Current research projects

Early acquisition of mathematics

Longitudinal studies on the early acquisition of mathematical competences depending on the language skills of children aged 3;0 to 3;6

• Target group: pre-school children aged 3;0 to 3;6
• Primary investigators: Antje Ehlert (University of Potsdam), Annemarie Fritz-Stratmann (University of Duisburg-Essen), Anja Starke (University of Potsdam)
• Funding: University of Potsdam

MARKO-DO (South Africa): Standardization of mathematical competence level tests for pre-schools in South Africa

This mathematical testing method is based on the developmental model of mathematical competences according to Fritz and Ricken. MARKO-DO is currently being standardized in partnership with the University of Johannesburg in South Africa in 4 national languages (isiZulu, Sesotho, Afrikaans, English).

• