Browsing by Author "Lopez, V"

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    Beyond Nintendo: design and assessment of educational video games for first and second grade students
    (PERGAMON-ELSEVIER SCIENCE LTD, 2003) Rosas, R; Nussbaum, M; Cumsille, P; Marianov, V; Correa, M; Flores, P; Grau, V; Lagos, F; Lopez, X; Lopez, V; Rodriguez, P; Salinas, M
    The main objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of the introduction of educational videogames into the classroom, on, learning, motivation, and classroom dynamics. These effects were studied using a sample of 1274 students from economically disadvantaged schools in Chile. The videogames were specifically designed to address the educational goals of the first and second years of school, for basic mathematics and reading comprehension. The sample was divided into experimental groups (EG), internal control groups (IC) and external control groups (EC). Students in the EG groups, used the experimental video games during an average of 30 h over a 3-month period. They were evaluated on their acquisition of reading comprehension, spelling, and mathematical skills, and on their motivation to use video games. Teachers' expectations of change due to the use of video games, their technological transfer, and handling of classroom dynamics, were assessed through ad hoc tests and classroom observations. The results show significant differences between the EG and IC groups in relation to the EC group in Math, Reading Comprehension and Spelling, but no significant differences in these aspects were found between the EG and the IC groups. Teacher reports and classroom observations confirm an improvement in motivation to learn, and a positive technological transfer of the experimental tool. Although further studies regarding the effects of learning through videogame use are imperative, positive effects on motivation and classroom dynamics, indicate that the introduction of educational video games can be a useful tool in promoting learning within the classroom. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
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    Effect of psychostimulants on distinct attentional parameters in attentional deficit/hyperactivity disorder
    (SOC BIOLGIA CHILE, 2004) Lopez, J; Lopez, V; Rojas, D; Carrasco, X; Rothhammer, P; Garcia, R; Rothhammer, F; Aboitiz, F
    Although there is extensive literature about the effects of stimulants on sustained attention tasks in attentional deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), little is known about the effect of these drugs on other attentional tasks involving different neural systems. In this study we measured the effect of stimulants on ADHD children, both in the electroencephalographic (EEG) activity during sustained attentional tasks and in psychometric performance during selective attentional tasks. These tasks are known to rely on different cortical networks. Our results in children medicated with 10 mg of d-amphetamine administered 60 min before the study indicate (i) a significant increase in amplitude but not latency of the P300 component of the event-related potential (ERP) during the sustained attentional task and (ii) a significant improvement in the reaction times and correct responses in the selective attentional task. In addition to supporting the use of stimulants in children with attentional deficit/hyperactivity disorder, these results show a multifocal activity improvement of cortical structures linked to dopamine, and interestingly, to attention. All these analyses are framed in a wider study of diverse attentional functions in this syndrome.