An alternative (hand) approach to (haptic) pronunciation teaching!

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Have done a few posts on "exercise persistence" research, trying to figure out how to help learners practice consistently. Among the variables will always be something like "self-control or self-discipline," along with other socially-oriented factors. One of the reasons I have found such studies of interest, of course, is the connection to movement and physical exercise in haptic pronunciation work.

In a new review article by Denson, DeWall and Finkel (summarized, of course, by Science Daily!) is reference to a study by Denson in which he (simply) had subjects use their non-dominant hand (in this case left hands) for two weeks for various "normal" functions, as all were right-handers, to see whether that might enhance self-control and reduce aggression. It worked! Denson doesn't say exactly why . . . but we can maybe help him.

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In the "brain business," such organizations as Luminosity and Brain Gym and many others, use a wide range of "out of the box" but proven, physical, bi-lateral hand and arm movements to manage thought in many forms, from emotion to brainstorming to creativity. They often report or claim the same general effect.

In EHEIP work, for rhythm, intonation, fluency and (some types of integration) the left hand moves across the visual field to the right hand. The left hand, in effect, "conducts" intonation, pitch and pace functions during correction and practice--and regulates overall speaking performance. The right hand (on the other hand) serves as the anchor for word, phrase, sentence and discourse focus. Denson's research is fascinating. Clearly some of the effectiveness of the EHIEP system as well may be due (simply) to increased activation and engagement of the left hand and arm. We'll take it, whatever the explanation.

Will see if I can work out a protocol to moderate the sometimes mildly (or wildly) "aggressive" reactions to haptic techniques of the "hyper-cognitive" or "hapticaphobic"--before they walk out of the next workshop, something a bit out of the (fuzzy-haptic) box . . . (See previous post on haptic "fuzziness.") 

The "face" of HICP teaching

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Several earlier posts have looked at the question of the relative emotional loading of various points or quadrants in the visual field. (See the recent vowel color and intonation posts, for example.) This 1992 study of the effect of corresponding left or right brain lesions by Fedio of the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke suggested another interesting perspective on why that might be: the right hemisphere area (connected to the left eye) is primarily responsible for determining and monitoring emotional state. The left hemisphere area, by contrast, is tasked with dealing with "the rest" of the incoming and outgoing data, so to speak.

That would explain, in part, why the right visual field (for most right handers) tends to be more emotionally reactive and visually "vivid." In effect, perception in the right visual field is less "filtered," according to the study. Consequently,  in your dominant eye you may typically "feel" a color or sound or image or experience  more intensely. (Observed Experiential Integration Therapy, which HICP owes much to, is based, to some extent on that notion of hemispheric specialization as well.)

In HICP, the model words and phrases used in the basic exercises (or protocols) and pedagogical movement patterns are designed to fit as much as possible within that general left/right specialization. Although I don't have a good icon that represents that perspective,  the drama mask with the black frowning face on the left and right the smiling face on the right is close. (Ideally the right face should be a lighter, bright colored; the left, a heavier, dark color.) Honest . . . that "two-faced" framework works . . . 

Haptic Drilling!

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Well . . . the application of the use of visual-haptic systems in "drilling down into" data of various kinds reported (in what journal or publication or when, I know not from the URL!) in a paper by Liu and Laycock, University of East Anglia, to our work may not be that evident at first, but the underlying principle is the same. The haptic-based controller arm provides feedback to the user on the surface, density and other features of the virtual object.

I am often asked how a learner with a disability such that he or she had only use of one hand could work in the system. It would appear that EHIEP-type pronunciation teaching protocols could rather easily be "embodied" in that system, using just one hand. Even a system that used only eye tracking to adjust position in the virtual-visual field (as used in many of today's weapons systems) could probably accomplish the same thing. Now THAT would be "thrilling drill!" (See earlier post, "Is it the thrill or the drill?")

Emotion, Handedness and HICP

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Clker

Clip art:
Clker

As noted in earlier posts, EHIEP "touch-i-namis" (wave-like gestures associated with sounds or sound processes which terminate in both hands touching) go from left to right when working with intonation. Research on emotion and handedness suggests that the left hand is more associated with relaxed states and is probably better suited for depicting the flowing shape of the intonation contour and the right hand is by nature more information or aggression-based--especially if the motion is contained within the general visual field. 

In other words, use of the hands in our work, for whatever reason, including hemispheric cross-connectedness (left to right, and vice versa) can be enhanced by matching emotion with handedness. For example, another pedagogical movement pattern (one used only for fun demonstrations only, by the way), one with some potentially very "aggressive" emotions involved (the Rhythmic Feet Fight Club) terminates with a strong punch with the right hand to the opponent's abs--on the prominent word/syllable in a rhythm or output group.  A useful technique to keep "handy."