The influence of changes in wording of simple arithmetic problems without affecting semantic structure on the level of difficulty for primary-grade students was investigated. Data analysis produced results that rewording the problem so that the semantic relations are made more explicit facilitates the construction of an appropriate mental…

BASIC programing was taught to 95 undergraduates from a manual emphasizing the language's syntax or from a manual that included additional material on the underlying semantics. Both approaches produced equivalent learning of syntactic features of BASIC; however, semantically trained students developed fewer misconceptions and performed better on…

This study identified cognitive processes that underlie individual differences in working memory (WM) and mathematical problem-solution accuracy in elementary school children at risk and not at risk for serious math difficulties (SMD). A battery of tests was administered that assessed problem solving, achievement, and cognitive processing in…

Computer-naive university students (N=124) were taught the BASIC programing language by solving and receiving feedback on program comprehension problems stated in BASIC or on corresponding problems stated in English followed by problems stated in BASIC. Results support a sequential method of instruction beginning with use of natural language…

Eye-movement registration was used to examine the influence of the semantic complexity of addition and subtraction word problems on response time and eye-fixation patterns of 10 high-ability and 10 low-ability second graders. Data provide evidence of the crucial role of semantic factors in word problem solving. (SLD)