Divergent Thinking: The Performance of Students with Visual Impairments on Abstract and Scenario-Based Tasks and Their Correlates

2020 ◽  
Vol 114 (4) ◽  
pp. 301-314
Author(s):  
Kim T. Zebehazy ◽  
Rachel C. Weber ◽  
Meagan Murphy ◽  
Aisha Ghani
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
Divergent Thinking ◽  
Core Curriculum ◽  
Low Vision ◽  
Visual Impairments ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Strong Relationship ◽  
Crucial Component ◽  
Technology Instruction ◽  
Practice Opportunities

Introduction: Divergent thinking is a crucial component of effective problem-solving. This study investigated the divergent thinking of students with visual impairments (i.e., blindness or low vision) in three countries and explored the correlates of their performance on two tasks. Methods: A sample of 52 students with visual impairments completed two divergent thinking tasks, one traditional Alternate Uses task, and one scenario-based task created for this study. Each student’s teacher of students with visual impairments completed a questionnaire containing demographic, curriculum, and student characteristics. Results: Of the correlates examined, teacher-rated academic independence, working on grade level, number of expanded core curriculum (ECC) areas of instruction currently received, and ongoing receipt of assistive technology instruction were significantly related to task performance. Discussion: Findings demonstrate the strong relationship between real-life problem-solving, divergent thinking, and academic functioning in students with visual impairments. Further investigation is needed about the relationship between aspects of problem-solving instruction and student outcomes as they relate to divergent thinking. Implications for practitioners: Given the connection of divergent thinking to overall problem-solving ability, teachers should assess these skills in students. Using similar scenario-based real-life tasks, they can also incorporate practice opportunities for divergent thinking within ECC instruction.

The Expanded Core Curriculum Areas Experienced by Campers during Camp Abilities: A Qualitative Study

2021 ◽  
Vol 115 (1) ◽  
pp. 28-41
Author(s):  
Lauren J. Lieberman ◽  
Katie Ericson ◽  
Maria Lepore-Stevens ◽  
Karen Wolffe
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Independent Living ◽  
Core Curriculum ◽  
Low Vision ◽  
Visual Impairments ◽  
Structured Learning ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Expanded Core Curriculum ◽  
Children With Visual Impairments

Introduction: The expanded core curriculum (ECC) refers to the generally accepted nine areas of instruction that children who are visually impaired (i.e., those who are blind or have low vision) must learn through explicit instruction in order to live independently as adults. Children with visual impairments must experience immersion in the ECC in their daily lives throughout the year rather than only being taught these skills during the school year by teachers of students with visual impairments. Therefore, this research was undertaken to determine whether athletes attending Camp Abilities, a sports camp for children with visual impairments, experienced new ECC skills or practiced previously learned ECC skills and if so, how. Method: Researchers chose to interview 10 athletes from a purposeful sample of 30 children who had previously attended camp. The 10 coaches who worked with these athletes one-on-one participated in focus group discussions at the end of the weeklong camp. In addition, all athletes and coaches attending camp listed their thoughts on posters describing how all athletes attending experienced areas of the ECC. Finally, researchers documented observations of athletes’ opportunities to practice ECC content throughout the weeklong program. Researchers transcribed interviews and focus group discussions and reviewed for themes relating to ECC areas that were part of the students’ lived experience during camp. Results: Three major conclusions emerged from reviews of the interviews, discussion group transcripts, posters, and observations: (1) athletes and coaches were initially unclear about what the ECC areas were and how the athletes experienced the ECC in their everyday academic and home activities; (2) following clarification of the ECC areas, the athletes came to recognize how they learned and applied ECC skills during the camp experience; and (3) a more structured instructional approach to applying the ECC at camp may further enhance their experiences. Discussion: The youth participants were not able to list and describe all of the ECC areas when interviewed at the end of camp. However, adult participants (coaches) listed most ECC areas and described how athletes experienced the ECC during camp in their focus group discussions. Once researchers clarified ECC areas for athletes, they identified self-determination, recreation and leisure, social interaction, and independent living as the areas of the ECC most often experienced during camp. Implications for practitioners: Practitioners need to pay attention to structured learning of the ECC areas and consider articulating for students which areas overlap in their everyday lives, so that they are fully aware of the multiple skills they are acquiring. Camp Abilities is a functional way for youths with visual impairments to experience all areas of the ECC.

