Research Briefs
Learn what the research has to say about topics that are important to you and your family.
The National Science Foundation Science of Learning Center on Visual Language and Visual Learning (VL2) publishes research briefs as a resource for parents, educators, and others who work with deaf and hard of hearing children.
These briefs review important research findings, summarize relevant scholarship, and present informed suggestions. Here are the topics we have covered in the VL2 Learning from Research Series, from birth to school and beyond.
The Importance of Fingerspelling for Reading
This VL2 research brief, written by Sharon Baker, Ed.D., focuses on the importance of fingerspelling for reading. This also comes with three appendices for instructional guidance. (July 2010, Rev.) If you want to cite this brief: Visual Language and Visual Learning Science of Learning Center. (2010, July). The Importance of Fingerspelling for Reading. (Research Brief No. 1).
Washington, DC: Sharon Baker
Advantages of Early Visual Language
This VL2 research brief, written by Sharon Baker, Ed.D., discusses the importance of early ASL acquisition shows in deaf children's cognitive development and literacy skills. (January 2011) If you want to cite this publication: Visual Language and Visual Learning Science of Learning Center. (2011, January). Advantages of Early Visual Language (Research Brief No. 2).
Washington, DC: Sharon Baker.
Visual Attention and Deafness
This VL2 research brief, written by Elizabeth Hirshorn, Ph.D. Candidate, explains that deafness leads to changes in visual attention, especially the periphery, as evident in the brain. Changes in visual attention can have implications for reading and classroom environment. (May 2011) If you want to cite this publication: Visual Language and Visual Learning Science of Learning Center. (2011, May). Advantages of Early Visual Language (Research Brief No. 3).
Washington, DC: Elizabeth Hirshorn.
Reading and Deaf Children
This research brief, written by VL2's Early Education Longitudinal Study (EELS) co-PI and Gallaudet University Professor Donna Morere, provides an overview of the research related to deaf children and reading. To cite this brief: Visual Language and Visual Learning Science of Learning Center. (2011, June). Reading Research and Deaf Children (Research Brief No. 4).
Washington, D.C.: Donna Morere.
Eye Gaze and Joint Attention
This research brief, written by Amy Lieberman, PhD, provides an overview of the importance of eye gaze and joint attention in language acquisition. To cite this brief: Visual Language and Visual Learning Science of Learning Center. (2012, June). Eye Gaze and Joint Attention (Research Brief No. 5).
Washington, DC: Amy M. Lieberman.
Children with Cochlear Implants
Full title of Research Brief No. 6 is as follows: The Implications of Bimodal Bilingual Approaches for Children with Cochlear Implants. This brief is done in a collaboration with Clerc Center, at Gallaudet University. To cite this brief: Visual Language and Visual Learning Science of Learning Center. (2012, June). The Implications of Bimodal Bilingual Approaches for Children with Cochlear Implants (Research Brief No. 6).
Washington, DC: Julie Mitchiner, Debra Berlin Nussbaum, and Susanne Scott.
The Benefits of Bilingualism
This research brief, written by Sarah Fish, PhD Candidate and Jill Morford, PhD, explains the various benefits of bilingualism. To cite this brief: Visual Language and Visual Learning Science of Learning Center. (2012, June). The Benefits of Bilingualism (Research Brief No. 7).
Washington, DC: Sarah Fish and Jill P. Morford.
ASL/English Bilingual Education
This research brief, written by Maribel Gárate, PhD, outlines models, methodologies, and strategies of ASL/English Bilingual Education. This brief is done in collaboration with Gallaudet University's Department of Education. To cite this brief: Visual Language and Visual Learning Science of Learning Center. (2012, June). ASL/English Bilingual Education (Research Brief No. 8).
Washington, DC: Maribel Gárate.
Family Involvement in ASL Acquisition
This research brief, written by Charlotte Enns, PhD and Liana Price, M.Ed. Candidate, discusses how parental involvement is a critical factor in deaf children's language acquisition. To cite this brief: Visual Language and Visual Learning Science of Learning Center. (2013, June). Family Involvement in ASL Acquisition. (Research Brief No. 9).
Washington, DC: Charlotte Enns and Liana Price.
The Importance of Gesture in Child Development
This research brief, written by So-One Hwang, Ph.D., Melissa Herzig, Ed.D., and Carol Padden, Ph.D., discusses the critical role that gesture plays in language acquisition. To cite this brief: Visual Language and Visual Learning Science of Learning Center. (2013, June). Different Ways of Thinking: The Importance of Gesture in Child Development. (Research Brief No. 10).
Washington, DC: So-One Hwang, Melissa Herzig, and Carol Padden.
Raising the Whole Child: Social-Emotional Development in Deaf Children
This VL2 research brief, by Drs. Linda Lytle and Gina Oliva, reviews the research on social-emotional development in children from birth to 12th grade, particularly focusing on deaf and hard of hearing children. The brief includes recommendations for parents and educators on how to support the deaf child's social and emotional development in order to lay the foundations for future social, academic, and life success. To cite this brief: Visual Language and Visual Learning Science of Learning Center. (2016, April). Raising the Whole Child: Addressing Social-Emotional Development in Deaf Children. (Research Brief No. 11).
Washington, DC: Linda Risser Lytle & Gina A. Oliva.
IDENTIFYING LANGUAGE DELAYS AMONG DEAF CHILDREN
This VL2 research brief, by five authors, examines the process of identifying and pinpointing the underlying factors contributing to language delays. An overview of assessing language milestones and currently available assessment resources. To cite this brief: Visual Language and Visual Learning Science of Learning Center. (2016, April). Identifying Language Delays Among Deaf Children. (Research Brief No. 12).
Washington, DC & Pennsylvania: Dana M. Whinthrop, Maura E. Jaeger, Thomas E. Allen, Donna A. Morere, and Carol A. Miller