← Back to Home

Neuroscience and didactics: on the use of fingers in learners with Specific Disorder of Arithmetic Skills

Formazione & insegnamento

ISSN: 2279-7505 | Published: 2023-12-29

This landing page is part of an alternate academic indexing and SEO initiative curated by Pensa MultiMedia and the Executive Editorial Office.

Access and Full Texts

Main Article Landing Page: https://ojs.pensamultimedia.it/index.php/siref/article/view/6748

Full Text HTML (viewer): missing data

Full Text PDF (viewer): https://ojs.pensamultimedia.it/index.php/siref/article/view/6748/6007

Full Text HTML (file): missing data

Full Text PDF (file): https://ojs.pensamultimedia.it/index.php/siref/article/download/6748/6007

Alternate URL (this mirror): https://formazione-insegnamento.eu/2023-21/3/6748-neuroscience-and-didactics-on-the-use-of-fingers-in-lea

Authors

General Metadata

Metadata (EN)

Title: Neuroscience and didactics: on the use of fingers in learners with Specific Disorder of Arithmetic Skills

Abstract: Counting is a skill that requires the activation of different complex cognitive processes which for the learner with Specific Disorder of Arithmetic Skills represents an obstacle to finding a correct solution to the calculation. By examining neuro-scientifical studies it is clear that awareness of the fingers and their movement is important because they facilitate the representation of numbers in the brain supporting working memory, for the decrease of the cognitive load have proved to be a great help (Butterworth, 1999; Soylu et al., 2018).  Even the theory of embodiment (Damiani & Gomez Paloma, 2021) appears to be in agreement and in favor of integrating the verbal act with the motor act. In this perspective, a case study in action research was conducted with 15 primary school children with dyscalculia, with the aim to responding to the following question: by counting with your fingers, rather than just mentally, what results are seen? The results revealed some interesting results for teachers and and for their teaching.

Keywords: Didactics; Dyscalculia; Neuroscience; Teaching-Learning

Metadata (IT)

Title: Neuroscienze e didattica: sull'uso delle dita nei discenti con Disturbo Specifico delle Abilità Aritmetiche

Abstract: Contare è un'abilità che richiede l'attivazione di differenti processi cognitivi complessi che per il discente con Disturbo Specifico delle Abilità Aritmetiche rappresenta un ostacolo alla corretta soluzione dei calcoli. Esaminando gli studi di neuroscienze in tale ambito, si evince che la consapevolezza delle dita e del loro movimento risulta importante perché favorisce la rappresentazione dei numeri nel cervello, supportando la memoria di lavoro e riducendo il carico cognitivo (Butterworth, 1999; Soylu et al., 2018). La teoria dell'embodiment (Damiani & Gomez Paloma, 2021) appare in accordo con questo assunto ed è favorevole all'integrazione dell'atto verbale con l'atto motorio. Alla luce di quanto esposto è stato condotto uno studio di caso in ricerca-azione con 15 bambini/e della scuola primaria interessati da discalculia, volendo rispondere alla seguente domanda: contare con le dita, piuttosto che solo mentalmente, quali risultati produce? Sono emersi alcuni risultati interessanti per i docenti e la loro didattica.

Keywords: Didattica; Discalculia; Insegnamento-Apprendimento; Neuroscienze

Metadata (FR)

Title: Neuroscience et enseignement: sur l'utilisation des doigts dans les apprenants souffrant de troubles des compétences arithmétiques spécifiques

Abstract: Le comptage est une compétence qui nécessite l'activation de différents processus cognitifs complexes qui pour l'apprenant ayant un trouble des compétences arithmétiques spécifiques représente un obstacle à la bonne solution de calculs.En examinant les études des neurosciences dans ce contexte, il est clair que la conscience des doigts et leur mouvement est importante car elle favorise la représentation des nombres dans le cerveau, soutenant la mémoire de travail et réduisant la charge cognitive (Butterworth, 1999; Soylu et al., 2018).La théorie de l'ambodiment (Damiani & amp; Gomez Paloma, 2021) apparaît en accord avec cette hypothèse et est en faveur de l'intégration de la loi verbale avec la loi sur le moteur.À la lumière de ce qui précède, une étude de cas a été menée en recherche avec 15 enfants de l'école primaire affectés par Discalculia, souhaitant répondre à la question suivante: compter avec vos doigts, plutôt que mentalement, quels résultats produisent-il?Certains résultats intéressants ont émergé pour les enseignants et leur enseignement. (This version of record did not originally feature translated metadata in this target language; the translation is hereby provided by Google Translation)

