The rationale for this study was to investigate the implementation of the THRASS literacy programme on a deaf learner who uses the spoken language approach. Particular emphasis was given to the role played by the Phoneme Machine together with Cued Speech. THRASS focuses on phoneme-grapheme correspondence by explicit phonics instruction to develop word analysis and recognition skills. Cued Speech is used as an instructional tool to facilitate visual access to auditory-based phonology. The research was framed within the Interpretivist paradigm and a qualitative case study design predominated, although the launch and landing of the study was quantitative in nature. The findings indicated that the auditory-based phonology of the English language may be accessed by a deaf learner, when supported by a visual instructional tool such as Cued Speech in synchronicity with speech-reading, to develop print literacy skills. This study opens the gateway to further enquiry on enhancing deaf literacy levels. / Inclusive Education / M. Ed. (Inclusive Education)

本行動研究旨在探討音節覺識(syllable awareness)與字母拼讀法(phonics)合併教學對台灣國中7年級生（國一學生）拼寫多音節字及英文學習態度的影響。實驗分兩階段進行。第一階段進行小規模的前測，作為正式研究的準備，其目的在測試音節覺識與字母拼讀法合併教學是否適切、教學活動是否可行，以及7年級生在運用此方法拼多音節字是否有困難等等，並根據初探結果修定正式實驗之規劃。第二階段的正式實驗，根據第一階段的結果改良拼字測驗生字、延長教學時間，並加入小測驗以期教學更能適切,以利評估該教學法對學生拼字能力及學習態度的影響。 在正式實驗中，實驗對象為基隆市某國中66名7年級學生,首先進行學習背景調查、音節計數、單音節字、多音節字拼字測驗，之後，篩選出44名程度、背景相近的學生。研究者將此44名學生隨機平均分配為實驗組及對照組兩組,每組各22名學生。對實驗組先施以音節覺識與字母拼讀法合併教學,將音節覺識及字母拼讀等技巧融入英語拼字訓練中;而對照組則單獨採用字母拼讀法教學,教授字母字音的對應關係。實驗組及對照組每週均安排兩節英語課實施上述教學法,每節課15分鐘(每週30分鐘),持續11週。兩組學生在教學後各施以多音節字拼字測驗、學習態度調查,以評量受試者在拼字技巧上的發展及學習態度上的改變情形。 組間比較結果顯示,在十一週實驗教學後,實驗組及對照組二組學生在拼多音節字測驗上無顯著差異。此外,只有實驗組學生在生字及英語學習態度上有顯著的正向改變。 以上研究結果顯示，運用音節覺識與字母拼讀法合併教學能降低學生對拼字的焦慮，改善其學習英語的態度。本研究之結果及教學建議，可供未來國小、國中拼字教學的參考。 / The purpose of this action research was to explore the effects of syllable-awareness based phonics instruction in Taiwanese 7th EFL graders on spelling multi-syllable words. The present study involved two stages: a one-group design pilot study and a formal study. The purpose of the pilot study was to evaluate the feasibility of the syllable-awareness based phonics instruction designed by the researcher. According to the result of the pilot study, the formal research was modified in changing the multi-syllable test words, lengthening the instruction time, and the usage of a quiz. Moreover, in the formal study, two groups will be implemented with different instructions to explore the effects in spelling multi-syllable words and learning attitude. In the formal research, sixty-six 7th graders in two intact classes were chosen as potential subjects. After they filled out a background questionnaire, took three tests: a syllable counting test, a mono-syllable word spelling test, and a multi-syllable word spelling test, forty-four homogeneous subjects were selected. The researcher randomly assigned these 44 subjects into two groups: an experimental group and a control group, each comprised of 22 subjects. The experimental group received syllable-awareness based phonics instruction while the control group received phonics instruction only. All subjects were instructed for 11 weeks, two 15-minute classes per week (thirty minutes per week). After the instruction, the researcher carried out a multi-syllable spelling word posttest and a learning attitude questionnaire to estimate the effects of the instruction and their attitude changes. The result of the multi-syllable word spelling tests revealed that there was no significant difference between the two groups. However, the experimental group showed more positive attitude change than the control group toward vocabulary and English learning. The findings from this study indicate that syllable-awareness based phonics instruction can not only ease the anxiety of spelling multi-syllable words for 7th graders, but also reinforce a more positive attitude toward spelling vocabulary and learning English. According to the results, pedagogical implications and suggestions for further studies are offered.

