EARLY LANGUAGE INTERVENTION VIA THE INTERNET

语言迟缓在学龄前儿童中普遍存在。早期干预是至关重要的，因为语言延迟的后果可能是严重的和累积的，但研究表明，大多数学龄前儿童没有接受语言干预服务。我们建议开发一个基于互联网的早期语言干预系统，专门针对3至5岁的24至42个月有语言功能的儿童的语言障碍进行修复。课程设计将以当代语言学研究为基础。干预课程的在线交付将是个性化的，并由跟踪持续表现的人工智能系统控制。通过将互联网接入与集中的课程控制和数据收集相结合，学校和家庭语言干预策略的实施和管理将变得容易。在不进一步增加有限的专业资源负担的情况下，为更多的儿童提供服务也将成为可能。我们第一阶段的目标是测试我们计划的可行性和技术价值。一个基于互联网的语言干预系统的原型将被开发出来，并在早期基础教育课堂上上线，有语言障碍的学生将有机会使用该系统。建议的商业应用：语言病理学家、教师和家长认识到，当孩子的语言状况受损时，早期干预的重要性，联邦法律要求这样的干预。我们预计，一个高度可访问的基于互联网的语言干预系统，为三到五岁的孩子将满足个性化服务的需求，并将是一个商业上的成功。

Language delay is pervasive among preschool children. Early intervention is crucial since the consequences of language delay can be serious and cumulative, yet research shows that most preschoolers do not receive language intervention services. We propose to develop an Internet-based early language intervention system designed specifically for the remediation of language disorders in three to five-year-old children with language function in the range of 24 to 42 months. The curricular design will be based on contemporary linguistic research. On-line delivery of the intervention curriculum will be individualized and controlled by an artificial intelligence system that tracks ongoing performance. By combining Internet accessibility with centralized curricular control and data collection, it will become possible to implement and easily manage coordinated school and home language intervention strategies. It will also be possible to provide services to more children without further taxing limited professional resources. Our Phase I goal is to test the feasibility and technical merit of our plans. A prototype internet-based language intervention system will be developed and placed on- line in an Early Essential Education classroom, and students with language delays will be given an opportunity to use the system. PROPOSED COMMERCIAL APPLICATIONS: Speech-language pathologists, teachers, and parents recognize the importance of early intervention when a child's language status is impaired, and Federal law mandates such intervention. We anticipate that a highly accessible Internet-based language intervention system for three to five year olds will fulfill an unmet need for individualized services and will be a commercial success.