Keywords: Enseignement;Discalculia;Enseignement-apprentissage;Neuroscience

Metadata (ES)

Title: Neurociencia y didáctica: sobre el uso de los dedos en estudiantes con Trastorno Específico de las Habilidades Aritméticas

Abstract: Contar es una habilidad que requiere la activación de diferentes procesos cognitivos complejos, lo cual representa un obstáculo para la correcta resolución de cálculos en estudiantes con Trastorno Específico de las Habilidades Aritméticas. Examinando los estudios de neurociencia en este campo, se observa que la conciencia de los dedos y su movimiento es importante porque favorece la representación de los números en el cerebro, apoyando la memoria de trabajo y reduciendo la carga cognitiva (Butterworth, 1999; Soylu et al., 2018). La teoría del embodiment (Damiani & Gomez Paloma, 2021) parece estar de acuerdo con esta premisa y favorece la integración del acto verbal con el acto motor. A la luz de lo expuesto, se llevó a cabo un estudio de caso en investigación-acción con 15 niños/as de la escuela primaria con discalculia, queriendo responder a la siguiente pregunta: ¿qué resultados produce contar con los dedos, en lugar de solo mentalmente? Han surgido algunos resultados interesantes para los docentes y su didáctica.

Keywords: Enseñanza;Discalculia;Enseñanza-aprendizaje;Neurociencia

Metadata (PT)

Title: Neurociência e ensino: Sobre o uso de dedos nos alunos com transtorno específico de habilidades aritméticas

Abstract: A contagem é uma habilidade que requer a ativação de diferentes processos cognitivos complexos que para o aluno com transtorno específico de habilidades aritméticas representa um obstáculo à solução correta dos cálculos.Ao examinar os estudos de neurociência nesse contexto, fica claro que a consciência dos dedos e seu movimento é importante porque promove a representação dos números no cérebro, apoiando a memória de trabalho e reduzindo a carga cognitiva (Butterworth, 1999; Soylu et al., 2018).A teoria do ambodimento (Damiani & amp; Gomez Paloma, 2021) aparece de acordo com essa suposição e é a favor da integração do ato verbal com a Lei Motora.À luz do exposto acima, um estudo de caso foi realizado em pesquisa-ação com 15 filhos da escola primária afetados pela Discalculia, querendo responder à seguinte pergunta: contando com os dedos, e não apenas mentalmente, quais resultados produzem?Alguns resultados interessantes surgiram para os professores e seus ensinamentos. (This version of record did not originally feature translated metadata in this target language; the translation is hereby provided by Google Translation)

Keywords: Ensino;Discalculia;Ensino-aprendizagem;Neurociência

References

Alibali, M. W., & Di Russo, A. A. (1999). The function of gesture in learning to count: More than keeping track. Cognitive Development, 14(1), 37–56. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0885-2014(99)80017-3

Amelia, W., & Supena, A. (2022). Mathematics Learning Strategy for Discalculia Students in Elementary School. Jurnal Kependidikan: Jurnal Hasil Penelitian Dan Kajian Kepustakaan Di Bidang Pendidikan, Pengajaran Dan Pembelajaran, 8(1), 209. https://doi.org/10.33394/jk.v8i1.4700

Anderson, L. W., & Krathwohl, D. R. (2001). A taxonomy for learning, teaching, and assessing. A revision of Bloom's taxonomy of educational objectives. New York: Addison Wesley Longman.

Antell, S. E., & Keating, D. (1983). Perception of numerical invariance by neonates. Child Development. 54, 695–701. https://doi.org/10.2307/1130057

Arboix-Calas, F. (2018). Neurosciences cognitives et sciences de l'éducation: Vers un changement de paradigme ? Éducation et Socialisation, 49. https://doi.org/10.4000/edso.4320

Arisandi, E. (2014). Improving Multiplication Operation Ability for Dyscalculia Children through the Linematic Method. Scientific Journal of Special Education, 3(3), 478–488.

Associazione Italiana Dislessia. (2007, January 26). Disturbi Evolutivi Specifici di Apprendimento: Raccomandazioni per la pratica clinica definite con il metodo della Consensus Conference. Disturbi Evolutivi Specifici di Apprendimento: Raccomandazioni per la pratica clinica definite con il metodo della Consensus Conference. https://www.miur.gov.it/documents/20182/187572/Raccomandazioni+per+la+pratica+clinica+definite+con+il+metodo+della+Consensus+Conference.pdf/8ea58c0d-edb5-4485-9845-b81af24ea1b7?version=1.0&t=1495444337910

Azhari, B. (2017). Identification of Dyscalculia Learning Disorders in Madrasah Ibtidaiyah Students. Al Khwarizmi: Journal of Mathematics Education and Learning, 1(1), 60‍–74. http://dx.doi.org/10.22373/jppm.v1i1.1732

Barth, B. M. (1993). Le savoir en construction, former à une pédagogie de la compréhension. Paris: Retz.

