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Theory of Mind, Writing, Literacy and Achievement
of Deaf Learners

Presented by Dr. Connie Mayer

Monday 20th and Tuesday 21st February 2023 ​(Term 1, Week 4)
Dr. Connie Mayer is has been invited to Australia by the National Association of Teachers of the Deaf to tour each of their member states. Dr. Mayer will be presenting two 3 hour sessions on the topics of Theory of Mind, Writing, Literacy and Achievement of Deaf Learners in Week 4 of Term 1.

Dr. Mayer is a Professor in the Faculty of Education at York University and Academic  Coordinator of the Teacher Preparation Program in the Education of Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH) students. Prior to coming to York, Dr. Mayer worked for more than twenty years as a consultant, administrator and teacher of deaf students from preschool through postsecondary across the range of communication settings. She is a member of the Editorial Board for the Journal of Deaf Studies and Deaf Education, the American Annals of the Deaf and the Reading Research Quarterly, and on the Advisory Council of the Central Institute for the Deaf. Her research focuses on language and literacy development in deaf learners, cochlear implantation, communication approaches and bilingualism, and models of teacher education.
In 2016 she was awarded the Sister Mary Delaney Lifetime Achievement Award in recognition of her work in teaching, research and service in the preparation of teachers of deaf students by the American College Educators of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing. In 2017 she was recognized as a Research Leader at York University, and in 2018 was awarded an Honorary Professorship in the Division of Human Communication, Development and Hearing at the University of Manchester in the UK. This year, along with her colleagues in the DHH program, she received the Faculty of Education Undergraduate Teaching Award. Current projects include investigations of Theory of Mind in the written language of deaf learners, a 3-year SSHRC funded study to update the evidence base with respect to the literacy outcomes of deaf students, and a global survey investigating the long-term needs of adult CI users.
Presented by
Dr. Connie Mayer

Monday 20th of February
Theory of Mind, Writing and Deaf Learners
The link between Theory of Mind (ToM) and literacy is increasingly being recognized in the research literature. From a developmental perspective, it is suggested that ToM is implicated in the process of becoming a capable reader and writer (e.g., making inferences, understanding character motivation, developing a sense of audience). Conversely, it has also been proposed that the development of ToM can be addressed through engagement with literacy-related activities (e.g., book sharing, dialogic reading, writing in role). 
 
In this presentation, we will consider the available research in this area as it relates to deaf learners. Based on the findings and examples from this work, we will focus specifically on how teachers can: (i) use frameworks developed by the researchers to analyse and assess a student’s writing to look for evidence of ToM, and (ii) use the teaching of writing as an avenue to support the development of ToM.

Tuesday 21st of February
Literacy Achievement of Deaf Learners: Challenging the Fourth Grade Ceiling
Historically literacy outcomes for deaf students have been much poorer than those of their hearing age peers with reports that they graduate from high school reading at a 4th grade level. This poor level of performance has remained remarkably consistent over time with little change since the early twentieth century. However, two major shifts have converged to shape the field of deaf education over the past three decades - the widespread implementation of newborn hearing screening and improvements in hearing technologies including cochlear implantation. The impact of these two interacting factors is resulting in literacy outcomes for deaf students that far surpass those that were possible in the past. This marks a major shift in what we can expect from deaf students in 2022- raising expectations that age-appropriate literacy outcomes could be a goal for many more deaf children. 
 
In this presentation we will examine the available research evidence including a recent Canadian study (Mayer et al., 2021) to consider the extent to which improved reading outcomes have been achieved and to identify the factors that contribute to this improved performance (e.g., use of hearing technologies, language level, communication modality, additional disabilities, nature of early intervention). Implications for future research, policy and pedagogical practice will also be discussed.

PD Details

Date
Monday 20th and Tuesday 21st February 2023 ​(Term 1, Week 4)
Time
Monday 20th 4:30-7:30pm - Theory of Mind, Writing and Deaf Learners
Tuesday 21st 4:30-7:30pm - Literacy Achievement of Deaf Learners: Challenging the Fourth Grade Ceiling
Location
Education Development Centre, 4 Milner St, Hindmarsh SA 5007
Other info.
  • Subsidised Professional Development with thanks to NAATD
  • Interpreters
  • Certificate of attendance​​
Last day to register: Tuesday 14th Feb, 2023 (Term 1, week 3)

    Booking Form

    Feb 2023: Dr. Connie Mayer

    Demographic Information
    ​ALL sections of this form are to be completed in FULL.

    Pricing and Payment
    We only accept bank transfers - please make your payment when you register using the details below.
    ​Account Name:
    • Australian Association of Teachers of the Deaf (SA) Inc.
    Beyond Bank Australia
    • BSB: 325-185
    • Account Number: 03669615
    Please use the reference PDFeb23 – (your surname)

    Special Requirements
    Australian Association of Teachers of the Deaf (SA)         ABN: 89 593 004 044
    AATD (SA) Inc is a not for profit association to provide professional development for Teachers of the Deaf.
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