Current theoretical models of ADHD (i.e., Disinhibition Model: Barkley, 1997; Working Memory Model: Rapport et al., 2001) conceptualize ADHD as the disorder of executive function (EF) with some variation in their emphases on particular components of the broadly-defined EF (e.g., working memory vs. inhibition) and in their postulated relationships with ADHD symptoms. Although these models provide systematic accounts of the manifestation of ADHD, they have not been extensively tested from an empirical standpoint. Moreover, despite the fact that ADHD is highly comorbid with other additional conditions such as learning and behavioral problems and EF deficits are found in individuals with these conditions as well as in those with ADHD, current EF models have not specified the developmental relationship between ADHD and its comorbid conditions. This study was: (1) to examine the extent to which two current models of ADHD are supported in a sample of 102 adults; (2) to present an ??integrated?? model by combining two current models of ADHD and linking them to recent research findings on two common comorbid conditions with ADHD (i.e., reading difficulty and substance abuse); and (3) to test and revise such an integrated model in the light of data using a latent variable analysis. Major findings provided a strong support for the Working Memory Model with a lesser degree of support for the Disinhibition Model. Preliminary evidence of working memory as the primary deficit in ADHD was also obtained in the present sample. Finally, the integrated EF model and its revised model (final model) demonstrated a very good fit to the data. These findings suggest that the integrated model provides a unified account of how EF deficits contribute to the manifestation of ADHD symptoms and comorbid conditions with ADHD. Given some limitations (e.g., sample size and scope) of the present study, current findings need to be replicated.

Current theoretical models of ADHD (i.e., Disinhibition Model: Barkley, 1997; Working Memory Model: Rapport et al., 2001) conceptualize ADHD as the disorder of executive function (EF) with some variation in their emphases on particular components of the broadly-defined EF (e.g., working memory vs. inhibition) and in their postulated relationships with ADHD symptoms. Although these models provide systematic accounts of the manifestation of ADHD, they have not been extensively tested from an empirical standpoint. Moreover, despite the fact that ADHD is highly comorbid with other additional conditions such as learning and behavioral problems and EF deficits are found in individuals with these conditions as well as in those with ADHD, current EF models have not specified the developmental relationship between ADHD and its comorbid conditions. This study was: (1) to examine the extent to which two current models of ADHD are supported in a sample of 102 adults; (2) to present an ??integrated?? model by combining two current models of ADHD and linking them to recent research findings on two common comorbid conditions with ADHD (i.e., reading difficulty and substance abuse); and (3) to test and revise such an integrated model in the light of data using a latent variable analysis. Major findings provided a strong support for the Working Memory Model with a lesser degree of support for the Disinhibition Model. Preliminary evidence of working memory as the primary deficit in ADHD was also obtained in the present sample. Finally, the integrated EF model and its revised model (final model) demonstrated a very good fit to the data. These findings suggest that the integrated model provides a unified account of how EF deficits contribute to the manifestation of ADHD symptoms and comorbid conditions with ADHD. Given some limitations (e.g., sample size and scope) of the present study, current findings need to be replicated.

No description available.

Syftet med denna studie är att undersöka hur läromedel och digitala hjälpmedel är anpassade för elever med lässvårigheter i årskurs 1. Detta görs genom en granskning av tre olika läromedel och analys av i vilken mån de har potential att gynna elever med lässvårigheter. Teorier som används i studien är det sociokulturella perspektivet och motivationsteorin. Enligt det sociokulturella perspektivet sker lärandet genom det sociala samspelet och utgår från varje elevs proximala utvecklingszon. Med hjälp av motivationsteorin synliggörs det i studien hur lärare kan hjälpa elever att öka motivationen och hur det kan påverka deras lärande och utveckling. Studien använder sig av kvalitativ metod där materialet analyseras utifrån innehållsanalys. Materialet utgörs av läromedel i svenska som är riktade till elever i årskurs 1. Text och innehåll analyseras utifrån fonologisk medvetenhet, ordavkodning och motivation. Studien beskriver hur fonologisk medvetenhet och ordavkodning synliggörs i läromedlen. Dessutom belyses lärarens roll för elevers motivation utifrån studiens analyserade läromedel parallellt med motivationsteorin. Resultatet av studien visar att det är svårt att generellt svara på om läromedel är anpassade till alla elever med lässvårigheter, men en djupare och bredare bild av hur läromedel och lärarhandledningar är uppbyggda framkommer av analysen. Vidare synliggörs en mer djupgående förståelse av elevers lärprocess och hur lärare kan anpassa undervisningen för att gynna elevers proximala utvecklingszon.