Bassey, M. (1999). Case study research in educational settings. Buckingham-Philadelphia: Open University Press.

Booth, J. L., & Siegler, R. S. (2008). Numerical magnitude representations influence arithmetic learning. Child Development, 79, 1016–1031. https://www.jstor.org/stable/27563535

Bortolotto, M. (2020). Lo studio di caso in ricerca-azione: tra potenziale epistemologico ed esigenza di rigore per la professionalità educativa. Pedagogia Oggi, 1, 183-196. https://doi.org/10.7346/PO-012020-12

Bruer, J. T. (1997). Education and the Brain: A Bridge Too Far. Educational Researcher, 26(8), 4–16. https://doi.org/10.3102/0013189X026008004

Bryant, D. P. (2005). Commentary on early identification and intervention for students with mathematics difficulties. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 38, 340–345. https://doi.org/10.1177/00222194050380041001

Bryant, D. P., Bryant, B. R., Gersten, R., Scammacca, N., & Chavez, M. M. (2008). Mathematics Intervention for First- and Second-Grade Students With Mathematics Difficulties: The Effects of Tier 2 Intervention Delivered as Booster Lessons. Remedial and Special Education, 29(1), 20–32. https://doi.org/10.1177/0741932507309712

Butterworth, B. (1999). What counts: How every brain is hardwired for math. New York, NY, USA: The Free Press.

Butterworth, B. (2005). The development of arithmetic abilities. Journal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry, and Allied Disciplines, 46(1), 3–18. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1469-7610.2004.00374.x

Calvani, A., (2012). Per un'istruzione evidence based: Analisi teorico metodologica internazionale sulle didattiche efficaci e inclusive. Trento: Erickson.

Campbell, S., Greenwood, M., Prior, S., Shearer, T., Walkem, K., Young, S., Bywaters, D., & Walker, K. (2020). Purposive sampling: Complex or simple? Research case examples. Journal of Research in Nursing, 25(8), 652–661. https://doi.org/10.1177/1744987120927206

Coggi, C., & Ricchiardi, P. (2010). Progettare la ricerca empirica in educazione. Roma: Carocci.

Contini, M., Fabbri M., & Manuzzi P. (2006). Non di solo cervello: Educare alle connessioni mente– corpo – significati – contesti. Milano: Raffaello Cortina.

Cook, S. W., Mitchell, Z., & Goldin-Meadow, S. (2008). Gesturing makes learning last. Cognition, 106(2), 1047–1058. https://doi.org/10.1016%2Fj.cognition.2007.04.010

Cornoldi, C., Friso, G., & Palladino, P.. (2006). Avviamento alla metacognizione. Attività su «riflettere sulla mente», «la mente in azione», «controllare la mente» e «credere nella mente». Trento: Centro Studi Erickson.

Damayanti, R. (2020). Analysis of Mathematics Learning Difficulties in Dyscalculia Students in Solving Integer Operation Problems. Journal of Chemical Information and Modeling, 53(9), 1689–1699. https://doi.org/10.33394/jk.v8i1.4700

Damiani, P., & Gomez Paloma, F. (2021). Key points between neuroscience and education from the 'embodied cognition perspective'. Italian Journal of Health Education, Sports and Inclusive Didactics, 5(2), 31‍–‍38. https://doi.org/10.32043/gsd.v5i2.371

Damiani, P., Santaniello, A., & Gomez Paloma, F. (2015). Rethinking didactics in light of neuroscience: Body, visuospatial ability and empathy: an exploratory research. Italian Journal of Educational Research, 8(14), 83–106. Retrieved November 15, 2023, from https://ojs.pensamultimedia.it/index.php/sird/article/view/1589

Dehaene, S., & Cohen, L. (1995). Towards an anatomical and functional model of number processing. Mathematical Cognition, 1, 83–120.

Dehaene, S., Bossini, S., & Giraux, P. (1993). The mental representation of parity and number magnitude. Journal of Experimental Psychology: General, 122(3), 371–396. https://doi.org/10.1037/0096-3445.122.3.371

Della Sala, S. (2016). Le neuroscienze a scuola: Il buono, il brutto, il cattivo. Milano: Giunti.

Domenici, G. (Ed.). (2005). Le prove semistrutturate di verifica degli apprendimenti. Torino: UTET.

