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Mi Tian - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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The Development and Measurement of Block Construction in Early Childhood: A Review:
Journal of Psychoeducational Assessment, 2019Co-Authors: Mi Tian, Tianrui Luo, Him CheungAbstract:Children’s Block Building has long been a focus of psychological research, in part because Block Building skills are thought to be useful indicators of other abilities such as representational thin...
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the impact of individual differences types of model and social settings on Block Building performance among chinese preschoolers
Frontiers in Psychology, 2018Co-Authors: Mi Tian, Zhu Deng, Zhaokun Meng, Rui Li, Zhiyi Zhang, Wenhui Qi, Rui Wang, Menghui JiAbstract:Children’s Block Building performances are used as indicators of other abilities in multiple domains. In the current study, we examined individual differences, types of model and social settings as influences on children’s Block Building performance. Chinese preschoolers (N = 180) participated in a Block Building activity in a natural setting, and performance was assessed with multiple measures in order to identify a range of specific skills. Using scores generated across these measures, three dependent variables were analyzed: Block Building skills, structural balance and structural features. An overall MANOVA showed that there were significant main effects of gender and grade level across most measures. Types of model showed no significant effect in children’s Block Building. There was a significant main effect of social settings on structural features, with the best performance in the 5-member group, followed by individual and then the 10-member Block Building. These findings suggest that boys performed better than girls in Block Building activity. Block Building performance increased significantly from first to second year of preschool, but not from second to third. The preschoolers created more representational constructions when presented with a model made of wooden rather than with a picture. There was partial evidence that children performed better when working with peers in a small group than when working alone or working in a large group. It is suggested that future study should examine other modalities rather than the visual one, diversify the samples and adopt a longitudinal investigation.
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The Impact of Individual Differences, Types of Model and Social Settings on Block Building Performance among Chinese Preschoolers.
Frontiers in psychology, 2018Co-Authors: Mi Tian, Zhu Deng, Zhaokun Meng, Zhiyi Zhang, Rui Wang, Tingting YinAbstract:Children's Block Building performances are used as indicators of other abilities in multiple domains. In the current study, we examined individual differences, types of model and social settings as influences on children's Block Building performance. Chinese preschoolers (N = 180) participated in a Block Building activity in a natural setting, and performance was assessed with multiple measures in order to identify a range of specific skills. Using scores generated across these measures, three dependent variables were analyzed: Block Building skills, structural balance and structural features. An overall MANOVA showed that there were significant main effects of gender and grade level across most measures. Types of model showed no significant effect in children's Block Building. There was a significant main effect of social settings on structural features, with the best performance in the 5-member group, followed by individual and then the 10-member Block Building. These findings suggest that boys performed better than girls in Block Building activity. Block Building performance increased significantly from 1st to 2nd year of preschool, but not from second to third. The preschoolers created more representational constructions when presented with a model made of wooden rather than with a picture. There was partial evidence that children performed better when working with peers in a small group than when working alone or working in a large group. It is suggested that future study should examine other modalities rather than the visual one, diversify the samples and adopt a longitudinal investigation.
