Current Search: Cognitive learning (x)
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- Title
- The self-reported use of metacognitive reading strategies of community college students.
- Creator
- Munro, Sophia., College of Education, Department of Curriculum, Culture, and Educational Inquiry
- Abstract/Description
-
College requires students to read strategically in order to be academically successful (Caverly, Nicholson, & Radcliffe, 2004). Strategic readers utilize a variety of strategies, including metacognitive reading strategies (Mokhtari & Reichard, 2002; Pressley & Afflerbach, 1995). However, not all students use the same strategies when reading academic text. The purpose of this study was to explore whether students enrolled in a developmental reading course report using different metacognitive...
Show moreCollege requires students to read strategically in order to be academically successful (Caverly, Nicholson, & Radcliffe, 2004). Strategic readers utilize a variety of strategies, including metacognitive reading strategies (Mokhtari & Reichard, 2002; Pressley & Afflerbach, 1995). However, not all students use the same strategies when reading academic text. The purpose of this study was to explore whether students enrolled in a developmental reading course report using different metacognitive reading strategies than students who are enrolled in a college-level English course. The Metacognitive Awareness of Reading Strategies Inventory (Mokhatari & Reichard, 2002) was administered to 423 students at a community college in the southeastern United States. The results of the Tests of Between-Subjects Effects indicated that the main effect for group membership was not significant. The results of the Tests of Within-Subjects Effects indicated that problem solving was reportedly used relatively equally by the two groups, but global and support reading strategies were used less by the English group,with the interaction effect even stronger for support strategies. The implications of this study on teaching and further research were also explored.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2011
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/3333057
- Subject Headings
- Reading, Psychology of, Cognitive learning, Inquiry-based learning
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Neural and behavioral correlates of song prosody.
- Creator
- Gordon, Reyna Leigh., Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Center for Complex Systems and Brain Sciences
- Abstract/Description
-
This dissertation studies the neural basis of song, a universal human behavior. The relationship of words and melodies in the perception of song at phonological, semantic, melodic, and rhythmic levels of processing was investigated using the fine temporal resolution of Electroencephalography (EEG). The observations reported here may shed light on a ubiquitous human experience and also inform the discussion of whether language and music share neural resources or recruit domain-specific neural...
Show moreThis dissertation studies the neural basis of song, a universal human behavior. The relationship of words and melodies in the perception of song at phonological, semantic, melodic, and rhythmic levels of processing was investigated using the fine temporal resolution of Electroencephalography (EEG). The observations reported here may shed light on a ubiquitous human experience and also inform the discussion of whether language and music share neural resources or recruit domain-specific neural mechanisms. Experiment 1 was designed to determine whether words and melody in song are processed interactively or independently. Participants listened to sung words in which the melodies and/or the words were similar or different, and performed a same/different task while attending to the linguistic and musical dimensions in separate blocks of trials. Event-Related Potentials and behavioral data converged in showing interactive processing between the linguistic and musical dimensions of sung words, regardless of the direction of attention. In particular, the N400 component, a well-established marker of semantic processing, was modulated by musical melody. The observation that variations in musical features affect lexico-semantic processing in sung language was a novel finding with implications for shared neural resources between language and music. Experiment 2 was designed to explore the idea that well-aligned text-settings, in which the strong syllables occur on strong beats, capture listeners' attention and help them understand song lyrics. EEG was recorded while participants listened to sung sentences whose linguistic stress patterns were well-aligned, misaligned, or had variable alignment with the musical meter, and performed a lexical decision task on subsequently presented visual targets., Results showed that induced beta and evoked gamma power were modulated differently for well-aligned and misaligned syllables, and that task performance was adversely affected when visual targets followed misaligned and varied sentences. These findings suggest that alignment of linguistic stress and musical meter in song enhance beat tracking and linguistic segmentation by entraining periodic fluctuations in high frequency brain activity to the stimuli. A series of follow-up studies has been outlined to further investigate the relationship between rhythmic attending in speech and music, and the influence of metrical alignment in songs on childhood language acquisition.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2010
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/2705078
- Subject Headings
- Cognitive neuroscience, Learning, Physiological aspects, Cognition in children, Physiological aspects, Prosodic analysis (Linguistics)
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Language production and comprehension in bilingual children.
