Programa de entrenamiento en potencial de aprendizaje para niños colombianos con dificultades de aprendizaje en Matemáticas / Dynamic assessment program for Colombian children with learning disabilities in Mathematics (LDM)

Resumen Las dificultades de aprendizaje en Matemáticas (DAM) han sido estudiadas por parte de los investigadores en los últimos años. La literatura sobre su clasificación y su identificación en niños ha sido relevante; sin embargo, es poca la bibliografía actual acerca de cómo superar dichas dificultades en niños. El presente estudio tuvo como objetivo la validación de un protocolo para mejorar habilidades en el campo de las matemáticas. La muestra se componía de 59 niños con esta característica, además del bajo rendimiento en dicha área. Los participantes tenían entre 7 y 10 años y estaban cursando entre segundo y cuarto año de primaria. El diseño es cuasiexperimental con medidas pretest-postest y grupo control en lista de espera. El programa constó de cinco semanas, con una sesión semanal de forma grupal con una duración de 50 minutos aproximadamente. Los instrumentos de evaluación fueron: TEDI-MATH para la identificación de las DAM y tres subpruebas de la WISC-IV, dígitos, conceptos y claves. Los resultados de la investigación arrojaron diferencias significativas entre el grupo control y experimental para todas las pruebas de la TEDI-MATH y para la subprueba de conceptos en WISC-IV. Los resultados son coherentes con otras investigaciones relacionadas con la comorbilidad entre los campos del lenguaje y las matemáticas. Se concluye que, al entrenar aspectos relacionados con la adquisición del lenguaje mejora la comprensión y el manejo de las competencias en matemáticas en los niños.

Abstract Learning Disabilities Mathematical LDM, have been the subject of study since the decade of the 70`s, advances in this field have allowed a correct identification and classification through the design of various instruments for this objective. The number of investigations that address intervention protocols to improve this type of difficulties in children is even more limited. On this way, comorbidities have also been found different researches with the Language Learning Disabilities LLD, and as well as their relationship with the neurological development of children. It is estimated that in countries like Germany, USA, and Spain, the percentage of children with LDM is between 3% and 8%. In particular, in Colombia at the moment, there is very little research that allows identifying these difficulties in children, as well as very little research on the different types of intervention to improve these difficulties in Math. In General, there are little current literature on how to overcome such difficulties in children. An intervention based on the perspective of dynamic assessment would be useful for children who have these difficulties. The dynamic assessment implies two important concepts: activity and modifiability. The tester and the inquired assume an active role, where the tester intervenes and modifies the interaction with the inquired with the purpose of successfully inducing learning. The inquired is directed and reinforced to assume an active role in searching and organizing information. The product of the assessment is modifiability or change in cognitive functioning. This study presents the validation of a protocol based on dynamic assessment to improve skills in the field of mathematics. The sample was 59 Colombian children from public schools in the city of Bogotá. Participants were between 7 to 10 years old and from second to fourth grade. They had Mathematics Learning Difficulties in evaluated with TEDI-MATH on short version. They were distributed in 28 boys and 31 girls with this characteristic. And children who were undergoing psychological, medicated and/or clinical treatment processes were excluded. The design used was quasi-experimental with pretest-posttest measures and control group on the waiting list. The program considered five weeks, with one weekly session of group with a duration of approximately 50 minutes. The evaluation instruments were: TEDI-MATH which was used for the identification of the MLD; 3 sub tests of the WISC-IV, digits, concepts and keys. And PAMATH-C protocol was used for the intervention with children with the aforementioned difficulties. The results of the investigation showed significant differences between the control and experimental group for all the TEDI-MATH tests and for the subtest of concepts in WISC-IV. The results are consistent with other research related to comorbidity between the fields of language and mathematics. The results showed that like other research based interventions with Learning Potential training programs are effective in improving the different metacognitive abilities among the participants. and has a significant effect on the decrease in Mathematical Learning Disabilities. This research leaves projections for an application to a larger population in Colombia and in South America of the TEDYMATH test on short version, since good discrimination was observed for children with LDM. The application of the PAMATH-C protocol in other types of rural and urban population throughout the territories will improve the identification of children with difficulties. In addition, the contribution for the design of new tests based on dynamic evaluation and its form of application to improve other types of difficulties in both children and adults. Therefore, an immense methodological field to develop future protocols based on the Learning Potential. It is concluded that when training aspects related to language acquisition, it improves the understanding and management of mathematics in children.

