Cognitive Activity‐Based Design Methodology for Novice Visual Communication Designers

The notion of design thinking is becoming more concrete nowadays, as design researchers and practitioners study the thinking processes involved in design and employ the concept of design thinking to foster better solutions to complex and ill‐defined problems. The goal of the present research is to develop a cognitive activity‐based design methodology for novice visual communication designers, which will be achieved by mapping the findings from a comparative analysis of novice and expert visual communication designers' thinking processes onto the prospective methodology. Under the proposed methodology, activity modes take place in a chronological flow under specific guidelines involving various forms of design cognition. The guidelines correlate to design phases from problem structuring to detailed design and to the cognitive processes of divergent and convergent thinking. The methodology gives open‐ended instruction to novices endeavouring to proceed with the design process, solve complex design problems and make better design decisions. This research has value for its unique approach to methodology development. Furthermore, the proposed methodology provides guidance for more effective cognitive activities during the design process and holds potential for implementation in design education due to its focus on the needs of novice designers.     

Dual‐Objective Item Selection Criteria in Cognitive Diagnostic Computerized Adaptive Testing

The development of cognitive diagnostic‐computerized adaptive testing (CD‐CAT) has provided a new perspective for gaining information about examinees' mastery on a set of cognitive attributes. This study proposes a new item selection method within the framework of dual‐objective CD‐CAT that simultaneously addresses examinees' attribute mastery status and overall test performance. The new procedure is based on the Jensen‐Shannon (JS) divergence, a symmetrized version of the Kullback‐Leibler divergence. We show that the JS divergence resolves the noncomparability problem of the dual information index and has close relationships with Shannon entropy, mutual information, and Fisher information. The performance of the JS divergence is evaluated in simulation studies in comparison with the methods available in the literature. Results suggest that the JS divergence achieves parallel or more precise recovery of latent trait variables compared to the existing methods and maintains practical advantages in computation and item pool usage.     

服务学习课程的设计：基于设计思维的实践框架

通过梳理服务学习课程设计理论和实践的相关文献，分析了我国高校服务学习课程设计的现状。根据现有文献和作者在高校服务学习课程设计中的实践经验，提出了基于设计思维的服务学习课程设计实践框架。从多元主体团队、课程目标、课程设计的过程与步骤、课程设计的技术与工具、课程的价值与产出五个维度论述其在实践中的应用，并在此框架下介绍了一门服务学习课程设计的实践案例。此外，还讨论了服务学习课程设计存在的一些挑战，尤其在评价标准、时间管理、情境限制、伦理风险等方面，须通过整合教学实践和学术研究进一步优化。     

Design as a Mode of Inquiry in Design Pedagogy and Design Thinking

The aim of this article is to provide a theoretical framework to strengthen design thinking and practice in the context of teaching through productive processes and using it to generate knowledge. The article explores three modes of inquiry inspired by Dewey and based on Schön, Barab & Squire and DiSalvo to investigate academic inquiry in design pedagogy and design thinking. These three modes are aimed at generating knowledge in three different areas: the design practice (in order to be a good designer and create good designs), a given research area, and societal issues. Based on empirical study from a design course at Aalborg University, Copenhagen, where these three modes were taught, we show the potential in using design processes as modes of academic inquiry directed toward different subjects. By teaching the implication of these modes of inquiry, students are provided with more opportunities for action as design approaches include exploring the subject through visualisation and materialisation, and the methods for knowledge production are expanded.     

Play and Creativity: Developmental issues

Play and creativity have been linked in numerous ways. Theoretically, pretend play fosters the development of cognitive and affective processes that are important in the creative act. Russ's (1993) model of affect and creativity identified the major cognitive and affective processes involved in creativity and the relations among them, based on the research literature. Central to both play and creativity is divergent thinking. Both cognitive and affective processes in play have been related to divergent thinking in children. In a longitudinal study, quality of fantasy and imagination in play predicted divergent thinking over time. Divergent thinking itself was relatively stable over time. An important question is whether play can facilitate creativity. Play has been found to facilitate insight ability and divergent thinking. Studies have also shown that children can be taught to improve their play skills. Future research studies should: (i) investigate specific mechanisms that account for the relationship between play and creativity; (ii) develop play intervention techniques that improve play skills; and (iii) carry out longitudinal studies with large enough samples to enable the application of statistical procedures such as path analysis.     

The association of thinking styles with research agendas among academics in the social sciences

Research agendas are understudied, despite being key to academic knowledge creation. The literature suggests that the ways that academics determine their research agendas are conditioned by individual, organisational and environmental characteristics. This study explores the cognitive aspects of academics' research agendas in the social sciences by using a theory on thinking styles as an analytical framework. The results suggest that the research agendas of academics in the social sciences are significantly associated with their thinking styles. These findings aid understanding of how academics set their research agendas. This study also represents an important landmark in research on thinking styles, focusing on academic research work as a potential venue for further studies. The findings are relevant for policymakers, research funding agencies, university administrators and academics because they have implications for academic research development processes, outcomes, and for research and academic identity socialisation during doctoral studies.     

