An Analysis of the Effectiveness of Three Teaching Procedures on Improving Comprehension

Author

Barbara K. Hakes, St. Cloud State UniversityFollow

Date of Award

5-1980

Culminating Project Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Special Education: M.S.

Department

Special Education

College

School of Education

First Advisor

William Lovelace

Second Advisor

Joan Bigler

Third Advisor

Margaret Rauch

Creative Commons License

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.

Keywords and Subject Headings

Reading, Comprehension, Elementary, Education, Research

Abstract

PROBLEM:

An effective 'teaching procedure was needed to improve the comprehension skills of an eight year old male.

PROCEDURE:

This study examined the effectiveness of three teaching methods. These methods were questioning (Procedure A), sequence of ideas (Procedure B) and outlining the main idea. and details (Procedure C). The three methods were alternated with instructional sessions on an unpredictable schedule. A 100 word story was used in each session followed by ten questions. Questions consisted of five textually explicit questions, three textually implicit and two scriptal implicit questions. A multi-element design was used. Results were graphed.

FINDINGS:

Training for Procedure C took longer to master. Procedure A resulted in 61 percent accuracy on questions. Procedure B resulted in 71 percent and Procedure C resulted in 87 percent accuracy. Accuracy according to types of questions ranged from 71 percent to 75 percent. Procedure C showed the most accuracy on the three types of questions~

CONCLUSIONS:

Using an out1ine procedure of main idea and details was the best method of comprehension instruction for this child. This supports earlier theories that the ability to organize material aids comprehension. The method utilizing sequence was not as effective as the method of outlining but it was more effective than the method of questioning.

Recommended Citation

Hakes, Barbara K., "An Analysis of the Effectiveness of Three Teaching Procedures on Improving Comprehension" (1980). Culminating Projects in Special Education. 183.
https://repository.stcloudstate.edu/sped_etds/183