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Novel software assesses phonologial awareness

Date:
October 14, 2020
Source:
Michigan State University
Summary:
Understanding sounds in language is a critical building block for child literacy, yet this skill is often overlooked. Researchers have now developed a new software tool to assess children's phonological awareness -- or, how they process the sound structure of words.
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Understanding sounds in language is a critical building block for child literacy, yet this skill is often overlooked. Researchers from Michigan State University have developed a new software tool to assess children's phonological awareness -- or, how they process the sound structure of words.

The ATLAS, or Access to Literacy Assessment System, program -- the first test of its kind for children with speech and/or language impairment -- can help parents, early childhood teachers and paraeducators more accurately measure progress for children with a range of skill levels.

Research conducted by the MSU ATLAS team, published in the journal Language, Speech and Hearing Services in Schools, demonstrated that the software was effective when tested with over 1,100 children between the ages of 3 and 7 -- both with and without speech and language impairments.

"Phonological awareness is one of the strongest predictors of literacy skill development later in life," said Lori Skibbe, professor of human development and family studies at MSU and study lead author. "It can include rhyming, recognizing how sounds go together to make words and understanding how words can be broken apart into sounds."

Skibbe explained that the software, available free of charge, is adaptive, which means that test items are unique for each child. Children can take the test without speaking, and the test is shorter than many others in the field. ATLAS is also helpful for many children with disabilities, including those with speech and/or language impairment.

"For children with a primary speech and/or language impairment, meeting educational literacy goals can be difficult," Skibbe said. "However, the ATLAS software allows children to demonstrate what they know, even if they struggle to answer questions verbally. This ensures their skills are accurately assessed, and that they receive the right support to keep them on track to meet literacy milestones."


Story Source:

Materials provided by Michigan State University. Original written by Elizabeth Schondelmayer and Caroline Brooks. Note: Content may be edited for style and length.


Journal Reference:

  1. Lori E. Skibbe, Ryan P. Bowles, Sarah Goodwin, Gary A. Troia, Haruka Konishi. The Access to Literacy Assessment System for Phonological Awareness: An Adaptive Measure of Phonological Awareness Appropriate for Children With Speech and/or Language Impairment. Language, Speech, and Hearing Services in Schools, 2020; 51 (4): 1124 DOI: 10.1044/2020_LSHSS-19-00006

Cite This Page:

Michigan State University. "Novel software assesses phonologial awareness." ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 14 October 2020. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/10/201014160512.htm>.
Michigan State University. (2020, October 14). Novel software assesses phonologial awareness. ScienceDaily. Retrieved December 13, 2024 from www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/10/201014160512.htm
Michigan State University. "Novel software assesses phonologial awareness." ScienceDaily. www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2020/10/201014160512.htm (accessed December 13, 2024).

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