Posted: November 20, 2014 | Author: MERG | Filed under: Uncategorized |
Dr. Erika Patall writes “Help Children Form Good Study Habits” in the New York Times in a debate titled “Whose Work is Homework?” Read the entire piece here.
Posted: October 31, 2014 | Author: MERG | Filed under: Uncategorized |
Two new meta-analyses have recently been published, first-authored by MERG alumni, Dr. Bridget Kiger Lee and Dr. Carlton J. Fong. In Review of Educational Research, Dr. Lee, Dr. Patall, Dr. Cawthon, and Rebecca Steingut conducted a meta-analysis on the effectiveness of drama-based instruction on student outcomes. In The Journal of Positive Psychology, Dr. Fong, Dr. Zaleski, and Dr. Leach conducted a meta-analytic investigation on the antecedents of flow, with a particular emphasis on the challenge-skill balance. Find out more about these articles below!
The Effect of Drama-Based Pedagogy on PreK-16 Outcomes: A Meta-Analysis of Research from 1985 to 2012 (click here for full article).
The President’s Committee on the Arts and Humanities report heartily supported arts integration. However, the President’s Committee called for a better understanding of the dimensions of quality and best practices. One promising arts integration method is drama-based pedagogy (DBP). A comprehensive search of the literature revealed 47 quasi-experimental DBP intervention studies conducted since 1985. The literature showed that designs were generally weak for making causal inferences and that outcomes other than achievement were infrequently studied. A meta-analysis of this research suggested that DBP has a positive, significant impact on achievement outcomes in educational settings. Effects were strongest when the intervention (a) was led by a classroom teacher or researcher rather than a teaching artist, (b) included more than five lessons, and (c) was integrated into English language arts or science curriculum compared to other domains. Positive effects across psychological and social outcomes were found. Implications for policy and practice are discussed.
The Challenge-Skill Balance and Antecedents of Flow: A Meta-analytic Investigation (click here for full article).
Flow is an intrinsically motivating state of consciousness characterized by simultaneous perception of high challenge and skill. The position that challenge–skill balance is the primary antecedent for achieving a flow state is unclear, and more research is needed to examine its impact on flow within multiple domains. Therefore, a meta-analysis was conducted on 28 studies examining the challenge–skill balance related to flow and intrinsic motivation in a variety of contexts. The results indicated that the relationship between challenge–skill balance and flow was moderate, and smaller with intrinsic motivation. Moderator analyses revealed weaker correlations when individuals were from an individualistic culture, in work or education contexts, using experience sampling method, and self-reporting state flow vs. trait. Compared to other theorized antecedents, challenge–skill balance was a robust contributor to flow along with clear goals and sense of control.
Posted: October 15, 2014 | Author: MERG | Filed under: Uncategorized |
Dr. Patall’s research on homework was recently featured in the Austin American-Statesman:
There’s an old joke about homework. A teacher says to a student, “How do you like doing your homework?” The student responds, “I like doing nothing better.”
With the novelty of the new school year now behind us, it goes without saying that kids would rather be doing just about anything other than homework. Every fall, the same debates persist: Is homework even effective? How much is best? In what ways should parents be involved? But the problem with homework does not revolve around these questions. The problem with homework is motivation, or the lack thereof, because the major challenge for making homework an effective tool for learning is that even nothing often seems better.
Read the full article here.
Posted: September 20, 2014 | Author: MERG | Filed under: Uncategorized |
Check out a recent article in the New York Times, featuring Dr. Patall, on “The Homework Squabbles.”
Posted: September 11, 2014 | Author: MERG | Filed under: Uncategorized |
Congratulations to Dr. Fong and Dr. Leach, who both successfully defended their dissertations this year! Carlton’s dissertation title was “The Effects of Negative Feedback on Motivation: A Meta-Analytic Investigation.” Jennifer’s title was “Examining the Effects of Advisor-Student Relationships on Academic Major Decision-Making.” Hollah!
Posted: January 29, 2014 | Author: MERG | Filed under: Uncategorized |
In February 2014, MERG members, alumni, and associated individuals are presenting at the annual convention of the Society for Personality and Social Psychology! Together, there are 6 posters – be sure to stop by at the convention in our very own city: Austin, Texas!
SPSP 2014 Poster Presentations:
Patall, Erika Alisha; Leach, Jennifer Kay; Shraw, Gregory // Poster C167
THE EFFECT OF CHOICE PROVISION ON UNETHICAL BEHAVIOR
Fong, Carlton Jing; Patall, Erika Alisha // Poster E193
THE EFFECTS OF NEED-SUPPORTIVE CRITICISM ON INTRINSIC MOTIVATION
Crowther, Ariana Christine; Musallam, Aysegul; Schallert, Diane; // Poster A92
CONNECTING METACOGNITION TO COLLEGE STUDENTS’ PERCEPTIONS AND AFFECT WHEN MULTITASKING DURING IN-SCHOOL AND OUT-OF-SCHOOL TASKS
Trimble, Scott S.; Patall, Erika Alisha; Crowther, Ariana Christine; Awad, Germine // Poster F237
A SITUATION IN WHICH EXPRESSING ONE’S SELF AS HIGHLY UNIQUE THROUGH ONE’S CHOICES ENHANCES MOTIVATION
Lee, Bridget; Patall, Erika Alisha; Cawthon, Stephanie; Steingut, Rebecca // Poster A96
THE EFFECT OF DRAMA-BASED PEDAGOGY ON PREK-16 ACADEMIC-RELATED OUTCOMES: A META-ANALYSIS OF RESEARCH FROM 1985-2012
Elias, Elric; Trimble, Scott S.; Falbo, Toni // Poster C77
THE UNCONSCIOUS THOUGHT EFFECT: AN ATTEMPTED REPLICATION AND SEARCH FOR CAUSAL MECHANISMS
Posted: January 20, 2014 | Author: MERG | Filed under: Uncategorized |
Here’s a spotlight on EunJin, one of the graduate student members of MERG!
Name: EunJin Seo
Hometown: Seoul, South Korea
Favorite Food: I love all kinds of breakfast food—anything with eggs. I also like Sushi a lot.
Favorite Movie/TV Show: Man on Wire
Q. How did you decide on your current research interests?
A. As you can tell from my favorite movie, I have been interested in people who push themselves to the limit of their ability and achieve great things in life. I have been wondering about their motivation and how to motivate myself to be like them. So, my research interests started from the question about myself, but later extended to motivating my close friends and K-12 students, and then broadened to understanding human motivation as such.
Q. What do you like best about the educational psychology program?
A. I love the people in my program. I really like my cohort. They are all smart and lovely people. I would not survive in America without them. They were with me through the hard times, and also sincerely celebrated with me during my great moments—such as passing my qualifying exam. I feel so lucky to have such wonderful friends. I also love the faculty of my program. They are very supportive and also really inspiring!
Q. What do you love about the city of Austin?
A. I like Austinites a lot. They are so friendly and open to new people. At the bus stop, coffee shop, or on the street, you can always meet very interesting people spontaneously. I also like the weather in Austin. Since I love wearing sundresses and hate feeling cold, Austin is the perfect place to live for me.
Q. Name one thing you have always wanted to do but have not yet had the chance.
A. I have wanted to do rock climbing but have not yet had the chance. Is there anyone who wants to go to a rock climbing with me? :)
Q. Do you have any interesting or unusual hobbies?
A. I like going to David & Busters and playing their games. They have a really great zombie game.
