A Comparison of Error Correction Methods Embedded in the Orton-Gillingham Approach to Spelling

Abstract

The present study examined the effects of two error-correction procedures on the spelling performance of five students who were rising first through third grades. Each participant was diagnosed with a learning disability in reading and spelling. Using an Adapted Alternating Treatments Design, a teacher-led questioning procedure and a student-led visual comparison procedure were implemented in the unbranded Orton-Gillingham instructional model. Teacher- led questioning is the scaffolded model of error-correction described in Orton-Gillingham Simultaneous Oral Spelling instruction. Student-led visual comparison is a method which is well documented in the literature as highly effective for students with learning disabilities. The intervention results across participants showed little difference in students’ spelling accuracy under each condition. Responses to social validity questions indicated that student preference could be a determining factor in selecting which error correction method to implement in the Orton-Gillingham approach to spelling instruction.