Discusses how the use of video media as a mode of language presentation influences the definition, purpose, and research agenda of a second-language listening comprehension instrument. Video media is used as an umbrella phrase to describe the cluster of media in which dynamic visual elements are blended with auditory elements to create a whole…

Two experiments explored factors affecting the influence of visual (lip-read) information on auditory speech perception, the "McGurk effect," in advanced learners of English as a Second Language and native speakers of English. Results demonstrate the influence of first language on the information value of the cues and audiovisual…

Research presented in this paper on the character of infant-directed speech and the nature of infant speech perception abilities from 6 to 12 months suggests that prosody contributes significantly to early analyses of child languages and assists infants in developing root processes of parsing. (104 references) (Author/CK)

Examines infants' sensitivity to word units in fluent speech by inserting one-second pauses either at boundaries between successive words or between syllables within words. Results indicate that, by 11 months, infants are sensitive to word boundaries, and that this sensitivity depends on more than prosodic information or prior knowledge. (65…

Compares the information content in descriptions made by sixth grade students based on messages of text and picture, written and verbal, or written language alone. The semantic framework analyzes the importance of words and ideas in text and relationships between them. Found the written language to be more open to interpretation than verbal and…

Determined whether individual neonate characteristics could be detected and reliably measured in preterm infants. Results showed that preterms were highly self-consistent in their reactions to stimuli from neurobehavioral assessments. Highly reliable individual differences among infants were also seen. Individual consistencies and differences in…

This article describes the Miniguide, a new electronic travel device that assists people in moving about in a range of environments. The Miniguide is held in the palm and is used to scan left to right when walking. It provides vibratory feedback to the hand when it detects an obstacle. (Contains 5 references.) (CR)

Investigated the process of stereotyping in the representation of the content of narrative texts through visual reformulations. Subjects were Argentine college students enrolled in an English course at a university in Argentina. Reveals students' inability to transcend heir cultural biases and points to an urgent need to address stereotypes in the…

Applied Skehan's (1998) processing perspective on language use to evaluate intermediate to advanced English-as-a-Second-Language learners' competence in telling a story based on visual prompts. The purpose was to find out how the test takers' proficiency profiles vary according to three areas of competence: accuracy, complexity, and fluency across…

Longitudinal data from a Dutch study of 708 older adults showed that persons with low educational attainment experienced more decline in information processing speed, memory, and cognitive function. About 42% of the variance was explained by low stimulus or challenge in work. Decline was independent of crystallized intelligence. (Contains 24…

This article provides a rationale for using graphic organizers based on the fact that students with language disorders often struggle with traditional instruction that places large demands on language skills. Effective features of graphic organizers are identified and examples of direct instruction in secondary algebra using graphic organizers are…

A study was conducted of 10 bilingual (English/Spanish) and 10 monolingual English elementary school students with visual impairments to determine any differences in their knowledge of basic concepts. No significant differences were found. There was a correlation between vision levels and scores on a tactile test of basic concepts. (CR)

This experimental study used graduate student participants to investigate the comparative perceptibility of hypertext navigation buttons in various configurations, using pictorial symbols and text labels. Findings indicate that buttons with both pictorial symbols and text labels resulted in significantly less user confusion. (Author/LRW)

Examines the development of young children's analysis of spatial patterns--specifically, hierarchical letter and geometric forms. Suggests that although children as young as four years of age demonstrated substantial analytic competence, their ability to integrate the parts of the spatial array to form a coherent whole was weaker and more easily…

Focuses on the major cues processed in Hungarian in order to distinguish subjects and objects in transitive clauses: subject-verb and object-verb agreement-marking; case-marking; animacy; and word order. The research reveals that double agreement-marking in Hungarian exists even in week agreement situations, a testimony to the diachronic tenacity…