Group size regulates self-assertive versus self-deprecating responses to interpersonal competition

The current study examined the hypothesis that group size can influence whether children display self-assertive versus self-deprecating responses to interpersonal competition, especially under stress. Twenty same-sex play-groups (N = 120) of 9- to 10-year-old children played a competitive game in groups and in dyads. Stress was induced by causing some of the children to lose the game and watch as their opponents received psychological and material rewards. Results demonstrated that both the dynamics of the game and individual reactions to stress varied consistently as a function of the social context. Individuals displayed more assertive behaviors in groups than in dyads. In contrast, individuals exhibited more self-deprecating behaviors in dyads than in groups. Given that under naturalistic conditions males are more likely than are females to interact in groups and females are more likely than are males to interact in dyads, group size provides one possible mechanism for the development of sex differences in self-assertive versus self-deprecating behaviors.     

Bringing web‐enhanced courses to communities of learners in early childhood teacher education

Abstract

In our graduate programs in early childhood education, we model constructivist practice in the belief that teachers are better able to understand and implement constructivist principles having experienced them in their work. In this practice we attempt to be explicit about constructivist practice in our program and in elementary classrooms. As we examine and modify our constructivist pedagogy, one key question for teachers and ourselves emerges: What does a classroom based on constructivist pedagogy look like in early childhood (K‐2)? The goal of this research is a clearer understanding of constructivist pedagogy in the context of primary classrooms. The study was designed using qualitative methods in order to understand the experiences in classrooms guided by constructivist theory. The classroom participants are six teachers who graduated from a Master's degree program based on constructivist principles. Analysis of the six classrooms indicated 24 key elements of constructivist classrooms. A focused analysis of three constructivist teachers and their classroom supports these elements and indicates three broader characteristics: the important role of children, authentic and purposeful interactions among classroom participants, and engagement in academic activity. A vignette of a constructivist classroom is provided to present the essence of our findings while maintaining participants' views and voices.     

Level I and level II: A review

Jensen's Level I‐Level II theory of individual and group differences in mental abilities is examined in the context of the large body of research pertaining to the topic. The major hypotheses of Jensen's theory, concerning the equal distribution of Level I abilities among different racial and sociocconomic groups, and the differences in the distribution of Level II abilities are evaluated. It is concluded that the majority of recent research supports Jensen's hypotheses. Alternative theories to Jensen's arc presented and the implications of Jensen's theory for the education of disadvantaged and low Level II children arc discussed. A short section deals with the hypothesized functional relationship between Levels I and II.     

Teachers and differentiated instruction: exploring differentiation practices to address student diversity

Given the increasing diversity of the student body, teachers are called to appropriately address students’ various learning needs by means of differentiated instruction (DI). However, empirical research has yielded mixed evidence on teachers’ reported use of DI. Using nationally representative data from the National Educational Panel Study in Germany, this article aimed to explore German (as native language) and Mathematics teachers’ use of DI practices. In addition, this study took into consideration contextual factors, such as school track, and investigated the impact of teachers’ constructivist beliefs on their DI implementation. Results from a mixed analysis of covariance indicated that teachers occasionally implement DI practices. Furthermore, between‐subject effects reported differences across school tracks. It appears that advanced secondary school teachers implement less often DI practices. The covariate of teachers’ constructivist beliefs was also positively linked to overall teachers’ implementation of DI. Implications of the results, as well as further lines of research are discussed.     

Perceived family functioning, marital status, and depression in parents of boys with attention deficit disorder

The present study examined the perceptions of parents of children with attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity (ADD/H) regarding their family environment and depression in comparison with a clinical and a nondisabled control group. Parents of children with ADD/H perceived their family environment as less supportive and more stressful than did either the clinical or the nondisabled controls. Specifically, ADD/H parents viewed their families as having lower levels of interpersonal relationships than did either of the control groups. Ratings of depression for each of the parent groups indicated a greater frequency of depressive symptomatology among the parents of children with ADD/H. In addition, more parents of ADD/H children were separated or divorced. Correlation coefficients computed for the entire sample suggest differences between mothers' and fathers' depression and differences in their perceptions of the family. Recommendations are made for future research as well as the development of treatment programs to incorporate work with the parents of children with ADD/H.     

