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The present study focuses on smartphone overuse and on problematic behaviors related to it, investigating possible differences at the intergenerational level among the variables considered. Through the administration of self-report questionnaires, the perception of smartphone distraction, smartphone problematic use, phubbing, and cognitive failures were surveyed. Two hundred and twenty subjects took part in the research. The participants, aged between 18 and 57, were divided by generation Z, Y and Z, according to Ristiyono, classification (2022). Data analysis was carried out through the application of Spearman's rho was used to analyze correlations between subscales. The Kruskal-Wallis test was invectively used to analyze differences between participants. The results confirm our hypotheses showing positive correlations between perceptions of smartphone distraction, phubbing behavior, smartphone problematic use, and cognitive failures, and a significant difference was found between generations in perceptions of all variables considered. Generation Z (18-26 years) shows the highest scores in almost all subscales examined.

An accurate global assessment of gifted children is essential to provide them with educational and counseling programs tailored to their strengths and vulnerabilities. Without neglecting the fundamental role of social-emotional skills on individual well-being and academic success, it is essential to shedding light on the attentional profile of intellectually gifted children. In this regard, findings from empirical studies are not always consistent. The purpose of this exploratory study was to investigate the relationship between the cognitive profile of fifteen gifted children (mean age 9.6 years; SD 2.3), as described through the main WISC-IV indexes (IVE, IRP, IML, IVE, FSIQ), and their attentional profile assessed through AULA, an innovative VR-based ecological assessment tool that evaluates attention and inhibitory control. These first findings highlighted the correlation between intelligence and attention and provided indications for educational interventions. Therefore it is crucial to use innovative and highly ecological assessment tools to engage the IGen gifted learners. In this regard, researchers have recently developed and tested new tools that employ virtual reality (VR) to assess EFs (Climent et al. , 2010; Rizzo et al., 2006). VR-based assessment tools allow children to interact dynamically with realistic scenarios and situations that reproduce aspects of their everyday life. The present study aimed to explore the correlation between the cognitive profile of gifted students, as measured by the WISC-IV paper-and-pencil test, and their attentional profile assessed through AULA, an innovative virtual reality-based attention assessment tool. A previous study by Diaz-Orueta et al. (2014) explored the correlation between WISC-IV indices in a sample of averaged cognitive ability learners diagnosed with ADHD, demonstrating the reliability of the VR-based attention assessment tool in discriminating clinical subjects. To our knowledge, no studies have yet been conducted analysing the attentional profile of gifted children using a VR-based attention assessment tool. Therefore, we expect to provide valuable new information on the peculiar attentional functioning of gifted children.

The development of numerical abilities was examined in 59 children aged 5 years divided into three groups: one control group (n = 15) and two experimental groups (pencil-and-paper mathematical training: n = 29: computerized mathematical training: n = 15). The participants were assessed both before and after a battery of validated tests assessing numerical abilities (BIN test) and fluid intelligence (CPM test). The three groups showed similar values in the pre-test assessment regarding these two dimensions. A gain between post-test and pre-test scores was calculated; this result underlines significant differences between experimental groups and the control group in the four areas evaluated by the BIN test. This study shows the efficacy of both computer-assisted and pencil-and-paper training in enriching numerical intelligence; pencil-and-paper mathematical training seems to be more effective in some areas. This aspect leads us to reflect about this result and to deepen the research with subsequent experiments. [For the complete proceedings, see ED608557.]

These proceedings contain the papers of the 16th International Conference on Cognition and Exploratory Learning in the Digital Age (CELDA 2019), held during November 7-9, 2019, which has been organized by the International Association for Development of the Information Society (IADIS) and co-organised by University Degli Studi di Cagliari, Italy. 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. Paradigms such as just-in-time learning, constructivism, student-centered learning and collaborative approaches have emerged and are being supported by technological advancements such as simulations, virtual reality and multi-agent systems. These developments have created both opportunities and areas of serious concerns. This conference aims to cover both technological as well as pedagogical issues related to these developments. Main tracks have been identified. However, innovative contributions that do not easily fit into these areas will also be considered as long as they are directly related to the overall theme of the conference -- cognition and exploratory learning in the digital age. The CELDA 2019 Conference received 87 submissions from more than 25 countries. Out of the papers submitted, 48 were accepted as full papers for an acceptance rate of 55%; 15 were accepted as short papers and one was accepted as a reflection paper. In addition to the presentation of full, short and reflection papers, the conference also includes one keynote presentation from an internationally distinguished researcher, Baltasar Fernández Manjón, Director of the e-Learning Research Group e-UCM, Complutense University of Madrid (UCM), Spain. [Individual papers are indexed in ERIC.]

A consistent part of the literature shows the significant role of digital experience in digital natives' cognitive processes. The main goal of the current study was to investigate the impact of digital learning on the improvement of mathematical skills and on some change in cognitive processes in 166 primary school children from schools located in different parts of Italy. Participants were divided in two group: one group experienced the study of math mainly through digital tools, the other spent more time on pencil-and-paper trainings. All our participants were assessed with a battery of tests measuring numerical and cognitive abilities. Our results suggest the positive effect of a different type of training for the empowerment of visuo-spatial and numerical abilities. Specifically, effects of a digital experience are particularly evident in some specific numerical areas, such us accuracy, speed, semantic and syntactic numerical knowledge. Also, participants with greater experience of digital trainings score higher on spatial orientation. [For the complete proceedings, see ED600498.]

The current study aimed at exploring the impact of the modality in which numerical trainings proposed in kindergarten school. Participants were recruited from some Sardinian kindergarten schools and were then divided into three groups: a control group, which had to carry out the activities planned by the educational curriculum, and two experimental groups, which were proposed a psychoeducational mathematical enhancement training via either hard copies or multimedia software, respectively. Regardless of the format in which the training was proposed, results showed that the psychoeducational mathematical training lead to improved learning regardless of the format in which the training was proposed. Its positive effects in terms of performance improvement in both the experimental groups. Moreover, as evidenced by a follow-up assessment conducted six months after the end of the enhancement activities, the effect of the mathematical training was maintained over time. In conclusion, the implementation of specific psychoeducational programs aimed at improving numerical mathematical knowledge seems to be a crucial resource to promote learning in pre-schoolers. [For full proceedings, see ED571332.]

This study analyzes the possible influences of some individual variables related with the attendance of specific online laboratory activities on the academic retention and achievement of a group of freshmen attending the first year of the Bachelor of Education. Online platforms allowed students both to use a supporting network and autonomously taking advantage of suitable materials to achieve their learning goals and to bridge an orientation gap that often, in Italy, is present in the transition between high school and University. In general, we can say that the experience of the online laboratory was positive and represented a supporting element for these students. [For full proceedings, see ED571332.]

The development of numerical abilities was examined in three groups of 5 year-olds: one including 13 children accomplishing a numerical training in pencil-and-paper format (EG1); another group including 21 children accomplished a homologous training in computerized format; the remaining 24 children were assigned to the control group (CG). The participants were assessed at three successive times (t0, t1 and t2) with a battery of validated tests assessing numerical abilities and fluid intelligence. At times t1 and t2 we found differences between experimental groups and CG, while the children's abilities in the two experimental groups were similar. We underline the crucial role of pre-syntactical and counting dimensions, accounting for a distinction between the experimental groups and control. Results are discussed with reference to the relevance for training activities of the presentation format (pencil-and-paper versus computer-assisted). Pragmatical and practical implications are also considered. [For the full proceedings, see ED562093.]