Telling tales : a new way to encourage written literacy through oral language
Name
49890448-MIT.pdf
Description
Full printable version
Size
11.51 MB
Format
Adobe PDF
Checksum (MD5)
53580295df92e8951bc6516d71120522
Author(s)
Ananny, Michael J. (Michael Joseph), 1976-
Advisor(s)
Hiroshi Ishii.
Alternative Title
New way to encourage written literacy through oral language
Date Issued
2001
Publisher
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Abstract
This thesis presents a new approach and a new interface to let children practice written literacy skills using oral language. Specifically, I argue that language composition is learned by practicing a set of cognitive skills that are independent of the medium in which the linguistic meaning is represented. Furthermore, I claim that tangible, technology-enhanced toys with specific features can support the development of these skills through open-ended language play. To investigate this claim, I developed a new model of composition, called the TellTale Composition Model, to address aspects of both oral and written language. This model supports the following features of children's language play: voice; structure; reference; reflection and revision; and sharing and discussion. A new toy, called TellTale, was built to support this composition model. Three studies were conducted to evaluate both its usability and the model's validity. The findings indicate that a toy that lets children create, segment, organize and link oral language through play with a tangible toy in a social setting helps them practice important cognitive skills crucial for later literacy. Preliminary data also suggest that such a toy can help identify children's language learning disabilities and the linguistic strategies used by children of different socio-economic strata. Both TellTale and the composition model on which its design was based suggest several new ways digital media can let children become engaged and skillful authors.
Description
Thesis (S.M.)--Massachusetts Institute of Technology, School of Architecture and Planning, Program in Media Arts and Sciences, 2001.
Includes bibliographical references (leaves [160]-165).
Subjects
Architecture. Program In Media Arts and Sciences.
MIT Department
Program in Media Arts and Sciences (Massachusetts Institute of Technology)
Terms of Use
M.I.T. theses are protected by
copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but
reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written
permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.
copyright. They may be viewed from this source for any purpose, but
reproduction or distribution in any format is prohibited without written
permission. See provided URL for inquiries about permission.
Persistent DSpace Link