Nous ne sommes plus à l’âge où les destructions poétiques d’appareils se voient car les régimes d’appareils sont devenus transparents : lorsque nous pressons un écran tactile, nous touchons ce que nous ne voyons plus, nos empreintes, et nous voyons ce que nous ne toucherons jamais, le plan numérique. Pour l’artiste contemporain, l’interface haptique – point d’orgue d’une technologie stéréotypée de la percussion – est le parergon d’une échelle inédite, toute tactile. De la machine à écrire aux claviers de plus en plus fins du design informatique, à mesure que l’on croit voir le bloc imaginaire céder sous la pression ergonomique de l’empire cybernétique, se palpe en fait un réel d’emblée en dehors des formes et à l’intérieur de notre doigté. C’est l’espace de la corne aux doigts. Ce transfert, cette remontée du point d’impact dans son élan, ce retour de la forme dans sa structure font du moment de touche – de l’appareillage comme manœuvre de départ – un isolat capital pour reposer la question de la sculpture à l’époque des immatériaux. Bien en face et à contre-courant de la surface informatique, une épaisseur sensible fonctionnelle aurait lieu et pourrait donc faire œuvre ; telle est la thèse proposée ici. Le comportement machinal de l’utilisateur d’interfaces sera considéré comme un modèle poïétique ou pensé comme une partie de l’imagination en attente de traduction plastique. Pendant que se joue l’expérience rythmique de l’interactivité, le corps ne doit-il pas fournir un effort perceptif pour ne pas s’absenter dans une partition photo-digitale jouée par avance ? Ne doit-il pas exprimer son ancrage particulier, calleux et bruissant – nous l’appellerons dactylo-phonique – au contact de la matière du monde ? Sans cette expression, jamais le design technologique contemporain, bi ou tridimensionnel, modélisé et assisté par ordinateur, n’entamera de rapport véritablement efficient avec le réel de nos habitudes et de nos démarches ; bref avec tout le poids incarné de notre conscience imageante : la perte d’indicialité instaurerait-elle un type introverti de phénoménalité ? / Poetic destructions of apparatus are no longer visible as regimes of apparatus have become transparent: when we press a tactile screen, we touch what we cannot see anymore – our fingerprints – and we see what we will never be able to touch – the digital space. For contemporary artists, haptic interfaces are the finger-tipping point of a technological dynamics of percussion but also the parergon of a new and entirely tactile scale. From the first typewriters to the latest ultra thin keyboards designed by computer manufacturers, we may think imagination is yielding under the ergonomic pressure of the cybernetic world. But in fact, existing outside of the shapes and right under our fingertips lies a palpable reality – the space of calluses. This transfer, this sensory feedback, this return of the form to its structure turns this casting off of the apparatus into an essential isolate to rethink sculpture in the age of immateriality. Right in front of the computer surface but working against it, there would be a functional sensitive thickness – an art-making place. This is our thesis. The machine-like behaviour of the interface user will be considered as a poietic model or regarded as a part of imagination waiting for plastic translation.We may wonder whether the rhythmic experience of interactivity does not entail a perceptual bodily effort on our side in order not to remain absent during the performance of a somewhat predictable photo-digital score.Doesn't this peculiar, callous and rustling – or dactylo-phonic – anchoring of the body to the substance of the world need to express itself? Without this expression, contemporary technological design — whether bi or tri-dimensional, modeled or computer-assisted — will never initiate a truly efficient relation with the real experience of our habits and actions, i.e. with all the embodied strength of our image-making consciousness: does the loss of indiciality create an introverted type of phenomenality ?