Promoting Self-Determination for Students with Visual Impairments: A Review of the Literature

2019 ◽  
Vol 113 (2) ◽  
pp. 100-113
Author(s):  
Jennifer L. Cmar ◽  
Kasey Markoski
Keyword(s):  
Literature Review ◽  
Quality Indicators ◽  
Core Curriculum ◽  
Transition Planning ◽  
Low Vision ◽  
Single Case ◽  
Visual Impairments ◽  
Self Determination ◽  
Self Advocacy ◽  
Quasi Experimental

Introduction: Self-determination is a highly valued but under-researched component of the expanded core curriculum for students with visual impairments. In this study, the authors present results of a literature review on self-determination for children and youths with visual impairments (i.e., those who are blind or have low vision). Method: Self-determination studies were identified through searches of electronic databases for articles published from 2003 to 2016. Two researchers reviewed the articles and rated them in terms of quality indicators for research in special education. Results: Eleven articles, using correlational, qualitative, group experimental or quasi-experimental, and single-case research designs, met inclusion criteria for this literature review. Adherence to the quality indicators varied from 33% to 100%. Discussion: Students with visual impairments need age-appropriate opportunities to develop self-determination skills in school, home, and community settings. Short-term, focused programs and interventions may be promising methods for teaching self-determination skills; however, more research needs to be conducted to establish evidence-based practices in this area. Implications for practitioners: Practitioners can facilitate development of self-determination skills by supporting students in making decisions affecting their lives, encouraging involvement of students in the education and transition planning processes, and promoting self-advocacy.

scholarly journals Insomnia and intellect mask the positive link between schizotypal traits and creativity

PeerJ ◽  
2018 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
pp. e5615 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bertalan Polner ◽  
Péter Simor ◽  
Szabolcs Kéri
Keyword(s):  
Mental Health ◽  
Problem Solving ◽  
Cognitive Control ◽  
Sleep Disturbances ◽  
Divergent Thinking ◽  
Short Term Memory ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Short Term ◽  
Term Memory ◽  
Remote Association

Background Schizotypy is a set of personality traits that resemble the signs and symptoms of schizophrenia in the general population, and it is associated with various subclinical mental health problems, including sleep disturbances. Additionally, dimensions of schizotypy show specific but weak associations with creativity. Given that creativity demands cognitive control and mental health, and that sleep disturbances negatively impact cognitive control, we predicted that positive, impulsive and disorganised schizotypy will demonstrate stronger associations with indicators of creativity, if the effect of mental health, insomnia, and intellect are statistically controlled. Methods University students (N = 182) took part in the study. Schizotypy was assessed with the shortened Oxford-Liverpool Inventory of Feelings and Experiences (sO-LIFE). Creative achievements were measured with the Creative Achievement Questionnaire (CAQ), divergent thinking was assessed with the ‘Just suppose’ task, and remote association problem solving was tested with Compound Remote Associate (CRA) problems. Mental health was assessed with the 12-item version of the General Health Questionnaire (GHQ-12), and insomnia was examined with the Athens Insomnia Scale (AIS). Verbal short term memory was measured with the forward digit span task, and intellect was assessed with the Rational-Experiential Inventory (REI). Multiple linear regressions were performed to examine the relationship between creativity and schizotypy. Indicators of creativity were the dependent variables. In the first block, dimensions of schizotypy, age, gender and smoking were entered, and in the second block, the models were extended with mental health, insomnia, verbal short term memory, and intellect. Results Positive schizotypy positively predicted real-life creative achievements, independently from the positive effect of intellect. Follow-up analyses revealed that positive schizotypy predicted creative achievements in art, while higher disorganised schizotypy was associated with creative achievements in science (when intellect was controlled for). Furthermore, disorganised schizotypy positively predicted remote association problem solving performance, if insomnia and verbal short term memory were statistically controlled. No dimension of schizotypy was significantly associated with divergent thinking. Discussion In line with previous findings, positive schizotypy predicted real-life creative achievements. The positive effects of disorganised schizotypy might be explained in terms of the simultaneous involvement of enhanced semantic priming and cognitive control in problem solving. We speculate that the lack of associations between divergent thinking and schizotypy might be related to instruction effects. Our study underscores the relevance of sleep impairment to the psychosis-spectrum, and refines our knowledge about the adaptive aspects of schizotypy in the general population.

