title: Phonological awareness and alphabet knowledge in the acquisition of literacy skills

authors: Blaiklock, Kenneth E.

subjects: English language Acquisition

abstract: The nature of the relationship between phonological awareness and the acquisition of literacy was investigated in a longitudinal study of 29 children during their first two years at school. At the beginning of the study, when all children were nonreaders, syllable awareness was the strongest predictor of later word reading and spelling. During the first year, correlations from rhyme or alliteration awareness to later literacy were significant over intervals of two or three months. Correlations in the other direction, that is, from literacy to later rhyme or alliteration awareness were also significant over these periods. These results support the notion that early awareness of syllables, rhyme, and alliteration has a small facilitative effect on the first months of learning to read and spell, after which time a reciprocal relationship develops. Children were unable to score on both measures of phoneme awareness until after they could read a number of words. From half way through the first year, significant correlations were often found from phoneme awareness to later literacy. Correlations in the other direction, that is, from literacy to later phoneme awareness, were also significant. These results are consistent with phoneme awareness initially being a consequence of learning to read and write, and then having a reciprocal relationship with literacy. Controlling for verbal ability or phonological memory made little difference to the size of the correlations between measures of phonological awareness and literacy. Controlling for letter knowledge, however, often resulted in substantial reductions in the size of the correlations. Letter knowledge was frequently a strong predictor of later literacy. It is argued that letter knowledge has a central role in the development of literacy skills and in the relationship between phonological awareness and literacy.

text: Phonological awareness and alphabet knowledge in the acquisition of literacy skills The nature of the relationship between phonological awareness and the acquisition of literacy was investigated in a longitudinal study of 29 children during their first two years at school. At the beginning of the study, when all children were nonreaders, syllable awareness was the strongest predictor of later word reading and spelling. During the first year, correlations from rhyme or alliteration awareness to later literacy were significant over intervals of two or three months. Correlations in the other direction, that is, from literacy to later rhyme or alliteration awareness were also significant over these periods. These results support the notion that early awareness of syllables, rhyme, and alliteration has a small facilitative effect on the first months of learning to read and spell, after which time a reciprocal relationship develops. Children were unable to score on both measures of phoneme awareness until after they could read a number of words. From half way through the first year, significant correlations were often found from phoneme awareness to later literacy. Correlations in the other direction, that is, from literacy to later phoneme awareness, were also significant. These results are consistent with phoneme awareness initially being a consequence of learning to read and write, and then having a reciprocal relationship with literacy. Controlling for verbal ability or phonological memory made little difference to the size of the correlations between measures of phonological awareness and literacy. Controlling for letter knowledge, however, often resulted in substantial reductions in the size of the correlations. Letter knowledge was frequently a strong predictor of later literacy. It is argued that letter knowledge has a central role in the development of literacy skills and in the relationship between phonological awareness and literacy.

year: 1999

title: Drivers use of in-vehicle information systems and perceptions of their effects on driving

authors: Starkey, Nicola J.

abstract: In recent years the number of cars on the road with manufacturer installed in-vehicle information systems (IVIS) has increased dramatically, and with smartphones connecting directly to these systems drivers can access a wide range of applications on the move. Some IVIS features are designed to improve safety (e.g., speed and collision warnings) but access via an IVIS to all apps on a smartphone has the potential to distract drivers and increase crash risk. We undertook this study to find out what IVIS features and apps drivers use and to ask about their effects on driving. An online survey completed by 1,017 drivers (50% female, 16–85 years) revealed the most common activity drivers engaged in was listening to music, followed by listening to directions. Fewer than half of the drivers reported conversing on a hands-free phone and 25% reported texting/sending emails or using social media. Frequency of engagement in secondary tasks decreased with age. Using hand-held mobiles was rated as having the greatest negative impact on driving, with drivers attempting to mitigate the risk by carrying out the activity in slow moving traffic or at traffic lights. Females rated the risk of most of the secondary tasks as greater than males. Almost half of the sample had access to speed warnings systems but only a small proportion had experience of lane departure, dangerous curve or intersection warning systems. Of those with access to driver safety systems, 50–70% never used them despite rating the system as useful and as having safety benefits. As the number of vehicles with manufacturer installed IVIS continues to increase on the road, drivers' engagement with them while driving is also likely to increase. To address this, there is a need for a multi-agency approach to educate drivers on the safe use of these systems and apps in their vehicles. Incentives for drivers to use the safety-related features may also be worth considering.

