Readability of Parent and Staff Special Needs Training Manuals Produced in Ireland

Authors

  • John McEvoy

Keywords:

Readability, Special Needs Training Manuals, Provision, Support, Training, Instruction, Suitability, Manual, Study, Report, User, Interest, Staff, Parents, S.E.N., Special Educational Needs

Abstract

How inviting and "user friendly" are training manuals accompanying instructional packages? Materials produced in the USA and Britain have frequently been found to be of little interest and too technical. A recent study looks at some Irish produced manuals using the criteria of readability, text design and human interest. 

References

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Flesch, R. (1948). A New Readability Yardstick. Journal of Applied Psychology, 32, 221-233. Flesch, R. (1949). The Art of Readable Writing, New York; Harper & Roe.

Hartley, J.R. (1985). Designing Instructional Text 2nd Edition, London: Kegan Paul.

Katz, G. (1976). Use of the Mini Course Instruction with Student Teachers of Educatable Mentally Retarded Children. Journal of Educational Research, 69, 355-360.

Ley, P. (1982). Satisfaction, Compliance and Communication. British Journal of Clinical Psychology, 21, 241-254.

McConkey, R. & O'Connor, N. (1982). A New Approach to Parental Involvement in Language Intervention. Child: Care, Health & Development, 8, 163-167.

McConkey, R., McEvoy, J. & Gallagher, F. (1982). Learning through Play: The Evaluation of a Video Course for Parents of Mentally Handicapped Children. Child: Care, Health & Development, 8, 345-359.

McEvoy, J. & McConkey, R. (1991). Self Instructional Video Courses: A Cost Effective Approach to In-service Training of Teachers in Special Education. British Journal of Educational Technology, 22, 164-173.

McGaw, S. & Sturmey, P. (1989). The Effect of Text Readability and Summary Exercises on Parental Knowledge of Behaviour Therapy; The Portage Parent Reading. Educational Psychology, 9, 127-132.

O'Farrell, T.J. & Keuthen, N.J. (1983). Readability of Behaviour Therapy Self Help Manuals. Behaviour Therapy, 14, 449-454.

Reed, J., Coneely, J., Gorham, P. & Coxhead, S. (1993). Assessing the Written Information given to Families prior to their Attendance at a Child Development Centre. Child: Care, Health & Development, 19, 317-325.

Robson C. (1981). A Mini Course in Structured teaching. Special Education; Forward Trends 8, 26-27.

Sturmey, P. & Crisp, A.G. (1986). The Portage Guide to Early Education: A Review of Research. Educational Psychology, 6, 139-157.

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Published

1944-11-11

How to Cite

McEvoy, J. (1944). Readability of Parent and Staff Special Needs Training Manuals Produced in Ireland. REACH: Journal of Inclusive Education in Ireland, 7(2), 98–103. Retrieved from https://reachjournal.ie/index.php/reach/article/view/416

Issue

Vol. 7 No. 2 (1994)

Section

Articles

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