back to Background Publications
Cannon, J. E., Easterbrooks, S. R., Gagne, P., & Beal-Alvarez, J. (2011). Improving DHH students’ grammar through an individualized software program. Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education, 16(4):437-57.
The purpose of this study was to determine if the frequent use of a targeted, computer software grammar instruction program, used as an individualized classroom activity, would influence the comprehension of morphosyntax structures (determiners, tense, and complementizers) in deaf/hard-of-hearing (DHH) participants who use American Sign Language (ASL). Twenty-six students from an urban day school for the deaf participated in this study. Two hierarchical linear modeling growth curve analyses showed that the influence of “LanguageLinks: Syntax Assessment and Intervention” (LL) resulted in statistically significant gains in participants’ comprehension of morphosyntax structures. Two dependent t tests revealed statistically significant results between the pre- and postintervention assessments on the “Diagnostic Evaluation of Language Variation–Norm Referenced”. The daily use of LL increased the morphosyntax comprehension of the participants in this study and may be a promising practice for DHH students who use ASL.