Bridging the Gap between Physical Therapy and Orientation and Mobility in Schools: Using a Collaborative Team Approach for Students with Visual Impairments

2017 ◽  
Vol 111 (6) ◽  
pp. 495-510 ◽  
Author(s):  
Joanne Szabo ◽  
Rajiv K. Panikkar
Keyword(s):  
Physical Therapy ◽  
Core Curriculum ◽  
Physical Therapists ◽  
Low Vision ◽  
Visual Impairments ◽  
Team Approach ◽  
Team Members ◽  
Orientation And Mobility ◽  
Specialized School ◽  
Common Goals

This article explores transdisciplinary collaboration and role-release strategies that would allow physical therapists and orientation and mobility (O&M) specialists to more effectively support students with visual impairments (that is, those who are blind or have low vision) and additional disabilities with their expanded core curriculum (ECC) goals. Through examining public and specialized school special education documentation for 20 school-aged students, the authors seek to better understand current practice patterns of both O&M and physical therapy professionals who are working with students who are visually impaired with additional disabilities, and suggest ways in which educational team members from both disciplines can work together toward common goals for their students.

scholarly journals Two finnish girls and mathematics: Similar achievement level, same core curriculum, different competences

2015 ◽  
Vol 3 (1) ◽  
pp. 137-150
Author(s):  
Hanna Viitala
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
Core Curriculum ◽  
Basic Education ◽  
Mathematical Thinking ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Thinking Skills ◽  
Achievement Level ◽  
Core Content ◽  
Learning Mathematics ◽  
And Mathematics

Mathematical thinking and problem solving are essential parts of learning mathematics described in the Finnish National Core Curriculum for Basic Education. Evaluations on both have been done at national and international level. However, in a request for deeper understanding of pupils’ mathematical thinking we need to move beyond paper tests. This paper is a first look into the mathematical thinking of two Finnish girls, Emma and Nora, in their final year of Finnish comprehensive school. After solving a real-life situated problem in a classroom, the girls talk about mathematics and problem solving in an interview. The focus of the analysis is on the learning objectives, core content and final-assessment criteria related to thinking skills and methods in the Finnish curriculum. Also some results on metacognition and affect will be reported. The results suggest that while both pupils have similar achievement level in mathematics, their competences are different: Emma is more competent in problem solving and Nora is more self-confident and self-guided in learning mathematics and can more easily recognize mathematics outside school.

A Second Look at Factors Associated with Employer Hiring Behavior Regarding People Who Are Blind or Have Low Vision

2019 ◽  
Vol 113 (6) ◽  
pp. 538-550 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michele C. McDonnall ◽  
Karla Antonelli
Keyword(s):  
Online Survey ◽  
Low Vision ◽  
Visual Impairments ◽  
People With Disabilities ◽  
Strong Relationship ◽  
National Sample ◽  
Personal Relationship ◽  
Logistic Regression Models ◽  
Employer Attitudes ◽  
Factors Associated

Introduction: Although negative employer attitudes and reasons that employers do not hire people with disabilities have both been investigated, little research has focused on why employers do hire people with disabilities. The purpose of this study was to investigate factors associated with employer hiring behavior regarding people with visual impairments, including the opportunity to hire (i.e., application receipt). Method: Participants were a national sample of 388 hiring managers who completed an online survey that assessed their hiring experiences concerning people with visual impairments. Two logistic regression models were analyzed, one that included nine independent variables thought to be associated with hiring (Model 1) and one that included these nine variables plus application receipt (Model 2). Results: Variables that were significantly associated with hiring behavior in Model 1 were prior communication with vocational rehabilitation (VR) professionals, employer attitudes, company size, company policy, and personal relationship with someone with a visual impairment. Significant variables in Model 2 were received application, employer attitudes, and personal relationship. Discussion: As expected, application receipt was the most important predictor of hiring behavior, with odds of hiring increasing by more than 40 with receipt of an application. Despite this exceptionally strong relationship, employer attitudes and having a personal relationship remained significant predictors, indicating the robustness of attitudes as a determinant of why employers hire and the importance of personal connections to hiring behavior. Implications for practice: Employers cannot hire unless given the opportunity, and the first step to being hired is typically submitting an application. VR professionals should both encourage consumers to submit applications, providing support in this process as needed, and communicate with employers to encourage their consideration of these applications.

An Analysis of Parents' Reports on Educational Services for Their Children with Albinism

2018 ◽  
Vol 112 (6) ◽  
pp. 667-682
Author(s):  
Anne L. Corn ◽  
Kelly E. Lusk
Keyword(s):  
Core Curriculum ◽  
Low Vision ◽  
Visual Impairments ◽  
The United States ◽  
Educational Services ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Social And Emotional ◽  
Idea 2004 ◽  
Additional Information ◽  
Education Act

