Early Reading in Young Deaf Children Using Microcomputer Technology

This research project involves a new method for teaching young deaf children to read prior to the primary grades. The study incorporated the use of a portable microcomputer in the classroom to allow the child to initiate communication from the very onset of instruction. Traditionally, children using computers have been instructed to respond to statements and questions and their responses have been required to fall within a small range of acceptable answers. Such an approach provides the child with limited opportunities to initiate language or to be an active catalyst in communication. The subjects in the present study included children between the ages of 2 and 6 years, with average or better intelligence. The children were enrolled in a preschool program at The Pennsylvania School for the Deaf in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They were trained to use a novel interactive microcomputer system with a special interface keyboard which builds in perceptual salience, individualized vocabulary, animation, and color graphics in a two-person-plus computer communication system. Each child was taught to press keys with pictures and words drawn from the child's own central interests and favorite expressions. This was possible because the keys were readily changeable; new words and graphic representations of pictures could be quickly and efficiently entered in the computer; and permanent disk storage allowed instantaneous access to many printed words and accompanying color graphics.

Although the major objective of the project was to field test a computerized reading instructional system for young deaf children, it is possible that elaborated versions of this system will have wide application in instructional programs for preschool children, older school-aged children, and adults evidencing reading problems.