Science Anxiety, Science Attitudes, and Gender: Interviews from a Binational Study

We conducted interviews with eleven groups of Danish and American students. The interview topics included gender and national components of science education, science anxiety, and attitudes toward science. The groups were science and nonscience students at the upper secondary and university levels, and one group of American science teachers who were students in a science enrichment program. The interviews revealed a variety of relationships between and among science attitudes, science anxiety, nationality, gender, and course of study. We also probed student attitudes toward constructivist versus traditional views of science.     

LD, interpersonal understanding, and social behavior in the classroom

This study used Baron and Kenny's (1986) criteria for mediation to investigate the extent to which interpersonal understanding mediates the relation between learning disabilities (LD) and social adaptation in the classroom. Twenty-two children with and 22 children without a diagnosis of LD completed a semistructured developmental clinical interview measure of interpersonal understanding. They were also rated by their fourth- and fifth-grade teachers on a measure of social adaptation in the classroom. Interpersonal understanding and social adaptation in the classroom were found to be positively correlated. Children with LD exhibited less interpersonal understanding and social adaptation. Although this group difference on social adaptation was greatly reduced when interpersonal understanding was statistically controlled, it remained statistically significant. These results suggest that reduced social adaptation in the classroom and lower interpersonal understanding are both associated with a diagnosis of LD. However, they do not conclusively support the claim that interpersonal understanding mediates the relation between LD and social adaptation. Thus, whether the social difficulties of people with LD stem from the same complex phenomena that produce these people's learning problems remains an open question.     

Neurodevelopmental Effects of a Mindfulness and Kindness Curriculum on Executive Functions in Preschool Children—A Randomized,Active-Controlled Study

This study aimed to explore the effect of a mindfulness-based curriculum designed especially for preschoolers on facets of executive functions. Fifty-one preschoolers were randomly assigned to either a mindfulness and kindness curriculum (MC) or an active control dialogic reading program (DR). A battery of behavioral and neurophysiological tests was used to tap into facets of executive control (inhibition, shifting). Electroencephalography data were acquired during the attentional network task (ANT). Relative to DR, children in the MC group exhibited a reduced difference in the N200 Event related potentials (ERP) amplitudes for the congruent versus incongruent conditions during the ANT paradigm representing inhibition and shifting abilities. On the behavioral tasks, both groups improved on executive functions (EF) but on different facets; MC group showed increased inhibition and the DR group demonstrated significantly greater shifting abilities. The results highlight the sensitivity of electrophysiological data to detect subtle cognitive changes. The understanding of how mindfulness-based interventions in preschoolers affect facets of executive functions can enable further refinement and maximization of the benefits of these interventions for this age group.     

Pre‐service Teachers' Conceptions about Teaching and Learning: A closer look at Singapore cultural context

A questionnaire was administered to 313 teacher education students of the National Institute of Education, Nanyang Technological University, Singapore to examine their conceptions about teaching and learning. Two dimensions were identified, viz. traditional and constructivist conceptions about teaching and learning. While both conceptions were prevailing, there was a greater tendency for students to hold a constructivist conception about teaching and learning. Multivariate data analysis showed that there were significant differences in the two conceptions about teaching and learning across program groups, among different race groups, with respect to qualifications, but no significant differences for age, gender and subject groups. Explanations were sought in the ambit of educational initiatives and cultural premises. Implications were also drawn for future development and planning in teacher education.     

Influence of instruction in mathematics for low performing students on strategy use

Effects of two subtraction instruction types for low achieving children were compared. The first was based on constructivist ideas. The second was more or less traditional but did include interaction opportunities comparable to those in constructivist classrooms. Sixteen students (eight in each condition) with an average age of 10.5 years were trained during 34 lessons. Results showed no performance differences between the two groups on the subtraction problems instructed. There was a performance advantage for the traditional group on transfer problems without regrouping. The constructivist group used more different strategies but was not able to use this bigger repertory in a flexible way; instead, they used their strategies rather randomly. These findings pose questions on the usefulness of constructivist teaching in mathematics for low performers.     

