Early education, literacy and multilingualism

Presentation (2018, February 08)

Presentation of three studies, one meta-analysis, introduction of the project HOMELY and video from the project MuLiPEC (Claudine Kirsch).

The ability to read numbers: A universal measure?

in AERA (2018)

This study tests the hypothesis that there is a single pathway for the order in which children learn to identify numbers. Although a prime facie case can be made, systematic variation might be expected ... [more ▼]

This study tests the hypothesis that there is a single pathway for the order in which children learn to identify numbers. Although a prime facie case can be made, systematic variation might be expected because of teaching, or language of instruction, or country of origin. This study concludes that such variations are minor and that the pathway that children follow when learning to identify numbers follows the same pattern across different groups. This finding is significant in furthering our knowledge of children’s early mathematics development; it suggests that there is a universal developmental scale from which the diverse aspects of mathematical development can be viewed. This lays the foundation for international comparisons of the mathematical development of young children. [less ▲]

The role of humour in intimate intercultural relationships

in The 9th European IACPP Conference (2017, July)

Humour is vital for social life. We explored the role of humour in intimate intercultural relationships by: (1) interviewing intercultural couples and (2) analysing the videos of international street ... [more ▼]

Humour is vital for social life. We explored the role of humour in intimate intercultural relationships by: (1) interviewing intercultural couples and (2) analysing the videos of international street performances of a conflictual intercultural clown couple. The interviews involved 15 intercultural couples. The video analysis was based on one clown couple selected from an initial sample. Preliminary results supported the interdisciplinary theories explaining the relationships between: (1) humour and embarrassment and (2) humour and hatred. Humour and ridicule are main elements of embarrassment which is important for maintaining social order. The presence of an audience in embarrassing situations is necessary. ‘Laughing with’ or ‘laughing at’ was explored through three main types of embarrassing situations: faux pas, sticky situations and being the centre of attention. The third type was found to be the most common among intercultural couples, especially in situations of linguistic misunderstandings. Humour was the most used remedial strategy, along with apologies, excuses and justifications. Embarrassment was related to shame, the master-emotion appearing when interpersonal or group relations are broken. Shame could transform into rage and humour can provide tools for expressing it while also supporting the feelings of pleasure. Hatred was present in the forms of stereotypes against the partner’s culture through jokes. We discuss humour, embarrassment and hatred from micro to macro level to understand how they can protect the social order, find the pleasure in damaging the same and what we can do about it. [less ▲]

The influence of language and culture on the dynamics of mixed couples

Presentation (2016, May 17)

Family literacy programme for Portuguese preschool children in Luxembourg: Interview at York University

Speeches/Talks (2016)

Family literacy programme for Portuguese preschool children in Luxembourg: Interview in Toronto

Speeches/Talks (2016)

Family literacy programme for Portuguese preschool children in Luxembourg: Interview in New York

Speeches/Talks (2016)

A meta-analysis of the effectiveness of bilingual programs in Europe

in Language, Education and Diversity Conference (2015, November)

The effectiveness of bilingual programs for promoting academic achievement of language-minority in the United States has been examined in six meta-analyses. The present meta-analytic study investigates ... [more ▼]

The effectiveness of bilingual programs for promoting academic achievement of language-minority in the United States has been examined in six meta-analyses. The present meta-analytic study investigates this topic for the first time in the European context. Thorough literature searches uncovered 101 European studies, with only seven meeting the inclusion criteria. Two studies were excluded from further analyses. Results from the random-effects model of the five remaining studies indicate a small positive effect (g = 0.23; 95% CI [0.10, 0.36]) for bilingual over submersion programs on reading of language-minority children. Thus, this meta-analysis supports bilingual education—that is, including the home language of language-minority children—in school instruction. However, the generalizability of the results is limited by the small number of studies on this topic. More published studies on bilingual education in Europe are needed as well as closer attention to the size of the effects. [less ▲]

Personalization of Virtual Coaching Applications Using Procedural Modeling

in ICT4AgeingWell 2015 (2015, May)

Virtual coaching is an application area that allows individuals to improve existing skills or learn new ones; it ranges from simple textual tutoring tools to fully immersive 3D learning situations. The ... [more ▼]

Virtual coaching is an application area that allows individuals to improve existing skills or learn new ones; it ranges from simple textual tutoring tools to fully immersive 3D learning situations. The latter aim at improving the learning experience with realistic 3D environments. In highly individual training scenarios it can be beneficial to provide some level of personalization of the environment. This can be supported using procedural modeling that allows to easily modify shape, look and contents of an environment. We present the application of personalization using procedural modeling in learning applications in the project V2me. This project combines virtual and social networks to help senior citizens maintain and create meaningful relationships. We present a system that uses a procedurally generated ambient virtual coaching environment that can be adjusted by training subjects themselves or in collaboration. A small user experience study has been executed that gives first insight to the acceptance of such an approac Virtual coaching is an application area that allows individuals to improve existing skills or learn new ones; it ranges from simple textual tutoring tools to fully immersive 3D learning situations. The latter aim at improving the learning experience with realistic 3D environments. In highly individual training scenarios it can be beneficial to provide some level of personalization of the environment. This can be supported using procedural modeling that allows to easily modify shape, look and contents of an environment. We present the application of personalization using procedural modeling in learning applications in the project V2me. This project combines virtual and social networks to help senior citizens maintain and create meaningful relationships. We present a system that uses a procedurally generated ambient virtual coaching environment that can be adjusted by training subjects themselves or in collaboration. A small user experience study has been executed that gives first insight to the acceptance of such an approac [less ▲]

A meta-analysis on the effectiveness of bilingual programs in Europe

in Review of Educational Research (2015), 85(1), 92-128

The effectiveness of bilingual programs for promoting academic achievement of language-minority in the United States has been examined in six meta-analyses. The present meta-analytic study investigates ... [more ▼]

The effectiveness of bilingual programs for promoting academic achievement of language-minority in the United States has been examined in six meta-analyses. The present meta-analytic study investigates this topic for the first time in the European context. Thorough literature searches uncovered 101 European studies, with only seven meeting the inclusion criteria. Two studies were excluded from further analyses. Results from the random-effects model of the five remaining studies indicate a small positive effect (g = 0.23; 95% CI [0.10, 0.36]) for bilingual over submersion programs on reading of language-minority children. Thus, this meta-analysis supports bilingual education—that is, including the home language of language-minority children—in school instruction. However, the generalizability of the results is limited by the small number of studies on this topic. More published studies on bilingual education in Europe are needed as well as closer attention to the size of the effects. [less ▲]