Resultaten van een leerkrachtencursus gericht op de executieve functies ter stimulatie van bètavaardigheden bij basisschoolleerlingen

In recent years, emphasis has been placed on an overall shortage of beta technicians in Dutch society. This deficiency can be reduced by stimulating beta-learning, which consists of the so-called ‘beta skills’ (skills in mathematics, science and technology) and executive functions (EF; e.g., reasoning, working memory). Since it is unclear how to stimulate beta-learning, this study investigated the effect of a training for teachers in the Netherlands. The training focused on stimulating the EF of Dutch students of primary schools. It was examined whether an improvement in EF, as a result of the training, could mediate an improvement in beta skills. This study included 110 students aged 8 to 10 years old (fifth to eight grade) and their parents. The intervention group consisted of 64 children and their teachers, who had participated in the training and the control group consisted of 46 children and their teachers, who had not participated in the training. The EF were measured using a...Show moreIn recent years, emphasis has been placed on an overall shortage of beta technicians in Dutch society. This deficiency can be reduced by stimulating beta-learning, which consists of the so-called ‘beta skills’ (skills in mathematics, science and technology) and executive functions (EF; e.g., reasoning, working memory). Since it is unclear how to stimulate beta-learning, this study investigated the effect of a training for teachers in the Netherlands. The training focused on stimulating the EF of Dutch students of primary schools. It was examined whether an improvement in EF, as a result of the training, could mediate an improvement in beta skills. This study included 110 students aged 8 to 10 years old (fifth to eight grade) and their parents. The intervention group consisted of 64 children and their teachers, who had participated in the training and the control group consisted of 46 children and their teachers, who had not participated in the training. The EF were measured using a Dutch adaptation of the BRIEF. Numeracy, an appropriate indicator of beta skills, were measured using a standardized math test from Cito. A one-way repeated measures analysis showed no significant differences in EF and in numeracy between the intervention and the control group after one year. The expected mediation effect of the EF on numeracy was not confirmed in this study. In conclusion, in this study EF did not seem to mediate the effect of the training on beta skills. Nevertheless, a reduction of the shortage of beta technicians has been found the last year. Further research is needed, to investigate and stimulate this positive trend concerning beta technicians.Show less

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Resultaten van een leerkrachtencursus gericht op de executieve functies ter stimulatie van bètavaardigheden bij basisschoolleerlingen