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This paper explores what we can learn from research that early cognitive processes support the development of children's mathematics skills. The role of two cognitive processes in working memory in the development of early mathematics was investigated: executive functions (EF) and visual-spatial (VS) ability. Children's mathematical skills were considered in relation to EF and VS. Recent research suggests that EF skills, which include monitoring and manipulating information in mind (working memory), suppressing distracting information and unwanted responses (inhibition) and flexible thinking (shifting), play a critical role in the development of mathematics performance. The number development also can be explained solely in terms of domain-general processes such as VS.

The transition plan for learners with learning disabilities is a critical aspect that involves various key components. This paper focuses on the importance of transition planning in facilitating the successful integration of such learners into a special class, highlighting the benefits of family, school, and community partnerships. The plan establishes clear goals and objectives that align with the learner s aspirations and abilities, encompassing academic achievements, social integration, skill development, and career exploration. Moreover, the plan identifies specific strategies and interventions to address potential barriers and challenges during the transition process. The paper draws on research conducted in a school situated in Johannesburg South and a longitudinal research program conducted at the School of Education, Trinity College Dublin. Utilizing the insights gained from these studies, the paper proposes an informal Transition Support Training model. This model emphasizes the assessment of learner strengths, challenges, and needs, allowing educators and support teams to construct an Individualized Education Transition Plan that optimally supports learners with learning disabilities throughout their transitional journey into a special class. By delivering the transition plan effectively, educators and support staff can facilitate a smooth transition for the learner's well-being and set the stage for their success in the new educational setting. [For the complete Volume 22 proceedings, see ED656158.]

Supporting students in becoming effective problem solvers is a critical component of K-12 mathematics instruction. Unfortunately, little is known about the factors that are related to problem solving proficiency in middle school students. We report the results of a study that employed a hierarchical linear regression analysis to examine the factors that influenced the problem-solving scores in a sample of 213 sixth and seventh grade students. Results support theoretical predictions that metacognition, executive function, student beliefs, and content knowledge all relate to problem solving proficiency. [For the complete proceedings, see ED658295.]

Previous studies report mixed evidence regarding bilinguals' cognitive advantage in inhibition and other executive function (EF) tasks compared to monolinguals. This study aims to replicate previous research on Mandarin-English bilinguals. Forty-four participants (22 English monolinguals & 22 Mandarin-English bilinguals) were recruited to complete four EF tasks: Simon, Stroop, Letter-Number Switching and Color-Shape Switching (Cued), targeting inhibition and attention shifting skills. Dependent measures included reaction time (RT) and percentage accuracy (PA). In the Simon task, bilinguals responded significantly slower overall than monolinguals, although there was a significantly larger difference in RT between compatible vs. incompatible trials in monolinguals. The Stroop task revealed no group differences or interaction effects. For the switching tasks, bilinguals had a significantly higher PA overall than monolinguals in the Letter-Number Switching task with no significant group differences found in RT. No significant group differences were found in either measures for the Color-Shape Switching (Cued) task. Weak evidence of enhanced EF skills were reported in Mandarin-English bilinguals. Topics discussed include: choice of dependent measures, choice of cognitive tasks, controlling for confounding variables, and task formats. Future studies should focus on refining experimental design and better defining bilingualism to inform future clinical decisions for bilinguals with executive function-related impairments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

These proceedings contain the papers of the 18th International Conference on Cognition and Exploratory Learning in the Digital Age (CELDA 2021), held virtually, due to an exceptional situation caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, from October 13-15, 2021, and organized by the International Association for Development of the Information Society (IADIS). The CELDA conference aims to address the main issues concerned with evolving learning processes and supporting pedagogies and applications in the digital age. There have been advances in both cognitive psychology and computing that have affected the educational arena. The convergence of these two disciplines is increasing at a fast pace and affecting academia and professional practice in many ways. The CELDA 2021 Conference received 68 submissions from more than 21 countries. Out of the papers submitted, 34 were accepted as full papers for an acceptance rate of 50%; 16 were accepted as short papers, and 2 were accepted as reflection papers. In addition to the presentation of full, short and reflection papers, the conference also includes one keynote presentation from an internationally distinguished researcher: Dr. David Scaradozzi, Department of Information Engineering, Università Politecnica delle Marche, Italy. [Individual papers are indexed in ERIC.]