Introduction The purpose of this study was to gain information from parents in the United States about their children with albinism. The first article (in this issue) focused on the data from this study that addressed medical and low vision care. This article focuses on information and services related to the education of children with albinism. Methods An online questionnaire was used to collect data for this study from parents of children with albinism. Representing 223 children with albinism from 40 states in the U.S., 192 parents completed surveys and had opportunities to submit additional information. Results A snapshot of the data indicates that, as a whole, parents perceive their children to do well academically, but they experience social and emotional challenges; 98 children were receiving direct instruction from a teacher of students with visual impairments and 84 were receiving consultation services. Although parents were generally satisfied with their level of involvement in the development of their children's education plans, many could not provide key information about the assessments their children had received, their children's reading rates, or the services with which their children were being provided. Discussion These data illuminate the fact that, despite the premise of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA, 2004) that parents be equal partners in the education of their children with special needs, these parents of children with albinism were not as informed about the assessments and services that their children were receiving as might be expected. Findings also suggest the possibility that students with albinism may not be receiving appropriate educational services to address the limitations imposed by their low vision. In particular, it appears that these students, most of whom will be non-drivers, are not receiving orientation and mobility services. In addition, there was evidence that over half of these children may not be receiving instruction in the use of low vision devices. Implications for practitioners The data gathered in this study provide directions for educators who work with children who have albinism and their families, as well as for those who design and administer services for children with visual impairments. Based on these reports from parents, it appears that children with albinism are not being assessed in the areas key to understanding their functioning and, although as a group they are doing well academically, other needs related to the Expanded Core Curriculum (ECC) are not being addressed as frequently. Teachers of students with visual impairments may want to be more explicit when describing to parents the assessments on which their educational recommendations are being made. Further research is needed to determine if children with low vision are being provided with educational services based on educational assessments and needs or if other administrative factors are driving these services.

scholarly journals Black-Box-Based Mathematical Modelling of Machine Intelligence Measuring

Mathematics ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (6) ◽  
pp. 681
Author(s):  
László Barna Iantovics
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
Scientific Literature ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Intelligent Agent ◽  
Difficult Problem ◽  
Black Box ◽  
Machine Intelligence ◽  
Agent Based ◽  
Np Hard Problem ◽  
Box Method

Current machine intelligence metrics rely on a different philosophy, hindering their effective comparison. There is no standardization of what is machine intelligence and what should be measured to quantify it. In this study, we investigate the measurement of intelligence from the viewpoint of real-life difficult-problem-solving abilities, and we highlight the importance of being able to make accurate and robust comparisons between multiple cooperative multiagent systems (CMASs) using a novel metric. A recent metric presented in the scientific literature, called MetrIntPair, is capable of comparing the intelligence of only two CMASs at an application. In this paper, we propose a generalization of that metric called MetrIntPairII. MetrIntPairII is based on pairwise problem-solving intelligence comparisons (for the same problem, the problem-solving intelligence of the studied CMASs is evaluated experimentally in pairs). The pairwise intelligence comparison is proposed to decrease the necessary number of experimental intelligence measurements. MetrIntPairII has the same properties as MetrIntPair, with the main advantage that it can be applied to any number of CMASs conserving the accuracy of the comparison, while it exhibits enhanced robustness. An important property of the proposed metric is the universality, as it can be applied as a black-box method to intelligent agent-based systems (IABSs) generally, not depending on the aspect of IABS architecture. To demonstrate the effectiveness of the MetrIntPairII metric, we provide a representative experimental study, comparing the intelligence of several CMASs composed of agents specialized in solving an NP-hard problem.

scholarly journals What affordances do open-ended real-life tasks offer for sharing student agency in collaborative problem-solving?

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Juuso Henrik Nieminen ◽  
Man Ching Esther Chan ◽  
David Clarke
Keyword(s):  
Problem Solving ◽  
Video Recording ◽  
Real Life ◽  
Collaborative Problem Solving ◽  
Student Agency ◽  
Student Groups ◽  
Collaborative Problem ◽  
Mathematical Arguments ◽  
Life Tasks ◽  
Collaborative Construction

AbstractThe important role of student agency in collaborative problem-solving has been acknowledged in previous mathematics education research. However, what remains unknown are the processes of agency in open-ended tasks that draw on real-life contexts and demand argumentation beyond “mathematical”. In this study, we analyse a video recording of two student groups (each consisting of four students) taking part in collaborative problem-solving. We draw on the framework for collaborative construction of mathematical arguments and its interplay with student agency by Mueller et al. (2012). This original framework is supplemented by (i) testing and revising it in the context of open-ended real-life tasks, with (ii) student groups rather than pairs working on the tasks, and by (iii) offering a strengthened methodological pathway for analysing student agency in such a context. Based on our findings, we suggest that the framework suits this new context with some extensions. First, we note that differences in student agency were not only identified in terms of the discourse students drew on, but in how students were able to shift between various discourses, such as between “mathematical” and “non-mathematical” discourses. We identify a novel discourse reflecting student agency, invalidation discourse, which refers to denying other students’ agency by framing their contribution as invalid. Finally, we discuss the need to reframe “mathematical” arguments—and indeed student agency—while the task at hand is open-ended and concerns real-life contexts.

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