Objectives, Goals & Methods

ECHOES II has two overarching objectives: 

1. to scaffold children's exploration and learning of social interaction skills 

2. to develop a methodology and tools through which (a) parents and practitioners can examine the specific difficulties that children encounter in different situations, and (b) researchers can investigate the relationships between children's social skills, communication and learning. 

The two main objectives of ECHOES II give rise to 4 detailed research goals (A-D):  

Goal A:  Establishment of a comprehensive set of learning objectives and interactive activities capable of supporting children who follow different developmental trajectories in their ability to engage in social interactions. 

Goal B: ECHOES II aims to employ a participatory, learner-centred design methodology whereby children, and their carers and teachers when appropriate, act as design partners with the researchers.  

Goal C: Implementation of the technology-enhanced learning environment capable of scaffolding children's exploration and learning of social interaction skills at a number of different levels of social engagement, and of adapting to the needs and preferences of individual children.  

Goal D: Deployment of a framework for assessing the effectiveness of the learning activities.