A computational approach to socially distributed cognition

In most Interactive Learning Environments (ILEs), the human learner interacts with an expert in the domain to be taught. We explored a different approach: the system does not know more than the learner, but learns by interacting with him. A human-computer collaborative learning (HCCL) system includes a micro-world, in which two learners jointly try to solve problems and learn, the human learner and a computerized co-learner. This paper presents the foundations of this artificial co-learner. The collaboration between learners is modelled as “socially distributed cognition’ (SDC). The SDC model connects three ideas: (i) a group is a cognitive system, (ii) reflection is a dialogue with oneself, (iii) social processes are internalised. The key has been to find a computational connection between those ideas. The domain chosen for illustration is the argumentation concerning how some changes to an electoral system affect the results of elections. This argumentation involves a sequence of arguments and their refutations. The basic principle is that learners ‘store’ the structure of this argumentation (dialogue pattern) and ‘replay’ it individually later on. The verbs ‘store’ and ‘replay’ do not refer to a simple ‘record and retrieve’ process. Storage is implemented as the incremental and parameterised evolution of a network of arguments, here called a ‘dialogue pattern’. The learning outcome is a structuration of knowledge (rules) into situation-specific models, used to guide reasoning. We conducted experiments in two settings: with a human and an artificial learner or with two artificial learners. The common findings of these two experiments is that the SDC model generates learning effects provided that the discussion is intensive, i.e. that many arguments are brought into dialogue. The importance of this variable also appears in Hutchins’ (1991) modelling of the evolution of the confirmation bias in groups. It is argued than computational models are heuristic tools, allowing researchers to isolate variables for designing empirical studies with human subjects.     

Comparative study of the cognitive sequelae of school-aged victims of Shaken Baby Syndrome

OBJECTIVE: Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS) is now recognized as being the main cause of severe traumatic brain injury in infancy. However, our understanding of the impact of this type of abuse on child development remains sketchy. The main objective of the current study was therefore to shed light on the cognitive dysfunctions that are particular to SBS victims once they are school-aged. METHOD: A clinical group was formed of 11 children diagnosed with SBS who had been admitted between 1988 and 1999 to a tertiary pediatric hospital in Quebec, Canada. The children were matched for age, gender, socio-economic status, and family composition to 11 healthy Quebec children, who made up the control group. A battery of composite tests was developed to assess the children's main cognitive functions and was administered individually to the 22 children. A univariate t-test was used to compare the performances of the two groups. RESULTS: The mean age of the children in the clinical and control groups at the time of the assessment was 87.64 months and 90.18 months, respectively. Pairing and birth data were equivalent for both groups. Significant weaknesses were noted in the clinical group for intelligence quotient (IQ), working memory, mental organization, alternation, and inhibition. These deficits seemed to have a greater impact on the verbal sphere of the children's mental functioning. CONCLUSION: Primary results point to the anterior cerebral regions of the brain as the principal site of dysfunctions that persist years post-trauma. It is important to consider these results longitudinally, even in children apparently less extensively affected, since the frontal regions only reach maturity at the end of adolescence.     

Accurate DRL performance in the pigeon: Comparison between perching and treadle pressing

Homing pigeons were reinforced for emitting a perching response according to differential-reinforcement-of-low-rate (DRL) schedules. The spacing requirement between successive perchings was progressively increased by 1-sec steps up to 70 sec and then abruptly decreased to 60, 40, and 20 sec. IRT/OP (interresponse time/opportunity) functions were maximal near the time of reinforcement. The coefficients of variation of the IRT distributions (ratio between the interquartile range and median IRT) fluctuated around .32, testifying for equivalent levels of adjustment throughout the critical IRT range. The ratio between reinforced and total IRTs ranged between .90 and .20. These data contrast with the performance of another group of pigeons reinforced for a treadle-pressing response according to DRL schedules (flatter IRT/OP functions, high coefficients of variation, and low efficiencies). Despite these differences in temporal regulation between perching and treadle-pressing DRL, response rates and reinforcement rates followed the same trend in both cases: they decreased as schedule value increased. The DRL perching results are similar to previous results obtained in the same species when perching duration was reinforced.     

Video quality based link adaptation for low latency video transmission over WLANs

INTRODUCTION Low latency video transmission is very de manding in terms of the performance of all layers i the protocol stack. Over the last decade, research ha focused on enhancements of each individual laye without considering cross-layer interactions. Adapt ing video coding to the channel/network condition and technologies (and vice versa) (Girod et al., 2002 via the cross-layer exchange of information has onl recently been investigated. van der Schaar et al.(200 developed a cross-laye…     

A novel phased‐concept course for the delivery of anatomy and orthopedics training in medical education

Integration of anatomy and clinical teaching is a theoretical ideal, yet there is a worldwide paucity of such amalgamation. These teaching models provide support for medical trainees, an important element in Germany where orthopedic intern numbers have declined and anecdotal evidence suggests disinterest in orthopedics. The aim of the study was to develop an integrated anatomy‐surgical course for undergraduate medical training, assess the model developed, and explore how medical students perceive orthopedics as a career. The course was to deliver medical anatomy and clinical orthopedic training, focusing on interdisciplinary teaching and learning, vertical integration of clinical knowledge and skills, and professional interaction. Survey evaluation of the course and students' perceptions of orthopedic careers was performed, including Likert‐type responses rating variables of interest. A phased‐concept program of five courses, each optional and under one‐week in duration, was developed parallel to the undergraduate medical program. Delivered by anatomists and surgeons, courses included biomechanics, advanced dissection, surgical approaches, casts and implants, and sports medicine. Course data indicate positive support for course format, stimulation of interest, and high clinical relevance. Students are generally interested in surgery, and identify hierarchy, lawsuits, bureaucracy and physical stress as barriers to orthopedic careers. This novel phased‐concept successfully delivers combined anatomy and surgery training in a vertically‐integrated format while addressing students' clinical and professional skills. The format facilitates an appreciation of potential career options in orthopedics, while fostering professional skills during medical training. Barriers to careers in orthopedics can now be addressed in future courses. Anat Sci Educ 10: 372–382. © 2016 American Association of Anatomists.     

Introduction to the Special Section on Children's Subjective Well-Being

A notable increase in scientific publications on children's subjective well-being has been observed since the beginning of the 21st century. Different factors have contributed to this phenomenon, one of the most relevant being the concurrence of macrolevel (at the population level) and microlevel (at the individual level) perspectives in research on child well-being.     

How do L2 learners and L1 writers differ in their reliance on working memory during the formulation subprocess?

Reading and Writing - L1 and L2 writers attend to different aspects of the formulation subprocess of writing. L2 writers devote more time and attention to low-level aspects such as grammar...