General Case Programming

Description of the Strategy

Generalization is a core goal of nearly all instruction. When a student learns to read, calculate math equations, cross streets, or engage in social interactions in proscribed training contexts, it is expected that she or he will be able to perform those same skills in new contexts with new examples (e.g., new words, different numerical amounts, different streets, different greetings). Effective teaching should lead to skills that are performed with precision across the full range of trained and novel situations where the skill is appropriate. In effect, skills learned in a carefully defined instructional context are expected to generalize to the typical situations the student encounters on a daily basis. Generalization maximizes the value of good teaching and brings ...