What is the nature of conceptual representations? Models of semantic memory often describe concepts as a distributed feature space. However, it remains unknown which subset of this feature space constitutes the invariant representation of a concept. In this dissertation, I investigate the nature of modality-independent representations and their…

In the ever-changing digital era, the surge of online informal language learning platforms has revolutionized the way we learn new languages. This dissertation delves into the critical role of interactional feedback (IF) in synchronous computer-mediated communication (SCMC), a cornerstone for optimizing these digital learning spaces. Anchored in…

Teacher diversity is essential for creating inclusive learning environments, as teachers who reflect their students' backgrounds can better serve their needs and positively impact learning outcomes. As the Sweet Home CSD classrooms become increasingly diverse, the homogenous teaching force has failed to keep pace, with more than ninety-six (96%)…

Achieving proficiency in core foundational oral language (OL), reading, and writing skills remains difficult for students with specific learning disabilities (SLD) and foundational OL difficulty (National Center for Educational Statistics, 2022). Despite evidence linking OL skills in grammar (morphosyntax, syntax) and vocabulary (semantics) to…

Writing in English is considered an important skill for ESL learners, and qualified teachers are needed in order to provide the students with written corrective feedback (WCF). Much previous research on WCF has looked at its overall effectiveness, with less attention paid to the teachers' perceptions of WCF methods and expected outcomes when they…

This Dissertation addresses findings from a qualitative case study. The researcher provided a) training and b) analysis of the follow-up performance of a Peer Mentor from the Student Success Center at an Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI), at The University of Texas at San Antonio. Following the training, prepared by Charles Ernest Wright, the…

Text messaging is the most popular form of communication (Lionbridge, 2019; Ceci, 2022), and mobile phone ownership is high, especially among university students (Chen & Denoyelles, 2013). Research on mobile language learning is increasingly found on the forefront of computer-assisted language learning (CALL) (Loewen et al., 2019; Stockwell,…

Prior research has extensively explored audiovisual speech perception and literacy skills in various linguistic contexts. Studies have shown that children's ability to integrate auditory and visual speech cues plays a crucial role in language acquisition and development (Erdener & Burnham, 2013; Lalonde & Werner, 2021). Furthermore,…

Typically developing (TD) children, as young as four years of age, have demonstrated enhanced noun learning when orthographic representations are presented during learning tasks. This dissertation investigated the impact of orthographic support on word learning in diverse populations, focusing on children from a variety of clinical categories…