- Creator
- Ribot, Krystal M., Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Psychology
- Abstract/Description
-
Many adults who have dual language experience describe themselves as "passive bilinguals," able to understand two languages, but speak only one. The aim of this study was to examine the relation between language production and comprehension in bilingual children in order to determine whether bilingual comprehension is more readily achieved than production. ... Productive and receptive skills in both languages were assessed using standardized tests. Children's relative amount of exposure to...
Show moreMany adults who have dual language experience describe themselves as "passive bilinguals," able to understand two languages, but speak only one. The aim of this study was to examine the relation between language production and comprehension in bilingual children in order to determine whether bilingual comprehension is more readily achieved than production. ... Productive and receptive skills in both languages were assessed using standardized tests. Children's relative amount of exposure to each language, as well as their language choice during production was measured via interview with the primary caregiver.... Language exposure as measured via dominance in one language over another appears to affect productive language differently than receptive language, further evidencing that language exposure is a significant predictor of acquisition that predicts production and comprehension differently. Additionally, when input is held constant, child language choice is uniquely related to productive and receptive language skill. The results of this study not only describe patterns of productive and receptive language skills and their correlates in young bilinguals, but they also address competing theories regarding the roles of input and output in the development of language comprehension and production.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2012
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/3358962
- Subject Headings
- Bilingualism in children, Second language acquisition, Cognitive learning, Language transfer (Language learning)
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Teaching students with learning disabilities to solve word-problems: A comparison of a cognitive strategy and a traditional textbook method.
- Creator
- Lambert, Monica Ann., Florida Atlantic University, Taylor, Ronald L.
- Abstract/Description
-
The current emphasis in mathematics curricula is placed on mathematical applications to real-life word-problem solving. Therefore, it is critical that all secondary students receive instruction in problem solving. Although many mathematics textbooks provide steps for students to follow when solving word-problems they do not meet the needs of all students, especially those with learning disabilities (LD). Students with LD lack knowledge in cognitive and metacognitive strategies, although they...
Show moreThe current emphasis in mathematics curricula is placed on mathematical applications to real-life word-problem solving. Therefore, it is critical that all secondary students receive instruction in problem solving. Although many mathematics textbooks provide steps for students to follow when solving word-problems they do not meet the needs of all students, especially those with learning disabilities (LD). Students with LD lack knowledge in cognitive and metacognitive strategies, although they are able to use these strategies when taught. The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness of a cognitive problem solving strategy and a traditional textbook method in solving three-step word-problems consisting of whole numbers, decimals, fractions, and percents. Four teachers who taught two Specific Learning Disabilities (SLD) math classes volunteered to participate in the study. Each teacher taught one of his/her math classes the cognitive strategy and the other class the textbook method. A total of 76 students from grades 9 through 12 who attended a part-time SLD math class were used as subjects. The two groups were taught through direct instruction with scripted lessons. The cognitive strategy group was taught an eight-step strategy that included self-talking and self-questioning. The textbook method group was taught a traditional textbook method which consisted of a four-step plan. Treatment for both groups included a pretest, describing and modeling the strategy or method, verbally rehearsing the cognitive strategy or textbook method, practice solving word-problems, and a posttest of the three-step word-problems. The results indicated that there were no significant differences between the cognitive strategy and textbook method. However, the observed power was not sufficient to determine if there was or was not a treatment effect. Informal error analyses indicated subjects did perform better after direct instruction in solving word-problems. Although subjects were attempting to solve more problems, however, other types of errors were being made, such as choosing and using the wrong operation. This indicates students may need to be taught a strategy on how to choose the correct operation to solve word-problems.
Show less - Date Issued
- 1996
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12470
- Subject Headings
- Learning disabled--Education--Mathematics, Learning disabilities, Mathematics--Study and teaching (Secondary), Cognition in children
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Specific and non-specific cognitive operations as language options for memory questions: AnfMRI study.
- Creator
- Jantzen, McNeel Gordon., Florida Atlantic University, Ashworth, Sara
- Abstract/Description
-
In order for memory questions to accomplish the goals of questions, teachers need to determine specific content and cognitive goals for each question so that questions can direct learners' attention and reinforce an organizational structure for the encoding of information. The purpose of this study was to examine the language used in memory questions for assessment purposes and to examine whether different language options used when formulating memory questions engaged brain areas related to...
