Developing Math Automatically in Learning Handicapped Children: The Role of Computerized Drill and Practice

Abstract

Educators generally have agreed that the solution to developing automatic recall of math facts in children is through the use of considerable amounts of drill and practice Recently , many educators have discovered that one means of delivering large amounts of drill and practice in a motivating and carefully monitored environment is through a computer. Thus , it follows that computers logically would be ideal for developing automaticity in learning handicapped children. Indeed, we have found that computer-based drill and practice can be used to develop automaticity , but only when specific prerequisite conditions are met. If these prerequisite conditions are not met , our research , as well as the research of others (Howell & Graica, 1985; Rieth , 1985), has shown that computer-based drill and practice results in little or no improvement on the part of handicapped students .