Events Calendar

Using Technology to Support Effective Literacy Instruction

Speaker: Carol McDonald Connor, Ph.D., Florida State University, Florida Center for Reading Research

Talk Title: Using Technology to Support Effective Literacy Instruction

Abstract: Accumulating evidence is revealing that the effect of particular types of reading instructional strategies on students’ literacy outcomes depends on the oral language and reading skills they bring to the classroom; called child characteristic X instruction interactions. This means that to conduct effective literacy instruction, teachers need to be able to translate assessment data into meaningful recommendations for instruction. The centerpiece in a series of randomized control field trials in kindergarten through third grade. Assessment-to-instruction (A2i) online software was designed to support teachers’ ability to implement assessment-informed instruction. The software relies on algorithms that use each student’s vocabulary, word reading, and reading comprehension scores to compute recommended amounts and types of instruction. This presentation will present this technology, the results of the studies, and implications for improving the efficacy of literacy instruction.

Biography: Dr. Connor is an Associate Professor at Florida State University in Developmental Psychology and the Florida Center for Reading Research. Her research examines the links between young children’s language and literacy development with the goal of illuminating reasons for the perplexing difficulties children who are atypical and diverse learners have developing basic and advanced literacy skills. Most recently, her research interests have focused on children’s learning in the classroom – from preschool through third grade. These studies indicate that the effectiveness of specific instructional activities depends on the language and reading skills children bring with them to school; these child-by-instruction interactions are evident as early as preschool and continue at least through third grade for a number of child language and literacy outcomes. Awarded the Presidents’ Early Career Award for Scientists and Engineers (PECASE, 2008), the Society for Research in Child Development (SRCD, 2009) Early Career Award, and the Richard Snow Award (APA, 2008), she is the principal investigator for studies funded by the US Department of Education, Institute for Education Sciences and the National Institute for Child Health and Human Development. She also conducts research focusing on the language and literacy development of profoundly deaf children including those who use cochlear implants.

Host: Professor Shrikanth Narayanan

Location: Hedco Neurosciences Building (HNB) - 100

Audiences: Everyone Is Invited

Contact: Mary Francis