Project Simu-Teach is developing an interactive videodisk training system for teachers and parents of mentally retarded/developmentally disabled children of age birth to 6 years. Teachers and parents will be able to simulate the teaching of a child or infant by selecting instructional procedures via a personal computer and watching the child's reaction through the video monitor. The interactive videodisk coupled with random access audio technology is in the forefront of communication technology, and the proposed simulated teaching is directly comparable to the simulated flight training received by airline pilots. Commercial application will provide Simu-Teach systems in universities, schools, service agencies, and individual homes.During Phase 1, the investigators are researching and developing a prototype system representing limited curricular content and using videotape in lieu of a videodisk. Phase I includes a survey of the rate of use and validity of early intervention curricula, design of branching sequences for typical curricular objectives, production of visual recordings and software, and pilot testing of the prototype system. The Phase II Simu-Teach system will be the first interactive videodisk application in the education of handicapped infants and children. Major health benefits will result from improved preparation of service professionals, greater on-the-job proficiency, and increased parent effectiveness in fostering development of the mentally retarded/developmentally disabled infant and child.National Institute Of Child Health And Human Development
