June 1994 — Features

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Using Computers to Initiate Active Learning for Students With Severe Behavior Problems

The basis of the proposed project is this: Using a desktop publishing program, students will create the Manatee Trader, a seasonal publication of classified ads designed to generate continuous reader interest. If circulation increases, students may expand this buy-sell-trade newspaper to include classified ads from other schools and businesses in the community. Customers will be charged 5% of the selling price for each item they advertise in the paper. Finally, students will decide in group meetings how the money generated from newspaper sales will be used. A time-based schedule of events serves to guide educators with careful planning and timely implementation. In general, the four-member, exceptional-education team will meet for 90 minutes twice a week for a month to develop the program. Teachers will generate open-ended instructional objectives, using computers and business as the central theme. This format allows teachers to integrate various academic and behavioral concepts into the program, creating a curriculum with limitless possibilities for active learning. Hardware, Software & Training When curriculum objectives are compatible with software objectives, it is likely that students will transfer learning from the computer to a real situation with ease. For students with severe behavior problems, computer-assisted active learning represents a unique way of assimilating knowledge.
First, teachers must agree on a software program that will benefit students in terms of age, grade level, interest, user friendliness and content appropriateness. For our proposal, three desktop publishing programs were evaluated. Microsoft Publisher 2.0 was judged the most versatile and user-friendly, containing features that allow students to expand their creative ability along (hopefully) with their business. For example, it easily produces brochures, newsletters, flyers, coupons, forms, greeting cards, invitations and more via menu choices such as: style, clip art, font, border design, templates, logo and more.