Thinking about “design thinking”: a study of teacher experiences

Schools are continuously looking for new ways of enhancing student learning to equip students with skills that would enable them to cope with twenty-first century demands. One promising approach focuses on design thinking. This study examines teacher's perceptions, experiences and challenges faced in adopting design thinking. There is a lack of empirical research on the adoption and implementation of the design thinking process in educational context from the teachers’ point of view. This paper fills this gap and also provides insight on a recent initiative adopted in Singapore schools. Qualitative case study research was carried out in a school using teacher narratives. Data includes in-depth face-to-face interviews and participant observation. The findings show that teachers perceive that design thinking holds the potential for enhancing skills such as creativity, problem solving, communication and team work as well as empower students to develop empathy for others within and beyond the community. The research also highlighted several challenges such as inadequate resources, time constraints, fear of poor grades and the difficulty of shifting to a new way of teaching and learning that differs vastly from the traditional approach. The findings reveal that a piecemeal approach towards curriculum redesign for adopting design thinking may not provide the desired outcomes.     

Investigating cognitive change as a dynamic process / Investigar el cambio cognitivo como proceso dinámico

Abstract

In this introduction to the special issue ‘Dynamic aspects of cognitive development and learning’ we emphasize the current need for studies that address, in depth, the dynamic aspects of cognitive development and learning. We integrate cognitive development and learning into the concept of cognitive change. We then reflect on the scope and limitations of certain procedures that are implemented to turn these processes of cognitive change into limited objects of empirical research. This reflection will allow us to ask ourselves about the potential and validity of studies resulting from these procedures to inform educational and health-related practices. After presenting some methodological alternatives to explain cognitive change in a more productive way, we present the six studies that make up this special issue. The selection seeks to offer a rich repertoire of ideas; data collection, analysis and visualization methods; and evidence and explanations of situated processes of change in an evolutionary-educational arc extending from the first months of life in the context of familiar interactions, to adult learning.     

The Challenge of Beginning

This article presents a way of approaching introductory design education that expands student creativity through building on research related to the impact of cognitive development and metacognitive thinking. The strategy presented emphasises the importance of encouraging divergent thinking and understanding how students perceive knowledge. The goal is to create a learning environment that acknowledges where students are in their thinking and provides a structure that promotes both cognitive and creative growth.     

The Place of Process-Product Research in Developing the Agenda for Research on Teacher Thinking

Process-product research on teaching, an adaptation of the criteria-of-effectiveness paradigm, has its roots in functionalist psychology. Functionalism is a pragmatic and eclectic approach to psychology that is concerned with the fitting of persons to environments. Functionalists have always accepted cognitive behavior as a legitimate object of study. Thus, a perspective from functionalist psychology may be useful for designing studies of teachers' thinking. From this perspective, the majority of contemporary studies of teachers' thinking are found wanting because there has been no concern for criteria of effectiveness. Recommendations for the improvement of research on teachers' thinking are offered.     

Student Interior Design Projects in Saudi Arabia

Interior design students should be able to use research and evidence‐based design outcomes to make decisions that promote health, safety and wellbeing. This approach will contribute to resolving social, environmental and community issues through design‐oriented thinking Accordingly, the aim of this research in a senior design studio course is to promote a better connection to the local environment needs without losing the creativity aspect. This study covered two semesters and used multiple data collection methods, including interviews, observational field notes, discussions and personal reflections. The findings showed that jury critiques and case study analysis were the most beneficial sources of information for students to develop their project ideas and solutions. The paper illustrates processes, products and aspects that are used in senior projects to find solutions to environmental needs. In addition, the study offers lessons learned and reflections to raise students’ awareness of the cultural needs in relation to the interior design field. This study shows findings similar to earlier research that found that students who identified and analysed a local case study understood the design problem better and were creative in linking their project design solution to the society's needs. The study also reveals that students who relied on analysis of well‐defined local case studies developed focused and detailed concepts and design solutions according to the instructor's and jurors’ assessments. The study also contributes to literature by using a multi‐method approach and offers implications for local and international policy‐makers on interior design curricula.     

Defining and Evaluating Models of Cognition Used in Educational Measurement to Make Inferences About Examinees' Thinking Processes

The purpose of this paper is to define and evaluate the categories of cognitive models underlying at least three types of educational tests. We argue that while all educational tests may be based—explicitly or implicitly—on a cognitive model, the categories of cognitive models underlying tests often range in their development and in the psychological evidence gathered to support their value. For researchers and practitioners, awareness of different cognitive models may facilitate the evaluation of educational measures for the purpose of generating diagnostic inferences, especially about examinees' thinking processes, including misconceptions, strengths, and/or abilities. We think a discussion of the types of cognitive models underlying educational measures is useful not only for taxonomic ends, but also for becoming increasingly aware of evidentiary claims in educational assessment and for promoting the explicit identification of cognitive models in test development. We begin our discussion by defining the term cognitive model in educational measurement. Next, we review and evaluate three categories of cognitive models that have been identified for educational testing purposes using examples from the literature. Finally, we highlight the practical implications of "blending" models for the purpose of improving educational measures .     

