<p>In this dissertation, I explore the impact of several public policies on civic participation. Using a unique combination of school administrative and public–use voter files and methods for causal inference, I evaluate the impact of three new, as of yet unexplored, policies: one informational, one institutional, and one skill–based. Chapter 2 examines the causal effect of No Child Left Behind’s performance-based accountability school failure signals on turnout in school board elections and on individuals’ use of exit. I find that failure signals mobilize citizens both at the ballot box and by encouraging them to vote with their feet. However, these increases in voice and exit come primarily from citizens who already active—thus exacerbating inequalities in both forms of participation. Chapter 3 examines the causal effect of preregistration—an electoral reform that allows young citizens to enroll in the electoral system before turning 18, while also providing them with various in-school supports. Using data from the Current Population Survey and Florida Voter Files and multiple methods for causal inference, I (with my coauthor listed below) show that preregistration mobilizes and does so for a diverse set of citizens. Finally, Chapter 4 examines the impact of psychosocial or so called non-cognitive skills on voter turnout. Using information from the Fast Track intervention, I show that early– childhood investments in psychosocial skills have large, long-run spillovers on civic participation. These gains are widely distributed, being especially large for those least likely to participate. These chapters provide clear insights that reach across disciplinary boundaries and speak to current policy debates. In placing specific attention not only on whether these programs mobilize, but also on who they mobilize, I provide scholars and practitioners with new ways of thinking about how to address stubbornly low and unequal rates of citizen engagement.</p> / Dissertation

This study examined the comparative effectiveness of learning of cognitive skills when instruction is presented through computer-based instruction using student-to-computer ratios of one-to-one and two-to-one. Effectiveness was gauged through scores on posttests administered subsequent to completion of each of nine computer-based lessons and on a single composite test score.

Esta pesquisa apresenta uma análise multifacetada para a classificação das representações visuais presentes em questões de química de exames vestibulares de cinco grandes universidades públicas paulistas: USP, UNICAMP, UFSCAR, UNESP e UNIFESP no período de 2007 a 2011. Os vestibulares da UFSCAR e UNIFESP utilizaram o exame do ENEM a partir de 2009 como processo de seleção, assim o exame também foi analisado. Foram encontradas 252 questões contendo representações visuais em provas de conhecimentos gerais e conhecimentos específicos. Alguns exemplos dessas representações incluem gráficos, fluxogramas, diagramas, tabelas, e equações químicas. As representações visuais foram analisadas quanto a suas relações com o texto, sua funcionalidade, conteúdos químicos envolvidos na questão e as habilidades cognitivas requisitadas. Os resultados indicam, de modo geral, que as representações visuais mais frequentes são as equações químicas e as representações bidimensionais da estrutura molecular, com predominância de conteúdos de química orgânica e físico-química. Quanto a relação texto e imagem, destaca-se a grande ocorrência de casos nos quais a integração texto e imagem é necessária para a resolução da questão. No tocante à funcionalidade das representações visuais, salienta-se que: i - as provas envolvem em suas questões ilustrações que necessitam do conhecimento químico para suas interpretações; ii - há predominância de imagens menos realistas e mais interpretativas; iii - a grande ocorrência de etiquetas verbais nominativas. A ênfase em questões de memorização contendo representações visuais também foi investigada adotando-se o referencial de Zoller (1993, 1997, 1999, 2001) para classificar as questões quanto às habilidades cognitivas requisitadas: de alta ou baixa ordem. Os resultados indicam que questões que demandam habilidades cognitivas de baixa ordem são predominantes nas provas de conhecimentos gerais, e questões que demandam habilidades cognitivas de alta ordem em provas de conhecimentos específicos. / This research presents a multifaceted analysis for the classification of visual representations present in chemical questions of entrance examinations of five biggest São Paulo public universities: USP, UNICAMP, UFSCAR, UNESP and UNIFESP from 2007 to 2011. Entrance examinations of UFSCAR and UNIFESP used the exam ENEM from 2009 as a selection process, so the test was analyzed too. 252 questions were found with visual representations in general knowledge and specific knowledge test. Some examples of these representations include graphics, flow charts, diagrams, tables, and chemical equations. The visual representations were analyzed for their relation with the text, its functionality, chemical content involved in the question and the required cognitive skills. The results indicate, generally, that the most frequent visual representations are the chemical equations and the two-dimensional representations of molecular structure with content predominance of organic chemistry and physicochemical. About the relation of text-image, there is a high occurrence of cases in which text and image integration is necessary for the resolution of the matter. Regarding the functionality of visual representations, it is noted that: i - the test involve in his questions, illustrations that requires chemical knowledge for their interpretations; ii - there is predominance of less realistic and more interpretive images; iii - the high occurrence of nominative verbal labels. The emphasis on memorization questions containing visual representations was also investigated adopting the Zoller (1993, 1997, 1999, 2001) reference to classify the questions about the cognitive skills required: high or low order. The results indicate that questions that require lower order cognitive skills are prevalent in the tests of general knowledge, and questions that require higher order cognitive skills of specific evidence.

