The authors review the research pertaining to the selection of three different schedules of training trials sequencing. The effects of massed, distributed, and spaced trials sequencing on the learning of handicapped and nonhandicapped individuals for both cognitive and motor tasks is discussed. Implications for the application of the research findings to the classroom for the severely handicapped individual are presented.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
AdamsJ.A.Warm-up decrement in performance on the pursuit rotor. American Journal of Psychology, 1952, 55, 404–414.
2.
BaumeisterA.A.BerryM.Distribution of practice and specificity of learning in normals and retardates. American Journal of Mental Deficiency, 1976, 72, 227–231.
3.
BlakeK.Massed and distributed practice and retarded and normal pupils' learning sight vocabulary. Journal of Research and Development in Education, 1976, 9, 13–14.
4.
BrownLNietupskiJ.Hamre-NietupskiS.Criterion of ultimate functioning. In ThomasM. A. (Ed.), Hey, don't forget about me. Reston, Va.: Council for Exceptional Children, 1976.
5.
CarronA.V.Performance and learning in a discrete motor task under massed vs. distributed practice. The Research Quarterly, 1969, 40, 481–489.
6.
ChaseyW.C.Distribution of practice, learning and retention. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 1976, 43, 159–164.
7.
CookB.S.HilgardE.R.Distributed practice in motor learning: Progressively increasing and decreasing rests. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 1949, 39, 172–196.
8.
DeeseJ.The psychology of learning. New York: McGraw-Hill, 1958.
9.
DennyM.R.FrisbeyN.WeaverJ.Jr.Rotary pursuit performance under alternate conditions of distributed and massed practice. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 1955, 49, 48–54.
10.
DentH.JohnsonR.The effects of massed versus distributed practice on the learning of organic familial defectives. American Journal of Mental Deficiency, 1964, 68, 533–536.
11.
DuncanC.P.The effect of unequal amounts of practice on motor learning before and after rest. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 1951, 42, 257–264.
12.
ElmesD.G.SandersL.W.DovelJ.C.Isolation of massed and distributed items. Memory and Cognition, 1973, 1, 77–79.
13.
GargaglianoC.The effects of massed versus distributed practice on the acquisition and maintenance of basic sight words. Working Paper Number 5, Experimental Education Unit, Child Development and Retardation Center, University of Washington, Seattle, 1974.
14.
GuessD.HolvoetJ.A functional curriculum sequencing model. Paper presented at the Fifth Annual Conference, The American Association for the Education of the Severely/Profoundly Handicapped, Baltimore, 1978.
15.
GuessD.HornerR.UtleyB.HolvoetJ.MaxonD.TuckerD.WarrenS.A functional curriculum sequencing model for teaching the severely handicapped. AAESPH Review, 1978, 3, 202–215.
16.
HelmstetterE.The effects of distributed practice on learning by a severely handicapped adolescent. Unpublished master's thesis, The University of Kansas, 1980.
17.
HolvoetJ.GuessD.MulliganM.BrownF.The Individualized Curriculum Sequencing model (II): A teaching strategy for severely handicapped students. Journal of the Association for the Severely Handicapped, 1980, 5(4), 337–351.
18.
HolvoetJ.UtleyB.Implementing a functional curriculum with the severely handicapped. Paper presented at Kansas Statewide Inservice Conference, Topeka, 1978.
19.
HovlandI.C.Experimental studies in rote-learning theory, I. Reminisence following learning by massed and distributed practice. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 1938, 22, 202–224.
20.
HovlandI.C.Experimental studies in rote-learning theory, V. Comparison of distribution of practice in serial and paired associate learning. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 1939, 26, 622–633.
21.
HovlandI.C.Experimental studies in rote-learning theory, VII. Distribution of practice with varying lengths of lists. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 1940, 27, 271–284. (a).
22.
HovlandI.C.Experimental studies in rote-learning theory, VI. Comparisons of retention following learning to same criterion by massed and distributed practice. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 1940, 27, 568–587. (b).
23.
HullC.L.Principles of behavior. New York: Appleton-Century, 1943.
24.
JahnkeJ.C.DuncanC.P.Reminisence and forgetting in motor learning after extended rest intervals. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 1956, 52, 273–282.
25.
KientzleM.J.Properties of learning curves under varied distributions of practice. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 1946, 36, 187–211.
26.
KimbleG.A.An experimental test of a two-factor theory of inhibition. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 1949, 39, 15–23. (a).
27.
KimbleG.A.Performance and reminisence in motor learning as a function of the degrees of distribution of practice. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 1949, 39, 500–510. (b).
28.
KimbleG.A.BilodeauE.A.Work and rest as variables In cyclical motor learning. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 1949, 39, 150–157.
29.
KrechD.CrutchfieldR.S.Elements of psychology. New York: Alfred A. Knopf, 1958.
30.
LehrD.MulliganM.HelmstetterE.An application of the concept of functionality in program planning for severely handicapped learners. Paper presented at the Sixth Annual Conference, The American Association for the Education of the Severely/Profoundly Handicapped, Chicago, 1979.
31.
MadsenM.C.Distribution of practice and level of intelligence. Psychological Reports, 1963, 13, 39–42.
32.
McCormickL.CooperM.GoldmanR.Training teachers to maximize instructional time provided to severely and profoundly handicapped children. AAESPH Review, 1979, 4, 301–310.
33.
PattenE.F.The influence of distribution of repetitions on certain rote learning phenomena. The Journal of Psychology, 1938, 5, 359–374.
34.
ReynoldsB.AdamsJ.A.Effect of distribution and shift in distribution within a single training session. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 1953, 46, 137–145.
35.
SlocumP.A comparison of massed versus spaced training of symbols on the acquisition of retention of symbols. Unpublished master's thesis, The University of Kansas, 1980.
36.
StelmachG.E.Efficiency of motor learning as a function of intertrial rest. The Research Quarterly, 1969, 40, 198–202.
37.
UnderwoodB.J.Distributed practice on the Tsai-Partington Numbers Test. Perceptual and Motor Skills, 1961, 12, 325–326.
38.
UnderwoodB.J.GoadD.Studies of distributed practice: I; The influence of intralist similarity in serial learning. Journal of Experimental Psychology, 1951, 42, 125–134.
39.
UnderwoodB.J.KapelakS.M.MalmiR.A.The spacing effect: Additions to the theoretical and empirical puzzles. Memory and Cognition, 1976, 4, 391–400.
40.
WhitleyJ.D.Effects of practice distribution on learning of a fine motor task. The Research Quarterly, 1970, 41, 576–582.
41.
WoodworthR.S.SchlosbergH.Experimental psychology. New York: Holt, 1954.