Multi-Media Instruction to Teach Grocery Word Associations and Store Location: A Study of Generalization

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to evaluate use of multi-media instruction to teach students with intellectual disabilities to locate grocery items by reading words on aisle signs that are associated with the target item word. A multiple probe design across three sets of word pairs, replicated across 3 students with mild to moderate intellectual disabilities was used to evaluate the effectiveness of the program. Instruction was conducted using a simulated multi-media program with text, photographs, and video recordings depicting the target grocery items and the associated word on an aisle sign. All generalization probes, including generalizing to a novel grocery store not depicted in the computer-based program, were assessed in community grocery stores. Results indicate that the multi-media program was effective in teaching generalized reading of the associated word pairs and location of the grocery items in the store. Recommendations for enhancing the program are discussed.