South Africa’s current performance on national and international studies is an indication that all is not well with our literacy teaching. In spite of the implementation of the National Curriculum Statement Grade R-9, illiteracy is currently a serious problem in South Africa. Current international and national documents call for direct, explicit, systematic teaching of reading and language concepts to beginning readers. The five principal components of reading instruction, namely phoneme awareness; phonics; word study and spelling; reading fluency; and text comprehension encompass language instruction at the phoneme, grapheme, syllable, word, sentence, and discourse levels. Teachers need specific and explicit linguistic knowledge to recognise and address the needs of all learners on the continuum of reading and language proficiency. Phonological awareness skills are considered as the most important indicators of early reading skills. Literature suggests a strong positive correlation between phonological awareness skills and reading skills development. Longitudinal studies show that children who don’t have phonological awareness skills have difficulties in reading. Experimental studies on phonological awareness suggest that the implementation of phonological awareness training has positive effects on the development of reading and spelling abilities. Phonological awareness is a key component in the prevention of reading failure. The information collected through the assessment of phonological awareness, enables teachers to make informed decisions about modifications of the literacy learning programme and implement reading interventions to prevent failure of reading acquisition. This early, preventative intervention reduces the possibility that learners fall behind in reading. The teaching of phonological awareness is par excellence for emergent literacy in the grade R class. Phonological awareness can be improved through the systematic, explicit instruction thereof. Therefore, teachers need to be able to implement a variety of phonological awareness activities in their classroom instruction. Teachers need content knowledge about phonological awareness, and how to implement it successfully. The purpose of this study was to determine: What a SWOT analysis reveals about grade R-teachers’: * Current in-depth knowledge of phonological awareness. * Preparedness to teach phonological awareness. * Implementation of instructional practices relevant to phonological awareness. * Perceptions of the support received from DoBE, in terms of relevant documentation, teaching and learning support material and professional development. The limitations, if any, in the teacher support documents of the DoBE, regarding the teaching of phonological awareness in grade R and to make suggestion with regard to the improvement thereof. What the perceptions of grade R teachers are about their in-depth knowledge, instructional practices and preparedness, concerning phonological awareness, after the implementation of a teacher training programme, focussing specifically on phonological awareness. The study was conducted utilizing a case study with thirteen grade R teachers from Lichtenburg, and the surrounding towns, Koster, Coligny and Itsoseng in the North West Province, Department of Basic Education, in South Africa. Data was collected in three phases, using questionnaires, interviews, observations and document analyses. In the first phase, the researcher gathered information on the knowledge and implementation of phonological awareness before the intervention (i.e., a teacher training programme). In the second phase, the teachers received training about the concept of phonological awareness and its relevance in reading acquisition. The training programme included relevant teaching activities as well as learning and teaching support material. In the third phase, the researcher trained the participants in the implementation of phonological awareness and gathered data about the implementation process. The results indicated that if teachers received explicit training about phonological awareness and are provided with relevant learning and teaching support material, they are able to implement phonological awareness activities in grade R classrooms. The results of this study have implications for teacher training. The concept of phonological awareness, its relevance in reading acquisition as well as relevant teaching activities need to be included in the training of grade R teachers. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Learning and Teaching))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