Show moreIn order for memory questions to accomplish the goals of questions, teachers need to determine specific content and cognitive goals for each question so that questions can direct learners' attention and reinforce an organizational structure for the encoding of information. The purpose of this study was to examine the language used in memory questions for assessment purposes and to examine whether different language options used when formulating memory questions engaged brain areas related to memory and cognition. The language of the questions can affect the cognitive process by which the answer is derived. The two language options that affect cognitive processes are non-specific and specific. This study supplements teachers' working knowledge of the methods and techniques for questioning by providing a basic understanding of cognitive processes that different questions can evoke. This study used techniques from neuroscience to test hypotheses derived directly from education-based theories of cognition in order to validate educational theory. Neuroscience provides knowledge about how the brain senses, processes, stores, and retrieves information. It also provides findings that can be translated into practical applications for the classroom. Therefore, the relationship between education and neuroscience contributes to effective planning, practices, and assessment; it allows a more comprehensive understanding of the difficulties and apprehensions associated with learning. The following study utilized fMRI to answer the general question of the relationship between the memory processes associated with specific and non-specific questions. Seventeen undergraduate and graduate students from a university in South Florida served as subjects. Subjects were presented with a stimulus consisting of specific questions, non-specific questions, and control statements. All questions/statements followed the design of 8 seconds to read the question/statement, 10 seconds to "think" about the answer to the question or the material presented in the statement, 4 seconds for response using a "yes" or "no" button, and a 12 second rest period. Images collected were analyzed using AFNI. Specific cognitive operations improved efficiency for the retrieval of information from memory. Results elucidate differences in neural activity associated with encoding processes and the retrieval of information from memory based on the language used in specific and non-specific questions.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2004
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FADT12115
- Subject Headings
- Cognitive learning, Education--Effect of technological innovations on, Experiential learning, Brain--Psychophysiology, Learning--Physiological aspects, Recollection (Psychology), Memory
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Brain dynamics and behavioral basis of a higher level cognitive task: number comparison.
- Creator
- Ballan, Meltem., Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Center for Complex Systems and Brain Sciences
- Abstract/Description
-
Number perception, its neural basis and its relationship to how numerical stimuli are presented have been challenging research topics in cognitive neuroscience for many years. A primary question that has been addressed is whether the perception of the quantity of a visually presented number stimulus is dissociable from its early visual perception. The present study examined the possible influence of visual quality judgment on quantity judgments of numbers. To address this issue, volunteer...
Show moreNumber perception, its neural basis and its relationship to how numerical stimuli are presented have been challenging research topics in cognitive neuroscience for many years. A primary question that has been addressed is whether the perception of the quantity of a visually presented number stimulus is dissociable from its early visual perception. The present study examined the possible influence of visual quality judgment on quantity judgments of numbers. To address this issue, volunteer adult subjects performed a mental number comparison task in which two-digit stimulus numbers (Arabic number format), among the numbers between 31 and 99 were mentally compared to a memorized reference number, 65. Reaction times (RTs) and neurophysiological (i.e. electroencephalographic (EEG) data) responses were acquired simultaneously during performance of the two-digit number comparison task. In this particular quantity comparison task, the number stimuli were classified into three distance factors. That is, numbers were a close, medium or far distance from the reference number (i.e., 65). In order to evaluate the relationship between numerical stimulus quantity and quality, the number stimuli were embedded in varying degrees of a typical visual noise form, known as "salt and pepper noise" (e.g., the visual noise one perceives when viewing a photograph taken with a dusty camera lens). In this manner, the visual noise permitted visual quality to be manipulated across three levels: no noise, medium noise (approximately 60% degraded visual quality from nonoise), and dense noise (75% degraded visual quality from no-noise)., The RTs provided the information about the overt responses; however, the temporal relationship of visual quality (starts earlier than quantity perception) and quantity were examined using eventrelated potentials (ERPs) extracted from continuous EEG recordings. The analysis of the RTs revealed that the judgment of number quantity is dependent upon visual number quality. In addition, the same effect was observed over the ERP components occurring between 100 ms and 300 ms after stimulus onset time over the posterior electrodes. Principal components analysis (PCA) and independent component analysis (ICA) methods were used to further analyze the ERP data. The consistent results of the PCA and ICA were used to represent the spatial brain dynamics, as well as to obtain temporal dynamics. The overall conclusion of the present study is that ERPs, ICs and PCs along with RTs suggested a strategy of quantitative perception (i.e., number comparison) based on the qualitative attributes of the stimuli highlighting the importance of the design of the task and the methodology
Show less - Date Issued
- 2010
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/2867328
- Subject Headings
- Cognitive neuroscience, Learning, Physiological aspects, Visual perception, Information visualization, Mathematics, Philosophy
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Functional constraints on young children's object problem solving.
