Teacher interactions and effects on group triple problem solving space

ABSTRACT

Research shows that collaborative work promotes student learning and improves social skills, but teachers are still exploring how to best support problem-solving in a small group context, particularly in the science classroom. This study builds on prior research to characterise teacher interactions with small groups in secondary science and analyses how those interactions affect a collectively constructed space – the triple problem solving space (TPSS) – in which group members collectively understand a task (content/cognitive dimension), manage social interactions (social/relational dimension), and co-construct the emotional life of the group (affective dimension). Results of two biology teachers’ interactions with students in small groups working on inquiry and engineering design activities show that most interactions were administrative and had little influence on the group’s TPSS. Teacher interactions that engaged students in monitoring their problem-solving process, however, did have the capacity to increase cognitive work of the group, which subsequently impacted the students’ group affect and social dimension. These findings suggest that interactions focused on cognitive processes have the potential to support all aspects of a group’s TPSS. Though this research is only a first step in understanding the impact of teacher interactions on small group work, implications for teaching practices are discussed.     

Restructuring heterogeneous classes for cognitive development: Social interactive perspective

An educational application derived from the socialconstructivism view based largely on the theories ofVygotsky (1962, 1978) and Piaget (1926), was tried inorder to improve cognitive development of childrenstudying in a heterogeneous class. A path analysisbased on the study of 1017 pupils, 8- to 11-year-olds,studying in 36 classrooms, shows that complex learningtechniques are related to cognitive development,especially of lower level children. The processrequires that the teacher take a developer roleencouraging the students to interact verbally in orderto solve the learning tasks. The improvement seems tobe based entirely on the students' on-task verbalinteraction, but that was instigated by the developerteacher's role and impeded by supervisory role.     

用逆向思维提高学生数学解题能力的探索

创新教育是实施素质教育的需要。逆向思维与正向思维同等重要。逆向思维可以给创新教育增添丰富内涵。数学教学中应加强对学生逆向思维能力的培养。     

The mathematical discourse of 13-year-old partnered problem solving and its relation to the mathematics that emerges

This paper, written within a discursive perspective, explores the co-shaping of public and private discourse, and some of the circumstances under which one occasions the other, in the evolution of mathematical thinking by pairs of 13-year-olds. The discourse of six pairs of students, engaged in interpreting and graphing problem situations involving rational functions, was analyzed by means of recently developed methodological tools. The nature of the mathematics that emerged for each pair was found to be related to several factors that included the characteristics of the interpersonal object-level utterances both before and after the solution path had been generated, the degree of activity of the personal channels of the interlocutors, and the extent to which the thoughts of participants were made explicit in the public discourse. The analysis of the discursive interactions provided evidence that adolescents within novel problem situations can experience some difficulty in making their emergent thinking available to their partners in such a way that the interaction be highly mathematically productive for both of them. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.     

A computational model of student cognitive processes while solving a critical thinking problem in science

Critical thinking when engaged in science problem solving around even simple tasks such as the Piagetian volume conservation task is a complex endeavor. Tasks such as the conservation task often require the interaction of multiple cognitive systems. Parity judgment, retrieval, and lateral thinking are three examples of such systems interacting with critical thinking during a student’s attempt to solve the Piagetian task. The purpose of this computational ablation study is to establish the role of critical thinking as a necessary component of a system of cognition used for the completion of the Piagetian volume conservation task. This ablation study consists of three phases. The confidence interval between the ablation model and the elementary students do not overlap, indicating they are not statistically significantly different. This provides evidence that the model successfully emulates aspects of human cognition and the model can provide a robust picture of science student cognitive processes.     

Teaching algorithmic problem solving or conceptual understanding: Role of developmental level,mental capacity,and cognitive style

It has been shown previously that many students solve chemistry problems using only algorithmic strategies and do not understand the chemical concepts on which the problems are based. It is plausible to suggest that if the information is presented in differing formats, the cognitive demand of a problem changes. The main objective of this study is to investigate the degree to which cognitive variables, such as developmental level, mental capacity, and disembedding ability explain student performance on problems which: (1) could be addressed by algorithms or (2) require conceptual understanding. All conceptual problems used in this study were based on a figurative format. The results obtained show that in all four problems requiring algorithmic strategies, developmental level of the students is the best predictor of success. This could be attributed to the fact that these are basically computational problems, requiring mathematical transformations. Although all three problems requiring conceptual understanding had an important aspect in common (the figurative format), in all three the best predictor of success is a different cognitive variable. It was concluded that: (1) the ability to solve computational problems (based on algorithms) is not the major factor in predicting success in solving problems that require conceptual understanding; (2) solving problems based on algorithmic strategies requires formal operational reasoning to a certain degree; and (3) student difficulty in solving problems that require conceptual understanding could be attributed to different cognitive variables.     