Zonglin Jiang - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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a multilevel Block Building algorithm for fast modeling generalized separable systems
Expert Systems With Applications, 2018Co-Authors: Chen Chen, Changtong Luo, Zonglin JiangAbstract:Symbolic regression is an important application area of genetic programming (GP), aimed at finding an optimal mathematical model that can describe and predict a given system based on observed input response data. However, GP convergence speed towards the target model can be prohibitively slow for large-scale problems containing many variables. With the development of artificial intelligence, convergence speed has become a bottleneck for practical applications. In this paper, based on observations of real-world engineering equations, generalized separability is defined to handle repeated variables that appear more than once in the target model. To identify the structure of a function with a possible generalized separability feature, a multilevel Block Building (MBB) algorithm is proposed in which the target model is decomposed into several Blocks and then into minimal Blocks and factors. The minimal factors are relatively easy to determine for most conventional GP or other non-evolutionary algorithms. The efficiency of the proposed MBB has been tested by comparing it with Eureqa, a state-of-the-art symbolic regression tool. Test results indicate MBB is more effective and efficient; it can recover all investigated cases quickly and reliably. MBB is thus a promising algorithm for modeling engineering systems with separability features. (C) 2018 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
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a multilevel Block Building algorithm for fast modeling generalized separable systems
arXiv: Optimization and Control, 2017Co-Authors: Chen Chen, Changtong Luo, Zonglin JiangAbstract:Data-driven modeling plays an increasingly important role in different areas of engineering. For most of existing methods, such as genetic programming (GP), the convergence speed might be too slow for large scale problems with a large number of variables. It has become the bottleneck of GP for practical applications. Fortunately, in many applications, the target models are separable in some sense. In this paper, we analyze different types of separability of some real-world engineering equations and establish a mathematical model of generalized separable system (GS system). In order to get the structure of the GS system, a multilevel Block Building (MBB) algorithm is proposed, in which the target model is decomposed into a number of Blocks, further into minimal Blocks and factors. Compare to the conventional GP, MBB can make large reductions to the search space. This makes MBB capable of modeling a complex system. The minimal Blocks and factors are optimized and assembled with a global optimization search engine, low dimensional simplex evolution (LDSE). An extensive study between the proposed MBB and a state-of-the-art data-driven fitting tool, Eureqa, has been presented with several man-made problems, as well as some real-world problems. Test results indicate that the proposed method is more effective and efficient under all the investigated cases.
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Block Building programming for symbolic regression
arXiv: Neural and Evolutionary Computing, 2017Co-Authors: Chen Chen, Changtong Luo, Zonglin JiangAbstract:Symbolic regression that aims to detect underlying data-driven models has become increasingly important for industrial data analysis. For most existing algorithms such as genetic programming (GP), the convergence speed might be too slow for large-scale problems with a large number of variables. This situation may become even worse with increasing problem size. The aforementioned difficulty makes symbolic regression limited in practical applications. Fortunately, in many engineering problems, the independent variables in target models are separable or partially separable. This feature inspires us to develop a new approach, Block Building programming (BBP). BBP divides the original target function into several Blocks, and further into factors. The factors are then modeled by an optimization engine (e.g. GP). Under such circumstances, BBP can make large reductions to the search space. The partition of separability is based on a special method, Block and factor detection. Two different optimization engines are applied to test the performance of BBP on a set of symbolic regression problems. Numerical results show that BBP has a good capability of structure and coefficient optimization with high computational efficiency.
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Parameter-correlation study on shock–shock interaction using a machine learning method
Aerospace Science and Technology, 1Co-Authors: Jun Peng, Changtong Luo, Z.j. Han, Zonglin JiangAbstract:Abstract To predict the maximum heating load induced by shock–shock interaction more reliably and accurately, the geometrical scale of the overall wave configuration of shock–shock interaction is very useful. However, it is hard to be solved with traditional shock theory due to its complexity. The results of numerical and experimental studies are case-by-case. Concise formulas correlating the geometrical scales of shock–shock interaction with the given flow parameters are desired but still unavailable. In the present work, a set of correlative formulas for the triple-points' coordinates of type IVa, IV, and III shock–shock interaction are derived by multilevel Block Building algorithm, a functional machine learning method. The key flow structure of shock–shock interaction, i.e., the supersonic impinging jet, can be determined with the help of shock theories and the formulas. In addition, the transition criteria respectively for the overall wave configuration transitions of type IVa ↔ type IV and type IV ↔ type III shock–shock interaction can be obtained by the machine learning based method.
J. Cantero - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Minecraft as a Block Building Approach for Developing Spatial Skills
Entertainment Computing, 1Co-Authors: C.j. Carbonell-carrera, A. Jaeger, J.l. Saorín, D. Melián, J. CanteroAbstract:Abstract Spatial skills belong to a group of functions and capacities that allow for the manipulation and processing of spatial information. Spatial skills are essential in STEM fields where students need to imagine objects in different orientations, manipulate three-dimensional models, and mentally reconstruct drawings from two to three dimensions. However, many students have difficulty with understanding 3D spatial geometry and the transitions between 2D and 3D. Making accurate drawings of spatial objects and 3D visual-spatial understanding are factors that impact one’s ability to learn spatial geometry. Spatial skills can be developed through specific training with appropriate tools, and Minecraft allows for the creation of and interaction with 3D objects and scenarios. The present study investigated the impact of a Block-Building workshop that implemented Minecraft activities on the development and training of students’ mental rotation skill. After the workshop, participants showed an improvement on the mental rotation task. In the development of mental rotation skill field have been carried out in other research different strategies using 3D modeling, SketchUp, Tetris, Block 3D apps and Augmented Reality. The activity carried out with Minecraft offers good results, only surpassed by augmented reality.