- Creator
- Bidmead, Sarah, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Psychology
- Abstract/Description
-
Although some research has suggested that very young children are "immune" to functional fixedness (FF), other work has shown that young children form robust associations between objects and their prescribed functions. Across two studies, I investigated (a) the developmental trajectory of FF and (b) its relationship with executive function components (inhibitory control and working memory) in 3- to 6-year old children. Both older and younger children experience FF, but older children use...
Show moreAlthough some research has suggested that very young children are "immune" to functional fixedness (FF), other work has shown that young children form robust associations between objects and their prescribed functions. Across two studies, I investigated (a) the developmental trajectory of FF and (b) its relationship with executive function components (inhibitory control and working memory) in 3- to 6-year old children. Both older and younger children experience FF, but older children use familiar tools more flexibly than younger children (3- and 4-year olds). Furthermore, inhibitory control was related to overcoming FF, indicating that it may be an important cognitive capacity for creative problem-solving. Finally, in a third study, children were instructed to use mental imagery to help them solve the functional fixedness problems. However, these instructions were ineffective at reducing FF compared to a control condition, underscoring the robust nature of object-function relationships in early childhood.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2012
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/3359286
- Subject Headings
- Learning, Psychology of, Developmental psychology, Cognition in children, Visual perception in chldren
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- The nature of elementary students' science discourse and conceptual learning.
- Creator
- Parks, Melissa Y., College of Education, Department of Curriculum, Culture, and Educational Inquiry
- Abstract/Description
-
This qualitative study examined the nature of 5th-grade students' oral and written discourse in relation to their conceptual learning during six science inquiry-based lessons. Qualitative data were collected using small group observations, transcriptions of small group discourse, students' science notebooks, and student interviews. These data were used to create an in-depth illustration of 5th-grade students' discourse and the impact of that discourse on their science conceptual learning....
Show moreThis qualitative study examined the nature of 5th-grade students' oral and written discourse in relation to their conceptual learning during six science inquiry-based lessons. Qualitative data were collected using small group observations, transcriptions of small group discourse, students' science notebooks, and student interviews. These data were used to create an in-depth illustration of 5th-grade students' discourse and the impact of that discourse on their science conceptual learning. Findings indicated students spoke in three main discourse classifications during small group inquiries and two of these discourses were also present in the science notebook entries. Findings further indicated gender did not impact the nature of students' oral or written discourse regarding their conceptual learning. Implications for classroom practice and suggestions for further research in elementary science education are offered.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2011
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/3318675
- Subject Headings
- Science, Study and teaching (Elementary), Learning, Psychology of, Cognition in children
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- The Role of Dorsal Anterior Cingulate Cortex in the Motor Control.
- Creator
- Asemi, Avisa, Bressler, Steven L., Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Center for Complex Systems and Brain Sciences
- Abstract/Description
-
We sought to better understand human motor control by investigating functional interactions between the Supplementary Motor Area (SMA), dorsal Anterior Cingulate Cortex (dACC), and primary motor cortex (M1) in healthy adolescent participants performing visually coordinated unimanual finger-movement and n-back working memory tasks. We discovered modulation of the SMA by the dACC by analysis of fMRI BOLD time series recorded from the three ROIs (SMA, dACC, and M1) in each participant. Two...
