2004 Fiscal Year Final Research Report Summary
The efficacy of Computer-Assisted Language Learning(CALL) program for children with Language-based Learning Disabilities
| Project/Area Number |
14310131
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| Research Category |
Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
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| Allocation Type | Single-year Grants |
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| Section | 一般 |
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| Research Field |
Educaion
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| Research Institution | International University of Health and Welfare |
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Principal Investigator |
TANAKA Yumko International University of Health & Welfare, Health Science, Associate Professor, 保健学部, 助教授 (60337433)
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| Co-Investigator(Kenkyū-buntansha) |
SHIMOIZUMI Hideo International University of Health & Welfare, Health Science, Professor, 保健学部, 教授 (30196547)
KIKUCHI Yoshinobu International University of Health & Welfare, Health Science, Associate Professor, 保健学部, 助教授 (20091944)
WISE Barbara University of Colorado, Boulder, Dept.of Psychology, Research Associate
SNYDER Lynn University of Colorado, Boulder, Dept.of Speech, Language and hearing Sciences, Professor
ROBERTS Jenny Hofstra University, New York, Communication Sciences, Associate Professor
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| Project Period (FY) |
2002 – 2004
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| Keywords | Language-based Learning Disabilities / Computer-assisted learning program / Screening test / Phonological Awareness / Kana decoding / Literacy skills |
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| Research Abstract |
1.CALL(Computer-Assisted Language Learning), a program to improve literacy skills of children with language-based learning disabilities(LLD), has been created. The program has two parts : diagnostic tests and games. The diagnostic tests must be taken before the games. They consist of reading kana and completion of the kana table. A supervisor records the score. Next is the games, which emphasize basic literacy skills like phonological awareness, decoding (sound-symbol correspondence), and keyword comprehension. "Playing with a Ball" and "Making a Robot" are for phonological awareness, "A Fruitful Tree" and "Going to the Mountain" are for decoding, and "Circus", "Riding the Airplane", and "Making a Castle" are for keyword comprehension. The student learns skills from three focuses and must achieve a specific score to advance to the next level. According to a program trial by three students with LLD, all three eagerly engaged in the program, but it was found that the accomplishment is affected not only by miscomprehension of directions, but also by behavioral problems like lack of concentration.
2.A screening test has been developed to detect students with LLD in mainstream classrooms. The test examines a student's ability of kana decoding, including word awareness and kana dictation. Before summer vacation, the teacher of each second grade class gives the test. If the scores are below average, with the consent of the students' guardians, students will take various subject tests to analyze their disabilities. As a result of this test among 230 second graders of Nasushiobara City in the 2003-2004 school year, eleven students (4.8%) turned out to have LD. This test establishes a method to detect LLD.
Future research aims :
Apply the CALL program on students with and without LLD for a fixed period ; estimate its effect on the improvement of literacy skills ; conduct further trials to prepare for its practical use.
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