Longitudinal Associations Between Executive Control and Developing Mathematical Competence in Preschool Boys and Girls

Executive control (EC) is related to mathematics performance in middle childhood. However, little is known regarding how EC and informal numeracy differentially support mathematics skill acquisition in preschoolers. A sample of preschoolers (115 girls, 113 boys), stratified by social risk, completed an EC task battery at 3 years, informal numeracy assessments at 3.75 and 4.5 years, and a broad mathematics assessment during kindergarten. Strong associations were observed between latent EC at age 3 and mathematics achievement in kindergarten, which remained robust after accounting for earlier informal numeracy, socioeconomic status, language and processing speed. Relations between EC and mathematics achievement were stronger in girls than in boys. Findings highlight the unique role of EC in predicting which children may have difficulty transitioning to formal mathematics instruction.     

Moving on (part 1): The physics of power and curriculum history

This is the first of two papers that map (dis)continuities in notions of power from Aristotle to Newton to Foucault. They trace the ways in which bio-physical conceptions of power became paraphrased in social science and deployed in educational discourse on the child and curriculum from post-Newtonian times to the present. The analyses suggest that, amid ruptures in the definition, role, location and meaning given 'power' historically in various 'physical' and 'social' cosmologies, the naming of 'power' has been dependent on 'physics', on the theorization of motion across 'Western' sciences. This first paper examines some (dis)continuities in regard to histories of motion and power from Aristotelian 'natural science' to Newtonian mechanics.     

Stereotypes of Aging: Their Effects on the Health of Seniors in North American Society

Seniors are routinely subjected to negative stereotypes regarding their physical and cognitive abilities. The power and prevalence of cultural stereotypes of aging essentially results in a “double-whammy” to seniors. First, they influence the way that seniors are treated by society. Second, cultural stereotypes affect how seniors see themselves. The ramifications here are important, for research suggests that stereotypes influence decisions to engage in cognitive and physical activity, the ability to recover from disease and, ultimately, the length and quality of life. Considering the demographic trends in North America, finding ways to effectively minimize and counteract the most negative stereotypes remains a pressing social concern.     

Dribble files: Methodologies to evaluate learning and performance in complex environments

Research in the area of technology learning environments is tremendously complex. Tasks performed in these contexts are highly cognitive and mostly invisible to the observer. The nature of performance in these contexts is explained not only by the outcome but also by the process. However, evaluating the learning process with respect to tasks involving technology is difficult to measure objectively. As a result, audit trails (also called log or dribble files) are becoming extremely valuable tools in evaluating learning and performance in complex environments. This article reviews efforts of researchers in various areas, describes the nature of research using dribble files, and provides a framework on which investigators might build evaluations.     

Design and implementation of volitional control support in mathematics courses

We designed support for volitional control with four stages for goal initiation (“Want it”), goal formation (“Plan for it”), action control (“Do it”), and emotion control (“Finish it”) based on theories and models of volition. We implemented the support in mathematics courses offered at a community college. We examined the effects of volitional control support on students’ motivation (i.e., intrinsic value, self-efficacy), emotions (enjoyment, pride, anger, anxiety, shame, hopelessness, and boredom), effort regulation, and achievement. We found significant effects of the volitional control support on intrinsic value, enjoyment, anger, anxiety, and boredom. Findings are discussed to improve the design and development of the volitional control support. Limitations and implications of the study are presented as well.     

The Relationship between Students’ Characteristics and Their Impressions of Online Courses

This study explored relationship between students’ conscientiousness and motivation, their impressions of the online environment, and their learning. Also examined were relationships between their impressions of the online environment and their sense of community and their interactions with others. Questionnaires were completed by 84 students at a private college. Students who were more conscientious and intrinsically motivated had more favorable impressions of online courses. They were engaged, and perceived value in the course, and were less anxious or frustrated when taking online courses. Those students who perceived a sense of community, or social presence, also had more favorable impressions. These relationships and their implications are discussed.     

Neighborhood matters: racial socialization of African American children

Differences in racial socialization practices and their effects were examined in a sample of 241 African American 1st graders (average age 6.59 years) living in an urban area. Child outcomes included cognitive development, receptive language skills, and child problem behavior. The cultural environment of the home was associated with higher cognitive scores for boys living in high negative social climate and low social capital neighborhoods and for girls living in high social capital neighborhoods. The positive association of promotion of mistrust and child behavior problems was magnified in neighborhoods that had low levels of social capital. A high negative social climate in the neighborhood attenuated the positive association between preparation for bias/promotion of mistrust and externalizing problems.