Show moreWe sought to better understand human motor control by investigating functional interactions between the Supplementary Motor Area (SMA), dorsal Anterior Cingulate Cortex (dACC), and primary motor cortex (M1) in healthy adolescent participants performing visually coordinated unimanual finger-movement and n-back working memory tasks. We discovered modulation of the SMA by the dACC by analysis of fMRI BOLD time series recorded from the three ROIs (SMA, dACC, and M1) in each participant. Two measures of functional interaction were used: undirected functional connectivity was measured using the Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient (PMCC), and directed functional connectivity was measured from linear autoregressive (AR) models. In the first project, task-specific modulation of the SMA by the dACC was discovered while subjects performed a coordinated unimanual finger-movement task, in which the finger movement was synchronized with an exogenous visual stimulus. In the second project, modulation of the SMA by the dACC was found to be significantly greater in the finger coordination task than in an n-back working memory, in which the same finger movement signified a motor response indicating a 0-back or 2-back working memory match. We thus demonstrated in the first study that the dACC sends task-specific directed signals to the supplementary motor area, suggesting a role for the dACC in top-down motor control. Finally, the second study revealed that these signals were significantly greater in the coordinated motor task than in the n-back working memory task, suggesting that the modulation of the SMA by the dACC was associated with sustained, continuous motor production and/or motor expectation, rather than with the motor movement itself.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004478
- Subject Headings
- Brain mapping, Cerebral cortex -- Anatomy, Cognitive neuroscience, Computational neuroscience, Movement sequences, Perceptual motor learning, Sensorimotor integration
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- A comparison of typicality judgments of learning-disabled and nonlearning-disabled children.
- Creator
- Willits, Paula P., Florida Atlantic University, Smiley, Lydia R., Taylor, Ronald L.
- Abstract/Description
-
Typicality judgments refer to the extent to which items are thought to be typical of their language categories. For example, an apple is a typical fruit, whereas a kiwi is an atypical one. Typicality judgments help reveal a person's level of word knowledge and concept development. The theory of category prototypes (Posner, 1969) gave rise to the assessment of the typicality judgments of children and adults. The two main purposes of this study were to provide typicality norms for learning...
Show moreTypicality judgments refer to the extent to which items are thought to be typical of their language categories. For example, an apple is a typical fruit, whereas a kiwi is an atypical one. Typicality judgments help reveal a person's level of word knowledge and concept development. The theory of category prototypes (Posner, 1969) gave rise to the assessment of the typicality judgments of children and adults. The two main purposes of this study were to provide typicality norms for learning disabled (LD) children, and to clarify the nature of the differences between learning disabled and nondisabled (NLD) students regarding their word knowledge and categorization skills. A total of 210 subjects participated in the study; 180 were public school children (grades 2, 4, 6) from Palm Beach County, Florida. Half of these students attended part-time classes for the learning disabled while the other half were enrolled in regular classrooms. All children had achieved IQs in the average range of intelligence. The remainder of the subjects (30) were adult college students at Florida Atlantic University in Boca Raton. All subjects were asked to determine whether each of 125 words were category members, and if they were, how well each one exemplified the particular category in question. Categories included birds, clothing, vegetables, fruit, and four-footed animals. Results revealed that the LD children knew the meanings of fewer category items, included fewer appropriate words as category items, and were less adultlike in their rankings of words that were included as category members. Although both LD and NLD children's word rankings became more adultlike with age, the LD children's pattern of progression differed. For LD children, typicality ratings became significantly more adultlike between grades four and six, whereas the NLD subjects demonstrated significantly improved ratings between grades two and four. This different pattern illustrated a developmental lag in word knowledge for the LD children.
Show less - Date Issued
- 1991
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12279
- Subject Headings
- Categorization (Psychology) in children, Learning disabled children--Education--Language, Children--Language, Cognition in children
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- The Effect of Bilingualism and Aging on Inhibitory Control.
- Creator
- Salvatierra, Judy Lee, Florida Atlantic University, Rosselli, Monica, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Psychology
- Abstract/Description
-
Recent studies have suggested that bilingualism may provide an advantage to older adults on inhibitory control and have a positive effect on some cognitive declines seen in normal aging. This study examined the effects of bilingualism on inhibitory control using a Simon task and a Stroop task on a heterogeneous sample of bilinguals whose level of proficiency on each of their two languages varied widely. Comparison of performances between younger and older monolingual and bilingual...
