About this course: In this short course you will explore the possibility that children might acquire written language in a way that is similar to how they acquire spoken language—without instruction. You will encounter various aspects of behavioral science and technology that are relevant to this proposition. You will have the opportunity to learn the the perceptual, cognitive, and neurological capacities of children during their first years of life. You will advance your understanding of children and how they learn language. You will also be more attuned to current advances in the technology of human machine interactions, and what these phenomena imply for learning to read at an early age.
Who is this class for: Parents, Early Childhood Educators, K-6 Teachers, Developmental Psychologists
Created by:Â Â University of California, Santa Cruz
Taught by:Â Â Dr. Dominic William Massaro, Research Professor
Psychology
| Level | Beginner |
| Commitment | 3 weeks of study, 2-3 hours/week |
| Language | English |
| How To Pass | Pass all graded assignments to complete the course. |
| User Ratings |
Syllabus
WEEK 1
Week 1 Introduction, Challenges, and Language
Universal literacy, differences between spoken and written language, models of perception and processing, and implications of natural acquisition of reading.
12 videos, 1 reading
- Reading: Week 1 Overview
- Video: Challenges and Possibilities
- Discussion Prompt: Belief and Truth
- Video: Overview of Language
- Discussion Prompt: Communication Difficulties
- Video: Spoken vs. Written Language
- Video: Analogous Processes in Speech Perception and Reading
- Video: Is Speech Perception Special?
- Video: Critique of Motor Theory
- Video: Fuzzy Logical Model of Perception
- Video: Top-Down Influences on Language Processing
- Video: Neural and Behavioral Development
- Video: Visual Word Form Area and Critical Periods
- Discussion Prompt: Conversation with a Child
- Video: Implications for Learning to Read Naturally
- Discussion Prompt: Questions for your instructor
WEEK 2
Week 2 Acquiring Spoken and Written Language
Influences on language learning, iconicity, recognition skills of infants, visual processes in reading, and rapid serial visual processing.
14 videos, 2 readings
- Reading: Week 2 Overview
- Video: Learning Words
- Video: Multiple Sources of Information Perspective part 1
- Video: Multiple Sources of Information Perspective part 2
- Reading: Iconicity Ratings
- Video: Iconicity
- Discussion Prompt: Iconicity Sample
- Video: Recognition Skills of Infants
- Video: Acquiring Early Reading Skill
- Discussion Prompt: Adapting Speed-Reading for Children
- Video: Visual Processes that Support Reading
- Video: Uppercase and Lowercase Letters
- Video: Fundamental Processes Involved in Reading
- Video: Tunnel Vision in Reading
- Video: Eye Movements During Reading
- Video: Rapid Serial Visual Processing (RSVP)
- Video: Optimizing RSVP
- Discussion Prompt: Reading with RSVP
- Discussion Prompt: Course Project Proposal
WEEK 3
Week 3 Reading, Early Reading, and Technological Innovations
The nature of reading, reading myths, current approaches to teaching reading, demographics of literacy and illiteracy, and technological innovations.
15 videos, 1 reading
- Reading: Week 3 Overview
- Video: How We Perceive Letters and Words
- Video: Reading Words
- Video: Search for Magical Solutions
- Video: Testing Top-Down Influences
- Video: Written vs. Spoken Language
- Video: Traditional View of Learning to Read
- Discussion Prompt: Augmented or Virtual Reality and Reading
- Video: Views of Reading
- Video: Learning Written Language
- Video: Writing and Reading
- Video: Print Influences in Early Reading
- Video: Technological Advances
- Discussion Prompt: Technology-Enhanced Environment
- Video: Shared Reading Interventions
- Video: Possible Implementations
- Discussion Prompt: Picking up Written Language
- Video: Potential Impacts of Technology Assisted Reading Acquisition
Graded: Evaluation Report
FAQs
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Coursework
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University of California, Santa Cruz
UC Santa Cruz is an outstanding public research university with a deep commitment to undergraduate education. It’s a place that connects people and programs in unexpected ways while providing unparalleled opportunities for students to learn through hands-on experience.
Ratings and Reviews
I thoroughly enjoyed the course. Prof. Dom Massaro speaks of many real concepts which the world doesn't seem to give enough importance to yet. All throughout the course, I kept thinking I was fortunate to have come by 'Children Acquiring Literacy Naturally'.
I am not a pre-school or kindergarten teacher, although I do have interests in teaching someday. So almost everything in the course was new for me.
I think this course is a must for parents and anyone who wants to be a parent someday. And yes, a good course for care-takers of children as well, if not others.
The class was both fun and interesting. Thanks so much!
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AV
I highly recommend this course to early childhood educators. It can change our perceptions regarding emphasis on written language for children's literacy. I also enjoyed reading and responding to the discussion forums provided in this study.