Children''s reactions to cooperative group work: a strategy for enhancing peer relationships among bullies, victims and bystanders

This investigation increases our understanding of the interpersonal interactions that take place during co-operative group work (CGW) among children nominated by their peers as bullies, victims and bystanders. Using the method of Interpersonal Process Recall (IPR), children were given the opportunity to explore their own and others' feelings and actions during video replays of co-operative group work at two time points over an eight-month period, and to share their emotional responses with other members of the group. The study indicated that CGW had an impact on the expression of some emotions. At Time 1, bystanders expressed more enjoyment of CGW than either bullies or victims; at Time 2, these differences had disappeared. However, the tendency of victims to deny their feelings in comparison to bullies and bystanders remained. The implications for educational practice are discussed.     

Implications of differentiating and understanding constructivist approaches

Sources of confusion are identified among interpretations off information-processing, cognitive constructivist, social constructivist, and sociocultural approaches to understanding classroom learning. Attention to subtle differences among perspectives indicates areas in which particular approaches provide more incisive understanding of different aspects of classroom learning and suggest different ways of setting up learning environments. Several alternative research paradigms are suggested to gain a deeper understanding of the underlying processes and the broad contexts that support or constrain classroom learning.     

Instructional design of interactive multimedia: A cultural critique

Instructional design is socially and culturally constructed. The article explores the proposition that the selective traditions of instructional design consist of values, ideologies and images which act in the interests of particular cultural (class and gendered) groups. It examines this premise and argues for multiple cultural, rather than multicultural, contextualization of instructional design. It situates the multiple cultural model in an eclectic paradigm that appropriately combines elements from (a) behaviorist, constructivist, and critical theory paradigms and (b) weak and strong culturally contextualized design strategies. Cultural context is the very stuff, the scaffolding, of instructional design if users are to be positioned as active participants who are given and take responsibility in the learning-teaching paradigm. Her fields of teaching and research interest concern the cultural contextualization of instructional design of interactive multimedia (IMM) and the World Wide Web (WWW). Other research interests focus on the mental models, thinking processes, and teaching-learning strategies used by teachers and learners when interacting with electronic databases, IMM, and the WWW.     

Effectiveness of the DISTAR Reading I Program in Developing First Graders’ Language Skills

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine if the DISTAR Reading I program was more effective than a basal reading program in increasing school-based language ability. Additionally, I examined the hypothesis that DISTAR develops language more effectively for children who enter school with lower initial language ability than for children with higher language ability, as measured by the Metropolitan Readiness Test. Subjects were 80 Black 1st-grade learners randomly selected from two urban elementary schools. I assessed initial language with the language subtest of the Metropolitan Readiness Test. The adjusted mean score of the DISTAR classes on the posttest of the Slosson Intelligence Test was approximately 9 points higher than the adjusted mean of the basal reader group. Contrary to the second hypothesis, the DISTAR program was equally as effective for students with average or high initial language ability as for students with low initial language ability. The results are discussed as support for the proposition that the use of DISTAR direct-instruction procedures is a successful means of developing school-based language.     

Mobile games and science learning: A comparative study of 4 and 5 years old playing the game Angry Birds

A popular activity among young children is the use of mobile devices and apps. Yet, the impact of mobile devices on learning and development is rather underexplored. The limited studies identified explore effects on literacy development and communication and report on mixed findings. A considerable gap is observed as to how the use of mobile apps relates to young children's understanding in diverse domains including science learning, and to extend, whether and how mobile apps should be used and how in early years' settings. The aim of this paper is to shed light on this area by examining the learning effects of touch screen mobile game applications, in particular the game Angry Birds, on two groups of preschoolers 4 and 5 years old respectively. Evidence from a comparative study with 32 participants reveal significant differences between the two groups in terms of game skills and their understanding of projectile motion. Implications for educational stakeholders, parents and app designers are discussed along with future research directions.     

