[senco-forum] Dr Bill Jenkins Lecture

Before you listen to the marketing messages and contemplate spending wads of
other people's money I suggest you read Mody, M., Studdert-Kennedy,M. &
Brady, S. (1997) "Speech perception deficits in poor readers: Auditory
processing or phonological coding".  Journal of Experimental Child
Psychology, 64,2, 199-231.   We as yet have little real idea of how the
brain learns, certainly not enough to entrust the task of complex learning
to computers in those who are having difficulties, learning often times
requires 'sweat equity' and cannot always be 'fun'.  We have had computer
based remedial reading programmes for more than 20 years and still the
problem remains.  The USA spent billions on putting an IBM computer based
reading programme into schools, by 1998 most were silent and gathering dust.
Learning often needs the mediation of a competent and perceptive fellow
human being.  At present computers cannot perceive the learner's mood,
attitudes, concerns etc. all important factors in the learning situation
especially in those who are experiencing difficulties.

Tallal's work as far as reading delay is concerned has been comprehensively
refuted.  If you are looking for methods of teaching reading to the reading
delayed look for work that is based on empirically confirmed theory.  With
respect to its application to reading delay most of Tallal's work lacks
proper controls.  Her method started off as a means of helping dysphasics,
however the numbers are small and so it was moved in reading delay as the
market there is vast.  The situation is reminiscent of 'Reading Recovery'
another method built on flawed theory and even more flawed so called
research that the various RR foundations put out.  The data reported by RR
has been shown to be highly questionable see  Center, Y., Wheldall, K. &
McNaught, M. (1995) "An Evaluation of Reading recovery". Reading Research
Quarterly, 30, p. 240-263.  Shanahan, T. & Barr, R. (1995) "Reading
recovery: An independent evaluation of the effects of an early instructional
intervention for at risk learners". Reading Research Quarterly, 30,  p.
958-996.   These scholarly critiques were seemingly not read by those who
poured millions into RR after they were published,   it would seem to be
that it is the 'Three Monkeys' who run education.  Education needs to start
paying attention to what empirical scientific research is saying about
learning, it also needs to let the scientific method into the classroom so
that good practice can be identified.  As we are taking other people's money
(most of whom have no choice in the matter of payment) and there is no
direct line of accountability between payer and payee we need to be sure
that we are spending it wisely.  Possession of a patent does not guarantee
that the subject of the patent actually works.

Philip EP

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "John Kerins" <john at neuron-learning.co.uk>
To: <senco-forum at lists.becta.org.uk>
Sent: Friday, April 13, 2007 5:42 PM
Subject: [senco-forum] Dr Bill Jenkins Lecture

In view of the recent discussions on Fast ForWord and the issues of reading
difficulties generally you may be interested in this lecture in London (also
Dublin and Cork)

The link is http://www.neuron.ie/lecture_wmj07.htm

How Neuroscience is Improving Reading and Language Skills.

A talk by Dr William Jenkins.

The presentation will cover how the brain learns, illustrating brain
plasticity and neuroscientific interventions. He will show how learning
skills are developed using computer based interventions. He will identify
the key skills required to read effectively. Bill will refer to his
extensive collaboration with Dr Paula Tallal and Mike Merzenich. The talk
will cover scientific research in depth. It is suitable for educational
professionals and parents.

Lancaster Hall Hotel

35 Craven Terrace

London W2 3EL

(between Paddington Station and Lancaster Gate Station)

Admission £20

Dr. Bill Jenkins is a founder of Scientific Learning Corporation, and an
expert in learning-based brain plasticity, behavioural algorithms, and
psychophysical methods, as well as multimedia and internet technology. Dr.
Jenkins is an author or co-author on more than 100 publications including
seven commercial software products and thirty-two US patents. His recent
research includes the development of computer exercises for teaching
children and adults, using neural models of brain plasticity and learning.
In 1996, this work was recognized by Discovery Magazine in their annual
Awards for Technology Innovations and, most recently, as a recipient of the
Year 2000 Thomas Alva Edison Patent Award.

Further information contact

Neuron Learning:

Email john at Neuron-learning.co.uk

Tel 0207 100 9293 UK and 021 455 4449 Ireland

Blogsite www.neuron-reading.org

Latest Newsletter available on www.imakenews.com/neuronreading

Neuron Learning Ltd

7-10 St Patricks Quay Cork, Ireland

www.neuron-learning.co.uk

Tel + 353 (0) 21 455 4449

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