Laureate's Sterling Editions Language Starter Package: Theory and Research Bases
By Wilson, Mary Sweig; Fox, Bernard J.; Pascoe, Jeffrey P.; ConnSENSE Bulletin, Vol. 6, No. 3Publication Date: August 2004
Article discusses the theory and research backgrounds involved in the development of Laureate’s Sterling Editions Language Starter Package, which is a group of language tutorial software programs designed for young children with learning disabilities. The first program in the package is Creature Chorus, which is designed to introduce concepts such as cause and effect and taking turns, as well as how to use a mouse and touch screen. The next programs are First Words, First Verbs, and First Words II Sterling Editions, which are introduced when a child’s language functioning is the equivalent of a typically-developing child at nine months of age. These programs provide direct interventions from the emergence of a child’s first words though the development of an early core vocabulary. Once the child has reached the end of the one-word stage, he or she can begin with Simple Sentence Structure Sterling Editions, which introduces English Subject-Verb-Object word order. Finally, First Categories Sterling Editions can be introduced, which introduces six early conversational categories: (1) animals, (2) food, (3) clothing, (4) body parts, (5) furniture, and (6) vehicles. Special program features designed to help instructors to provide effective language interventions to students are discussed.
Assistive Products Discussed: CREATURE CHORUS STERLING EDITION
FIRST WORDS STERLING EDITION
FIRST WORDS II STERLING EDITION
SIMPLE SENTENCE STRUCTURE STERLING EDITION
FIRST CATEGORIES STERLING EDITION
FIRST VERBS STERLING EDITION
Published by: ConnSENSE (Connecticut's Special Education Network for Software Evaluation) (Website:http://www.connsensebulletin.com)
NEAT (New England Assistive Technology) Marketplace (Web Site: http://www.neatmarketplace.org )
A.J. Pappanikou Center for Developmental Disabilities (Web Site: http://www.uconnucedd.org )
Connecticut Tech Act Project (Web Site: http://www.cttechact.com )
Link to text: http://www.connsensebulletin.com/sterling.html
