NB Language spoken is English unless only Dutch-speaking students participate
Description
The course aims at navigating, translating and advancing a new vision for literacy and becoming literate in the digital age. Illuminating great research, we aim at discussing important topics concerning language and literacy: how reading is gradually changing in function and form and how this affects readers; how children’s activities in the ever-evolving realm of digital media are changing and how this may affect children’s language and (emergent) literacy; rethinking learn-to-read in a digital age; how digitization can be used to make books/texts more accessible for young readers but also, the other side of the coin, which new problems with reading might emerge and how to prevent or solve those.
During the course we will highlight important theoretical perspectives like multimedia learning (Richard Mayer), adaptivity built in programs/apps, understanding which features cause multitasking and how this affects learning, electronic tutoring and its effects, and differential susceptibility to qualities of computer programs. Key research articles for all topics will be selected.
**NB This course is also open for Research Master students as an elective. **
Course objectives
At the end of this course, students will be able to…
1. identify and describe current scientific theories of multimedia and (digital) technology in relation to learning, reading, and attentional processes (achievement level 1.1).
2. identify and describe evidence-based technology delivered interventions in relation to learning, reading, and attentional processes (achievement level 1.2).
3. translate scientific knowledge and insights of multimedia and (digital) technology to practical issues related to learning, reading, and attentional processes (achievement level 2.3)
4. analyze practical issues of growing up in a technology immersed environment from both a scientific and ethical point of view (achievement level 3.1)
5. analyze and evaluate recent scientific studies critically to establish its practical or theoretical relevance and report on this both orally and in writing (achievement level 3.4)
6. Report orally and in writing in groups on a proposed study related to technology and child development and learning in an academic context and in other professional contexts (i.e., the school, care-takers) (achievement level 4.1, 4.2).
Timetable
For the timetable of this course please refer to MyTimetable
Mode of instruction
Studying key research articles/chapters in preparation of meetings during which we interactively discuss the literature. Students translate scientific knowledge into practice by making a research proposal in the field of Education and Child Development. Students give a presentation about their proposed study.
In all there are seven meetings. Attendance is obligatory for the meetings of this course. Absence must be reported in advance by e-mail to the co-ordinator of the course. To compensate for the missed meeting, the student must hand in a substitute assignment. If more than one meeting is missed, the learning objectives of the course cannot be achieved. This means that the course cannot be successfully completed in the current academic year. The student must take the course again in the following academic year.
Research Master students write all exams and reviews in English.
Small changes are possible, see Brightspace!
Assessment method
- Presentations (need to be satisfactory)
- 6 Written practice reviews (need to be satisfactory)
- 1 Written review (individual assignment, will be graded)
- Research proposal (group assignment, will be graded)
Final grade: 70% graded review + 30% research proposal
Both the graded review and the research proposal need to be graded with at least a 5.5 to pass the course.
Note. Partial results are only valid in 2024-2025.
For the assignments, you are not allowed to use AI.
Brightspace
Registration for this course via My Studymap automatically leads to enrolment into the Brightspace environment of this course.
A detailed course description will be uploaded on Brightspace.
All course announcements will be placed on Brightspace.
Students hand in their reviews and the research proposal on Brightspace.
Reading list
Changes in the study list are possible, see Brightspace.
Alter, A. (2017). Irresistible. The rise of addictive technology and the business of keeping us hooked. Penguin.
Guernsey, L.& Levine, M. H. (2015). Tap, click, read. Growing readers in a world of screens. Jossey-Bass.
Scientific papers (to be announced, see course description on Brightspace).
Registration
Education
Students must register themselves for all course components (lectures, tutorials and practicals) they wish to follow. You can register via My Studymap up to 5 days prior to the start of the course.
Exams
It is mandatory for all students to register for each exam and to confirm registration for each exam. This is possible up to and including 10 calendar days prior to the examination. You cannot take an exam without a valid pre-registration.
NB If the exam concerns a paper or a practical assignment, you do not need to register in My Studymap.
Carefully read all information about the procedures and deadlines for registering for courses and exams.
Contact information
Coordinator of this course is S. Vogelaar MSc.