Children Acquiring Literacy Naturally

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:  University of California, Santa Cruz

• Taught by:  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 4.1 stars Average User Rating 4.1See what learners said Coursework

Each course is like an interactive textbook, featuring pre-recorded videos, quizzes and projects.

Help from your peers

Connect with thousands of other learners and debate ideas, discuss course material, and get help mastering concepts.

Certificates

Earn official recognition for your work, and share your success with friends, colleagues, and employers.

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.

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 expand

1. Video: Welcome
2. Reading: Week 1 Overview
3. Video: Challenges and Possibilities
4. Discussion Prompt: Belief and Truth
5. Video: Overview of Language
6. Discussion Prompt: Communication Difficulties
7. Video: Spoken vs. Written Language
8. Video: Analogous Processes in Speech Perception and Reading
9. Video: Is Speech Perception Special?
10. Video: Critique of Motor Theory
11. Video: Fuzzy Logical Model of Perception
12. Video: Top-Down Influences on Language Processing
13. Video: Neural and Behavioral Development
14. Video: Visual Word Form Area and Critical Periods
15. Discussion Prompt: Conversation with a Child
16. Video: Implications for Learning to Read Naturally
17. 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 expand

1. Reading: Week 2 Overview
2. Video: Acquiring Language
3. Video: Learning Words
4. Video: Multiple Sources of Information Perspective part 1
5. Video: Multiple Sources of Information Perspective part 2
6. Reading: Iconicity Ratings
7. Video: Iconicity
8. Discussion Prompt: Iconicity Sample
9. Video: Recognition Skills of Infants
10. Video: Acquiring Early Reading Skill
11. Discussion Prompt: Adapting Speed-Reading for Children
12. Video: Visual Processes that Support Reading
13. Video: Uppercase and Lowercase Letters
14. Video: Fundamental Processes Involved in Reading
15. Video: Tunnel Vision in Reading
16. Video: Eye Movements During Reading
17. Video: Rapid Serial Visual Processing (RSVP)
18. Video: Optimizing RSVP
19. Discussion Prompt: Reading with RSVP
20. 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 expand

1. Reading: Week 3 Overview
2. Video: Measuring Reading Skill
3. Video: How We Perceive Letters and Words
4. Video: Reading Words
5. Video: Search for Magical Solutions
6. Video: Testing Top-Down Influences
7. Video: Written vs. Spoken Language
8. Video: Traditional View of Learning to Read
9. Discussion Prompt: Augmented or Virtual Reality and Reading
10. Video: Views of Reading
11. Video: Learning Written Language
12. Video: Writing and Reading
13. Video: Print Influences in Early Reading
14. Video: Technological Advances
15. Discussion Prompt: Technology-Enhanced Environment
16. Video: Shared Reading Interventions
17. Video: Possible Implementations
18. Discussion Prompt: Picking up Written Language
19. Video: Potential Impacts of Technology Assisted Reading Acquisition

Graded: Evaluation Report