Our online studies are conducted via Zoom! Each study is scheduled as a 30-minute Zoom call and is designed to be short and engaging for your child. During the study, your child will watch videos or look at pictures on your computer screen while we record their face using your webcam.
We conduct two main kinds of studies, looking-time studies and production studies:
In looking-time studies, we record your child while they watch a series of videos on your computer accompanied by sentences. Later, we analyze their looking patterns during key periods in the video to study how they understood each sentence.
In production studies, your child will look at pictures and help the experimenter finish sentences describing what’s happening in the picture. We will record what your child says and analyze how they describe events to study how children talk.
After the appointment, we will offer your family a $5 Amazon.com gift card to thank you for participating.
Schedule an Appointment with us!
Our lab is usually open from mid-January to early May, then again from June to July, and finally from September to early December. Please note that we are closed during university breaks and holidays.
Check out our current online studies below. To book an appointment, just click the green button to use our online scheduling software. You can pick a date and time that works best for you and your family, and answer a few questions to get started.
How do children learn about language?
4- and 5-year-olds
- 30-minute appointment
- Your child will listen to sentences while looking at videos for 15 minutes
- We will record their face over Zoom
How do children describe pictures?
4- and 5-year-olds
- 30-minute appointment
- Your child will look at pictures and describe them for 20 minutes
- We will record what they say over Zoom
Don’t see a study for your child?
In case you don’t see any current studies that fit your schedule or your child’s age group, don’t worry!
Simply fill out our sign-up form to give us more information about you and your child. We’re preparing for a number of exciting studies, and we’d love to keep you in the loop for future opportunities.
If you prefer to speak to someone, you can also contact us at (217) 244-6098 or by email at lalab@illinois.edu. We’re always happy to hear from you and answer any questions you may have.