South Africa’s current performance on national and international studies is an indication that all is not well with our literacy teaching. In spite of the implementation of the National Curriculum Statement Grade R-9, illiteracy is currently a serious problem in South Africa. Current international and national documents call for direct, explicit, systematic teaching of reading and language concepts to beginning readers. The five principal components of reading instruction, namely phoneme awareness; phonics; word study and spelling; reading fluency; and text comprehension encompass language instruction at the phoneme, grapheme, syllable, word, sentence, and discourse levels. Teachers need specific and explicit linguistic knowledge to recognise and address the needs of all learners on the continuum of reading and language proficiency. Phonological awareness skills are considered as the most important indicators of early reading skills. Literature suggests a strong positive correlation between phonological awareness skills and reading skills development. Longitudinal studies show that children who don’t have phonological awareness skills have difficulties in reading. Experimental studies on phonological awareness suggest that the implementation of phonological awareness training has positive effects on the development of reading and spelling abilities. Phonological awareness is a key component in the prevention of reading failure. The information collected through the assessment of phonological awareness, enables teachers to make informed decisions about modifications of the literacy learning programme and implement reading interventions to prevent failure of reading acquisition. This early, preventative intervention reduces the possibility that learners fall behind in reading. The teaching of phonological awareness is par excellence for emergent literacy in the grade R class. Phonological awareness can be improved through the systematic, explicit instruction thereof. Therefore, teachers need to be able to implement a variety of phonological awareness activities in their classroom instruction. Teachers need content knowledge about phonological awareness, and how to implement it successfully. The purpose of this study was to determine: What a SWOT analysis reveals about grade R-teachers’: * Current in-depth knowledge of phonological awareness. * Preparedness to teach phonological awareness. * Implementation of instructional practices relevant to phonological awareness. * Perceptions of the support received from DoBE, in terms of relevant documentation, teaching and learning support material and professional development. The limitations, if any, in the teacher support documents of the DoBE, regarding the teaching of phonological awareness in grade R and to make suggestion with regard to the improvement thereof. What the perceptions of grade R teachers are about their in-depth knowledge, instructional practices and preparedness, concerning phonological awareness, after the implementation of a teacher training programme, focussing specifically on phonological awareness. The study was conducted utilizing a case study with thirteen grade R teachers from Lichtenburg, and the surrounding towns, Koster, Coligny and Itsoseng in the North West Province, Department of Basic Education, in South Africa. Data was collected in three phases, using questionnaires, interviews, observations and document analyses. In the first phase, the researcher gathered information on the knowledge and implementation of phonological awareness before the intervention (i.e., a teacher training programme). In the second phase, the teachers received training about the concept of phonological awareness and its relevance in reading acquisition. The training programme included relevant teaching activities as well as learning and teaching support material. In the third phase, the researcher trained the participants in the implementation of phonological awareness and gathered data about the implementation process. The results indicated that if teachers received explicit training about phonological awareness and are provided with relevant learning and teaching support material, they are able to implement phonological awareness activities in grade R classrooms. The results of this study have implications for teacher training. The concept of phonological awareness, its relevance in reading acquisition as well as relevant teaching activities need to be included in the training of grade R teachers. / Thesis (Ph.D. (Learning and Teaching))--North-West University, Potchefstroom Campus, 2011.

For several years specialists in reading have debated on how pupils should learn to read. The debate has focused on two methods of teaching reading, that is, the phonic method and the whole language method. Some researchers have identified five elements of reading instruction that are critical to achievement in reading, namely; that reading instruction should include phonics, phonemic awareness, reading fluency, vocabulary and comprehension. These are the components that make up what is termed a balanced literacy approach. Although there is some debate on what constitutes the balanced literacy approach, this study adopted the understanding of the approach described above. The study investigated whether the use of the balanced literacy approach could improve standard four pupils’ achievement in reading and writing in English. The targeted population consisted of twelve schools located in Zomba rural district. Pupils were tested before and after the intervention. Teachers in the experimental group were trained twice on balanced literacy approaches, first before the intervention and midway of the intervention. Observational measures revealed that teachers generally implemented the treatment. The post intervention data indicated that pupils responded very well to the activities that were presented to them. The reading and writing achievement of pupils that were present for the post-test increased more than those of the control group. The results obtained suggest that the balanced literacy approach improved the reading and writing achievement of standard four pupils in the experimental group. / English Studies / D. Litt. et Phil. (English)

