SPECIAL EDUCATION SHOWS ITS STRIPES-EVALUATION OF BAR CODE TECHNOLOGY

THIS RESEARCH PROJECT IS DESIGNED TO EVALUATE THE USE OF BARCODE TECHNOLOGY FOR THE EDUCATION AND HABILITATION OF CHILDREN WITH MENTAL RETARDATION AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. THREE AREAS OF STUDY HAVE BEEN CHOSEN TO ACCOMPLISH THIS AIM: (1) THE USE OF BAR CODE TECHNOLOGY TO TEACH INITIAL READING SKILLS TO CHILDREN WITH MILD AND MODERATE LEVELS OF RETARDATION; (2) THE USE OF BAR CODE TECHNOLOGY AS AN AUGMENTATIVE AID FOR SPEECH-IMPAIRED CHILDREN; AND (3) THE USE OF BAR CODE TECHNOLOGY AS A TECHNIQUE FOR TEACHING BRAILLE TO CHILDREN WITH MULTIPLE HANDICAPS. THESE STUDIES WILL SERVE AS THE BASIS FOR FURTHER DEVELOPMENT OF BAR CODE TECHNOLOGY FOR EDUCATIONAL PURPOSES AND THE DEVELOPMENT OF VALIDATED EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS FOR CHILDREN WITH MENTAL RETARDATION AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES. THE SYSTEMS THAT WILL BE STUDIED ARE THE MAGIC WAND SPEAKINGREADER AND TALKING TRACK BAR CODES, DEVELOPED BY TEXAS INSTRUMENTS. THE MAGIC WAND CONSISTS OF FIVE BASIC COMPONENTS, INCLUDING A FIBEROPTIC READER, MICROPROCESSOR, SPEECH SYNTHESIZER, SPEAKER, AND POWER SUPPLY. THE TALKING TRACK BAR CODES CONTAIN CODED INSTRUCTIONS FOR PRODUCING WORDS, SENTENCES, SOUND EFFECTS, MUSIC, AND INSTRUCTIONS FORA VARIETY OF EDUCATIONAL TASKS.