Developmental dyslexia,neurolinguistic theory and deviations in brain morphology

Although some form of central nervous system involvement is presumed, evidence establishing a relationship between dyslexia and neurological dysfunction has been correlational. Recently, neuroimaging and postmortem studies have begun to provide direct evidence implicating neuropathological structures in dyslexia. This article reviews computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) studies examining deviations in brain morphology which appear to be associated with neurolinguistic functioning. Methodological and technical issues are discussed. Based on their own and others research, the authors conclude that dyslexics show variations in specific brain regions, namely, reversed or symmetrical plana temporale (LR), smaller insular length bilaterally, and symmetrical frontal regions. Moreover, recent studies by the senior author and colleagues suggest that specific reading tasks are associated with specific variations in brain morphology. Symmetrical frontal widths was related to poorer passage comprehension, and reversed frontal area symmetry was related to poor word attack skills. Though many conceptual and technical issues remain unresolved, neuroimaging procedures appear to provide direct evidence supporting the importance of deviations in normal patterns of brain morphology in dyslexia.     

The use of observational data for formative evaluation of an instructional model

This paper describes a study investigating the characteristics of teacher behavior under two different instructional management models and their differential effects on students under an individualized early learning program. The study investigated the effectiveness and feasibility of using observational techniques in classroom settings to obtain information about student learning processes and outcomes necessary for implementing an adaptive early education model. Observational data, records of student progress in he curricula, and records of student learning activities were collected systematically in order to characterize the classroom behaviors of students and teachers.Learning Research and Development Center University of PittsburghThe research reported herein was supported in part by a grant from the Ford Foundation, and in part by a grant from the United States Office of Education to the Learning Research and Development Center. The opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect the position or policy of the sponsoring agencies and no official endorsement should be inferred.     

Creating a Climate of Self-Awareness in Early Childhood Teacher Preparation Programs

This article discusses the importance of helping preservice teachers develop a sense of self-awareness. This involves, in part, helping preservice teachers develop an ability to examine and identify the personal characteristics, beliefs and attitudes that make them who they are and influence the way they think about teaching and learning. The authors offer several suggestions for creating a climate in teacher education programs that will promote a developing sense of self-awareness in preservice teachers.     

Co-teaching as science in the schoolhouse: more questions than answers

The concept of science in the schoolhouse combines knowledge of research-based practices with the complexities of day-to-day life in schools. In this discussion, co-teaching is offered as an example of how advocacy for a practice can outpace the science that supports it. There is a push for co-teaching in contemporary schools, and special educators in great numbers are being asked to join with general educators in meeting the needs of students with disabilities. However, the science behind co-teaching to date is very limited. Studies have examined the implementation of co-teaching as a general service delivery option, but much less attention has been paid scientifically to the character and quality of the co-taught instruction or to the impact of co-teaching on student outcomes. Within this context, I also examine how Crockett's four recommendations to support science in the schoolhouse could address the questions about co-teaching for which there are few answers.     

Including spirituality in counsellor education: Issues for consideration,with illustrative reference to a New Zealand example

The appropriate inclusion of spirituality in professional counsellor education programmes requires a careful definition of spirituality, and clarification of how it affects the programme's content. It also involves determination of how a programme may be structured to address various aspects of spirituality. This article highlights some of the issues involved in these tasks.     

Development of an exchange format for the European Environmental Chemical Data and Information Network (ECDIN)

Increasing concern about the release of potentially harmful chemicals into the environment has led to efforts to collect data on such chemicals with a view to identifying and minimising the associated hazards. The collection and storage of such data requires cooperation and communication (both national and international) between partners in a general environmental data network. A format is described for the exchange of data between these network partners. This format is of general applicability. It is shown that a hierarchical tree structure best describes the situation. Rules are derived to identify and process the nodes in the tree such that information is neither lost nor degraded upon transfer between the network partners.     

Framing the Problem: effects of wording on children's statistical inferences

ABSTRACT A total of 96 children aged 11 to 12 years were given statistical inference problems (base‐rate and law of large numbers) designed to test the effects of wording on their answers. The wording of the problems was manipulated to make the information on base‐rates and on the law of large numbers either more salient or less salient. The latter condition was established by adding extraneous information to base‐rates, or, in the case of the law of large numbers, making the context unfamiliar or focusing choice on a particular person rather than on the group. A significant main effect of wording was found across all problems in favour of the salient condition. The results indicated that the children had a high level of statistical intuition and that they knew when to reason statistically and when not to.     

Instruction in secondary cotaught classrooms: Three elements,two teachers,one unique approach

Coteaching is a widely used service delivery model for students with disabilities who access the general curriculum. Instruction in cotaught classrooms is meant to be qualitatively different from instruction in solo-taught classrooms; however, this is not always the case. In this article, we describe a framework for thinking about and planning instruction in cotaught classrooms that includes evidence-based practices from special education and specially designed instruction. Examples are included and discussed.