The rationale for this study was to investigate the implementation of the THRASS literacy programme on a deaf learner who uses the spoken language approach. Particular emphasis was given to the role played by the Phoneme Machine together with Cued Speech. THRASS focuses on phoneme-grapheme correspondence by explicit phonics instruction to develop word analysis and recognition skills. Cued Speech is used as an instructional tool to facilitate visual access to auditory-based phonology. The research was framed within the Interpretivist paradigm and a qualitative case study design predominated, although the launch and landing of the study was quantitative in nature. The findings indicated that the auditory-based phonology of the English language may be accessed by a deaf learner, when supported by a visual instructional tool such as Cued Speech in synchronicity with speech-reading, to develop print literacy skills. This study opens the gateway to further enquiry on enhancing deaf literacy levels. / Inclusive Education / M. Ed. (Inclusive Education)

Summaries in Afrikaans and English / Text in Afrikaans / Two opposing approaches to beginning reading are used, namely the phonological and global approach, under which the whole word, whole sentence and whole language methods are classed. The whole crux of the controversy is situated in beginning reading as an explicit, intensive and systematic method of teaching phonics, as opposed to implicit beginning reading through discrimination of global configurations, augmented by psycholinguistic guesses within reading context. Arguments about the advantages and disadvantages of the opposing methods have been hurdled to and fro for decades without any discernible gain. The question emerged whether research on brain physiology with respect to language and reading, a relatively new field of study, could shed light on the foundation of an accountable method for beginning reading. Renewed insights to the controversial differences were gained, and brain physiologically accountable parameters as a base for a beginning reading method were framed from these insights. / Twee opponerende aanvangsleesbenaderings word in die skole gebruik, naamlik die fonologiese benadering en die geheelbenadering, waaronder die geheelwoord-, geheelsinen die geheeltaalmetode ressorteer. Die kern van die verskil tussen die aanvangsleesbenaderings le in aanvangslees as eksplisiete, intensiewe en sistematiese foneemonderrig, teenoor implisiete aanvangslees wat die waarneming van globale konfigurasies, aangevul deur psigolinguistiese raaiskote binne die leeskonteks, aanmoedig. In die polemiek om die beste leesmetode word argumente oor die voor- en nadele ten opsigte van die begronding van hierdie opponerende metodes reeds dekades heen en weer geslinger. Navorsingsresultate word eindeloos, sonder duidelike winste, met mekaar vergelyk. Dit het die vraag laat onstaan of navorsing ten opsigte van die breinfisiologie met betrekking tot taal en lees, 'n relatief nuwe studieveld, moontlik lig sou kon werp op die begronding van 'n verantwoordbare aanvangsleesmetode. Die literatuurstudie ten opsigte van breinfisiologie het vernuwende insigte oor die polemiese begrondingsverskille na vore gebring, en breinfisiologies-verantwoordbare parameters as basis vir 'n aanvangsleesmetode is uit hierdie insigte opgestel. / Psychology of Education / M. Ed. (Psychology of Education)

Syftet med detta examensarbete är att undersöka hur lärare med erfarenhet av Wittingmetoden beskriver sitt arbete med den samt om det på vetenskaplig grund går att argumentera för användning av metoden. Frågeställningarna är, om och varför lärare med erfarenhet av Wittingmetoden anser den vara lämplig för undervisning i läs- och skrivinlärning i årskurs 1–3 samt om det barn som redan kan läsa med ett visst flyt och förståelse i början av årskurs 1 också har nytta av metoden och i så fall hur. Frågeställningarna har uppstått när uppsatsförfattaren har ifrågasatt beskrivningar av metoden i kurslitteratur under lärarutbildningen. Beskrivningarna hävdar bland annat att metoden är så pass grundlig att den inte är relevant för undervisning av dagens elever då många av dem redan har en del förkunskaper. Underlag till studien utgörs dels av intervjuer med 10 lärare med utbildning i samt längre eller kortare erfarenhet av Wittingmetoden, dels av litteratur om Wittingmetoden, skriven av dess upphovskvinna Maja Witting samt tidigare forskning inom läs- och skrivinlärningsområdet kopplat till vissa karakteristiska delar av Wittingmetoden. Resultatet visar att Wittingmetoden ofta är inkorrekt beskriven samt att den förhåller sig mycket väl till vad den senaste forskningen menar är god och avgörande läs- och skrivundervisning i alfabetiska skriftspråk, nämligen ett arbetssätt med utgångpunkt i fonologisk medvetenhet och sammanljudning av fonem och grafem. Till detta ska sedan läggas olika arbetssätt för att skapa förutsättningar för god läsförståelse såsom utökat ordförråd, lärares högläsning, läsförståelsestrategier och allmänbildning. Sådan undervisning kan också, visar forskning, vara till nytta för den tidiga läsaren, särskilt det som gäller läsförståelse. Informanterna menar att Wittingmetoden är högst relevant och lämplig för läs- och skrivinlärning, liksom för ytterligare utveckling, för alla elever men att det finns lärare som den passar sämre för.

