A Comparison of Two Flash-Card Methods for Improving Sight-Word Reading

2012

Flash cards have been shown to be useful for teaching sight-word reading. To date, the most effective flash-card instruction method is incremental rehearsing (IR). The method involves the instructor interspersing unknown stimulus items into the presentation of known stimulus items. In this study, we compared IR to a modified IR procedure?strategic incremental rehearsal (SIR)?to determine whether the effects of IR might be improved by incorporating variables likely to increase word acquisition. These included increased opportunities to respond to unknown stimuli, using learner responding as a basis for changing instructional items and systematic prompting methods. An A-B-A-B design was used to compare the effects of IR and SIR for increasing sight-word reading with 4 elementary school students. Results indicated that students read more words correctly with SIR than with IR. In addition, similar patterns of responding were seen in a 2-week follow-up.

discrimination training, incremental rehearsal, modeling, prompt delay, sight words

Peer-reviewed publications in scholarly journals Published/In Press

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