This book contains a compilation of papers presented at the International Psychological Applications Conference and Trends (InPACT) 2021, organized by the World Institute for Advanced Research and Science (W.I.A.R.S.), that this year has been converted into a fully Virtual Conference as a result of the ongoing Coronavirus (COVID 19) pandemic. Modern psychology offers a large range of scientific fields where it can be applied. The goal of understanding individuals and groups (mental functions and behavioral standpoints), from this academic and practical scientific discipline, aims ultimately to benefit society. The International Conference seeks to provide some answers and explore the several areas within the Psychology field, new developments in studies and proposals for future scientific projects. The goal is to offer a worldwide connection between psychologists, researchers and lecturers, from a wide range of academic fields, interested in exploring and giving their contribution in psychological issues. We take pride in having been able to connect and bring together academics, scholars, practitioners and others interested in a field that is fertile in new perspectives, ideas and knowledge. We counted on an extensive variety of contributors and presenters, which can supplement the view of the human essence and behavior, showing the impact of their different personal, academic and cultural experiences. This is, certainly, one of the reasons there are nationalities and cultures represented, inspiring multi-disciplinary collaborative links, fomenting intellectual encounter and development. InPACT 2021 received 358 submissions, from more than 40 different countries from all over the world, reviewed by a double-blind process. Submissions were prepared to take form of Oral Presentations, Posters and Workshops. 117 submissions (overall, 33% acceptance rate) were accepted for presentation in the conference. The Conference addresses different categories inside Applied Psychology area and papers fit broadly into one of the named themes and sub-themes. This book contains the results of the different researches conducted by authors who focused on what they are passionate about: to study and develop research in areas related to Psychology and its applications. It includes an extensive variety of contributors and presenters that are hereby sharing with us their different personal, academic and cultural experiences. [This document contains the proceedings of the virtual International Psychological Applications Conference and Trends (InPACT) 2021. The proceedings were published by inScience Press. For the 2020 proceedings, see ED604955.]

We are delighted to welcome you to the International Psychological Applications Conference and Trends (InPACT) 2016, taking place in Lisbon, Portugal, from 30 of April to 2 of May, 2016. Psychology, nowadays, offers a large range of scientific fields where it can be applied. The goal of understanding individuals and groups (mental functions and behavioral standpoints), from this academic and practical scientific discipline, is aimed ultimately to benefit society. This International Conference seeks to provide some answers and explore the several areas within the Psychology field, new developments in studies and proposals for future scientific projects. The goal is to offer a worldwide connection between psychologists, researchers and lecturers, from a wide range of academic fields, interested in exploring and giving their contribution in psychological issues. The conference is a forum that connects and brings together academics, scholars, practitioners and others interested in a field that is fertile in new perspectives, ideas and knowledge. There is an extensive variety of contributors and presenters, which can supplement the view of the human essence and behavior, showing the impact of their different personal, academic and cultural experiences. This is, certainly, one of the reasons there are nationalities and cultures represented, inspiring multi-disciplinary collaborative links, fomenting intellectual encounter and development. InPACT 2016 received 332 submissions, from 37 different countries, reviewed by a double-blind process. Submissions were prepared to take form of Oral Presentations, Posters, Virtual Presentations and Workshops. It was accepted for presentation in the conference 96 submissions (29% acceptance rate). The conference also includes: (1) A keynote presentation from Prof. Dr. Richard Bentall (Institute of Psychology, Health & Society of the University of Liverpool, United Kingdom); (2) Three Special Talks, one from Emeritus Professor Carlos Amaral Dias (University of Coimbra, Director of Instituto Superior Miguel Torga, Vice-President of the Portuguese Association of Psychoanalysis and Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, Private practitioner of psychiatry and psychoanalysis, Portugal) and Prof. Clara Pracana (Full and Training member of the Portuguese Association of Psychoanalysis and Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, Portugal), another from Emeritus Professor Michael Wang (University of Leicester, United Kingdom), and a third one from Dr. Conceição Almeida (Founder of the Portuguese Association of Psychoanalysis and Psychoanalytical Psychotherapy, and Vice-President of the Board. Member of the Teaching Committee, Portugal); (3) An Invited Talk from Dr. Ana Vasconcelos (SAMS--Serviços de Assistência Médico-Social do Sindicato dos Bancários de Sul e Ilhas, founding member of the Portuguese Association of Psychoanalysis and Psychoanalytic Psychotherapy, and member of NPA-Neuropshycanalysis Association, Portugal). Thus, we would like to express our gratitude to all our invitees. This volume is composed by the abstracts of the International Psychological Applications Conference and Trends (InPACT 2016), organized by the World Institute for Advanced Research and Science (W.I.A.R.S.). This conference addresses different categories inside Applied Psychology area and papers fit broadly into one of the named themes and sub-themes. To develop the conference program six main broad-ranging categories had been chosen, which also cover different interest areas: (1) In CLINICAL PSYCHOLOGY: Emotions and related psychological processes; Assessment; Psychotherapy and counseling; Addictive behaviors; Eating disorders; Personality disorders; Quality of life and mental health; Communication within relationships; Services of mental health; and Psychopathology. (2) In EDUCATIONAL PSYCHOLOGY: Language and cognitive processes; School environment and childhood disorders; Parenting and parenting related processes; Learning and technology; Psychology in schools; Intelligence and creativity; Motivation in classroom; Perspectives on teaching; Assessment and evaluation; and Individual differences in learning. (3) In SOCIAL PSYCHOLOGY: Cross-cultural dimensions of mental disorders; Employment issues and training; Organizational psychology; Psychology in politics and international issues; Social factors in adolescence and its development; Social anxiety and self-esteem; Immigration and social policy; Self-efficacy and identity development; Parenting and social support; and Addiction and stigmatization. (4) In LEGAL PSYCHOLOGY: Violence and trauma; Mass-media and aggression; Intra-familial violence; Juvenile delinquency; Aggressive behavior in childhood; Internet offending; Working with crime perpetrators; Forensic psychology; Violent risk assessment; and Law enforcement and stress. (5) In COGNITIVE AND EXPERIMENTAL PSYCHOLOGY: Perception, memory and attention; Decision making and problem-solving; Concept formation, reasoning and judgment; Language processing; Learning skills and education; Cognitive Neuroscience; Computer analogies and information processing (Artificial Intelligence and computer simulations); Social and cultural factors in the cognitive approach; Experimental methods, research and statistics; and Biopsychology. (6) In PSYCHOANALYSIS AND PSYCHOANALYTICAL PSYCHOTHERAPY: Psychoanalysis and psychology; The unconscious; The Oedipus complex; Psychoanalysis of children; Pathological mourning; Addictive personalities; Borderline organizations; Narcissistic personalities; Anxiety and phobias; Psychosis; Neuropsychoanalysis. The proceedings contain the results of the research and developments conducted by authors who focused on what they are passionate about: to promote growth in research methods intimately related to Psychology and its applications. It includes an extensive variety of contributors and presenters by sharing their different personal, academic and cultural experiences. Authors will be invited to publish extended contributions for a book to be published by inScience Press. We would like to express thanks to all the authors and participants, the members of the academic scientific committee, partners and, of course, to the organizing and administration team for making and putting this conference together. (Individual papers contain references.) [Abstract modified to meet ERIC guidelines.]

