Enhanced Perception Through Techniques in Mathematics

http://youtu.be/dt8tsTiHMiI

This you tube video shows how increased perception for school assignments can result from a math technique called Additive Interspersal. Graduate Student Lindsay Nash and Assistant Professor Kristin Johnson-Gros give insight into Lindsay's graduate research study.

Additive Interspersal is a successful method because it reinforces students to complete various assignments and tasks in the classroom. Easier math problems are added to an assignment to break up the level of difficulty. This will keep the student motivated to complete the assignment and enhance their preference. For example, additive intersperse problems can be single digit multiplication problems. These problems will be completed among harder problems such as regrouping of multiple digits in multiplication.

The goal of this math technique is to raise the level of performance in these students. Researchers in school psychology hope that students will be able to improve their ability to correctly answer problems. Additive Interspersal is an important tool to keep the children active in school, and to increase their confidence in higher achievement in the classroom.

This particular study has taught me that various techniques can be used to develop a child's growth in school. Academic interventions are crucial to increase the competency of learning in students.

Autism and Its Effects on A Student

A single-case study was conducted by Kenneth M. Coffey and S. John Obringer, where they interviewed the parents (separately and together) of two children who have been diagnosed with ASD (Autism Spectrum Disorder) to find just how essential the society plays a role in their child's lives.

This study is interesting, since it focused on two different levels of ASD. One child (male, 14) is diagnosed with a very mild case of autism, and the other child (female, 11) is diagnosed with a very severe case of autism, where learning is affected.

The study demonstrated that the two parents had two disagreements. The expectations of the daughter, and the responsibilities of the two parents. However; the study demonstrated that the parents of the children had views that were much similar to one another. With this, the parents came to agreement that the biggest concern was the educational system for their children. They both agreed that public education was best for their children, for they were not much into sports or doing any activities outside of the home except for church.

What I learned from this study was how important it is for a child, even with ASD, to socially interact with peers in a school. This study has shown that because of socially interaction, the two of them have become successful with their disabilities. The son is a "straight A" student, and the parents believe that the support of the classroom positively effects their daughter's success in becoming an adult.

Though this study only focused on this one particular family, it can be shown that the benefits of a public classroom can efficiently help a child with autism learn to be independent from Mom and Dad, and grow into an adult with only minor disabilities.

Here is the article:

http://www.child-autism-parent-cafe.com/school-accommodations-and-inclusive-settings.html

Cognitive Neuroscientists Use Sound Training To Help Dyslexic Children Read

This article explains how dyslexic children learn to read and suggests that pictures and sounds have a beneficial effect on a child's ability to read. A study was performed at the Children's Hospital in Boston, Massachusetts that test the brain activity in dyslexic and non-dyslexic children while playing a computer game that had sound and pictures.

Dr. Nadine Gaab, an assistant professor of pediatrics, suggests that children, as young as infants, 'have problems with processing these changes in sounds'. For example some cognitive neuroscientists suggest that dyslexic children have a problem with interpreting syllables like "ba" and "da". To test this Dr. Gaab had children play a “computer program that plays fast-changing and slow –changing sounds” and the children were monitored with an fMRI.

Results showed that dyslexic children use the same area of the brain to process both sounds and non-dyslexic children use over 11 areas extensively when processing the fast sounds.

fMRI “Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) uses radio waves and a strong magnetic field rather than X-rays to take clear and detailed pictures of internal organs and tissues. fMRI uses this technology to identify regions of the brain where blood vessels are expanding, chemical changes are taking place, or extra oxygen is being delivered.”

http://www.sciencedaily.com/videos/2008/0505-learn_to_read_through_sound.htm

What is School Psychology?

School Psychology is a field in which psychologist work in an educational setting. They work with students in solving social, behavioral, academic, and emotional issues. In addition, school psychologists evaluate learning disabilities, while researching means of prevention. Such learning disabilities could be Dyslexia, Dyscalculia, or Dysgraphia. Consultations with teachers and parents are often made by psychologists to help the student(s) succeed.

Two to three years of graduate school is needed for this particular field, as well as internships in school psychology. Private Practices can be opened if a doctoral degree is obtained. Depending on degree level, school psychologists can earn $40,000 to $58,000 per year.


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