Strategic Behaviors in Selecting Retrieval Cues in Gifted, Normal Achieving and Learning-Disabled Children

Abstract

This study investigated organized strategies and self-checking behaviors in selecting retrieval cues in gifted, normal-achieving and learning disabled children. The results indicated that compared to the others, LD children lacked self-checking skills. Moreover, they were less exhaustive than the others in their selective search of retrieval cues. However, they did use some form of organized strategy in selecting the retrieval cues. Such organized strategy appears to be less efficient than that of gifted children. Additionally, unlike the gifted, both normal-achieving and LD children failed to choose retrieval cues of maximal use in aiding recall. The results also indicated that prior recall of the story resulted in all children choosing more items of most thematic importance. Generally, the results were taken to support Torgesen's conceptualization of LD children as inactive learners.