SMU Kids In Development (KID) Lab
Interested in participating in a research study? See below for details on each study and to sign up!
Tech & Talking
This study is measuring the impact of digital media/technology on children's language development. We are trying to answer the question of how and why might word learning work differently when it is on a tablet or handheld device instead of with real objects.
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Who is eligible? Any 17- and 30-months-old child who has no diagnosed delays and is primarily English-speaking and their parent.
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What is involved? Participation involves a single 1-2 hour visit to our lab in Expressway Tower at SMU. During the visit, your child will interact with us playing simple games with either a tablet or toys while you (the parent) completes paperwork on your child's development. All toys are child-friendly and you may remain with your child the entire time. You will receive $20 for participating and your child will receive a small toy. We also try to give informal feedback about development at this age.
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When is the study? This study is currently active and runs through early 2025. We will schedule a single 1-2 hour session for whatever day or time works best for you (days, evenings, or weekends).
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To sign up, take our quick pre-screener here or email us with your name, your child's name and birthday, and your preferences for scheduling.
The Robot Study
Meet ABii! ABii is a tutoring robot who ​teaches kids math, reading, and social/emotional skills. This study is looking at how much children like (or don't like) working with ABii and how well ABii can help them with their lessons.
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Who is eligible? Any current or rising 2nd grader who is fluent in English and has no major known developmental delays or special needs.
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What is involved? Participation involves a single 1-2 hour visit to our lab in Expressway Tower at SMU. During the visit, your child will interact with us playing simple games with us and ABii using a laptop computer and you will complete some paperwork on their development. Your child will receive $10 and a small prize and you will receive $40.
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When is the study? This study will be active in June 2024 and runs until spring 2025! We will schedule a single 1-2 hour session for whatever day or time works best for you (days, evenings, or weekends).
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To sign up, take our quick prescreener here or email us with your name, your child's name. grade, and birthday, and your preferences for scheduling.
CLASS Study (Classroom Learning, Autonomy, and Structural Spacing)
This study investigates how academic structure affects foreign language learning in high school students.
Who is eligible? Any monolingual English-speaking 16-18 year-old currently enrolled in high school.
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What is involved? Participation involves an approximately 90 minute session in our lab at SMU Campus. During your child’s visit, the experiment will consist of a brief survey about your child’s high school experience as well as a lesson on a foreign language. Your child will receive $30-$40 for participating.
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When is the study? The study begins in Fall 2024 and will continue through the spring 2025, maybe later if we are having fun still!
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To sign up, complete the prescreener HERE or email us with your name, your child's name and birthday, and your preferences for scheduling.
Contact
If you are interested in any studies, reach out via email!
If you would like to be contacted about future studies, sign up for our registry!
Email: SMUKIDLab@smu.edu
Registry: https://redcap.link/smukidlab