Action knowledge and symbolic knowledge. The computer as mediator / Conocimiento basado en la acción y conocimiento simbólico. El equipo informático como mediador

I begin by stating a small set of troublesome but pervasive educational issues. While these have remained in the background during our work, they have served as the impetus for developing and reflecting on possible roles for computer technology in classrooms. In the remaining sections of the paper I propose that the computer can serve as an effective mediator between action and symbol. After setting the scene in the Laboratory for Making Things, I give an extended example of how computer-as-mediator contributes to learning when played out in this rather unusual classroom.     

The Contribution of Neighborhood and Family Income to Developmental Test Scores over the First Three Years of Life

The effects of neighborhood and family income and family risk factors on developmental test scores at ages 1 through 3 are examined using a subsample (N = 347) from the Infant Health and Development Program. Beneficial effects of low numbers of risks were found for scores at ages 1 through 3. Family poverty was associated with lower scores at ages 2 and 3. Neighborhood affluence was associated with higher scores at age 3. The family risks-test score association at ages 1 through 3 and family income-test score association at ages 2 and 3 were mediated by home environment. Mediated effects were stronger for family income-test score associations at age 3 than for neighborhood income. Moderating effects of family risk on family and neighborhood income effects revealed an interaction between family poverty and risks for scores at age 3. Explanations for the early links between family risks and test scores and the later links between income and test scores are discussed.     

Diverse Experience of Immigrant Children: How Do Separation and Reunification Shape Their Development?

Although many immigrant children to the United States arrive with their parents, a notable proportion are first separated and later reunited with their parents. How do the experiences of separation and reunification shape the well-being of immigrant children? Data were from a national survey of legal adult immigrants and their families, the New Immigrant Survey from 2003 to 2004 (for academic achievement, age 6–12, N = 876; for psychosocial well-being, age 6–17, N = 1,084). Results indicated that immigrant children who were once separated from their parents exhibited poorer literacy and higher risk of emotional and behavioral problems than those who migrated with parents. A protracted period of separation and previous undocumented status of parents amplified the disadvantages experienced by these children.     

Wechsler scale performance patterns of American Indian children

Using WISC, WISC-R, and WPPSI subtest scores recategorized according to the Bannatyne scheme, the study uncovered evidence for the existence of an Indian Wechsler Scale performance pattern that is different from that found in normal and learning disabled groups. The Indian pattern finds spatial abilities more well developed than sequencing skills, which are superior to conceptual and acquired knowledge performances. The sample was composed of 142 Indian children, primarily Ojibwa (Chippewa). Supporting hypotheses addressed differences between groups of traditional Indian children and those who are more Anglo acculturated. The traditional children evidenced the Indian pattern of recategorized Wechsler subtest performance, while the more acculturated groups did not. Discussion of results centers on factors that may be related to the Indian pattern, such as cultural heritage, otitis media, and the school curriculum.     

The manager's role in developing subordinates: Interaction patterns at work

Jeanne Lindholm, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the School of Business at the College of William and Mary, Williamsburg, Virginia 23185. Address reprint requests to the author.     

Meta-Analyses of the Effects of Tier 2 Type Reading Interventions in Grades K-3

This meta-analysis extends previous work on extensive Tier 3 type reading interventions (Wanzek and Vaughn School Psychology Review, 36, 541–561, 2007; Wanzek et al. Review of Educational Research, 83, 163–195, 2013) to Tier 2 type interventions by examining a non-overlapping set of studies addressing the effects of less extensive reading interventions for students with or at risk for reading difficulties in Grades K-3. We examined the overall effects of these interventions on students’ foundational skills, language, and comprehension as well as the intervention features that may be associated with improved outcomes. We conducted four meta-analyses on 72 studies to examine effects on (1) standardized foundational skill measures (mean ES?=?0.54), (2) not-standardized foundational skill measures (mean ES?=?0.62), (3) standardized language/comprehension measures (mean ES?=?0.36), and (4) not-standardized language/comprehension measures (mean ES?=?1.02). There were no differences in effects related to intervention type, instructional group size, grade level, intervention implementer, or the number of intervention hours.     

The Relation Between Global and Specific Mindset With Reading Outcomes for Elementary School Students

An emerging body of research has evaluated the role of growth mindset in educational achievement, yet little work has focused on the unique role of mindset to standardized reading outcomes. Our study presents 4 key outcomes in a sample of 195 fourth-grade students. First, we evaluated the dimensionality of general and reading-specific mindset and found that a global factor of growth mindset (GGM) existed along with specific factors of general and reading mindset. Second, GGM and reading mindset strongly predicted word reading and reading comprehension. Third, GGM and reading mindset uniquely predicted reading comprehension after controlling for basic word reading skills. Fourth, GGM was more strongly associated with reading comprehension for those individuals with weaker reading comprehension skills, whereas reading mindset was more strongly associated with reading comprehension for those with stronger reading comprehension skills. Our findings suggest the potential importance of assessing general and reading-specific mindset linked to reading.