Effects of computer-based graphic organizers to solve one-step word problems for middle school students with mild intellectual disability: A preliminary study

• Published in: Research in developmental disabilities Vol. 35; no. 8; pp. 1828 - 1837
• Main Authors: Sheriff, Kelli A., Boon, Richard T.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Amsterdam Elsevier Ltd 01.08.2014; Elsevier
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adult and adolescent clinical studies; Biological and medical sciences; Classrooms; Computer-Assisted Instruction - methods; Computer-Assisted Instruction - standards; Computer-Assisted Instruction - statistics & numerical data; Computer-based graphic organizers; Curriculum; Education of Intellectually Disabled - methods; Education of Intellectually Disabled - standards; Education of Intellectually Disabled - statistics & numerical data; Female; Humans; Intellectual deficiency; Intellectual Disability - rehabilitation; Kidspiration 3© software; Learning disabilities; Male; Mathematics; Mathematics - education; Medical sciences; Microcomputers; Middle school; Middle schools; Mild intellectual disability; Observer Variation; Pilot Projects; Problem Solving; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Reproducibility of Results; Severity of Illness Index; Software; Word problems; Mild intellectual disability; Word problems; Middle school; Kidspiration 3© software; Mathematics; Computer-based graphic organizers; Problem-solving; Handicap; Human; Word; Developmental disorder; Student; Mental retardation; School environment; Graphics; Language; Intellectual deficiency; Computer; Problem solving; Software
• ISSN: 0891-4222; 1873-3379; 1873-3379
• DOI: 10.1016/j.ridd.2014.03.023

•Students with mild intellectual disability often have difficulty in mathematics instruction.•We examined the effects of computer-based graphic organizers to solve one-step word problems.•A comparison was made between a paper-and-pencil versus a computer-based graphic organizer format.•Results indicated the use of computer-based graphic organizers proved more effective. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of computer-based graphic organizers, using Kidspiration 3© software, to solve one-step word problems. Participants included three students with mild intellectual disability enrolled in a functional academic skills curriculum in a self-contained classroom. A multiple probe single-subject research design (Horner & Baer, 1978) was used to evaluate the effectiveness of computer-based graphic organizers to solving mathematical one-step word problems. During the baseline phase, the students completed a teacher-generated worksheet that consisted of nine functional word problems in a traditional format using a pencil, paper, and a calculator. In the intervention and maintenance phases, the students were instructed to complete the word problems using a computer-based graphic organizer. Results indicated that all three of the students improved in their ability to solve the one-step word problems using computer-based graphic organizers compared to traditional instructional practices. Limitations of the study and recommendations for future research directions are discussed.