text: Drivers use of in-vehicle information systems and perceptions of their effects on driving In recent years the number of cars on the road with manufacturer installed in-vehicle information systems (IVIS) has increased dramatically, and with smartphones connecting directly to these systems drivers can access a wide range of applications on the move. Some IVIS features are designed to improve safety (e.g., speed and collision warnings) but access via an IVIS to all apps on a smartphone has the potential to distract drivers and increase crash risk. We undertook this study to find out what IVIS features and apps drivers use and to ask about their effects on driving. An online survey completed by 1,017 drivers (50% female, 16–85 years) revealed the most common activity drivers engaged in was listening to music, followed by listening to directions. Fewer than half of the drivers reported conversing on a hands-free phone and 25% reported texting/sending emails or using social media. Frequency of engagement in secondary tasks decreased with age. Using hand-held mobiles was rated as having the greatest negative impact on driving, with drivers attempting to mitigate the risk by carrying out the activity in slow moving traffic or at traffic lights. Females rated the risk of most of the secondary tasks as greater than males. Almost half of the sample had access to speed warnings systems but only a small proportion had experience of lane departure, dangerous curve or intersection warning systems. Of those with access to driver safety systems, 50–70% never used them despite rating the system as useful and as having safety benefits. As the number of vehicles with manufacturer installed IVIS continues to increase on the road, drivers' engagement with them while driving is also likely to increase. To address this, there is a need for a multi-agency approach to educate drivers on the safe use of these systems and apps in their vehicles. Incentives for drivers to use the safety-related features may also be worth considering.

year: 2020

title: The science-society relationship in Aotearoa: practicing responsible innovation in the New Zealand research and innovation system

authors: Finlay-Smits, Susanna

subjects: Responsible innovation

abstract: Reports on Aotearoa New Zealand’s research, science, and innovation (RSI) system suggest the sector could improve its social responsibility and create more social value. However, researchers and innovators within the sector find this challenging. Through qualitative interviews and a national survey of RSI system participants, this study explores the current perceptions, practices enacted, and support given around responsible research and innovation practices. Findings indicate that researchers and innovators have diverse understandings of what responsible research and innovation entails, viewing anticipation and reflexivity-aligned practices as the most important aspects of responsible research and innovation. Participants feel most supported by research organisations and funding bodies to enact such aspects of responsible practice. However, they perceive a discrepancy, across all dimensions explored, between what researchers and innovators should do, and what they actually do in terms of enacting responsible practices. Thus, significant room for improvement is identified, particularly regarding practices that align with researchers’ and innovators’ obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and requirements under Vision Mātauranga.

text: The science-society relationship in Aotearoa: practicing responsible innovation in the New Zealand research and innovation system Reports on Aotearoa New Zealand’s research, science, and innovation (RSI) system suggest the sector could improve its social responsibility and create more social value. However, researchers and innovators within the sector find this challenging. Through qualitative interviews and a national survey of RSI system participants, this study explores the current perceptions, practices enacted, and support given around responsible research and innovation practices. Findings indicate that researchers and innovators have diverse understandings of what responsible research and innovation entails, viewing anticipation and reflexivity-aligned practices as the most important aspects of responsible research and innovation. Participants feel most supported by research organisations and funding bodies to enact such aspects of responsible practice. However, they perceive a discrepancy, across all dimensions explored, between what researchers and innovators should do, and what they actually do in terms of enacting responsible practices. Thus, significant room for improvement is identified, particularly regarding practices that align with researchers’ and innovators’ obligations under Te Tiriti o Waitangi, and requirements under Vision Mātauranga.

year: 2023-05-17