Developing low-cost mobile technology to asses ability and fluctuations in executive functions and math learning
This project, funded by the NewSchools Venture Fund/Advanced Education Research and Development Fund, seeks to elevate math education outcomes for Black and Latinx children by helping them understand their changing executive functions (EF) and how these contribute to different approaches to math learning. We develop and validate a diverse set of portable tools to assess math skills and use machine learning algorithms to estimate fluctuations in EF in proximity to math performance. In this project we have worked extensively with focus groups and adopted methods of designing for equity to ensure tasks are respectful of students’ identities, cultural, gender, and linguistic diversity. A key innovation will be to contextualize how EF tests are delivered by enabling active momentary testing on portable devices directly in the classroom, so they can be used to inform learning and instruction. Our goal is to provide students and teachers with actionable information about which teaching strategy might be most appropriate for each student at a particular point in time and individualized cognitive and perceptual needs. We have learned that everyone has a unique profile of cognitive and perceptual strengths and weaknesses. This cognitive/perceptual diversity is important to understand to address individual needs.
Leadership Team
- Dr. Susanne Jaeggi, Northeastern University
- Dr. Aaron Seitz, Northeastern University
- Dr. Anja Pahor, University of Maribor & Northeastern University
- Dr. Dennis Barbour, Washington University in St. Louis
- Dr. Geetha Ramani, University of Maryland at College Park
- Dr. Imani Goffney, University of Maryland College of Education
- Dr. Jacob Gardner, University of Pennsylvania
MAT+EF Assessments
Cancellation
Participants will select certain orientations and patterns of stimuli (e.g., dogs and/or cats) among a row of differently patterned and oriented stimulus.
Countermanding
Participants are shown either a yellow or blue alien, with corresponding buttons underneath. When they are prompted with a yellow alien, participants must press the button on the same side as the yellow alien. When they are prompted with a blue alien, participants must press the button on the opposite side of the blue alien.
Flanker
Participants will be shown a series of five arrows and will be asked to indicate whether the centrally presented arrow is pointing to the left or right by pressing the corresponding button.
Magnitude Comparison
Participants are shown two numbers and are asked to tap the higher number as fast as possible.
Math Fluency
Participants must complete as many math problems as they can before time runs out. Operations can include addition, subtraction, multiplication, or division.
Memory Span
Participants will be shown a series of aliens that appear from different craters and will be expected to repeat the sequence by tapping on the aliens in the same order.
Memory Span: Complex
Participants will be provided with the same instructions as Simple Memory Span, but will be instructed to perform a sorting task in between each trial.
Number Line
Participants are shown numbers one at a time and are tasked to put them on the appropriate spot on the given number line.
Numerical Stroop
Participants are shown a screen with two types of animals and are asked to tap on the animal pen that has more animals as fast as they can.
Rule Switch
Participants will be required to match a stimulus at the top of the screen (a red/blue square or circle) to one of two stimuli in the lower corners of the screen. The stimulus can be classified by either shape or color.
Visual Serial Addition Task
Participants are shown a series of numbers one at a time. Their goal is to add the last two numbers presented and select the answer that correctly adds the two numbers.
Interested in trying out our assessments for yourself? Email us at bgc@northeastern.edu