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Children Acquiring Literacy Naturally

OverviewSyllabusFAQsCreatorsRatings and Reviews

HomeSocial SciencesPsychology

Children Acquiring Literacy Naturally

University of California, Santa Cruz

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
University of California, Santa Cruz

  • Dr. Dominic William Massaro

    Taught by:  Dr. Dominic William Massaro, Research Professor

    Psychology
LevelBeginner
Commitment3 weeks of study, 2-3 hours/week
Language
English
How To PassPass all graded assignments to complete the course.
User Ratings
4.4 stars
Average User Rating 4.4See what learners said
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
  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
  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
  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

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Creators
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
Rated 4.4 out of 5 of 14 ratings
Reshma Ravikanth

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.

JOHN QUINCY

The class was both fun and interesting. Thanks so much!



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