The Effect of Edmark Reading Program Functional Words Series Presented with Tablet Computer in Acquiring Functional Reading Skills for Students with Intellectual Disabilities

This study aims to examine the effect of the Edmark Reading Program Functional Words Series, which is presented with a tablet computer, on the acquisition of functional reading skills by three high school students with moderate intellectual disabilities. The design of the study is a multiple-probe model with an inter-subject probe phase, which is one of the single-subject research models. While the dependent variable is identified as functional reading skill, the independent variable of the present study is the Edmark Reading Program Functional Words Series offered via a tablet computer. The participants of the study are three male students with moderate intellectual disability. The starting level of the experimental process of the research, the implementation of the Edmark Reading Program Functional Words Series consisted of monitoring and generalization stages. The data obtained in the research were analyzed and interpreted graphically. As a result of the research, it was found that the Edmark Reading Program Functional Words Series, which was tested with a tablet computer, was effective in acquiring functional reading skills of students with moderate intellectual disability. In addition, the participants of the research were able to generalize the 10 target words that were taught in the real environment as well as in the teaching environment, and they were able to continue reading one and three weeks after the teaching. The interviews conducted to determine the social validity of the research revealed that parents, teachers and participant students expressed positive opinions about the program offered via tablet computer.