D'Alessio, C. (2011). Il contributo delle neuroscienze all'epistemologia pedagogica. Verso un nuovo paradigma. Formazione & insegnamento, 9(1), 93‍–97. Retrieved November 15, 2023, from https://ojs.pensamultimedia.it/index.php/siref/article/view/1145

Etikan, I., Musa, S. A., Alkassim, R. S. (2015). Comparison of Convenience Sampling and Purposive Sampling. American Journal of Theoretical and Applied Statistics, 5(1), 1–‍‍4. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ajtas.20160501.11

Franklin, D. (2018). Helping Your Child with Language-Based Learning Disabilities: Strategies to Succeed in School & Life with Dyslexia, Dysgraphia, Dyscalculia, ADHD & Processing Disorders. London: Thompson.

Frauenfelder, E., Rivoltella, P. C., Rossi, P. G., & Sibilio, M. (2013). Bio-education, simplexity, neuroscience and enactivism. A new paradigm? Education Sciences & Society, 4(1), 11‍–‍25. Retrieved November 15, 2023, from https://riviste.unimc.it/index.php/es_s/article/view/695/

Fuson, K. C. (1988). Effects of Object Arrangement on Counting Correspondence Errors and on the Indicating Act. In K. C. Fuson (Ed.), Children's Counting and Concepts of Number. Springer Series in Cognitive Development (pp. 93–127). Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-3754-9_4

Gallese, V., & Lakoff, G. (2005). The brain's concepts: The role of the sensory-motor system in conceptual knowledge. Cognitive Neuropsychology, 22, 455‍–‍479. https://doi.org/10.1080/02643290442000310

Geary, D. C. (1993). Mathematical disabilities: Cognitive, neuropsychological and genetic components. Psychological Bulletin, 114, 345–362. https://doi.org/10.1037/0033-2909.114.2.345

Geary, D. C. (2004). Mathematics and learning disabilities. Journal of learning disabilities, 37(1), 4–15. https://doi.org/10.1177/00222194040370010201

Gerstmann, J. (1940). The syndrome of finger agnosia, disorientation for right and left, agraphia and acalculia. Archives of Neurology and Psychiatry 44, 398–408. https://doi.org/10.1001/archneurpsyc.1940.02280080158009

Gomez Paloma, F., Damiani, P., & Ianes, D. (2014). ICF, BES e didattica per competenze: La ricerca EDUFIBES. L'integrazione scolastica e sociale, 13(3), 258‍–‍277. Retrieved November 10, 2023, from https://rivistedigitali.erickson.it/integrazione-scolastica-sociale/archivio/?anno=2014

Jordan, N. C., & Hanich, L. B. (2000). Mathematical thinking in second-grade children with different forms of LD. Journal of Learning Disabilities, 33, 567‍–578. https://doi.org/10.1177/002221940003300605

Jordan, N. C., Kaplan, D., Ramineni, C., & Locuniak, M. N. (2008). Development of number combination skill in the early school years: When do fingers help?. Developmental Science, 11, 662‍–‍668. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-7687.2008.00715.x

Kuhn, J. T., Ise, E., Raddatz, J., Schwenk, C., & Dobel, C. (2016). Basic numerical processing, calculation, and working memory in children with dyscalculia and/or ADHD symptoms. Z Kinder Jugendpsychiatr Psychother, 44(5), 365‍–‍375. https://doi.org/10.1024/1422-4917/a000450

Linee guida per il diritto allo studio degli alunni e degli studenti con disturbi specifici di apprendimento. (2011). [Guidelines]. https://www.miur.gov.it/documents/20182/187572/Linee+guida+per+il+diritto+allo+studio+degli+alunni+e+degli+studenti+con+disturbi+specifici+di+apprendimento.pdf/663faecd-cd6a-4fe0-84f8-6e716b45b37e?version=1.0&t=1495447020459

Long, I., Malone, S. A., Tolan, A., Burgoyne, K., Heron-Delaney, M., Witteveen, K., & Hulme, C. (2016). The cognitive foundations of early arithmetic skills: It is counting and number judgment, but not finger gnosis, that count. Journal of Experimental Child Psychology, 152, 327‍–‍334. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jecp.2016.08.005

Lucangeli, D., & Mammarella, I. C. (2010). Psicologia della cognizione numerica: Approcci teorici, valutazioni e intervento. Milano: FrancoAngeli.

Lucangeli, D., Poli S., & Molin A. (2003). L'intelligenza numerica: Abilità cognitive e metacognitive nella costruzione della conoscenza numerica dai 6 agli 8 anni, Vol. 2 (pp. 7‍–‍40). Trento: Erickson.

