Sensory Augmentation for Language Learning April 2018 - Present
**This work is in progress** This project explores the use of a haptic wearable armband to enhance the learning of a second language. We increase the number of associations made to an item or idea testing the hypothesis that extra sensory pathways can lead to faster and more accurate statistical learning. For language learning, the existing sensory pathways include the audio and the visual. Non-invasive wearables like our vibrating armband can introduce the sense of touch, incorporating a haptic component into the learning process. In this instance, a unique vibration pattern accompanies each syllable.
In this study we aim prove whether sensory augmentation could improve word segmentation, which is one of the earliest steps in learning a new language. To do this we look at performance on a statistical learning task (Saffran 1996) with and without the armband. While our results have not yet been significant, we believe that this should be possible.