This case study aims to investigate the relationship between the online reading group meetings (ORG) and reading difficulties among upper-level learners of Chinese as a foreign language (CFL learners). Based on Bernhardt’s constructivist model of L2 reading (1986, 1991) and sociocultural perspectives, this study attempts to answer two research questions: 1. What reading difficulties upper-level CFL learners encountered when they read in Chinese? 2. What components in the online reading group meetings helped upper-level CFL learners to cope with their reading difficulties? How did the components help? Seven Fourth-Year Chinese learners at a university in the United States participated in this study and attended the ORG meetings throughout a semester to discuss five assigned readings. Qualitative research methods were used to collect and analyze the data. The data sources of this study included pre- and post-ORG questionnaires, pre- and post-meeting comprehension checks, pre- and post-meeting self-reports, recordings of the online reading group meetings, and semi-structured interviews. The findings showed a complicated and interactive relationship of the six components in Bernhardt’s model when it came to reading difficulties among upper-level CFL learners. Even though the participants identified word recognition as one of their top reading difficulties when reading in Chinese, the findings showed that extra-text driven components, especially intratextual perceptions and prior knowledge, played an important role in determining the participants’ reading comprehension. Being able to constantly monitor what they learned from each paragraph and which prior knowledge they applied to the reading was found to be a key to improving their reading comprehension. The findings also found reflexivity in dialogic collaboration, especially when the ORG meetings created opportunities for the participants to improve their reading comprehension via peer-to-peer interaction. The patterns of peer-mediated learning included giving corrective feedback, negotiating meaning, learning from listening, strategy coaching, and using English strategically. Whereas the instructor as a facilitator was regarded important to provide timely feedback and facilitate the discussion, the findings suggested that a peer-led group discussion was possible for upper-level CFL learners once they built up their confidence in offering help to their peers. Even though the component of the role assignment seemed to be beneficial for the participants to cope with their reading difficulties in the ORG meetings, the participants did not perceive each role equally helpful nor easy due to various reasons. The study concluded with a discussion of the implications for CFL education, teacher education programs and future research.

Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.

A literature-survey indicated that there is a need for complete reading programmes that are integrated within the mainstream to meet the unique needs of learners who struggle to read in South African schools. Recent research suggests that the use of 'evidence-based', complete reading programmes are effective multi-purpose tools for reading intervention, cognitive enrichment, and identification of learners unresponsive to regular literacy instruction. The main conclusion of, this study was ,that the HlWAY READING & SPELLING PROGRAMME© is a complete reading programme, comprising of multiple components including phonemic awareness instruction, systematic phonics instruction, fluency training, vocabulary building and comprehension strategy training components. It is also a much-needed tool for in-service and pre-service teacher training and whole-school capacity building in the implementation of evidence-based reading instruction. A pre-test-post-test control group design was used. The weight of evidence obtained in this investigation indicates that the HRSP caused a statistically significant improvement in spelling and reading comprehension measures. The HRSP was successfully integrated within the mainstream, and the effect sizes obtained in this study were large Recommendations were offered with regard to the use of the complete reading programmes like the HRSP in school contexts to address the needs of learners unresponsive to literacy intervention. / Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.

The aim of this study is to analyse how children’s literature for ages 6 – 8 is adapted to pupils with reading difficulties. The material used for analysis in this study is six children’s books, examining some of the criteria by which a text is classified as easy-to-read. The result of the analysis shows that there is a possibility for pupils with reading difficulties to read something other than easy-to-read literature if it is carefully selected. The result also shows that the different criteria for an easy-to-read text cannot alone indicate whether a book as a whole is easy-to-read or not.