Algumas pesquisas em Ensino de Química têm destacado a importância do uso de atividades experimentais investigativas para o desenvolvimento de habilidades cognitivas nos alunos e para sua maior participação no processo de aprendizagem. Os experimentos investigativos são uma das estratégias sugeridas para alcançar esses objetivos. Assim, se os alunos participarem de etapas como: coleta de dados, análise e discussão; poderão formular hipóteses e propor soluções para o problema proposto, desenvolvendo seu raciocínio lógico e habilidades cognitivas importantes para a construção do conhecimento químico e para a sua formação cidadã. Desta forma, a presente pesquisa investigou as habilidades cognitivas manifestadas por alunos do ensino médio de química em atividades experimentais investigativas. Foram gravadas, em áudio e vídeo, quatro seqüências de aulas desta natureza em duas escolas localizadas na cidade de São Paulo. Três seqüências de aulas foram realizadas em uma mesma escola e conduzidas pela mesma professora. Os conceitos abordados foram: densidade e temperatura de ebulição. O conceito de densidade foi desenvolvido em duas turmas, e o conceito de temperatura de ebulição em somente uma delas. O conceito desenvolvido na outra escola foi o de temperatura de fusão. Respostas escritas e os relatórios elaborados pelos alunos também foram coletados e analisados. As aulas foram transcritas e analisadas qualitativamente utilizando categorias de análise criadas pela pesquisadora, baseadas nas habilidades cognitivas manifestadas pelos alunos. Para a elaboração das categorias de análises, utilizou-se as idéias de Zoller, que classifica as habilidades cognitivas de acordo com o baixo ou alto nível de demanda cognitiva requerida para a solução de um problema, denominadas LOCS (Lower Order Cognitive Skills - Habilidades Cognitivas de Baixa Ordem); ou HOCS (Higher Order Cognitive Skills - Habilidades Cognitivas de Alta Ordem). Verificou-se, grande participação dos alunos nas atividades e manifestação de habilidades cognitivas de alta ordem, como elaboração de hipóteses e análise de variáveis, porém, grande parte das respostas foi classificada como habilidades cognitivas de baixa ordem. Entretanto, o nível de habilidades cognitivas manifestadas pelos alunos está relacionado com o nível cognitivo das questões propostas pelo professor. A análise das respostas escritas dos alunos também evidencia habilidades cognitivas de alta ordem, porém, os alunos apresentam certa dificuldade em sintetizar suas idéias e as expressarem por escrito. Os resultados também mostram que o papel do professor é de suma importância ao questionar e propor desafios aos alunos para que estes possam propor suas próprias hipóteses e propor possíveis soluções para o problema. / Some studies in Chemistry Teaching have focused the importance of the use of investigative laboratory work to develop students\' cognitive skills to increase the participation in the learning process. So, if the students are involved in steps as: data collection, analysis and discussion, they will be able to formulate hypothesis and to propose solutions to the problem, developing logical reasoning and cognitive skills important to the construction of chemical knowledge and for citizenship. This work investigated the cognitive skills expressed by secondary education students in investigative experimental chemistry activity. The sequences of four inquiry classes carried out in two schools localized in São Paulo were recorded on audio e videotape. Three sequences of classes were conduct by a teacher in one of these schools and the concepts developed were: density and boiling point, in the other school the concept studied was melting point. The reports and the written answers were also colected and analysed. The classes were transcripted and analised qualitatively using the categories developed by this researcher, based on the cognitive skills expresed by the students. Zoller\'s ideas guided the development of the categories. According to him, the