Beth M. Casey - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Quality of fathers’ spatial concept support during Block Building predicts their daughters’ early math skills – but not their sons’
Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 2020Co-Authors: Dana Thomson, Beth M. Casey, Caitlin Mcpherran Lombardi, Hoa Nha NguyenAbstract:Abstract The goal of this study was to examine fathers’ support of their children’s spatial learning during a joint Block-Building task at the beginning of first grade as a predictor of their children’s math achievement at the end of first grade. Observational measures of videotaped father–child interactions from the Boston site of the NICHD Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development (N = 105) were used to examine the effectiveness of spatial support during a Block Building task. Trained observers rated fathers’ spatial support by applying two approaches: (a) a qualitative rating scale assessing level of paternal spatial concept support involving encouragement of child spatial learning and enriched spatial explanations, and (b) a measure assessing quantitative paternal spatial location language support. A significant sex by quality of spatial concept support interaction showed that for girls (but not for boys), fathers’ qualitatively higher spatial concept support predicted superior math achievement scores by the end of first grade, even after controlling for a host of variables, including children’s math achievement at age 4.5 years, family income, child intelligence and ratings of fathers’ and mothers’ general cognitive support (e.g., support for a range of perceptual, cognitive, and linguistic development) across all parent–child activities during the first grade home visit. The quantitative measure of frequency of paternal spatial location language support was not predictive of math, but children’s independent accuracy on the Block Building task did predict math achievement. Though only correlational, findings suggest that fathers may have an important role to play in providing high-quality spatial concept support for their young daughters.
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Maternal support of young children’s planning and spatial concept learning as predictors of later math (and reading) achievement
Early Childhood Research Quarterly, 2017Co-Authors: Caitlin Mcpherran Lombardi, Beth M. Casey, Dana Thomson, Hoa Nha Nguyen, Eric DearingAbstract:Abstract The goal of this study was to examine maternal support of spatial concept learning and planning at 36 months as predictors of children’s math achievement at 4 ½ years and first grade. Observational measures of videotaped mother-child interactions from the Boston site of the NICHD Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development ( N = 140 ) were used to examine the effectiveness of support for spatial concept learning and planning during a Block Building play activity. Trained observers rated maternal support of children’s learning of spatial concepts through spatial language and gestures, with higher ratings involving explanations and encouragement of children’s use of spatial concepts. This measure was predictive of math achievement at 4 ½ years when controlling for length of the parent-child observation, child gender, ethnicity, and IQ at 2 years, as well as maternal years of education, verbal intelligence, income-to-needs averaged from 1 to 36 months, parenting stress, general cognitive stimulation, and maternal support of numerical concepts during the same observation. Maternal support of children’s planning skills, also rated by trained observers during the Block Building activity, involved identifying incremental steps to reach the Block Building goal, with higher ratings given for encouraging planning on the part of the child. This measure was predictive of math achievement at 4 ½ years, as well as reading achievement at both 4 ½ years and first grade, suggesting that maternal planning support has associations with the two key measures of school readiness, while maternal spatial support may be specific to mathematics.
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Adolescent Boys' and Girls' Block Constructions Differ in Structural Balance: A Block-Building Characteristic Related to Math Achievement.
Learning and Individual Differences, 2012Co-Authors: Beth M. Casey, Elizabeth Pezaris, Julie BassiAbstract:Abstract Two studies were conducted on Block Building in adolescents, assessing middle school (Study 1) and high school students (Study 2). Students were asked to build something interesting with Blocks. In both samples, the same pattern of gender differences were found; boys built taller structures than girls, and balanced a larger number of Blocks on a small base of upright Blocks (a new measure developed for this study). Gender differences in the height of structures were fully mediated by this measure of structural balance. These findings suggest that balance elements are key to understanding gender differences in Block Building. In Study 2, high-school students were given a second task, requiring them to apply structural balance principles (only four upright Blocks were provided on which to build), and instructing them to build a tall, complex, well-balanced structure. Gender differences again were found, suggesting that gender differences in Block Building may be skill-based as well as stylistic. A separate question was whether Block-Building characteristics at this age have any relevance to math achievement. In both studies, the measure of structural balance was the only Block-Building characteristic that predicted math achievement. Additional research is needed to understand the cognitive underpinnings of this new spatial measure, how malleable it is, and its further practical significance for adolescent learners.