认知隐喻在大学英语语篇教学中的作用

认知隐喻已不仅仅是一种语言现象,而是一种认知的过程,是人类感知与构建客观世界诸多事物的一种重要的认知活动。隐喻具有普遍性,它大量存在于全新版大学英语综合教程的语篇中。认知隐喻能力的培养对大学英语语篇教学有一定的促进作用。     

Promoting cognitive and social aspects of inquiry through classroom discourse

We investigated how Chinese physics teachers structured classroom discourse to support the cognitive and social aspects of inquiry-based science learning. Regarding the cognitive aspect, we examined to what extent the cognitive processes underlying the scientific skills and the disciplinary reasoning behind the content knowledge were taught. Regarding the social aspect, we examined how classroom discourse supported student learning in terms of students' opportunities to talk and interaction patterns. Our participants were 17 physics teachers who were actively engaged in teacher education programs in universities and professional development programs in local school districts. We analyzed one lesson video from each participating teacher. The results suggest both promises and challenges. Regarding the cognitive aspect of inquiry, the teachers in general recognized the importance of teaching the cognitive processes and disciplinary reasoning. However, they were less likely to address common intuitive ideas about science concepts and principles. Regarding the social aspect of inquiry, the teachers frequently interacted with students in class. However, it appeared that facilitating conversations among students and prompting students to talk about their own ideas are challenging. We discuss the implications of these findings for teacher education programs and professional development programs in China.     

语篇中的社会互动和身份构建

语篇是语言的存在形式。人们使用语言来建立发话与受话之间的关系,交际的双方互换着言语角色达到交际目的;本从体现人际意义的语气和情态出发,分析语篇中的社会互动和身份构建。认为语篇是一种社会行为,它是社会语境中的一种社会实践,因而具有互动性。在这一互动过程中,不同的社会化群体选择不同的社会语言构建不同的社会活动和身份,表达不同的政治观点和态度。     

A cognitive diagnostic analysis of the Social Issues Advocacy Scale (SIAS)

‘What would an ideal social justice advocate look like, and how do our graduates compare?’ is asked by training programs in the helping/health professions (e.g. counselling and psychology, nursing, and education) that have social justice advocacy (SJA) as a core competency. We demonstrate a method for answering this question empirically – cognitive diagnostic modelling (CDM). We used the four dimensions of the Social Issues Advocacy Scale (SIAS; Nilsson, Marszalek, Linnemeyer, Bahner, &; Hanson Misialek, 2011 Nilsson, J. E., Marszalek, J. M., Linnemeyer, R. M., Bahner, A. E., &; Hanson Misialek, L. (2011). Development and assessment of the Social Issues Advocacy Scale. Educational and Psychological Measurement, 71(1), 258–275. doi:10.1177/0013164410391581[Crossref], [Web of Science ®] , [Google Scholar]) as attributes of SJA, and fit SIAS responses to a CDM of 16 attribute mastery profiles. One-quarter of the sample had a profile suggesting SJA attitudes without action; one-fifth, a profile suggesting monitoring SJA in politics without participation; and one-eighth, a profile suggesting individuals rarely engage in action without SJA attitudes. We also found significant relationships between mastery profiles and degree pursued, degree field, and political affiliation. These results demonstrated the utility of CDM for training program assessment of SJA.     

认知语用框架下的主述位衔接机制及语篇分析与教学

语篇的产生和理解是一个复杂的、动态的认知语用过程。从内部结构上看,一个衔接的语篇不是句子的堆砌,而是句子间的接口,每个句子都建立在前句的基础之上。从意义连贯上分析,新旧信息相互衔接,推动语篇的发展．从认知语用学的视角出发,研究语篇衔接与连贯必然涉及语篇的语境,应该考虑语篇编码的过程,既要分析和总结语篇中出现的所有衔接机制,包括语篇内部的衔接机制和语篇与语境的关系的衔接机制,还要根据对内容的语用推断建立语篇的语境。最后,把衔接与语境联系起来,共同构建语篇的整体意义。只有这样,才符合人们实际对语篇解码的过程。本项研究将为语篇分析教学和语篇分析研究提供一个新的思路。     

可持续发展能力建设的人学思考

可持续发展思想包含着既要限制人的能力又力图提高人的能力的双重理念，它认为加强能力建设是实现社会可持续发展的基本动力。从人学角度看，可持续发展能力建设包含两方面内容，一是全面提高人的能力水平，二是限制与规范人的能力的运用。     

儿童和青少年能做什么？能承担什么责任？

依据发展心理学的研究，儿童和青少年具有参与社会活动、承担社会责任的可能性和必要性。一儿童和青少年的认知能力发展是分阶段的，学校教育对于促进其认知能力的发展有着重要作用。根据对青少年社会道德责任能力发展的具体内容及其道德观、人生观的发展阶段的分析，作者从启蒙教育和转交责任两个方面提供了促进青少年参与社会实践的指导性建议。     

