Naomi L. Rahn

A Model of Clinical Supervision for Preservice Professionals in Early Intervention and Early Childhood Special Education

The authors present a model of clinical supervision to guide preservice professionals embarking on a career in early intervention and early childhood special education. Established models of clinical supervision in the general education field are described, followed by a description of the clinical supervision model used by the University of Oregon Early Intervention Program. Priorities and methods for research are suggested.

Pre-service teacher use of communication strategies upon receiving immediate feedback ☆

Abstract The purpose of this research was to investigate the impact of immediate feedback through bug-in-ear eCoaching on early childhood special education pre-service teachers’ use of communication strategies using an activity-based intervention approach. Three early childhood special education pre-service teachers participated in this study. A multiple-probe, single-case design was used to determine the effects of immediate feedback through bug-in-ear eCoaching on teachers’ use of communication strategies. Results indicate that immediate feedback through bug-in-ear eCoaching enhanced pre-service teachers’ use of communication strategies within small-group activities. Implications for practice and future research are discussed.

The Social Validity of Bug-in-Ear Coaching: Findings From Two Studies Implemented in Inclusive Early Childhood Environments

Coaching is a promising method for providing professional development, which takes many forms. One such form is real-time coaching through bug-in-ear technology. This study explored the social validity of bug-in-ear coaching when provided as a form of professional development with preservice and in-service early childhood educators. Data from two studies were qualitatively analyzed to describe early childhood educators’ perceptions of the acceptability of bug-in-ear coaching with respect to the learning opportunities provided, feasibility, difficulties, and child-level outcomes. Findings suggest that BIE is deemed to be important and effective at producing educator and child outcomes. Further, educators are satisfied with the intervention and view it to be an acceptable means for receiving professional development.

Teaching letter sounds to kindergarten English language learners using incremental rehearsal

Proficiency in letter-sound correspondence is important for decoding connected text. This study examined the effects of an evidence-based intervention, incremental rehearsal (IR), on the letter-sound expression of three kindergarten English language learners (ELLs) performing below the district benchmark for letter-sound fluency. Participants were native speakers of Hmong, Spanish, and Polish. A multiple-baseline design across sets of unknown letter sounds was used to evaluate the effects of IR on letter-sound expression. Visual analysis of the data showed an increase in level and trend when IR was introduced in each phase. Percentage of all non-overlapping data (PAND) ranged from 95% to 100%. All participants exceeded expected growth and reached the spring district benchmark for letter-sound fluency. Results suggest that IR is a promising intervention for increasing letter-sound expression for ELLs who evidence delays in acquiring letter sounds.

Using Incremental Rehearsal to Teach Letter Sounds to English Language Learners.

This study examined the effects of incremental rehearsal (IR) on letter sound expression for one kindergarten and one first grade English learner who were below district benchmark for letter sound fluency. A single-subject multiple-baseline design across sets of unknown letter sounds was used to evaluate the effect of IR on letter-sound expression and fluency. Although visual analysis of the data showed an increase in level and trend for the kindergarten participant, data were variable for the first grade participant who was referred for special education services during the intervention. Mean percentage of non-overlapping data (PND) was 94% for the kindergarten student and 98% for the first grade student. Although both learners made increases in letter sound expression and fluency, the intervention was 17 weeks in duration. Future research should examine both the effectiveness and efficiency of IR, as compared to other interventions, for increasing letter-sound knowledge of English learners.

ECoaching Across Routines to Enhance Teachers’ Use of Modeling

The purpose of this research was to determine the impact of eCoaching on two special education teachers’ use of modeling strategies across child-led, teacher-led, and mealtime routines. A multiple-probe, single-case design was used to determine the effects of eCoaching on teachers’ use of three modeling strategies. Each of the three strategies was a method to model language for children, and they were randomized to three different routines. Results suggest that eCoaching increased teachers’ use of modeling strategies and that eCoaching is a socially valid intervention. Considerations for practice and future research are discussed.

Preschool Children’s Use of Thematic Vocabulary During Dialogic Reading and Activity-Based Intervention

An adapted alternating treatments design was used to compare the expressive use of thematic vocabulary by three preschool children with developmental delays during Dialogic Reading, a shared book reading intervention, and Activity-Based Intervention, a naturalistic play-based teaching method. The design was replicated across two early childhood themes. For each theme, five vocabulary words were randomly assigned to Dialogic Reading, Activity-Based Intervention, or a control condition. Intervention was delivered 2 times per day for 5 days across 2 weeks. Results suggest both methods increased children’s use of target vocabulary and were similarly effective for increasing expressive use of thematic vocabulary by preschoolers with disabilities.

Bug-in-Ear eCoaching: Impacts on Novice Early Childhood Special Education Teachers:

A multiple-probe, single-case design was used to determine the effects of bug-in-ear eCoaching on teachers’ use of two targeted naturalistic communication strategies and focus children’s responses to these strategies. Results indicated that bug-in-ear eCoaching enhanced teachers’ use of communication strategies and the appropriate responses of children with communication difficulties. Moreover, novice teachers reported that bug-in-ear eCoaching was a socially valid intervention.

Associations Among Professional Development, Teachers’ Use of Naturalistic Language Strategies, and Preschoolers’ Functional Communication

ABSTRACT Research Findings: Naturalistic instruction is the intentional use of strategies embedded within typical activities of the environment to create learning opportunities for children. We used multilevel modeling to analyze data from this single-case design study that focused on improving teachers’ use of naturalistic language strategies and children’s communication through professional development with bug-in-ear coaching. Our results showed that professional development was positively associated with children’s communication during and after professional development. During generalization sessions in different types of activities, teachers’ use of the naturalistic language strategies was positively associated with children’s functional communication. We also found that children were more likely to communicate during child-led activities. Practice or Policy: Associations among professional development, teachers’ use of evidence-based strategies, and children’s outcomes have yet to be fully understood. Administrators and professional development providers should support teachers’ use of naturalistic language strategies to create equitable exposure to language-learning opportunities for all children. Moreover, professional development efforts should support teachers’ intentional use of child-led activities to embed language-learning opportunities based on children’s interests. Finally, to strengthen children’s generalization of skills across routines, professional development providers should identify methods to support teachers’ generalized use of strategies within the typical activities of the setting.

Impact of Bug-in-Ear Professional Development on Early Childhood Co-Teachers’ Use of Communication Strategies

The goal of this study was to build the capacity of early childhood teachers to implement evidence-based strategies. We investigated the efficacy of professional development with bug-in-ear peer coaching in improving teachers’ use of communication strategies, the teachers’ maintenance of strategies post intervention, and the social validity of the intervention. Four early childhood co-teacher dyads participated in the single-case design study. Data were analyzed through visual analysis and masked visual analysis. Results indicate that three of the four teacher dyads increased the frequency with which they used the strategies, with one dyad sustaining their use of targeted strategies post intervention. All teachers perceived that the intervention had positive effects on their children and indicated that bug-in-ear peer coaching was an acceptable form of professional development. Nonetheless, implications for research and practice are discussed to ensure that performance-based feedback is as meaningful as possible.