Central coherence is the ability to perceive, process and integrate incoming information to put it in the right context and give it meaning. Central coherence is an important skill that aids people...Show moreCentral coherence is the ability to perceive, process and integrate incoming information to put it in the right context and give it meaning. Central coherence is an important skill that aids people in understanding situations they encounter in daily life but is also an important skill to support the process of learning. After all, new information has to be processed, organised and integrated, taking into account overall context and meaning. Research into autism spectrum disorders (ASD) in the past 4 decades has provided multiple findings that indicate that people with ASD have weak central coherence skills and therefore lack the ability to create meaningful or coherent wholes, but research findings have been mixed. In this study a process-oriented dynamic version of the Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure (ROCF), in which the training part was built up according to the ‘graduated prompts’ method, was used to measure and train central coherence. Furthermore, the potential relationship between ASD characteristics of the children in this study and central coherence or improved central coherence following training was assessed. The participants in this study consisted of 49 pupils in grade 5 or 6 of regular Dutch primary school education (M = 8.96 years, SD = .76 years). The dynamic test, including training based on the ‘graduated prompts’ method, lead to significantly more progression in structuring the drawing of the complex figure compared to the unguided control group. Regarding a potential relationship between ASD characteristics and central coherence or improved central coherence, no relationship was found in this study.Show less
The study aimed to investigate the association between working memory and planning skills in learning potential in Dutch primary school children aged 8 to 11. Specifically, it sought to determine...Show moreThe study aimed to investigate the association between working memory and planning skills in learning potential in Dutch primary school children aged 8 to 11. Specifically, it sought to determine whether variations in working memory and planning abilities influenced children's learning potential and whether gender moderated these relationships. It is relevant to conduct research on this topic because current studies are scarce or inconsistent. Additionally, it can provide valuable insights into how education can be further tailored to maximize the potential of students. Using a MANOVA, the research analyzed the interplay between cognitive factors and learning potential, measured via the Dynamic Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Task (drawing task for learning potential), Picture Span (working memory), and Tower of Hanoi (planning skills). Separate MANOVAs examined the impact of working memory and planning skills, individually and combined, on learning potential, and explored interaction effects with gender. This multivariate approach allowed for a comprehensive evaluation of these relationships. However, the study found no significant relationships between working memory, planning skills, and learning potential. Additionally, gender did not significantly moderate these associations. These findings underscore the need for caution in assuming the sole importance of working memory and planning skills in children's learning potential. They highlight the complexity of factors influencing learning outcomes, suggesting that other variables beyond cognitive abilities may play crucial roles. Moving forward, future research should adopt a broader perspective, considering a wider range of factors such as motivation, emotional intelligence, socioeconomic status, and environmental influences. Additionally, employing more reliable measurement tools and accounting for contextual and individual differences will be essential for a nuanced understanding of the intricate dynamics shaping children's learning potential.Show less
This study aims to examine the relationship between instructional needs, the level of ASD characteristics, and the level of central coherence in students aged 8 to 12 from grades 5 and 6 of primary...Show moreThis study aims to examine the relationship between instructional needs, the level of ASD characteristics, and the level of central coherence in students aged 8 to 12 from grades 5 and 6 of primary education in the Netherlands (N=87). The goal is to better align education with the learning needs of children with ASD. The current research (DyFT) is part of a larger project titled "Learning to Draw: From Whole to Detail." The current study utilizes three measurement instruments: Raven Standard Progressive Matrices (RSPM), Autism Spectrum Questionnaire (ASQ), and Dynamic Rey-Osterrieth Complex Figure Test (DROCFT). In this study, no significant correlations were found between the level of ASD characteristics, the level of central coherence, the required hints to solve the complex task and effective strategy use. One explanation suggested for the differences between the expectations and the findings is the superior visual skill levels found in individuals with ASD. It is emphasized that ASD is a heterogeneous disorder that can manifest in various ways in individuals. Finally, points for improvement are suggested for future research.Show less
Dynamic testing has the potential of unveiling information about instructional needs, learning processes and cognitive abilities. The aim of this study was to investigate the learning potential of...Show moreDynamic testing has the potential of unveiling information about instructional needs, learning processes and cognitive abilities. The aim of this study was to investigate the learning potential of gifted children on analogical reasoning tasks, using a computerized dynamic test. The participants were 80 children (mean age = 7.65), who were divided in an experimental condition (n = 41) and a control condition (n = 39), based on randomized blocking. The study consisted of a pre-test and a post-test. In between, the experimental group received two training sessions by following the graduated prompts method, while the control group received two practice moments. The results of this study showed a larger progress from pre- to post-test on analogical reasoning tasks for the experimental group compared to the control group. Therefore, computerised dynamic testing, when using the graduated prompts training, can be seen as a useful method to unveil the learning potential of young gifted children. Furthermore, the study focused on the relationship between dynamic testing and level of test anxiety (low, medium, high) and level of IQ (low, medium, high). As part of that, the instructional needs of these groups during training has been examined. Results did not show a relationship between dynamic testing and test anxiety at all. However, dynamic testing and level of IQ were related. Though the three groups of IQ made the same amount of progress from pre- to post-test, the group with lower IQ scored significant lower during both tests. No differences in instructional needs were found for either levels of test anxiety as well as levels of IQ.Show less
