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= Applying Instructional Systems Design to the development of Community Based Training =

The results of research indicate that successful community-based living and employment for persons with developmental disabilities is linked to the functional skills and knowledge they possess relevant to their home, community and employment situations (Cuvo & Klatt, 1992; Wolfe, 1994). When these skills are taught in the context of community-based instruction, learning is more efficient and long term (Langone, 1990). Community-based instruction is a powerful approach for teaching functional living and vocational skills and has been shown to enhance students' learning of skills needed to become independent in their adult lives (McDonnell, Hardman, Hightower, Keifer-O’Donnell, & Drew, 1993; Snell & Browder, 1986).

In order to develop effective instruction for students with developmental disabilities, teachers have to decide on which skills to train. Considerations for a community skill would include the importance of the skill in fostering independence and transition. A number of publications provide readers with detailed information regarding the use of ecological inventories for identifying important skills for instruction (e.g., Snell & Browder, 1986). Teachers would need to develop alternative activities or simulations for those skills that would be the most difficult to train in the community. For example, training the skills for grocery shopping requiring trips to different stores, or street crossing in high traffic areas, would be more difficult than training laundry skills when the facilities are available at the school. Obviously the best way to prepare students for the community would be to train them in that community setting. Time, monetary, and logistical concerns restrain teachers and students from working in the community daily.

This wiki will present a few ideas in how one can use instructional systems design to developing materials to support and enhance community based training. Using research based approaches for designing effective instruction as well as applying the steps from ISD teachers, can create materials, prompts and mini-simulations that will enhance the classroom learning environment.



//This wiki was developed as a model for EDET 722: Instructional System Design and Assessment - University of South Carolina. A course offered as part of the online M.Ed. in Educational Technology, offered jointly through USC - Columbia and Aiken.// //The information posted on this wiki is based on ISD principles as well as research based approaches for students with developmental and intellectual disabilities. However, the information posted does not reflect an in-depth approach to the topic. For more information please review the references.//