Jürgen Wilbert

The subjective experience of committed errors and the Discrepancy-Attribution hypothesis.

In routine sequential behavior, we sometimes become aware of having committed an error. However, often we do not. Here, we investigated the processes underlying conscious error detection within a typing paradigm. Our assumption according to the Discrepancy-Attribution hypothesis is that the (explicit) judgment of having made an error is due to a perceived discrepancy between expected and actually experienced performance which then is attributed to an error. In 4 experiments, participants were instructed to type single words without seeing what they were typing and, afterwards, to judge whether typing was correct. Experiments 1 through 3 tested the assumption that conscious awareness about an error is due to a perceived discrepancy between an expectation and the experienced performance. Experiment 4 investigated the assumption of a separate attribution process triggered by the perceived discrepancy. The results support the Discrepancy-Attribution hypothesis and argue for a two-stage model of conscious error detection.

Komplementäre Studiendesigns zur Evidenzbasierung in der Bildungswissenschaft

Der empirische Nachweis uber die Wirksamkeit (Effektivitat) einer padagogischen Handlung stellt eine zentrale Handlungsmaxime der Evidenzbasierung dar. Ausgehend von der Darlegung zweier bildungswissenschaftlicher Evidenzbeurteilungsrichtlinien skizziert der Beitrag die Diskussion um den experimentellen Wirksamkeitsnachweis sowie die Vorzuge und Limitationen der experimentellen Forschung zur Wirksamkeitsbeurteilung padagogischer Masnahmen. Vor dem Hintergrund der Bedeutung komplementarer Studiendesigns fur die Erforschung der Wirksamkeit padagogischer Handlung argumentiert der Beitrag fur einen forschungsmethodischen Pluralismus.

The Association of Strategy Use and Concrete-Operational Thinking in Primary School

Concrete-operational thinking depicts an important aspect of cognitive development. A promising approach in promoting these skills is the instruction of strategies. The construction of such instructional programs requires insights into the mental operations involved in problem-solving. In the present paper, we address the question to which extent variations of the effect of isolated and combined mental operations (strategies) on correct solution of concrete-operational concepts can be observed. Therefore, a cross-sectional design was applied. The use of mental operations was measured by thinking-aloud reports from 80 first- and second-graders (N = 80) while solving tasks depicting concrete-operational thinking. Concrete-operational thinking was assessed using the subscales conservation of numbers, classification and sequences of the TEKO. The verbal reports were transcribed and coded with regard to the mental operations applied per task. Data analyses focused on tasks level, resulting in the analyses of N = 240 tasks per subscale. Differences regarding the contribution of isolated and combined mental operations (strategies) to correct solution were observed. Thereby, the results indicate the necessity of selection and integration of appropriate mental operations as strategies. The results offer insights in involved mental operations while solving concrete-operational tasks and depict a contribution to the construction of instructional programs.

Does social exclusion by classmates lead to behaviour problems and learning difficulties or vice versa? A cross-lagged panel analysis

Abstract Social participation of pupils with special educational needs (SEN) is a central topic in the current inclusion debate. Numerous studies have shown that the risk of social exclusion is considerably higher for children with SEN compared to their peers without SEN, especially for pupils with behaviour problems (BP) or learning difficulties (LD). Since most of these studies are based on cross-sectional designs, there is a lack of knowledge regarding the direction of the effects. This leads to the question to what extent BP and LD have an impact on pupils’ social position in the class and, vice versa, to what extent the social position has an effect on the development of BP and LD. To address these questions, we analysed sociometric data of 1244 primary school children. È A cross-lagged panel analysis was conducted. The results indicate that BP and LD in 1st grade lead to significantly less social acceptance by peers in 2nd grade but do not predict significantly higher social rejection. A directed influence of LD or BP on a higher social rejection cannot be found. Conversely, neither social acceptance nor social rejection at 1st grade has an influence on the development of BP or LD at grade two.

Teachers' Perceptions of Opportunities and Threats Concerning Inclusive Schooling in Germany at an Early Stage of Inclusion: Analyses of a Mixed Methodology Approach

The purpose of this exploratory study was to examine the perceived opportunities and threats of teachers working on a primary level in North Rhine Westphalia, Germany, regarding inclusive schooling. Two open-ended questions using a standardized paper-pencil-questionnaire format were administered to 452 general and 130 special education teachers. Results of descriptive and inferential statistical analyses indicated that both teacher groups expressed strong concerns related to students’ educational needs and learning opportunities. Nevertheless, their perceptions differ significantly in specific categories. General education teachers anticipate inclusive schooling to improve social school climate; however, they expressed several concerns: declining teaching quality, having insufficient professional skills themselves, higher work load, and lack of resources. Their special education colleagues expected improved learning opportunities would result for all students but were worried about changes in their professional role and the political realization of inclusive schooling. Implications for practice, limitations, and the need for future research are discussed.

A Dissociation of Implicit and Explicit Spatial Sequence Learning in a Group of Students With Learning Difficulties

Traditionally, research on learning difficulties focuses on deficits in explicit learning processes. However, the impact of implicit (incidental, unconscious, and unaware) learning has sparsely been investigated. Hence, this study aims to dissociate implicit and explicit learning abilities in a group of 50 students with severe and persisting learning difficulties and compares their learning performance to non-impaired students. Individuals accomplished two different versions of a computerized serial reaction time task (SRTT) as a measure of implicit and explicit learning. Analyses revealed that (a) both learning processes can be dissociated by psychometric IQ; (b) students with learning difficulties have deficits in both implicit and explicit learning processes; and (c) it is possible to identify subgroups of adolescents with implicit and explicit learning difficulties. Theoretical as well as educational implications are discussed.