cogntive skills may be classified as LOCS and HOCS, based on the cogntive demand claim to answer a question. The results show great involvement of the students in the activity and their answers reveal higher order cognitive skills, such as development of hypothesis; however, they also give answers that were classified as lower order cognitive skills. The analysis of the written answers evidenced higher order cognitive skills; however, the students present some dificults to synthesize their ideas and to express them in their writing. The results also show that the teacher\'s mediation is very important to conduct questions and challenges in order to allow the students to elaborate hypothesis and to propose solutions to the problem.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-04-29T14:23:44Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 Eduardo Yukio Kashiwakura.pdf: 3597583 bytes, checksum: 05c04bb1f4aeeba9181c1cb65c116565 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-08-08 / The dissertation entitled Playing and learning: a parallel between videogames and cognitive skills have as its main goal to do an investigation about the skills developed through the use of videogames. This research will approach the challenges and competencies provided by the games to the players. The cognitive skill is the ability of the human intelligence to deal with situations and problems, itself been a powerful tool to the construction of knowledge. The act of playing and learning is related to the ludic and playful, considering the concepts of game as an element of the culture, as proposed by Huizinga (2001). The method used was the identification of some skills developed by players, such as: visual, coordination, improvement of self-esteem, responsibility, text interpretation, social, leadership, concentration and reasoning. From the presented skills, we analyzed the games Sid Meier´s Civilization IV, Guitar Hero III, Black & White 2 and GATE. As final result, it was possible to draw a parallel between videogames that enable the development by the players of a series of cognitive skills / A dissertação intitulada Jogando e aprendendo: um paralelo entre videogames e habilidades cognitivas tem como principal objetivo efetuar uma investigação sobre as habilidades desenvolvidas através da utilização de videogames. Nesta pesquisa serão abordados os desafios e competências que os games proporcionam aos jogadores. A habilidade cognitiva é a capacidade da inteligência humana de lidar com situações e problemas, sendo uma poderosa ferramenta de construção do conhecimento. O ato de jogar e aprender está relacionado com o lúdico e a brincadeira, considerando-se os conceitos de jogo como elemento da cultura propostos por Huizinga (2001). O método usado foi a identificação de algumas habilidades desenvolvidas por jogadores como: visual, motora, aprimoramento de auto-estima, responsabilidade, interpretação de textos, sociais, liderança, concentração e raciocínio. A partir das habilidades apresentadas, efetuamos a análise de games como Sid Meier´s Civilization IV, Guitar Hero III, Black & White 2 e GATE. Como resultado final foi possível traçar um paralelo entre os videogames que viabilizam o desenvolvimento de uma série de habilidades cognitivas aos jogadores

Algumas pesquisas em Ensino de Química têm destacado a importância do uso de atividades experimentais investigativas para o desenvolvimento de habilidades cognitivas nos alunos e para sua maior participação no processo de aprendizagem. Os experimentos investigativos são uma das estratégias sugeridas para alcançar esses objetivos. Assim, se os alunos participarem de etapas como: coleta de dados, análise e discussão; poderão formular hipóteses e propor soluções para o problema proposto, desenvolvendo seu raciocínio lógico e habilidades cognitivas importantes para a construção do conhecimento químico e para a sua formação cidadã. Desta forma, a presente pesquisa investigou as habilidades cognitivas manifestadas por alunos do ensino