本研究旨在探討韻尾類比訓練對國小六年級學生英文讀字能力、讀字態度之影響及其學習困難。研究分兩階段進行：第一階段為小規模之預試研究，第二階段則為正式實驗。預試研究後，研究者在教法、試題做修正改進，並經由了解學生之思考過程及學習困難後，再進一步設計更完整之訪談。 在正式實驗中，對象為桃園縣某國小二個六年級班級，並從二班各挑出25人做為實驗組及對照組。實驗組施以韻尾類比策略訓練，教材來源為學生二至五年級之教科書字彙以做為類比策略運用之基礎。對照組雖使用相同之教材，但教法則僅限於字母與音的對應關係。實驗時間為每週20分鐘(每週兩節英語之前10分鐘)，持續十週。兩組學生在教學前後各施以讀字測驗及唸讀英文字態度問卷調查，訓練後則二組各選6名做為訪談對象以進一步了解他們的學習困難。 結果發現，二組學生在讀字能力上並無顯著差別，但在讀字態度上只有實驗組有顯著正向改變。比較二組學習困難則發現對照組之困難較為複雜。此外，實驗組之低程度學生在接受類比訓練後，在讀字能力及讀字態度上相較於對照組之低程度學生有非常明顯之進步。 以上研究結果顯示，韻尾類比策略訓練可以提升國小六年級學生英文認字能力亦能正向改變學生之讀字態度，尤其對低程度學生更為有效。最後根據本研究之結果及學生之學習困難提出教學建議，供未來國小英語教師英文讀字教學時之參考。 / The purpose of this study is to explore the effects of rime analogy training on sixth graders with respect to their decoding skills, attitudinal changes towards reading English words, and perceived difficulties with word reading. The present study comprised 2 phases: the first being a small-scale pilot study, the second a formal study. The pilot functioned as a preparatory work for the formal study. In the pilot, the testing materials, instruments, and activities of the training were tested and revised to be more suitable for the formal study. From the students’ responses, the researcher obtained some insights about their thinking process and learning difficulties and this allowed for designing a more complete interview for the formal study. In the formal study, there was an experimental group and a control group, each comprised of 25 sixth graders from two classes in one elementary school in Tao Yuan county. The experimental group received rime analogy training. The teaching materials were selected from the participants’ textbooks word bank, from the second grade to the fifth grade, as a basis for making analogy. The control group was taught with the same materials but received phonics instruction that focused only on grapheme-phoneme correspondences rules. Both groups received two 10-minute training sessions a week for 10 weeks, and were administered the same pre-and post-test (generalization test) to assess decoding skills, and a pre-and post-training questionnaire on attitudes toward reading English words. After the training, six participants from each group were further interviewed to understand their thinking process and perceived difficulties. The findings are as follows. In terms of the decoding skills, the post generalization test showed that no significant statistical difference was found between the two groups. In light of the attitudinal changes, only within-group comparisons of the experimental group were significantly different. In view of perceived difficulties, the interviews revealed that the difficulties in the control group were more complicated than those in the experimental group. The most noteworthy finding is that the lowest-proficiency participants in the experimental group not only outperformed their counterparts in the control group in decoding skills, but also demonstrated far more positive attitudinal changes after the training. The findings provide supporting evidence for the value of rime analogy training in promoting students’ decoding abilities and positively changing students’ learning attitudes. The nature of students’ perceived difficulties is also discussed, in respect of which several pedagogical implications and suggestions for future studies are outlined.