Maggi, D. (2020). The body in action: mediate, understand, learn. Giornale Italiano di Educazione alla Salute, Sport e Didattica Inclusiva, 4,149‍–‍156. https://doi.org/10.32043/gsd.v4i4%20sup.264

Mammarella, I. C., Caviola, S., Cornoldi, C., & Lucangeli, D. (2013). Mental additions and verbal-domain interference in children with developmental dyscalculia. Res Dev Disabil, 34(9), 2845‍–‍2855. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ridd.2013.05.044

Merriam, S. B. (2001). Qualitative Research and Case Study Applications in Education. San Francisco (CA): Jossey-Bass.

Miyake, A., & Shah, P. (Eds.). (1999). Models of working memory: Mechanisms of active maintenance and executive control. Cambridge University Press. https://doi.org/10.1017/CBO9781139174909

Moeller, K., Fischer, U., Link, T., Wasner, M., Huber, S., Cress, U., & Nuerk, H.-C. (2012). Learning and development of embodied numerosity. Cognitive Processing, 13, 271‍–‍274. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10339-012-0457-9

Noël, M.-P. (2005). Finger gnosia: A predictor of numerical abilities in children?. Child Neuropsychology, 11(5), 413–430. https://doi.org/10.1080/09297040590951550

Noël, M.-P., Grégoire, J., Meert, G., & Seron, X. (2008). The innate schema of natural numbers does not explain historical, cultural, and developmental differences. Behavioral and Brain Sciences, 31(6), 664–665. https://doi.org/10.1017/S0140525X08005815

Noël, M.P., & Rousselle, L. (2011), Developmental changes in the profiles of dyscalculia: an explanation base on a double exact-and-approximate number representation model. Frontiers in Human Neuroscience, 5, 165. https://doi.org/10.3389/fnhum.2011.00165

Parasuraman, R., Greenwood, P. M., Kumar, R., & Fossella, J. (2005). Beyond heritability: Neurotransmitter genes differentially modulate visuospatial attention and working memory. Psychological Science, 16, 200–207. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.0956-7976.2005.00804.x

Passolunghi, M. C., & Cornoldi, C. (2008). Working memory failures in children with arithmetical difficulties. Child Neuropsychology, 14, 387–400. https://doi.org/10.1080/09297040701566662

Peluso Cassese, F. (2017). Corporeity and movement education. Giornale Italiano di Educazione alla Salute, Sport e Didattica Inclusiva, 1(3), 7–8. https://doi.org/10.32043/gsd.v0i3.24

Reeve, R., & Humberstone, J. (2011). Five- to 7-year-olds' finger gnosia and calculation abilities. Frontiers in Psychology, 2, 359. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyg.2011.00359

Rivoltella, P. C. (2012). Neurodidattica: Insegnare al cervello che apprende. Milano: Raffaello Cortina.

Rousselle, L., & Noel, M.-P. (2007). Basic numerical skills in children with mathematics learning disabilities: A comparison of symbolic vs non-symbolic number magnitude processing. Cognition, 102(3), 361–395. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cognition.2006.01.005

Sibilio, M. (2012). Corpo e cognizione nella didattica. In P. G. Rossi & P. C. Rivoltella (Eds.), L'agire didattico: Manuale per l'insegnante (pp. 329–347). Brescia: La Scuola.

Soylu, F., Lester Jr., F. K., & Newman, S. D. (2018). You can count on your fingers: The role of fingers in early mathematical development. Journal of Numerical Cognition, 4(1), 107–135. https://doi.org/10.5964/jnc.v4i1.85

Steffe, L. P., & Cobb, P. (1988). Construction of Arithmetical Meanings and Strategies. Springer New York. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4612-3844-7

Tore, R. (2022). Sull'uso delle dita nei discenti con discalculia. In F. Peluso Cassese (Ed.), Research on Educational Neuroscience. Ricerche in Neuroscienze Educative. Scuola, Sport e Società. Edizioni Universitarie Romane.

Trinchero, R., & Robasto, D. (2019). I mixed methods nella ricerca educativa. Milano: Mondadori.

Vygotski, L. S. (2014). Histoire du développement des fonctions psychiques supérieures. Paris: La Dispute. (Original work published 1931)

Wynn, K. (1990). Children's understanding of counting. Cognition, 36(2), 155–193. https://doi.org/10.1016/0010-0277(90)90003-3

Yin, R. K. (2005). Lo studio di caso nella ricerca scientifica. Roma: Armando.