médio de química em atividades experimentais investigativas. Foram gravadas, em áudio e vídeo, quatro seqüências de aulas desta natureza em duas escolas localizadas na cidade de São Paulo. Três seqüências de aulas foram realizadas em uma mesma escola e conduzidas pela mesma professora. Os conceitos abordados foram: densidade e temperatura de ebulição. O conceito de densidade foi desenvolvido em duas turmas, e o conceito de temperatura de ebulição em somente uma delas. O conceito desenvolvido na outra escola foi o de temperatura de fusão. Respostas escritas e os relatórios elaborados pelos alunos também foram coletados e analisados. As aulas foram transcritas e analisadas qualitativamente utilizando categorias de análise criadas pela pesquisadora, baseadas nas habilidades cognitivas manifestadas pelos alunos. Para a elaboração das categorias de análises, utilizou-se as idéias de Zoller, que classifica as habilidades cognitivas de acordo com o baixo ou alto nível de demanda cognitiva requerida para a solução de um problema, denominadas LOCS (Lower Order Cognitive Skills - Habilidades Cognitivas de Baixa Ordem); ou HOCS (Higher Order Cognitive Skills - Habilidades Cognitivas de Alta Ordem). Verificou-se, grande participação dos alunos nas atividades e manifestação de habilidades cognitivas de alta ordem, como elaboração de hipóteses e análise de variáveis, porém, grande parte das respostas foi classificada como habilidades cognitivas de baixa ordem. Entretanto, o nível de habilidades cognitivas manifestadas pelos alunos está relacionado com o nível cognitivo das questões propostas pelo professor. A análise das respostas escritas dos alunos também evidencia habilidades cognitivas de alta ordem, porém, os alunos apresentam certa dificuldade em sintetizar suas idéias e as expressarem por escrito. Os resultados também mostram que o papel do professor é de suma importância ao questionar e propor desafios aos alunos para que estes possam propor suas próprias hipóteses e propor possíveis soluções para o problema. / Some studies in Chemistry Teaching have focused the importance of the use of investigative laboratory work to develop students\' cognitive skills to increase the participation in the learning process. So, if the students are involved in steps as: data collection, analysis and discussion, they will be able to formulate hypothesis and to propose solutions to the problem, developing logical reasoning and cognitive skills important to the construction of chemical knowledge and for citizenship. This work investigated the cognitive skills expressed by secondary education students in investigative experimental chemistry activity. The sequences of four inquiry classes carried out in two schools localized in São Paulo were recorded on audio e videotape. Three sequences of classes were conduct by a teacher in one of these schools and the concepts developed were: density and boiling point, in the other school the concept studied was melting point. The reports and the written answers were also colected and analysed. The classes were transcripted and analised qualitatively using the categories developed by this researcher, based on the cognitive skills expresed by the students. Zoller\'s ideas guided the development of the categories. According to him, the cogntive skills may be classified as LOCS and HOCS, based on the cogntive demand claim to answer a question. The results show great involvement of the students in the activity and their answers reveal higher order cognitive skills, such as development of hypothesis; however, they also give answers that were classified as lower order cognitive skills. The analysis of the written answers evidenced higher order cognitive skills; however, the students present some dificults to synthesize their ideas and to express them in their writing. The results also show that the teacher\'s mediation is very important to conduct questions and challenges in order to allow the students to elaborate hypothesis and to propose solutions to the problem.

