The Role of Attention Shifting in Orthographic Competencies: Cross-Sectional Findings from 1st, 3rd, and 8th Grade Students

Attention shifting refers to one core component of executive functions, a set of higher-order cognitive processes that predict different aspects of academic achievement. To date, few studies have investigated the role of attention shifting in orthographic competencies during middle childhood and early adolescence. In the present study, 69 first-grade, 121 third-grade, and 85 eighth-grade students' attention shifting was tested with a computer version of the Dimensional Change Card Sort (DCCS; Zelazo, 2006). General spelling skills and specific writing and spelling strategies were assessed with the Hamburger Writing Test (May, 2002). Results suggested associations between attention shifting and various orthographic competencies that differ across age groups and by sex. Across all age groups, better attention shifting was associated with less errors in applying alphabetical strategies. In third graders, better attention shifting was furthermore related to better general spelling skills and less errors in using orthographical strategies. In this age group, associations did not differ by sex. Among first graders, attention shifting was negatively related to general spelling skills, but only for boys. In contrast, attention shifting was positively related to general spelling skills in eighth graders, but only for girls. Finally, better attention shifting was associated with less case-related errors in eighth graders, independent of students' sex. In sum, the data provide insight into both variability and consistency in the pattern of relations between attention shifting and various orthographic competencies among elementary and middle school students

Lernräume adaptiv gestalten. Ein blickbewegungsbasierter Ansatz

Beim Lernen mit Multimedia werden Lernende mit einer Vielzahl an Informationen in unterschiedlichen Darbietungsformaten konfrontiert, die zur Konstruktion eines elaborierten mentalen Modells zusammengeführt und miteinander verbunden werden müssen. Auf Grund individueller Lernvoraussetzungen stellt diese Aufgabe Lernende vor unterschiedliche Herausforderungen. Hier sollten den Lernenden passend zu ihren Lernvoraussetzungen Unterstützungsmaßnahmen angeboten werden. Im Folgenden wird das Konzept für ein adaptives multimediales Lernsystem vorgestellt, in welchem Blickbewegungsparameter zur adaptiven Anpassung eines multimedialen Lernraums an die Voraussetzungen des Lernenden eingesetzt werden. (DIPF/Orig.

A growth mindset lowers perceived cognitive load and improves learning : Integrating motivation to cognitive load

Many large-scale, school-based interventions have attempted to improve academic performance through promoting students’ growth mindset, defined as the belief that one’s intellectual ability can increase with practice and time. However, most have shown weak to no effects. Thus, it is important to examine how growth mindset might affect retention and transfer of learning, as well as process-related variables such as cognitive load. In a double-blind, randomized controlled experiment based on 138 secondary school students, the effects of an experimentally induced growth mindset belief were examined during a learning phase in a classroom setting. Participants in the growth mindset condition perceived a lower intrinsic load and extraneous load and performed better on retention and transfer tests. Students with some prior knowledge also reported a higher mastery goal orientation. Supplementary mediation analysis suggested that the effect on transfer could be fully accounted for by changes in cognitive load perceptions. Future interventions may benefit from designs that promote motivational beliefs that reduce intrinsic and extraneous cognitive load perceptions. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2020 APA, all rights reserved