The influence a digital screen has on the learning process, for students with Autism spectrum disorder

The purpose of this study was to explore the effect a digital screen (iPad) had on the learning process, of a vocabulary matching activity, of words to definitions activity, in a student with autism spectrum disorder, in comparison to learning on paper (flashcards). According to past research, digital based interventions are utilized more often in research settings, indicating a growth in its use in educational settings (Goldsmith & LeBlanc, 2004). Individuals with autism spectrum disorder are often given interventions using digital screen based technologies, in academic and other life and skill teaching settings (Ferguson, Myles, & Hagiwara, 2005; Gentry, Wallece, Kvarfordt, & Lynch, 2010; Mechling, Gast, & Seid, 2009; Myles et al., 2007). This study explored the learning mediums of paper and digital screen. To test this these learning mediums, a student with autism spectrum disorder, was given a randomized, alternating treatments design, of paper (flash cards) or digital screen (iPad) to use in learning and testing in a vocabulary activity of matching words with their definitions. The classroom data collected for this vocabulary matching is done over ten trials daily, which show the percent in which the student has matched these words correctly, within each of these trials. The results of the data collected during this research process, indicate that the digital screens (iPads) in combination with paper (flash cards) positively influenced that rate this student mastered the vocabulary matching activity.

Name thesis:degree_name

M.A. School Psychology-Professional School Psychology

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Educational Services, Administration, and Higher Education

Year dc:date.available

2014

Author dc:creator

• Gordon, George

Contributors dc:contributor

• Allen, Terri

• Autism spectrum disorders; Tablet computers
• Child Psychology
• Student Counseling and Personnel Services

Repository record dc:identifier

https://rdw.rowan.edu/etd/268

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:rdw.rowan.edu:etd-1267