@article{KucianZuberKohnetal.2018, author = {Kucian, Karin and Zuber, Isabelle and Kohn, Juliane and Poltz, Nadine and Wyschkon, Anne and Esser, G{\"u}nter and von Aster, Michael G.}, title = {Relation Between Mathematical Performance, Math Anxiety, and Affective Priming in Children With and Without Developmental Dyscalculia}, series = {Frontiers in psychology}, volume = {9}, journal = {Frontiers in psychology}, publisher = {Frontiers Research Foundation}, address = {Lausanne}, issn = {1664-1078}, doi = {10.3389/fpsyg.2018.00263}, pages = {13}, year = {2018}, abstract = {Many children show negative emotions related to mathematics and some even develop mathematics anxiety. The present study focused on the relation between negative emotions and arithmetical performance in children with and without developmental dyscalculia (DD) using an affective priming task. Previous findings suggested that arithmetic performance is influenced if an affective prime precedes the presentation of an arithmetic problem. In children with DD specifically, responses to arithmetic operations are supposed to be facilitated by both negative and mathematics-related primes (= negative math priming effect). We investigated mathematical performance, math anxiety, and the domain-general abilities of 172 primary school children (76 with DD and 96 controls). All participants also underwent an affective priming task which consisted of the decision whether a simple arithmetic operation (addition or subtraction) that was preceded by a prime (positive/negative/neutral or mathematics-related) was true or false. Our findings did not reveal a negative math priming effect in children with DD. Furthermore, when considering accuracy levels, gender, or math anxiety, the negative math priming effect could not be replicated. However, children with DD showed more math anxiety when explicitly assessed by a specific math anxiety interview and showed lower mathematical performance compared to controls. Moreover, math anxiety was equally present in boys and girls, even in the earliest stages of schooling, and interfered negatively with performance. In conclusion, mathematics is often associated with negative emotions that can be manifested in specific math anxiety, particularly in children with DD. Importantly, present findings suggest that in the assessed age group, it is more reliable to judge math anxiety and investigate its effects on mathematical performance explicitly by adequate questionnaires than by an affective math priming task.}, language = {en} } @article{KucianKohnHannulaSormunenetal.2012, author = {Kucian, Karin and Kohn, Juliane and Hannula-Sormunen, Minna M. and Richtmann, Verena and Grond, Ursin and K{\"a}ser, Tanja and Esser, G{\"u}nter and von Aster, Michael G.}, title = {Kinder mit Dyskalkulie fokussieren spontan weniger auf Anzahligkeit}, year = {2012}, language = {de} } @article{KaeserBascheraKohnetal.2013, author = {K{\"a}ser, Tanja and Baschera, Gian-Marco and Kohn, Juliane and Kucian, Karin and Richtmann, Verena and Grond, Ursina and Gross, Markus and von Aster, Michael G.}, title = {Design and evaluation of the computer-based training program Calcularis for enhancing numerical cognition}, series = {Frontiers in psychology}, volume = {4}, journal = {Frontiers in psychology}, number = {31}, publisher = {Frontiers Research Foundation}, address = {Lausanne}, issn = {1664-1078}, doi = {10.3389/fpsyg.2013.00489}, pages = {13}, year = {2013}, abstract = {This article presents the design and a first pilot evaluation of the computer-based training program Calcularis for children with developmental dyscalculia (DD) or difficulties in learning mathematics. The program has been designed according to insights on the typical and atypical development of mathematical abilities. The learning process is supported through multimodal cues, which encode different properties of numbers. To offer optimal learning conditions, a user model completes the program and allows flexible adaptation to a child's individual learning and knowledge profile. Thirty-two children with difficulties in learning mathematics completed the 6-12-weeks computer training. The children played the game for 20 min per day for 5 days a week. The training effects were evaluated using neuropsychological tests. Generally, children benefited significantly from the training regarding number representation and arithmetic operations. Furthermore, children liked to play with the program and reported that the training improved their mathematical abilities.}, language = {en} } @article{RauscherKohnKaeseretal.2016, author = {Rauscher, Larissa and Kohn, Juliane and K{\"a}ser, Tanja and Mayer, Verena and Kucian, Karin and McCaskey, Ursina and Esser, G{\"u}nter and von Aster, Michael G.