La evaluación dinámica y las potencialidades para el aprendizaje: recorrido conceptual y perspectivas de desarrollo / Dynanic assesment and learning potential: concetual overview and development perspectives

El presente trabajo se desprende del Proyecto de Tesis Doctoral: "Posibilidades y límites en el aprendizaje: el WISC-IV desde la evaluación dinámica", que se encuadra en la perspectiva de la Evaluación Dinámica (ED) de las capacidades intelectuales en función de reconocer las potencialidades de los sujetos con dificultades de aprendizaje y las intervenciones más apropiadas para potenciarlas. En este artículo se plantean los fundamentos teóricos y los principales modelos de la ED, y se desarrolla una categorización de los estudios en función de los aspectos metodológicos. Por último, se examinan las ventajas de este enfoque y las críticas que recibe, reconociendo que se ha difundido ampliamente en las últimas décadas y que numerosos estudios han puesto de manifiesto su validez y utilidad, en particular para abordar las problemáticas en el aprendizaje.

This work stems from the doctoral thesis project "Possibilities and limits on learning: the WISC-IV in the dynamic assessment perspective". It adopts the framework of Dynamic Assessment of intellectual ability to recognize the potential of subjects with learning difficulties and the most appropriate interventions to maximize that potential. This article sets out to review the theoretical bases and the main models of Dynamic Assessment. Studies in this field are categorized in terms of methodological aspects. Finally, the advantages of this approach and the criticism it has received are reviewed, acknowledging the fact that it has gained growing prestige over the last few decades, and a large number of studies have proved its validity and usefulness, in particular to approach learning difficulties.

Valoración de un programa de habilidades interpersonales en niños superdotados / Evaluation of an interpersonal skills program in gifted children

Algunos trabajos de investigación informan que cierto número de niños superdotados muestran problemas de adaptación social y habilidades sociales e interpersonales, mientras que otros consideran que esto no ocurre. Partiendo de lo anterior, Neihart, Reis, Robinson y Moon (2002) hablan de enfoque de resiliencia versus enfoque de riesgo. En este trabajo se considera el beneficio de aplicar programas de entrenamiento en habilidades interpersonales en niños superdotados para prevenir posibles problemas. Por ello, se pretende valorar la eficacia de un programa de entrenamiento en resolución de problemas interpersonales en esta población. En esta investigación participaron 40 niños superdotados de edades comprendidas entre 7 y 13 años, divididos en un grupo tratamiento y un grupo control de lista de espera. Los resultados mostraron diferencias significativas en las medidas de valoración directa en el grupo tratamiento tras la aplicación del programa. También se detectaron diferencias significativas entre el grupo tratamiento y el grupo control en las medidas postratamiento a favor del primero, y se confirmó la relación del potencial de aprendizaje de los niños con los beneficios obtenidos. En definitiva, el programa de entrenamiento se muestra eficaz en la mejora de las habilidades de solución de problemas interpersonales evaluadas en niños superdotados.

Certain research studies report that a number of gifted children show social adaptation issues, as well as problems with social and interpersonal skills, while others consider that this does not occur. In this regard, Neihart, Reis, Robinson and Moon (2002) speaks of a resilience approach versus a risk approach. From the risk viewpoint, this paper presents the benefits of applying training programs in interpersonal skills as to prevent potential problems in gifted children. For this reason, we aim to evaluate the effectiveness of a training program for solving interpersonal problems in this population. Participants include 40 gifted children aged 7 to 13, divided into a treatment group and a control - waitlisted - group. Program application results show significant differences in direct assessment measurements in the treatment group. An increase in effect sizes between the treatment group and the control group is also detected, in favor of the former, and a relationship between the children's learning potential and the benefits obtained is also confirmed. In short, the training program proves effective in interpersonal problem-solving skill improvement in children with high intellectual capacity.

Estudo correlacional do teste dinâmico de leitura com o teste Wisc III / Correlational study of the dynamic test in reading with Wisc III test / Estudio correlacional del test dinámico de lectura con el test Wisc III

O presente estudo buscou avaliar o potencial de aprendizagem de alunos do ensino fundamental por meio do teste dinâmico de leitura (TDL) e identificar evidências de validade convergente para o TDL, correlacionando-o com o Wisc III. O TDL é um instrumento informatizado, aplicado sem interrupção, constituído por um pré-teste, um módulo instrucional (composto por orientações e treinos) e um pós-teste. Participaram do estudo 86 alunos com faixa etária entre 10 e 14 anos que cursavam de 4ª a 7ª série em uma escola pública do interior do Estado de São Paulo. As aplicações foram realizadas na própria escola e ocorreram em três sessões, sendo o Wisc III individualmente nas duas primeiras sessões, e o TDL coletivamente na terceira sessão. Os resultados não constataram diferença de desempenho entre pré e pós-testes, mas indicaram que o módulo instrucional do TDL se mostrou eficiente para aferir o potencial para a aprendizagem. Verificou-se correlação entre as pontuações do TDL com o QI compreensão verbal do Wisc III, indicando evidências de validade para o TDL. Constatou-se também diferença significativa entre as médias de desempenho na avaliação inicial do TDL dos alunos mais novos em relação aos mais velhos pela Manova. Sugere-se que, para posteriores estudos, haja uma reformulação do TDL no que tange às medidas de pré e pós-testes, para que estas possam aferir o potencial de aprendizagem mobilizado pelo módulo instrucional. Também se faz necessária a ampliação da amostra.

