The Soifer (formerly Colorado) Mathematical Olympiad, why it was founded, bridge between its problems and mathematics, and lives of its winners: an essay

Abstract. Performance-approach goals (i.e., the desire to outperform others) have been found to be positive predictors of test performance, but research has also revealed that they predict surface learning strategies. The present research investigates whether the high academic performance of students who strongly adopt performance-approach goals stems from test anticipation and preparation, which most educational settings render possible since examinations are often scheduled in advance. We set up a longitudinal design for an experiment conducted in high-school classrooms within the context of two science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines, namely, physics and chemistry. First, we measured performance-approach goals. Then we asked students to take a test that had either been announced a week in advance (enabling strategic preparation) or not. The expected interaction between performance-approach goal endorsement and test anticipation was moderated by the students’ initial level: The interaction appeared only among low achievers for whom the pursuit of performance-approach goals predicted greater performance – but only when the test had been scheduled. Conversely, high achievers appeared to have adopted a regular and steady process of course content learning whatever their normative goal endorsement. This suggests that normative strivings differentially influence the study strategies of low and high achievers.

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Working Memory and Number Sense as Predictors of Mathematical (Dis-)Ability

Zeitschrift für Psychologie ◽

10.1027/2151-2604/a000208 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 223 (2) ◽

pp. 102-109 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Evelyn H. Kroesbergen ◽

Marloes van Dijk

Keyword(s):

Working Memory ◽

Learning Disabilities ◽

Spatial Working Memory ◽

Number Sense ◽

Mathematical Learning ◽

Visual Spatial ◽

Mathematical Learning Disabilities ◽

Visual Spatial Working Memory ◽

And Mathematics

Recent research has pointed to two possible causes of mathematical (dis-)ability: working memory and number sense, although only few studies have compared the relations between working memory and mathematics and between number sense and mathematics. In this study, both constructs were studied in relation to mathematics in general, and to mathematical learning disabilities (MLD) in particular. The sample consisted of 154 children aged between 6 and 10 years, including 26 children with MLD. Children performing low on either number sense or visual-spatial working memory scored lower on math tests than children without such a weakness. Children with a double weakness scored the lowest. These results confirm the important role of both visual-spatial working memory and number sense in mathematical development.

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Work Engagement and Research Output Among Female and Male Scientists

Journal of Personnel Psychology ◽

10.1027/1866-5888/a000150 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 15 (2) ◽

pp. 55-65 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Lonneke Dubbelt ◽

Sonja Rispens ◽

Evangelia Demerouti

Keyword(s):

Work Engagement ◽

Research Output ◽

Research Performance ◽

Daily Work ◽

Time Control ◽

Science Technology ◽

And Performance ◽

And Mathematics ◽

Number Of Publications ◽

The Relationship

Abstract. Women have a minority position within science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and, consequently, are likely to face more adversities at work. This diary study takes a look at a facilitating factor for women’s research performance within academia: daily work engagement. We examined the moderating effect of gender on the relationship between two behaviors (i.e., daily networking and time control) and daily work engagement, as well as its effect on the relationship between daily work engagement and performance measures (i.e., number of publications). Results suggest that daily networking and time control cultivate men’s work engagement, but daily work engagement is beneficial for the number of publications of women. The findings highlight the importance of work engagement in facilitating the performance of women in minority positions.

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