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preliminary investigation of a computer-assisted training program for direct service providers working with individuals with mental retardation

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Date Issued:
2003
Summary:
This preliminary investigation involved the development of a training program leading to graduated levels of certification and eventual licensure for direct service providers working in the State of Florida. Presently, certification and/or licensure are not offered to direct service providers by residential programs serving individuals with mental retardation in Florida. Current research in the field of mental retardation and developmental disabilities supports the development and implementation of standardized training as well as credentialing for direct service providers. The research described in this study compared two models of training for direct service providers, traditional-training and traditional-training paired with computer-assisted instruction. Twenty participants were recruited from two privately funded agencies providing residential services to individuals with mental retardation and developmental disabilities in South Florida. Incentives for participation were provided to participants by their sending agencies. The training content for both groups included characteristics of individuals with mental retardation; identification of antecedents, behaviors and consequences; identification of relevant and irrelevant information; and, identification of methods for obtaining more information for problem solving purposes. Participant knowledge of this content was measured through pre- and posttesting. The mean gain scores of the participants in the experimental and traditional training scores were compared using a t -test for change to determine statistical significance for each section of the measurement tool. The p values were .990, .941, and .558 for each respective section of the measurement tool, thereby supporting each null hypothesis tested. Finally, implications, limitations, and suggestions for future research were offered.
Title: A preliminary investigation of a computer-assisted training program for direct service providers working with individuals with mental retardation.
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Name(s): Provost, Mary C.
Florida Atlantic University, Degree Grantor
Taylor, Ronald L., Thesis Advisor
Type of Resource: text
Genre: Electronic Thesis Or Dissertation
Issuance: monographic
Date Issued: 2003
Publisher: Florida Atlantic University
Place of Publication: Boca Raton, Fla.
Physical Form: application/pdf
Extent: 352 p.
Language(s): English
Summary: This preliminary investigation involved the development of a training program leading to graduated levels of certification and eventual licensure for direct service providers working in the State of Florida. Presently, certification and/or licensure are not offered to direct service providers by residential programs serving individuals with mental retardation in Florida. Current research in the field of mental retardation and developmental disabilities supports the development and implementation of standardized training as well as credentialing for direct service providers. The research described in this study compared two models of training for direct service providers, traditional-training and traditional-training paired with computer-assisted instruction. Twenty participants were recruited from two privately funded agencies providing residential services to individuals with mental retardation and developmental disabilities in South Florida. Incentives for participation were provided to participants by their sending agencies. The training content for both groups included characteristics of individuals with mental retardation; identification of antecedents, behaviors and consequences; identification of relevant and irrelevant information; and, identification of methods for obtaining more information for problem solving purposes. Participant knowledge of this content was measured through pre- and posttesting. The mean gain scores of the participants in the experimental and traditional training scores were compared using a t -test for change to determine statistical significance for each section of the measurement tool. The p values were .990, .941, and .558 for each respective section of the measurement tool, thereby supporting each null hypothesis tested. Finally, implications, limitations, and suggestions for future research were offered.
Identifier: 9780496568789 (isbn), 12062 (digitool), FADT12062 (IID), fau:8975 (fedora)
Note(s): Thesis (Ed.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2003.
Subject(s): Mental retardation facilities
People with mental disabilities--Services for
Mental retardation facilities--Employees--Training of
Employees--Computer-assisted instruction
Held by: Florida Atlantic University Libraries
Persistent Link to This Record: http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12062
Sublocation: Digital Library
Use and Reproduction: Copyright © is held by the author with permission granted to Florida Atlantic University to digitize, archive and distribute this item for non-profit research and educational purposes. Any reuse of this item in excess of fair use or other copyright exemptions requires permission of the copyright holder.
Use and Reproduction: http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/InC/1.0/
Host Institution: FAU
Is Part of Series: Florida Atlantic University Digital Library Collections.