Show moreRecent studies have suggested that bilingualism may provide an advantage to older adults on inhibitory control and have a positive effect on some cognitive declines seen in normal aging. This study examined the effects of bilingualism on inhibitory control using a Simon task and a Stroop task on a heterogeneous sample of bilinguals whose level of proficiency on each of their two languages varied widely. Comparison of performances between younger and older monolingual and bilingual participants revealed a bilingual advantage on the Simon task. Results support the view that bilingualism increases skills that are associated with selective attention. Additionally, older bilingual adults performed as well as younger bilingual adults suggesting they are not experiencing the age-related declines in the efficiency of inhibitory processes observed in the older monolingual adults. However, a bilingual advantage was not observed on the Stroop task indicating that the advantage may depend on the nature of the distracting stimulus. Bilinguals may be better equipped than monolinguals at inhibiting misleading spatial information but not at inhibiting misleading linguistic information. The performance of balanced and non-balanced bilinguals was similar under both Simon and Stroop tasks suggesting that language level proficiency does not play a role in providing an advantage.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2007
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00000877
- Subject Headings
- Language acquisition--Age factors, Cognition, Psycholinguistics, Bilingualism--Psychological aspects, Language transfer (Language learning)
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Children's adaptave strategies in a tool use task.
- Creator
- Weinstein, Allison., Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Psychology
- Abstract/Description
-
Problem solving and strategy adaptation was assessed in 47 children ranging from 36 to 67 months. This was evaluated through problem sets in which participants were given tools that failed to reach given goal states, and then instructed to select appropriate tools in order to reach desired results. Analyses revealed that when participants were given a choice of tools to solve a given problem, they were more likely to select a correct tool when options were similar in function and appearance....
Show moreProblem solving and strategy adaptation was assessed in 47 children ranging from 36 to 67 months. This was evaluated through problem sets in which participants were given tools that failed to reach given goal states, and then instructed to select appropriate tools in order to reach desired results. Analyses revealed that when participants were given a choice of tools to solve a given problem, they were more likely to select a correct tool when options were similar in function and appearance. Additionally, participants were more likely to verbalize the need for a new tool when there was a lack of novel tool choices. However, the presence of a novel tool choice was linked to longer problem solving time. Findings are congruent with literature that suggests children possess the ability to select tools based on functional, not superficial, qualities, and can be easily distracted by the presence of novel stimuli.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2012
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/3356896
- Subject Headings
- Learning, Psychology of, Educational tests and measurements, Cognition in children, Cognitive styles in children, Human information processing in children, Individual differences in children
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Antecedents and Outcomes of Language Choice in Bilingual Toddlers: A Longitudinal Study.
- Creator
- Ribot, Krystal M., Hoff, Erika, Florida Atlantic University, Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, Department of Psychology
- Abstract/Description
-
Bilingual children sometimes respond to their interlocutors using a different language than the one in which they were addressed. These language choices, their concurrent correlates, and relations to subsequent language growth were examined in 91 Spanish-English bilingual children (44 girls, 47 boys). Children's language choices were assessed at 30 months, and their English and Spanish productive vocabularies and receptive language skills were examined at the ages of 30, 36, and 42 months....
Show moreBilingual children sometimes respond to their interlocutors using a different language than the one in which they were addressed. These language choices, their concurrent correlates, and relations to subsequent language growth were examined in 91 Spanish-English bilingual children (44 girls, 47 boys). Children's language choices were assessed at 30 months, and their English and Spanish productive vocabularies and receptive language skills were examined at the ages of 30, 36, and 42 months. Children's language choices were concurrently related to English and Spanish productive and receptive language scores and to mothers' English and Spanish proficiency levels. Longitudinal multi-level modeling analyses indicated that children's language choices at 30 months were uniquely related to language growth on measures of English and Spanish productive vocabulary and Spanish receptive language, when controlling for language expo sure. These findings suggest that language use plays a causal role in language development. The findings of this study have implications for the maintenance of heritage languages in the U.S. and for the development of children's English language skills.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004540, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004540
- Subject Headings
- BilingualismĀ inĀ children, Code switching (Lingustics), Cognitive learning, LanguageĀ acquisition -- Parent participation, LanguageĀ transfer (LanguageĀ learning), SecondĀ languageĀ acquisition, Verbal abilityĀ inĀ children -- Testing
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- A Case Study of the Reported Use of Metacognitive Reading Strategies by Postsecondary Instructors of Developmental Reading Courses With Struggling Adult Readers to Increase Comprehension.
