Biomedical subjects
Publications and source records attributed to Robert Stromer.
We describe how PowerPoint presentation software can be used to create computer activity schedules to teach individuals with special needs. Presented are the steps involved in creating activity schedules with close-ended and open-ended activities, and for preparing schedules that include photos, sounds, text, and videos that can be used to occasion an individual's engagement in a variety of learning activities.
Delayed matching to complex, two-picture samples (e.g., cat-dog) may be improved when the samples occasion differential verbal behavior. In Experiment 1, individuals with mental retardation matched picture comparisons to identical single-picture samples or to two-picture samples, one of which was identical to a comparison. Accuracy scores were typically high on single-picture trials under both simultaneous and delayed matching conditions. Scores on two-picture trials were also high during the simultaneous condition but were lower during the delay condition. However, scores improved on delayed two-picture trials when each of the sample pictures was named aloud before comparison responding. Experiment 2 replicated these results with preschoolers with typical development and a youth with mental retardation. Sample naming also improved the preschoolers' matching when the samples were pairs of spoken names and the correct comparison picture matched one of the names. Collectively, the participants could produce the verbal behavior that might have improved performance, but typically did not do so unless the procedure required it. The success of the naming intervention recommends it for improving the observing and remembering of multiple elements of complex instructional stimuli.
We investigated whether individuals with developmental disabilities will demonstrate stimulus classes after observing another individual demonstrate the prerequisite conditional discriminations. In Experiment 1, participants learned conditional discriminations among dictated words, pictures, and printed words. They also observed a model without disabilities demonstrate conditional discriminations among a different set of dictated words, pictures, and printed words. The classes assigned to each participant belonged to a larger superordinate category, as did the classes assigned to each model. The superordinate categories were different for participants and models. All participants subsequently demonstrated full stimulus classes with the stimuli involved in direct training: They named pictures, read printed words, and matched pictures and words to one another. However, based on observing a model, none of the participants demonstrated full stimulus classes. In Experiment 2, participants learned conditional discriminations among the stimuli in three sets, and observed a model's training with the stimuli in three different sets. The classes assigned to each participant belonged to the same larger superordinate category as did those assigned to their respective model. All participants subsequently demonstrated full stimulus classes with the stimuli involved in direct training. They also demonstrated full classes with at least one of their model's sets of training stimuli. When full stimulus classes did not occur from observing a model, participants named the model's pictures, read the model's printed words, or matched the model's pictures and words. Stimulus class technology, coupled with the opportunity to observe another individual perform a skill, may be an economical and efficient means of teaching persons with developmental disabilities.