Frequently Asked Questions
How can schools get involved in your research?
We love visiting schools to conduct our research and find that it is a great way to get the kids interested in science. If you are a teacher or principal in the Maritimes and would like to know more about how we can bring our studies to you, please contact us.
While we are no longer recruiting participating schools for our current longitudinal study, there will be many more chances to get involved in the future!
What do children do when they participate in your research?
Children will help us by taking part in activities related to language and reading. Sometimes we work with each child individually, doing reading and writing activities on paper or on our laptops. Other times, we work with all of the children at one time in a classroom setting, such as with our spelling activities. Occasionally, we even bring along puppets to help us in our research! Whatever the task at hand, our goal is to make these activities fun for children, while helping us grown-ups learn about how children learn to read and write!
Can I visit your lab?
Yes! While most of our research is done in schools, at times we do have studies taking place in the lab. Please contact Stef Hartlin, LangLabManager@dal.ca to learn more about current in-lab opportunities for participation. Visiting our lab with your child is always a fun activity and a great chance to show them that grown-ups go to school too!
What do you do with the information you learn through your research projects?
We are always interested in patterns across whole groups of children, rather than on an individual-basis. It is these group results that are presented at local, national, and international conferences. Our results are also published in academic journals and in the general press. Our research helps to build knowledge about language and literacy development. We hope that our research will be useful to those in related disciplines, such as education, childcare and pediatrics.
How can I join the research team?
We are always looking for new ideas and energy! The Language and Literacy Lab has opportunities for students at all levels, including undergraduate, graduate, and postdoctoral positions. Are you thinking about reaching out but feeling a bit uncertain? We are happy to answer any questions or find a time to connect for a chat! Just email Stef Hartlin at LangLabManager@dal.ca.