Reciprocal Nominations,Reciprocal Rejections and Loneliness among Students with Learning Disorders

The study examined the relations between reciprocal nominations, reciprocal rejections and loneliness among children with learning disorders. The sample consisted of 238 Israeli students: 110 students with learning disorders (LD) and 128 students with no LD (NLD) drawn from 2nd to 6th Grades (ages: M = 9.83 years, SD = 1.35). Participants were assessed on: loneliness, sense of coherence, friendship quality, reciprocal friendship and reciprocal rejection nominations. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis revealed that loneliness experience was significantly predicted by sense of coherence, peer reciprocal rejection and conception of friendship qualities. Students with LD who had at least one reciprocal rejection with a classmate felt more lonely and less coherent than did their NLD peers. Within the LD group, those children who had at least one reciprocal rejection with a classmate felt more lonely and less coherent than did LD children who had no reciprocal rejection. Such significant within‐group differences were not found in the NLD group. The discussion emphasises the importance of the examination of intra‐ and interpersonal variables in the understanding the loneliness experience among LD children, with special focus on the role of reciprocal negative nominations.     

Conceptual,pedagogical, cultural,and political dilemmas of implementing a constructivist workshop approach to teaching literacy

Approached as an epistemology, implementing a constructivist workshop approach to literacy can challenge the traditional paradigm of teacher-focused instruction and transform to one where students construct knowledge together and learn through active engagement in authentic reading and writing. This study illustrated how two third-grade teachers managed the conceptual, pedagogical, cultural and political dilemmas they encountered when they began implementing a constructivist workshop approach to literacy. This study validates the disquiet and discomfort teachers may feel as they utilize new curriculum, illustrates that a workshop approach requires an understanding/articulation of personal and curricular pedagogical and epistemological foundations, and encourages administrators to recognize that teachers need time and space to take risks and reflect on their work.     

孤独症儿童对道德和习俗规则的判断

在Blair(1996)研究范式的基础上,增加了权威去道德化和泛习俗化两组问题,考察孤独症和正常儿童对道德和习俗规则的判断及其与他们心理理论的关系。结果发现,孤独症儿童错误信念理解成绩低于接受性言语匹配的正常儿童,两组儿童在道德判断上表现不同,而在习俗判断上的表现没有差异。结果提示,道德判断需要心理理解能力,而习俗判断则与训练和社会化有关。     

团体沙盘游戏疗法干预大学生人际交往困扰的效果研究

文章为探讨团体沙盘游戏疗法对人际交往困扰大学生的有效性,采用团体沙盘游戏疗法对11名人际交往困扰大学生进行6次团体治疗。结果发现经过团体沙盘游戏疗法干预,成员的人际交往困扰得以缓解(t=11.193.P<0.000),表明团体沙盘游戏疗法能缓解大学生的人际交往困扰。     

混龄走班游戏中无结构小组对幼儿同伴交往的影响

同伴交往是幼儿社会学习的重要内容。混龄走班游戏有助于创设一种无结构小组活动形式,有利于促进不同年龄幼儿在游戏过程中的自由结伴、协同合作与交往沟通。为探究此种无结构小组对幼儿同伴交往行为的具体影响,本研究采取观察法与访谈法,对实施混龄走班游戏的H市B园进行研究,结果发现,在B园实施混龄走班游戏之后,由于幼儿在这一游戏模式下能够组成无结构小组,所以他们更偏向于选择积极的同伴交往策略,在交往方式的选择上也呈现出多样化的特点,幼儿的游戏体验以正面和积极的体验为主,不同年龄、不同性别幼儿之间能够形成交往默契与协同合作意识,促使交往多朝着成功的方向发展。社会网络分析结果进一步表明班级幼儿没有形成以某些幼儿为中心的社交活动模式,相反,每个幼儿都能在同伴交往中找准自己的位置,积极参与到各种活动中,形成了多个相对独立的团聚子群,同时又通过群体共享成员紧密联系在一起。幼儿园应创设具有无结构小组特征的游戏环境,激发幼儿的交往热情,正确发挥教师的引导作用,提升幼儿的交往水平。