}, title = {Evaluation of a Computer-Based Training Program for Enhancing Arithmetic Skills and Spatial Number Representation in Primary School Children}, series = {Frontiers in psychology}, volume = {7}, journal = {Frontiers in psychology}, publisher = {Frontiers Research Foundation}, address = {Lausanne}, issn = {1664-1078}, doi = {10.3389/fpsyg.2016.00913}, pages = {14086 -- 14099}, year = {2016}, abstract = {Calcularis is a computer-based training program which focuses on basic numerical skills, spatial representation of numbers and arithmetic operations. The program includes a user model allowing flexible adaptation to the child's individual knowledge and learning profile. The study design to evaluate the training comprises three conditions (Calcularis group, waiting control group, spelling training group). One hundred and thirty-eight children from second to fifth grade participated in the study. Training duration comprised a minimum of 24 training sessions of 20 min within a time period of 6-8 weeks. Compared to the group without training (waiting control group) and the group with an alternative training (spelling training group), the children of the Calcularis group demonstrated a higher benefit in subtraction and number line estimation with medium to large effect sizes. Therefore, Calcularis can be used effectively to support children in arithmetic performance and spatial number representation.}, language = {en} } @article{KohnRauscherKucianetal.2020, author = {Kohn, Juliane and Rauscher, Larissa and Kucian, Karin and K{\"a}ser, Tanja and Wyschkon, Anne and Esser, G{\"u}nter and von Aster, Michael G.}, title = {Efficacy of a Computer-Based Learning Program in Children With Developmental Dyscalculia}, series = {Frontiers in Psychology}, volume = {11}, journal = {Frontiers in Psychology}, publisher = {Frontiers Research Foundation}, address = {Lausanne}, issn = {1664-1078}, doi = {10.3389/fpsyg.2020.01115}, pages = {14}, year = {2020}, abstract = {This study presents the evaluation of a computer-based learning program for children with developmental dyscalculia and focuses on factors affecting individual responsiveness. The adaptive training program Calcularis 2.0 has been developed according to current neuro-cognitive theory of numerical cognition. It aims to automatize number representations, supports the formation and access to the mental number line and trains arithmetic operations as well as arithmetic fact knowledge in expanding number ranges. Sixty-seven children with developmental dyscalculia from second to fifth grade (mean age 8.96 years) were randomly assigned to one of two groups (Calcularis group, waiting control group). Training duration comprised a minimum of 42 training sessions {\`a} 20 min within a maximum period of 13 weeks. Compared to the waiting control group, children of the Calcularis group demonstrated a higher benefit in arithmetic operations and number line estimation. These improvements were shown to be stable after a 3-months post training interval. In addition, this study examines which predictors accounted for training improvements. Results indicate that this self-directed training was especially beneficial for children with low math anxiety scores and without an additional reading and/or spelling disorder. In conclusion, Calcularis 2.0 supports children with developmental dyscalculia to improve their arithmetical abilities and their mental number line representation. However, it is relevant to further adapt the setting to the individual circumstances.}, language = {en} } @article{PoltzQuandteKohnetal.2022, author = {Poltz, Nadine and Quandte, Sabine and Kohn, Juliane and Kucian, Karin and Wyschkon, Anne and von Aster, Michael and Esser, G{\"u}nter}, title = {Does It Count? Pre-School Children's Spontaneous Focusing on Numerosity and Their Development of Arithmetical Skills at School}, series = {Brain Sciences}, volume = {12}, journal = {Brain Sciences}, edition = {3}, publisher = {MDPI}, address = {Basel, Schweiz}, issn = {2076-3425}, doi = {10.3390/brainsci12030313}, pages = {1 -- 18}, year = {2022}, abstract = {Background: Children's spontaneous focusing on numerosity (SFON) is related to numerical skills. This study aimed to examine (1) the developmental trajectory of SFON and (2) the interrelations between SFON and early numerical skills at pre-school as well as their influence on arithmetical skills at school. Method: Overall, 1868 German pre-school children were repeatedly assessed until second grade. Nonverbal intelligence, visual attention, visuospatial working memory, SFON and numerical skills were assessed at age five (M = 63 months, Time 1) and age six (M = 72 months, Time 2), and arithmetic was assessed at second grade (M = 95 months, Time 3). Results: SFON increased significantly during pre-school. Path analyses revealed interrelations between SFON and several numerical skills, except number knowledge. Magnitude estimation and basic calculation skills (Time 1 and Time 2), and to a small degree number knowledge (Time 2), contributed directly to arithmetic in second grade. The connection between SFON and arithmetic was fully mediated by magnitude estimation and calculation skills at pre-school. Conclusion: Our results indicate that SFON first and foremost influences deeper understanding of numerical concepts at pre-school and—in contrast to previous findings -affects only indirectly children's arithmetical development at school.}, language = {en} }