Education

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Abstract
This article reports findings of an evaluation study examining the instructional effectiveness of varying software environments for 120 preschool special needs children. Cognitive distancing principles were applied to classify children according to symbolic competence prior to instruction and to classify child-software interactions during instruction. An aptitude-by-treatment interaction design contrasted children's learning in either Logo or instructional software contexts with a control condition. Dependent measures included indicators of preschool problem solving, skill acquisition, language development, cognitive development and affective development. Results indicated that a Logo-based environment enhanced children's problem-solving skills and their acquisition of linguistic pragmatics as compared to counterparts in a control condition. In contrast, an instructional software condition promoted children's acquisition of specific skills. Neither software environment enhanced children's global levels of cognitive or of affective development. We conclude with a caution that the medium is not the message.