基于CDIO模式的认知实习项目研究与实践

阐述了工程教育模式CDIO的基本概念,提出了基于CDIO教学模式的认知实习的探索,并对实验项目涉及的要求作了阐述。教师和学生在认知实习的过程中扮演的角色发生较大改变,要求学生自主设计和完成实验内容,实现被动接受教育到学生自主创新、实施的转变。     

Piagetian controversies,cognitive competence,and assumptions about human communication

This article is a comment on Ed Elbers' analysis of the debate between R. Gelman and R. Siegler on the development of fundamental counting competencies. An attempt is made to characterize some aspects of the theoretical positions of Gelman and Siegler. It is argued that the tendency to reduce human cognitive performance to an issue of either the application of preformed competencies of various kinds, or, alternatively, of the use of domain specific knowledge, hampers our understanding of cognitive growth and the mastery of intellectual tools. The alternative offered is that all human activity—including what takes place in the experiment — should be seen as socially and culturally situated, and that our focus should be on understanding the resources—mental as well as practical—that people draw on when solving problems.     

Computer technology and complex problem solving: Issues in the study of complex cognitive activity

Goals and plans organize much of complex problem solving behavior and are often inferable from action sequences. This paper addresses the strengths and limitations of inferring goals and plans from information that can be derived from computer traces of software used to solve mathematics problems. We examined mathematics problem solving activity about distance, rate, time relationships in a computer software environment designed to support understanding of functional relationships among these variables (e.g., distance =rate × time; time=distance/rate) using graphical representations of the results of simulations. Ten adolescent-aged students used the software to solve two distance, rate, time problems, and provided think-aloud protocols. To determine the inferability of understanding from the action traces, coders analyzed students' understanding from the computer traces alone (Trace-only raters) and compared these to analyses based on the traces plus the verbal protocols (Traceplus raters). Inferability of understanding from the action traces was related to level of student understanding how they used the graphing tool. When students had a good understanding of distance, rate, time relationships, it could be accurately inferred from the computer traces if they used the simulation tool in conjunction with the graphing tool. When students had a weak understanding, the verbal protocols were necessary to make accurate inferences about what was and was not understood. The computer trace also failed to capture dynamic exploration of the visual environment so students who relied on the graphing tool were inaccurately characterized by the Trace-only coders. Discussion concerns types of scaffolds that would be helpful learning environment for complex problems, the kind of information that is needed to adequately track student understanding in this content domain, and instructional models for integrating learning environments like these into classrooms.Members of the Cognition and Technology Group at Vanderbilt who have contributed to this project are (in alphabetical order) Helen Bateman, John Bransford, Thaddeus Crews, Allison Moore, Mitchell Nathan, and Stephen Owens. The research was supported, in part, by grants from the National Science Foundation (NSF-MDR-9252990) but no official endorsement of the ideas expressed herein should be inferred.     

Effects of different text display types on reading comprehension,sustained attention and cognitive load in mobile reading contexts

Despite the popularity of mobile reading devices, many studies have indicated that small screens restrict information transmission, adversely affecting reading performance on mobile devices. Moreover, mobile reading typically occurs in different reading contexts. Therefore, suitable text display type for mobile reading in different reading contexts should be considered, such that learners can effectively read content. This work selected the frequently used static and dynamic text display types (i.e. Paging and Auto-scrolling) and assessed their effects on mobile reading performance. Furthermore, the features of static and dynamic text display types were considered when designing a mixed text display type for mobile reading. Based on brainwave detector, reading-comprehension test sheet, and cognitive-load scale, this work designed a mobile reading experiment with a two-factor experimental design to assess the effects of the selected static, dynamic, and designed text display types, which were respectively presented in sitting, standing, and walking contexts, on reading comprehension, sustained attention, and cognitive load of learners. Experimental results show that sitting obtained the highest sustained attention and the mixed text garnered lowest sustained attention. Moreover, although analytical results show that no significant difference existed in overall reading comprehension with each text type presented with the mobile reading contexts, reading comprehension (i.e. memory, comprehension, and application types) was significantly affected by the reading context, and to some degree, the text display type. This work also found that the text display type is a major factor affecting learners' cognitive load; however, learners' cognitive load is not be affected by the considered reading contexts. Among the three text display types, the mixed type generates the highest cognitive load, followed by the dynamic type, and then the static type. In conclusion, the three reading contexts with the three text display types have both advantages and disadvantages for reading comprehension, sustained attention, and cognitive load. As a result, text display type for mobile reading on small screens should be adjusted according to reading context or to improve reading comprehension, attention, or cognitive load.     

儿童社会认知发展研究：过程观与结构观及其整合

关于社会认知的发展，目前主要有两种类型的观点，一种是过程观；另一种是结构观。而今天的社会认知研究应从过程观和结构观整合的视角全面理解社会认知发展的本质，并推进这方面的研究。