Racial inequality in educational and occupational attainment has been shown to be related to racial inequality in test scores and cognitive skills. Most research and policy attention has been given to the ability of schools to equalize test scores. I argue that a major reason why researchers have been unable to explain why schools have not closed the gap is because by the time children begin school it may be too late. Cognitive skills develop from infancy and as such, it should be unsurprising that by the time children are five years old the differences across groups are firmly established. Thus, this research attempts to uncover where the racial test-score gap begins by examining infants. I perform a series of analyses using ordinary least squares regression (OLS) and structural equation modeling (SEM) using the first wave of the Early Childhood Longitudinal Survey--Birth cohort (ECLS-B). I utilize the mother's race, rather than the child's race, in the analyses because looking at the mother's race makes the most logical sense since the mother's race is more likely than the child's to determine household income, marital status, mother's education, parenting styles, and so on. I demonstrate that there is little to no raw gap in cognitive skills between the infants of White and Black mothers in the United States. However, through SEM I find that when one controls for social, human, and financial capital, and for differences in health and type of childcare, the infants of African American mothers would actually do better than the infants of White mothers because of their precocious motor development. I find no support for genetics and childcare and only limited support for financial and human capital as mediators of the gap. However, there is support for family social capital and low birth weight as key mediators of the small Black-White test score gap in infancy.

This study was conducted to see what cognitive and social skills and strategies were employed by pairs of students as they used a computer adventure game. The games used in the study were "Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego?" (Broderbund) and "Dinosaur Discovery" (Jacaranda) One male and one female pair of year five students were assigned to each game. Grounded Theory was selected as the methodology as it enabled categorization of the skills and strategies to emerge from the data without locking the researcher into previously identified categories. It was found in this study, and supported in other research, that what occurs between the students during a session with the computer depends on the nature of the task, the students involved, the type and amount of training provided and the classroom conditions under which the activity is conducted. The implications from the study are: that under most circumstances it is desireable for students to work in pairs with a computer to enable interaction to occur, students may require some training in the cognitive skills necessary for the software being used, training students to work cooperatively before placing them in groups is important; and integrating the computer into the classroom environment may encourage the use of other desired skills and strategies.

The great amount of METH abuse all over the world causes enormous social and criminal justice problems. In the human brain the abuse of METH causes implications on both structures and functions given rise to acute as well as long term symptoms. In this essay the effects of METH abuse is described in the manner of the drug mechanism such as the impact on neurotransmitters, structural deficits with decreased and increased volumes and the implication on attention, memory, decision  making and emotions. Results from studies showing brain structural and cognitive impairments in METH abusers and in prenatal METH exposed children.

This dissertation consists of three essays. The first essay studies how health risk affects individuals' economic decisions due to changes in productivity, required medical expenditures, available time and survival probabilities implied by changes in health status. It assesses the role of these four channels in determining labour supply, asset accumulation and welfare using a life-cycle model calibrated to the U.S. economy. I find that all channels and the interactions between them have large implications for the macroeconomic variables studied. Health has larger effects for the non-college than college educated, explaining a significant fraction of the difference in labour supply, degree of reliance on government transfers and asset accumulation across education groups. Improving non-college health outcomes to approach those of college graduates results in large welfare gains, higher labour supply, and significantly lower reliance on government welfare programs. The second essay studies the evolution of wage inequality in the United States between 1980 and 2002 in a framework that accounts for changes in the employment of physical and cognitive skills and their returns. I find that within education-gender groups, average employed cognitive skills have remained constant, while average physical skills have declined. The returns to high levels of cognitive skills have increased dramatically, while returns to low levels of cognitive skills and physical skills have remained approximately constant. Skills account for approximately half of the increase in the college wage premium, and for a small but growing fraction of residual wage inequality. The final essay studies the sorting decisions of students with different levels of analytical and verbal skills into college fields of study. I build a model where each field tests and perfectly reveals to potential future employers only the students' skill that is intensively required in that field. Students' expected wages after graduation are a function of their revealed skill levels and firms' expectations of the unrevealed skills given the chosen field. I show how the size of each field and the average talent it attracts depend on the average skill levels, on skill dispersion and on the degree of correlation between skills in the student population.