Tests + Stress = Problems For Students
            Skeptics question the notion that stress hurts students and their performance in the classroom. They claim that anxiety-provoking situations are a part of daily life that students, like all people, must learn to handle.

            Nonetheless, some educational researchers have documented "acting out" behaviors exhibited by stressed out students that even go beyond the "exam stress" symptoms. "The older kids, such as those in high school, are more likely to show 'rebellious' responses: refusal to participate, cutting class, and deliberately undermining the test by answering incorrectly on purpose,” says Tim Urdan, an assistant professor of psychology at Santa Clara University.
            Intentionally answering questions incorrectly is of particular concern to educators. In this regard, Scott Paris, a professor of psychology at the University of Michigan, notes that students "learn to study information that will be tested and ignore or devalue other information." After all, he adds, assessment in the form of tests is woven into the fabric of schooling from kindergarten.
            The byproduct of years of testing has caused students to believe that good grades are more important than understanding—that high scores rather than the cultivation of the mind is the purpose of schooling.
            Furthermore, students are well aware of the fact that test scores have become the basis for comparative social judgments. According to a recent study, older students are increasingly more likely to agree with the following statement: "I'm afraid that people will think I'm stupid if I get a low score on a test." These students may worry about their low test scores becoming known, possibly lowering their esteem in the eyes of others.
            Paris believes that the widespread use of tests comparing one group of students to another has made students feel increasingly more anxious and competitive. Lack of preparation is cited as another common reason for test anxiety, based on the failure of parents and children to spend adequate time together discussing class material.

 

            This article has been condensed due to space limitations. The complete article can be found at: http://brainconnection.com/topics/?main=fa/test-stress

 

 

Laser Cochlear Implants

            Researchers at Northwestern University are investigating the development of a cochlear implant that uses light, not electrical signals, to stimulate the auditory nerve. The study is part of a five-year, $1.68 million research grant through the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.

            Principal Investigator Claus-Peter Richter, an assistant professor of otolaryngology, and colleagues suggest that a cochlear implant that uses low-energy infrared light from a laser may provide more precise stimulation of a smaller population of nerve cells, unlike the broad current spread in conventional electrical stimulation. Because the regions of stimulation are more discrete, the laser cochlear implant will better correspond with the tonotopic organization of the cochlea, conveying more accurate sound information to the brain. According to the researchers, increased accuracy in stimulating relevant nerve populations may make it possible to increase the amount of auditory information flowing to the brain, providing greater ability to perceive speech in the presence of background noise. In addition, the optical fibers that would replace the implant electrodes would not need to touch neural tissues for stimulation, minimizing tissue damage.

            Research in gerbils has demonstrated that infrared light can stimulate the auditory nerve and that discrete populations of auditory nerve fibers can be stimulated, even for several hours, with no tissue damage. The researchers hypothesize that heat absorbed by water inside the tissue activates nerves.

            The research, which began last year, will also attempt to identify the optimal conditions—including wavelength, pulse length, pulse frequency, and optical fiber position—required to selectively stimulate the auditory nerves in several animal models. The team will also study safety issues, such as whether the cochlea can be stimulated with lasers over several months without experiencing damage from overheating.

            The eventual goal is to develop a hybrid implant that uses both electrodes and a laser for clinical testing in humans. The development of the laser, also funded by a grant from NIDCD, is being conducted by Aculight Corp. in Bothell, WA.

            From: Audiology in The ASHA Leader Online March 27, 2007 http://www.asha.org/about/publications/leader-online/audiology/

 

 

Better Hearing and Speech Month

            The Center for Communication Skills is holding three video conference nights to celebrate Better Hearing and Speech Month in May. Each event will be held from 6pm-7pm.

 

    Tuesday, May 8           Developing Social Skills

    Wednesday, May 16   Asperger’s Syndrome

    Thursday, May 24       P.L.A.Y Project and

                                        Hanen Parent Training

 

Summer Programs

            Here is a list of the summer programs that we are offering for students aged 3-17:

• Fast ForWord^®
• Tutoring (Barton Reading and Spelling^®)
• Handwriting Without Tears^®
• Motor skills and crafts
• Literature groups
• Music and munchies
• Social skills group

Time is running out to sign up! Classes start June 11. A $50 deposit will give you first choice of classes and times available.

 

Information Meetings

            Our programs are designed to deal with auditory/language processing problems that may be contributing to poor communication, reading, or other academic and behavioral skills. We are holding walk-in information meetings on:

    Tuesday, May 8th at 11:30am

    Thursday, May 24th at 10:30am

 

 

 

Positions open

            We are currently have openings for a Speech-Language Pathologist and a Speech-Language Pathology Assistant. We are a private practice where therapists are encouraged to design innovative programs and seek out best practice strategies to help clients develop communication skills. If you would like more information, please contact Jessica@clconnect.com.

 

 

 

New Hire

            Rowena Bowman is the newest addition to the Center. She recently moved to Fresno from Long Beach, Mississippi, where she held the position of Resource Teacher and provided remedial support for teachers and students grades K-8.  With Rowena’s contribution, the Center may be able to run a literature group all year long instead of just during the summer. Welcome Rowena!

 

 

Website updates

            Our website will be going through some changes in the next few weeks. Look for our summer programs brochures and flyers linked on our homepage: centerforcommunication.net

 

 

            If you would like to sign up to receive this newsletter via email, please send a message to: grow@clconnect.com with “subscribe” as the subject.

If you would like to RSVP for any of our events, email Jessica@clconnect.com or call us at 228-9100.