- Creator
- Drayton, Audrita, Baxley, Traci P., Florida Atlantic University, College of Education, Department of Curriculum, Culture, and Educational Inquiry
- Abstract/Description
-
This qualitative research study examined developmental reading instructors' reported use of metacognitive reading strategies as well as what other approaches they used to improve and increase the reading comprehension of their struggling adult readers. The researcher collected data using two interviews per participant and document analyses. Although studies have deemed metacognitive reading strategies effective in increasing the reading comprehension of struggling readers, the results...
Show moreThis qualitative research study examined developmental reading instructors' reported use of metacognitive reading strategies as well as what other approaches they used to improve and increase the reading comprehension of their struggling adult readers. The researcher collected data using two interviews per participant and document analyses. Although studies have deemed metacognitive reading strategies effective in increasing the reading comprehension of struggling readers, the results indicated that the participants did not typically instruct their struggling adult readers in the use of metacognitive reading strategies. The implications for the study were related to instructional practice in developmental reading courses, policy changes, and struggling readers.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004586, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004586
- Subject Headings
- Metacognition--Case studies., Reading comprehension--Case studies., Learning strategies--Case studies., Motivation in education--Case studies., Action research in education--Case studies., Cognitive learning--Case studies.
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- The effects of reciprocal teaching on the science literacy of intermediate elementary students in inclusive science classes.
- Creator
- DiLorenzo, Kim E., College of Education, Department of Exceptional Student Education
- Abstract/Description
-
Intermediate elementary students (grades 4 and 5) frequently struggle to become scientifically literate in their general education classrooms. Scientific literacy includes knowing how to access and use information found in science texts. Unfortunately, many students struggle to read and understand science texts (Michalsky, Mevarech, & Haibi, 2009, p. 363). Fortunately, elementary students have shown improvement in reading comprehension when explicitly instructed in cognitive and metacognitive...
Show moreIntermediate elementary students (grades 4 and 5) frequently struggle to become scientifically literate in their general education classrooms. Scientific literacy includes knowing how to access and use information found in science texts. Unfortunately, many students struggle to read and understand science texts (Michalsky, Mevarech, & Haibi, 2009, p. 363). Fortunately, elementary students have shown improvement in reading comprehension when explicitly instructed in cognitive and metacognitive strategies to comprehend expository text in settings that support collaboration and flexible application of comprehension strategies, and have meaningful opportunities for reading and writing (Mastropieri & Scruggs, 2004; Palincsar & Klenk, 1992). A method that includes these components is reciprocal teaching (RT; National Reading Panel, 2000). RT has been used during content area instruction to increase reading comprehension skills of intermediate elementary students without disabilities in general education classrooms (King & Johnson, 1999; Lederer, 2000; Lubliner, 2004). These reading comprehension gains have been maintained by students on follow-up tests after the RT intervention has been withdrawn (Palincsar & Brown, 1984; Westera & Moore, 1995). This study examined the effects of RT on the science literacy of intermediate elementary students (grades 4-5) participating in inclusive science classes. Students with learning disabilities (SWLD), students at-risk (AR), and students in general education (GE) participated in this study. General education teachers used RT with science texts to improve science literacy. Pre/post science quizzes were used to assess the effects of the RT intervention, and post/follow-up tests assessed potential maintenance of the RT. s, Analyses of the data showed that the RT intervention resulted in improved science comprehension overall, and for each student group. In addition, the results showed that the gains were maintained for the individual student grouping after the RT intervention was removed, although these gains were not found overall.The study demonstrated that the use of RT during science instruction in inclusive, intermediate elementary classes assisted students who are AR, SWLD, and students in GE to attain science knowledge using standard science texts and materials. These results extend the experimental literature on science literacy and reciprocal teaching, particularly among intermediate elementary students.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2010
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/2975244
- Subject Headings
- Science, Study and teaching (Elementary), Thought and thinking, Study and teaching (Elementary), Language arts (Elementary), Correlation with content subjects, Inquiry-based learning, Cognitive learning, Academic achievement, Interdisciplinary approach in education
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Teacher perceptions of response to intervention for English learners.
