Date of Award

5-2010

Document Type

Dissertation

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Legacy Department

Curriculum and Instruction

Committee Chair/Advisor

Riccomini, Paul J.

Committee Member

Kaysiyannis , Antonis

Committee Member

Eckhoff , Angela

Committee Member

Baldwin , Elizabeth

Abstract

The ill-effect of noise on human performance has been studied by researchers in the fields of cognitive psychology and education for almost a decade. The learning theory Cognitive Information Processing was applied to a new empirical study that builds upon past relevant research on (a) working memory and individuals with learning disabilities, and (b) auditory distraction and academic performance. Reading comprehension assessments were completed by students with learning disabilities while wearing and not wearing noise-reducing headphones. Findings indicate a positive relationship between the wearing of noise-reducing headphones and the results of the reading comprehension assessments for students with learning disabilities. Implications, limitations, and the need for future research are also discussed.

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