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In search of a science‐based application: A learning tool for reading acquisition
Author(s) -
LYYTINEN HEIKKI,
ERSKINE JANE,
KUJALA JANNE,
OJANEN EMMA,
RICHARDSON ULLA
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
scandinavian journal of psychology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.743
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1467-9450
pISSN - 0036-5564
DOI - 10.1111/j.1467-9450.2009.00791.x
Subject(s) - reading (process) , dyslexia , psychology , learning to read , cognitive psychology , dreyfus model of skill acquisition , mobile phone , phone , developmental psychology , applied psychology , literacy , computer science , pedagogy , linguistics , telecommunications , philosophy , economics , economic growth
This is a story about the fate of a psychological application: from its conception to the optimistic vision surrounding its future. We hope that this application – an enjoyable learning game (www or mobile phone‐based, available free of charge to the end users) for children – can at best help millions of children in their reading acquisition in the future. Its basis was created by following intensively the development of children with ( N = 107) and without ( N = 92) genetic (familial) risk for dyslexia from birth to puberty in the Jyväskylä Longitudinal study of Dyslexia (JLD)‐project. We summarize some of the major findings of the JLD in order to facilitate understanding of the reasons and logic behind the development of the game. Originally intended as a research tool for reading acquisition, its potential for prevention of reading difficulties was quickly recognized.