The Facilitation of Information Processing in Learning Disabled Children Using Computer Games

The aim of the study was to improve the information processing and concentration skills of learning disabled (LD) children by using computer games in a procedure that enhances self-verbalisation and mediated learning. Of the 21 LD children who participated in the study, 14 were trained in the specific procedure, while at the same time the seven children in the control group participated in regular tutorial activities in small groups. Subsequently, in the second training period, the control group was instructed to play commercial strategic games, with no stress on self-verbalisation procedures and the experimental group participated in regular classroom tutorial activities, without computers. The following measures were used to assess the effect of the training: MFFT, Progressive Matrices and three subtests of the WISC-R. The results demonstrated that the computer games presented within the framework of self-verbalisation procedures and peer-interaction facilitate the information processing of LD children. The interactions of passive and impulsive LD children with computer-related activities should be examined in future research within the context of their ecological environment.