教育学硕士学位论文研究方法的统计分析——以西北地区五所高校教育学硕士专业优秀论文为例

教育研究方法是进行教育研究的方法基础。本文通过对我国西北地区五所高校137篇教育学优秀硕士学位论文使用的研究方式进行统计分析,结果表明：研究方法呈现多元化,但定性研究依然是主要研究方法;混合分析法和实证研究都得到了重视,但其运用力度不够。存在的问题有：方法意识薄弱,使用缺乏规范性;思辨式研究方法居多,量化研究和混合研究粗糙;研究中缺少实证性;研究的信效度分析不够等问题。提出建议：转变研究的思维方式;加强方法意识,强化方法训练;构建以元教育科学研究方法为指导的教育研究方法体系;运用相反证据法增强研究的信度和效度。     

Mathematics Teacher Educators' Perceptions and Use of Cognitive Research

Instructors (N = 204) of elementary mathematics methods courses completed a survey assessing the extent to which they value cognitive research and incorporate it into their courses. Instructors' responses indicated that they view cognitive research to be fairly important for mathematics education, particularly studies of domain‐specific topics, and that they emphasize topics prominent in psychology studies of mathematical thinking in their courses. However, instructors reported seldom accessing this research through primary or secondary sources. A mediation analysis indicated that mathematics methods instructors' perception of the importance of the research predicts their incorporation of it in their courses, and that this relation is partially mediated by their accessing of it. Implications for psychologists who have an interest in education and recommendations for facilitating the use of cognitive research in teacher preparation are discussed.     

SOME PSYCHOLOGICAL PRINCIPLES UNDERLYING PROGRAMMED LEARNING

The McCarthy Scales are a versatile and increasingly popular test of children's cognitive abilities. However, much of their high standing as an assessment instrument rests on the construct validity of each of the ability scales. A major recent study of the construct validity of the McCarthy Scales concluded that only the General Cognitive Index stood up to critical evaluation. The purpose of the present paper is to highlight some inadequacies in this critical study, and then to give an evaluation of the construct validity of the McCarthy Scales which is based on the findings from recent British research.     

Exploring the validity of assessment in anatomy: Do images influence cognitive processes used in answering extended matching questions?

Assessment is an important aspect of medical education because it tests students' competence and motivates them to study. Various assessment methods, with and without images, are used in the study of anatomy. In this study, we investigated the use of extended matching questions (EMQs). To gain insight into the influence of images on the validity of test items, we focused on students' cognitive processes while they answered questions with and without images. Seventeen first‐year medical students answered EMQs about gross anatomy, combined with either labeled images or answer lists, while thinking aloud. The participants' verbal reports were transcribed verbatim and then coded. Initial codes were based on a task analysis and were adapted into final codes during the coding process. Results showed that students used more cues from EMQs with images and visualized more often in EMQs with answer lists. Ready knowledge and verbal reasoning were used equally often in both conditions. In conclusion, EMQs with and without images elicit different results in this think aloud experiment, indicating different cognitive processes. They seem to measure different skills, making them valid for different testing purposes. The take‐home message for anatomy teachers is that questions without images seem to test the quality of students' mental images while questions with images test their ability to interpret visual information. It makes sense to use both response formats in tests. Using images from clinical practice instead of anatomical drawings will help to improve test validity. Anat Sci Educ 7: 107–116. © 2013 American Association of Anatomists.     

Review of current studies in instructional design theory in Korea: major trends and future directions

This article reviewed recent studies of instructional design theory in Korea to explore major trends and suggest future directions. Based on the analysis of 40 articles from the Journal of Educational Technology between 1994 and 2006, this study identified six trends: little emphasis on the conceptualization of instructional design theory; dominant interest in instructional design theories for higher-order thinking skills or self-regulated learning; special interest in instructional design theories for motivation and interactivity; emergent studies on the generic topic of instructional theories; heavy emphasis on instructional design theory for computer or Web environment; and sparse developmental research. Future directions of study for instructional design theory in Korea are suggested in response to issues arising from these trends.     

A systematic review of the role of learning games in fostering mathematics education in K-12 settings

In the recent decade, a number of literature reviews were conducted to examine the effectiveness of learning games. However, prior reviews typically focused on providing a synopsis of the overall research trends and the games’ impact on cognitive and non-cognitive learning, without providing critical and contextual information of learning-gameplay integration or the game design features. The current review focuses on recent empirical studies that implement learning games for K-12 mathematics education during the time period of 2008–2021 via a systematic search of the databases. Forty-three papers were identified as the result of a three-stage data extraction process. We identified the trends of implementing learning games in mathematics education and the ways to designing and integrating math content in gameplay. We propose that more research is needed to examine the design and use of learning games for math learning in K-12 settings. Recommendations for future game-based learning design and research are presented.