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the development of spatial skills through interventions involving Block Building activities
Cognition and Instruction, 2008Co-Authors: Beth M. Casey, Nicole Andrews, Holly Schindler, Joanne E Kersh, Alexandra Samper, Juanita CopleyAbstract:This study investigated the use of Block-Building interventions to develop spatial-reasoning skills in kindergartners. Two intervention conditions and a control condition were included to determine, first, whether the Block Building activities themselves benefited children's spatial skills, and secondly, whether a story context further improved learning. Spatial measures included: spatial visualization, mental rotation, and Block Building. Results showed: for Block Building, interventions within a story context improved performance compared to the other two conditions. For spatial visualization, both types of Block-Building interventions improved performance compared to the control condition. Findings suggest: (1) storytelling provides an effective context for teaching spatial content, (2) teaching Block Building develops wider spatial skills, and (3) 3-dimensional mental rotation tasks show a male advantage in kindergartners.
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Early Childhood Corner: The Power of Block Building
Teaching Children Mathematics, 2003Co-Authors: Beth M. Casey, Barbara BobbAbstract:The ability to build complex structures with Blocks is a powerful tool that can benefit all children. This article presents research on the importance of Block Building in developing spatial reasoning and explains the mathematics underlying Block Building. As an example of how teachers can systematically incorporate mathematics into Block-Building activities, this article describes elements of a new book on Block Building, Sneeze Builds a Castle (Casey, Paugh, and Ballard 2002). This book is part of a series of storytelling and mathematics supplementary books, 'Round the Rug Math: Adventures in Problem Solving, written with the support of a National Science Foundation grant and designed to facilitate spatial reasoning in young children (Casey, in press).
Bernd Steinbach - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Orthogonal Block Change & Block Building Using Ordered Lists of Ternary Vectors
2002Co-Authors: Christina Dorotska, Bernd SteinbachAbstract:In this paper we investigate the possibility of efficient minimization of number of vectors in lists representing Boolean functions. We use the representation of a function as an ordered list of ternary or Boolean vectors and propose a faster algorithm that is based on ordering of vectors. We sort the vectors in lists using the number of ones and dashes to create classes and subclasses. This model is used to speed up the optimization of orthogonal vector lists, an algorithm known as Block change & Block Building. Unlike the algorithm used in XBOOLE system this algorithm uses additional knowledge from the ordered model and changes only Blocks, that lead to new possibilities of Block Building. Our new algorithm is compared with algorithm, used in XBOOLE system, and finally it is shown by means of experimental results that our algorithm with ordering of vectors requires fewer comparisons to find a new Block Building possibility.
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Orthogonal Block Building Using Ordered Lists of Ternary Vectors
2000Co-Authors: Bernd Steinbach, Christina DorotskaAbstract:In this paper we investigate the possibility of faster calculation of operations on Boolean functions. We use the representation of a function as an ordered list of ternary or Boolean vectors and propose a faster algorithm that is based on ordering of vectors. We sort the vectors in lists using the number of ones and strokes to create classes and subclasses. This model is used to speed up the minimization of orthogonal vector lists, an algorithm known as Block Building. Our algorithm is compared with three other algorithms, and finally it is shown by means of experimental results that our algorithm with ordering of vectors require fewer comparisons and can find more pairs of vectors, which can build a Block.
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Orthogonal Block change & Block Building using a simulated annealing algorithm
The Experience of Designing and Application of CAD Systems in Microelectronics 2003. CADSM 2003. Proceedings of the 7th International Conference., 1Co-Authors: Christina Dorotska, Bernd SteinbachAbstract:In this paper we present an improved algorithm for efficient minimization of the number of vectors in lists representing Boolean functions using an ordered data structure OTVL and simulated annealing algorithm to permit with a certain probability performing of some special Block changes. New algorithm requires fewer comparisons to rind a new Block Building possibility than the XBOOLE algorithm.