A literature-survey indicated that there is a need for complete reading programmes that are integrated within the mainstream to meet the unique needs of learners who struggle to read in South African schools. Recent research suggests that the use of 'evidence-based', complete reading programmes are effective multi-purpose tools for reading intervention, cognitive enrichment, and identification of learners unresponsive to regular literacy instruction. The main conclusion of, this study was ,that the HlWAY READING & SPELLING PROGRAMME© is a complete reading programme, comprising of multiple components including phonemic awareness instruction, systematic phonics instruction, fluency training, vocabulary building and comprehension strategy training components. It is also a much-needed tool for in-service and pre-service teacher training and whole-school capacity building in the implementation of evidence-based reading instruction. A pre-test-post-test control group design was used. The weight of evidence obtained in this investigation indicates that the HRSP caused a statistically significant improvement in spelling and reading comprehension measures. The HRSP was successfully integrated within the mainstream, and the effect sizes obtained in this study were large Recommendations were offered with regard to the use of the complete reading programmes like the HRSP in school contexts to address the needs of learners unresponsive to literacy intervention. / Thesis (M.Ed.)--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2007.

以英文為外語的學習者常仰賴閱讀獲取英文相關的知識跟文化，所以閱讀在台灣的英文課中得到相當程度地的重視，即便如此，台灣的高中英文閱讀教學多半只專注在仔細閱讀的教導上，而忽略了包含略讀、搜索閱讀跟掃讀的快速閱讀，這是因為快速閱讀並沒有納入在大學入學考試的測驗當中。考量到快速閱讀是日常生活跟學習上不可或缺的技能，本研究旨在檢驗台灣高中學生的英文快速閱讀能力，他們在進行快速閱讀中所採用的閱讀策略跟遇到的閱讀困難也是本研究的調查目標。研究者設計了一份快速閱讀測驗跟一份仔細閱讀測驗來比較學生們的閱讀能力。此外，研究者設計了一份問卷來調查學生們在快速閱讀測驗當中所運用的閱讀策略跟遭遇的閱讀困難。 研究結果顯示台灣高中學生在快速閱讀測驗上的表現略優於他們在仔細閱讀測驗上的表現。此外，學生們在掃讀上表現得最好，優於在搜索閱讀上的表現，而略讀上的表現則是最差。關於策略的使用，學生們雖然會運用快速閱讀策略來完成快速閱讀的任務，但他們仍然在快速閱讀測驗當中普遍地使用仔細閱讀的策略。至於閱讀的困難，學生們進行快速閱讀時的困難主要來自於文章的用字、主題熟悉度跟長度。根據研究的發現，本研究對於教導與評量台灣高中學生的快速閱讀能力提出了實務上的建議。 / As a crucial language skill for EFL learns to gain English knowledge and culture (Alsamadani, 2009), reading receives considerable pedagogical attention in English classes in Taiwan (Wu, 2010). However, the reading instruction at the senior high school level focuses on the careful reading (Hsu, 2004). The expeditious reading, including skimming, search reading, and scanning (Urquhart & Weir, 1998), is often neglected. Considering the usefulness of expeditious reading in daily and academic life (Brown, 2007), the present research examined the expeditious reading ability of Taiwanese senior high school students, their strategy use and difficulties they had experienced in conducting expeditious reading. The researcher composed an expeditious reading test and a careful reading test to compare the students’ reading performances. Besides, the researcher designed a questionnaire to survey the strategy use and difficulties experienced by the students in the expeditious reading test. The result showed that the Taiwanese senior high school students’ performance on the expeditious reading test was marginally higher than their performance on the careful reading test. In addition, the student’s scanning score was the highest, followed by the search reading, and the skimming was the lowest. As for strategy use, the students applied expeditious reading strategies to approach expeditious reading tasks in the test, but they also appealed to some careful reading strategies in the expeditious reading test. Concerning difficulties, the students faced more problems with the vocabulary, topics, and length of texts when conducting expeditious reading. The findings yielded practical implications for teaching and assessing the expeditious reading at the senior high school level in Taiwan.