THE EFFECTS OF A VOCABULARY LEARNING STRATEGY ON THE COMPREHENSION OF SCIENCE CONCEPTS (LEARNING-DISABLED).

Abstract

The aging of the learning disabled population has necessitated the development of instructional methods designed to meet the unique requirements of the secondary setting. Learning strategies have been proposed as viable alternatives to the tutorial and basic skills approaches. This study investigated the effects of a vocabulary learning strategy, SOS, on science concepts. Six mainstreamed learning disabled adolescents who attended a high school resource room one period per day took part in this five month study. The design was a multiple baseline across two sets of three subjects. A continuous baseline was maintained for each subject, followed by staggered application of the independent variable. The independent variable was a vocabulary learning strategy called SOS, an acronym for Search, Operate and Study. The dependent variables were tests of science vocabulary definitions and meanings at instructional and grade level. The experimental phases included (a) baseline, (b) intervention which included training in instructional level materials and generalization to grade level materials, (c) maintenance of the strategy over time and (d) retraining if the strategy was not maintained. Criterion measures of strategy training in instructional level materials and strategy generalization to grade level materials were recorded during the intervention phase of the study. A pre and post measure of student attitude toward science was administered prior to and at the end of the study. Visual analysis of the data indicated that this vocabulary learning strategy positively affected performance on grade level and instructional level science vocabulary tests for all subjects. Five of the six subjects were able to apply the total strategy to instructional level materials and generalize it to grade level materials. All subjects maintained at least part of the strategy. Strategy training positively affected attitudes toward studying science and science vocabulary. Overall findings were discussed in the context of learner characteristics and strategy efficacy.