- Creator
- McCahill, Tiffany Patella, Burnaford, Gail, Florida Atlantic University, College of Education, Department of Curriculum, Culture, and Educational Inquiry
- Abstract/Description
-
The current qualitative study focuses on how teachers perceive the Response to Intervention (RtI) framework for English learners, specifically assessments and the instructional decision-making process. RtI serves as a framework to help āclose the gapā and create a more equitable environment for struggling English learners (Florida Department of Education, 2008). The current study explored elementary school general education teachersā perceptions and understanding of the RtI process for...
Show moreThe current qualitative study focuses on how teachers perceive the Response to Intervention (RtI) framework for English learners, specifically assessments and the instructional decision-making process. RtI serves as a framework to help āclose the gapā and create a more equitable environment for struggling English learners (Florida Department of Education, 2008). The current study explored elementary school general education teachersā perceptions and understanding of the RtI process for English learners. Eight elementary general education teachers participated in two interview sessions each to address what general education teachers know about the RtI process for English learners, how teachers report their interpretation of policies and procedures with respect to instruction and assessment of English learners, how teachers feel about their understanding of RtI, and how teachers feel about their understanding of instruction and assessment for English learners. Teacher participants shared their knowledge of the importance of progress monitoring and data collection during the RtI process. Participants reported that progress monitoring and data collection were used to inform instructional decisions for English learners. Participants also provided insight into a shift in teacher accountability related to data collection and progress monitoring. Teacher participants addressed elements of the RtI process: three tiers of RtI, evidence-based interventions, data and data collection, and progress monitoring. Based on teacher responses, teachers monitor student progress, but find some elements of progress monitoring unclear. Participants expressed concern about measuring student progress and the means used to demonstrate growth and to compare struggling students to the performance of peers in the same grade level. The RtI framework includes targeted interventions for struggling students, and participants perceive that RtI helps to identify students with disabilities earlier. Participants reported benefits and drawbacks related to RtI. The participants specifically focused on the collaborative problem solving team as a beneficial support system for teachers navigating the RtI process. Teachers reported perceptions on language acquisition and learning disabilities, adjustment time for English learners, assessments for English learners, parental involvement and experiences, instruction for English learners, and professional development and support for the instruction of English learners.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004215, http://purl.flvc.org/fau/fd/FA00004215
- Subject Headings
- Cognitive styles in children, Education, Bilingual, English language -- Study and teaching -- Foreign speakers, English language -- Study and teaching as a second language, Individual differences, Language teachers, Training of, Response to intervention (Learning disabled children), Second language acquisition
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Effects of teaching mathematics to learning style perceptual preference on academic achievement of seventh-grade middle school students.
- Creator
- Colarulli, Rosemary, Florida Atlantic University, Kerensky, Vasil M.
- Abstract/Description
-
Teaching methods that are effective with some students, fail with other students, because students perceive and process information differently. The personal preference by which one perceives and processes new material is called one's learning style. Using the Dunn and Dunn Learning Style Inventory assessment instrument, the learning style perceptual preference of 262 seventh grade students from a large, urban, middle school in southeast Florida were identified. This research investigated the...
Show moreTeaching methods that are effective with some students, fail with other students, because students perceive and process information differently. The personal preference by which one perceives and processes new material is called one's learning style. Using the Dunn and Dunn Learning Style Inventory assessment instrument, the learning style perceptual preference of 262 seventh grade students from a large, urban, middle school in southeast Florida were identified. This research investigated the effects of teaching mathematics to the preferred perceptual preference of these students in terms of academic achievement. Four teachers were trained in the Dunn and Dunn learning style teaching model to acquaint them with the experimental treatment used in this study. A pretest-posttest design was used to observe the mean gain in achievement scores on a 25-element assessment between students taught using a traditional teaching format and those taught in the learning style treatment approach. All students in the experimental group were first introduced to new mathematics material with a global story and taught in their primary learning style perceptual preference: (a) auditory, (b) tactile, (c) kinesthetic, or (d) visual. The material was reinforced through their secondary preference and a creative, student-constructed project was shared with the classmates. Several two-way factorial analyses of variance were used to study the treatment effect on the dependent variable. Neither the main effect for treatment nor the interactions between treatment and demographic variables (race, gender, learning styles) were significant at the.05 level. Within the context of this study, teaching through a student's perceptual learning style preference does not appear to be significantly more effective than teaching in a traditional manner.
Show less - Date Issued
- 1998
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/12552
- Subject Headings
- Learning, Psychology of
- Format
- Document (PDF)