Examines the effects of the characteristics of narrative text on generation of thematic inference. Indicates that generation of thematic inference depended on the interaction between the goal of the protagonist and the outcome of a text. Investigates the effects of the title, the goal of the protagonist and the final outcome of a narrative text on…

Discusses the implications of Goswami and Bryant's (1990) theory about important causal connections in reading for classroom teaching, and reviews more recent "rhyme and analogy" research within this framework. Discusses new research on the nature of the English spelling system and the representation of linguistic knowledge. Emphasizes the…

Compares picture span performance of developmental dyslexic teenagers to the picture span performance of both reading and chronological age match controls. Finds all three groups showed a significant phonological similarity effect but only the dyslexic group showed a significant visual similarity effect. Discusses results in terms of developmental…

Presents an account of the literacy activities engaged in by the parents of 29 children around the time that the children were about to start school. Finds a considerable amount of literacy activity evident in the homes, regardless of whether the children were fluent readers or not. Argues that home environment is not enough to account for…

Presents a developmental framework for interpreting and understanding how new digital technologies have been integrated into literacy instruction and research and how they might be integrated in the future. Argues that assimilation and accommodation define a developmental reality that helps explain a variety of issues pertaining to new…

Describes one aspect of a year-long study of primary level teacher's and children's use of the language arts component of SuccessMaker, an Integrated Learning System (ILS). Documents areas where the curricula embedded in the ILS were congruent with teacher's normal curricula and pedagogical practices. Raises issues about the appropriate…

Notes that multimedia computer programs may provide promising opportunities for the training of initial reading and spelling skills. Examines a recently-developed program's efficacy and impact on the motivation of the users. Finds that the amount of non-task directed behavior of those who had practiced with the computer significantly decreased…

Measures comprehension after reading from screen at both a normal and fast reading speed. Finds a speed-accuracy trade-off and, in general, the recall of specific details was less accurate than responses to higher order questions. Concludes that the most effective readers, in terms of higher comprehension scores, were those who spent more time…

Presents a discussion paper reflecting on the National Literacy Strategy (NLS) after one year of operation. Argues that once the NLS becomes established it will be necessary for all teachers to engage with the research literature so that they teach from a position of professional understanding of the processes involved in reading and writing…

Assesses fifteen 7- to 12-year-old blind children using standardized measures of intelligence, spelling and reading. Finds they performed poorer when reading than their chronological age would predict. Compares blind and age-matched children's ability to segment heard words, which are written in Braille with and without contractions. Finds words…

Investigates the relationship between phonological awareness and phonological memory and their relative contribution to early reading and spelling. Suggests they make significant yet distinctive contributions to early literacy. Notes evidence that a qualitative change in phonological memory takes place during the first year of formal schooling.…

Rates 200 Reading Recovery books on five variables thought to represent "semantic,""syntactic," and "phonic" features of text. Finds the variables accounted for 83% of book level variance. Supports the validity of the Reading Recovery book levels. Suggests that the formula can be used by teachers to grade children's…

Describes pilot research that informed the early stages of development of the Catch Up Programme, a literacy intervention designed for children who are behind with reading at the start of Year 3 (7- to 8-year-olds). Finds a considerable increase in pupils' reading ages across a 10-week period. Finds similar results in another small study. (RS)

Reports on an exploratory study concerning the effectiveness of specific design features in talking book software. Considers how talking book software has the potential to complement current approaches to literacy instruction. Notes that electronic books can complement teaching approaches in infant classrooms and can positively affect both…

Reports on a longitudinal study using the computer-based cognitive assessment system CoPS, and considers the applicability of this system in the early identification of cognitive strengths and limitations that affect the development of reading. Concludes that short-term memory is an important predictor variable for reading, in addition to the more…