The present study aimed to evaluate the learning potential of students in the middle school, identifying evidences of validity for the Dynamic Test in Reading (DTiR) by correlation with the Wisc II. The DTiR is a computer assessment, with a continued application with a pre and post test and a instructional module between the assessments. 86 subjects, aging from 10 to 14 years old, took part in this study. All of them were attending classes f rom the 4th grade to the 7th grade in a public school in São Paulo state. The applications took place in the school itself in three sessions, being the Wisc III individually in the first two sessions, and the DTiR, collectively, in the last one. The results show that there was no significant statistic difference between the pre and the post-test, however instructional module was effective to assess the students' potential learn. It was verified a correlation between the scores of the DTiR with the Wisc III, showing evidences of validity to the DTiR. A significant statistic difference was also identified in the performance averages in the initial evaluation of the DTiR if the younger students compared to the older ones, according to Manova. However, it is suggested that the instrument of evaluation comprehension used in the pre and post-test of the DTiR be revised, what was not necessary to assess the potential of the learning obtained or to augment the population sample researched with the purpose of generalizing the results.

Este estúdio evaluó el potencial de aprendizaje de los estudiantes de primaria hasta lo test dinámico de lectura (TDL) y para identificar las pruebas de validez convergente para el TDL en correlación con el Wisc III. El TDL es un instrumento computarizado, aplicados sin interrupción, de los cuales un pre-test, un módulo de instrucción (que consiste em directrices y capacitación) y un post-test. Los participantes fueron 86 estudiantes de edades comprendidas entre 10 y 14 años que asistieron a la 4º a 7º grado en una escuela pública em el estado de Sao Paulo. Las aplicaciones se hicieron en la escuela y se llevó a cabo en três sesiones, y el Wisc III por separado en las dos primeras sesiones, y el TDL colectivamente en el tercer período de sesiones. Los resultados no mostraron diferencias en los resultados entre el pre y post-test, pero indicó que el módulo de instrucción TDL fue suficiente para evaluar el potencial de aprendizagem.Verificou correlación entre las puntuaciones de los TDL con el coeficiente intelectual de la comprensión verbal del Wisc III indicando las pruebas de validez para el TDL. También fue una diferencia significativa entre el desempeño promedio de la evaluación inicial de la TDL de los estudiantes más jóvenes en relación con La edad mediante Manova. Se sugiere que para realizar nuevos estudios, hay una reformulación de lo TDL, en términos de las medidas pre-y post prueba, para que puedan evaluar el potencial de aprendizaje movilizados por el módulo de instrucción. También es importante ampliar la muestra.

The effects of basal ganglia stroke on implicit learning / 中华行为医学与脑科学杂志

Objectives To gain a deeper understanding of the role of the basal ganglia in implicit learning by examining Weather Prediction Category Learning Task among patients with basal ganglia stroke.Methods Seventeen patients with basal ganglia stroke including eight cases of left basal ganglia lesions and nine cases of right basal ganglia lesions.Ten cases without brain damage were used as contr0l.All of the subjects were tested by use of Weather Prediction Category Learning Task(WPCLT) and Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST)in 3 consecutive days.Results The patients with right basal ganglia lesions were consistently impaired compared with the controls((52.72±5.57)%vs(61.85±8.49)%,F=3.55,P=0.048);(55.83±4.52)%vs(71.85±10.89)%,F=7.74,P=0.003);(62.33±7.70)%vs(80.15±6.67)%,F=10.96,P=0.001)),and the patients with right basal ganglia lesions were impaired in the last day(F=10.96,P=0.009).But in patients of left and right basal ganglia lesions,the learning potential of WPCLT decreased significantly compared with the control(P<0.01).In the control group,the WPCLT total number of correct and WCST Number of Categories Completed were hishly related in the second day.The WPCLT total number of correct correlated significantly with Percent Errors and Number of Categories Completed of WCST in the third day.Conclusion The basal ganglia lesions may decrease implicit learning,and the bottom-up(implicit-to-explicit)learning pattern is impaired in patients with basal ganglia lesions.