This paper presents four studies which illustrate the variety of deficits in executive function displayed by individuals with autism. The concept of executive function is used to encompass all the mental operations which are involved in self-reflective and goal-directed behavior. Four forms of executive control are addressed: mental disengagement, coordination of two separate acts into a goal-directed temporal sequence, cognitive flexibility, and planning. The results of the first two studies indicate that subjects with autism are impaired in the processes required for learning behavioral strategies which involve a counter-intuitive or arbitrary association between response and target. The dysfunction may result from "stuck in set" perseveration, recurrent perseveration, or failure to sustain a plan of action in the absence of environmental cues. Results from the third study indicated a deficit in the processes required to shift attention from a salient dimension or category and engage attention upon a previously irrelevant stimulus. Results of the fourth study showed that subjects with autism are unable to find efficient solutions to planning problems which require a depth-first search to anticipate obstacles and the cognitive flexibility to change plans so as to avoid these obstacles. (Contains 21 references.) (JDD)

The construction of new schools is a complex task requiring a great deal of executive direction that is most successfully attained if the executive function resides permanently in one individual. Data were collected through observation of schools in 6 school districts (photographs and films); document analysis (newspapers and other media, and reviews of technical reports); and interviews with principals, teachers, school board members, superintendents, parents, custodians, architects, contractors, and 20 school facilities planners. A successful facility construction process requires the coordination of three functions: executive, providing procedural order and allocating resources; professional, providing specialized knowledge; and representative, balancing attention between special interests and the common good. The facility planner fulfills the executive function, overseeing and coordinating nine fundamental steps involved in school facility construction: (1) needs assessment; (2) long-range planning, including formation of planning and advisory groups; (3) fiscal planning; (4) school building planning, which includes school site planning and selection, architectural services, and educational specifications; (5) contractor bidding; (6) building construction; (7) occupying the building; (8) postoccupancy evaluations; and (9) school facility use, which includes judging the final project and implementing plans for full utilization of the school. (TEJ)

The present experiment focused on the development of a "cumulative rehearsal, fast-finish" rehearsal routine. This study was designed for two purposes: (1) to extend the notion of the "executive function" to the case where continued use of mnemonic routine is a reasonable response to an objective change in an information processing task, and (2) to determine the effects of training on the maintenance and generalization of a rehearsal strategy. The subjects were 62 volunteers chosen from grades 6, 10, and 12 and nine adults. The task was a 6-item (pictures) circular recall task presented in a pause-time paradigm. An automated WGTA apparatus was used. The overall design was mixed and represented by the factorial combination of Grade (6, 10, 12, adults) X Phase (Assessment, Training, Maintenance, Generalization) X Group (training, no training) X Item Type (TBR, TBF) X Serial Position (6). The results showed that adults spontaneously produced a "cumulative rehearsal, fast-finish" strategy in response to both the assessment and generalization tasks while only two 10- and three 12- graders did so. All trained subjects maintained the instructed routine and showed evidence of transfer during generalization. Analyses including adults suggested that the form of trained subjects' generalized strategy became more similar to that of the adults as grade increased. Observational and interview data supported these findings. (Author/MS)