UROP Project
Children's Detection of Inconsistencies in Macrostructure Elements
listening comprehension, comprehension monitoring, macrostructure elements
Research Mentor: Ms. Lexi Elara, she/her
Department, College, Affiliation: Educational Psychology and Learning Systems, Education, Health, and Human Sciences
Contact Email: ab21c@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Department, College, Affiliation: Educational Psychology and Learning Systems, Education, Health, and Human Sciences
Contact Email: ab21c@fsu.edu
Research Assistant Supervisor (if different from mentor):
Research Assistant Supervisor Email:
Faculty Collaborators:
Faculty Collaborators Email:
Looking for Research Assistants: Yes
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: open to all majors
Project Location: 2010 Levy Avenue Tallahassee FL 32310; elementary schools in Leon County
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Yes Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-10, During business hours
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
Number of Research Assistants: 2
Relevant Majors: open to all majors
Project Location: 2010 Levy Avenue Tallahassee FL 32310; elementary schools in Leon County
Research Assistant Transportation Required: Yes Remote or In-person: In-person
Approximate Weekly Hours: 5-10, During business hours
Roundtable Times and Zoom Link:
- Day: Tuesday, September 2
Start Time: 3:00
End Time: 3:30
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/96823523946 - Day: Thursday, September 4
Start Time: 5:00
End Time: 5:30
Zoom Link: https://fsu.zoom.us/j/99428295114
Project Description
The purpose of this research is to examine the relation between text features (inconsistency location, macrostructure element, and passage consistency) and individual features (vocabulary, age, and number of days in school) as early elementary children listen to narrative text passages. The goal is to assess the association of text features with children’s ability to detect inconsistencies while accounting for the role that vocabulary knowledge and development or learning as measured by age or days in school have in listening comprehension. Children in kindergarten, first, and second grade will listen to texts that do or do not have inconsistencies in particular macrostructure elements (setting, goal, resolution).Researchers will conduct an assessment of the children's working memory, vocabulary knowledge, nonverbal inconsistency detection, and verbal inconsistency detection. Frequency of correct responses for all measures will be analyzed through a cross-classified random effects model. Research will focus on two aims: text features and individual features.
Research Tasks: Data collection: This will include entering elementary schools to conduct assessments with kindergarten, first, and second grade children one-on-one. Assessments include: working memory, vocabulary knowledge, and inconsistency detection.
Literature review and writing results
Data analysis
Skills that research assistant(s) may need: Required:
Punctuality
Consistent communication with lead researcher
Strongly recommended:
Experience with young elementary children.
Mentoring Philosophy
As a mentor, my primary goal is to build a warm and supportive relationship in which mentees can develop the skills and experience they need to achieve their goals. To support each mentee's unique path, I prioritize open, consistent communication in a safe and welcoming environment.Through this discourse, I aim to understand each mentee’s current strengths and identify areas they wish to grow. I encourage honesty and transparency and expect mentees to engage actively in the mentoring process by completing agreed upon tasks and sharing both their struggles and successes during the research process.
If our goals do not align, I remain committed to supporting the mentee’s development by providing resources, but they should expect to seek out additional mentors that may help them establish the skills they desire.
Through our work together, I will give mentees opportunities to complete tasks independently so that they may grow in the areas that will benefit them long term.