[The application of new technologies to solving maths problems for students with learning disabilities: the 'underwater school']. / Aplicación de nuevas tecnologías con estudiantescon dificultades de aprendizaje en la solución deproblemas matemáticos: la 'escuela submarina'.

INTRODUCTION: Different procedures have demonstrated efficacy to teach cognitive and metacognitive strategies to problem solving in mathematics. Some studies have used computer-based problem solving instructional programs. AIM: To analyze in students with learning disabilities the efficacy of a cognitive strategies training for problem solving, with three instructional delivery formats: a teacher-directed program (T-D), a computer-assisted instructional (CAI) program, and a combined program (T-D + CAI). SUBJECTS AND METHODS: Forty-four children with mathematics learning disabilities, between 8 and 10 years old participated in this study. The children were randomly assigned to one of the three instructional formats and a control group without cognitive strategies training. In the three instructional conditions which were compared all the students learnt problems solving linguistic and visual cognitive strategies trough the self-instructional procedure. Several types of measurements were used for analysing the possible differential efficacy of the three instructional methods implemented: solving problems tests, marks in mathematics, internal achievement responsibility scale, and school behaviours teacher ratings. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS: Our findings show that the T-D training group and the T-D + CAI group improved significantly on math word problem solving and on marks in Maths from pre- to post-testing. In addition, the results indicated that the students of the T-D + CAI group solved more real-life problems and developed more internal attributions compared to both control and CAI groups. Finally, with regard to school behaviours, improvements in school adjustment and learning problems were observed in the students of the group with a combined instructional format (T-D + CAI).

Aplicación de nuevas tecnologías con estudiantes con dificultades de aprendizaje en la solución de problemas matemáticos: la ‘escuela submarina’ / The application of new technologies to solving maths problems for students with learning disabilities: The Underwater school

Introducción. Diferentes procedimientos basados en desarrollos informáticos han demostrado ser eficaces para enseñar estrategias cognitivas y metacognitivas para la resolución de problemas en matemáticas. Objetivo. Analizar en estudiantes con dificultades de aprendizaje la eficacia del entrenamiento en estrategias cognitivas, con tres formatos instruccionales: programa de instrucción directa del profesor (T-D), instrucción basada en un programa informático (CAI) y programa combinado (T-D + CAI). Sujetos y métodos. 44 niños con dificultades de aprendizaje en las matemáticas, entre 8 y 10 años de edad, fueron asignados al azar a cada uno de los tres formatos de instrucción, así como a un grupo control sin entrenamiento en estrategias cognitivas. En las tres condiciones que se compararon, los estudiantes aprendieron estrategias lingüísticas y visuales para la solución de problemas con autoinstrucciones. Se utilizaron diferentes tipos de medidas para analizar la posible eficacia diferencial de los tres métodos de instrucción implementados: test de solución de problemas, calificaciones en matemáticas, escala de responsabilidad interna del rendimiento y valoración del profesor de las conductas en la escuela. Resultados y conclusiones. El grupo con entrenamiento T-D y el grupo con T-D + CAI mejoraron significativamente en solución de problemas de texto y en sus calificaciones matemáticas de la pre a la postevaluación. Además, los estudiantes del grupo T-D + CAI resolvieron más problemas de la vida diaria y desarrollaron más atribuciones internas en comparación con el grupo control y el grupo CAI. Finalmente, en relación con las conductas en la escuela, se observaron mejoras en el ajuste escolar y en problemas de aprendizaje en los estudiantes del grupo con instrucción combinada (T-D + CAI) (AU)

Introduction. Different procedures have demonstrated efficacy to teach cognitive and metacognitive strategies to problem solving in mathematics. Some studies have used computer-based problem solving instructional programs. Aim. To analyze in students with learning disabilities the efficacy of a cognitive strategies training for problem solving, with three instructional delivery formats: a teacher-directed program (T-D), a computer-assisted instructional (CAI) program, and a combined program (T-D + CAI). Subjects and methods. Forty-four children with mathematics learning disabilities, between 8 and 10 years old participated in this study. The children were randomly assigned to one of the three instructional formats and a control group without cognitive strategies training. In the three instructional conditions which were compared all the students learnt problems solving linguistic and visual cognitive strategies trough the self-instructional procedure. Several types of measurements were used for analysing the possible differential efficacy of the three instructional methods implemented: solving problems tests, marks in mathematics, internal achievement responsibility scale, and school behaviours teacher ratings. Results and conclusions. Our findings show that the T-D training group and the T-D + CAI group improved significantly on math word problem solving and on marks in Maths from pre- to post-testing. In addition, the results indicated that the students of the T-D + CAI group solved more real-life problems and developed more internal attributions compared to both control and CAI groups. Finally, with regard to school behaviours, improvements in school adjustment and learning problems were observed in the students of the group with a combined instructional format (T-D + CAI) (AU)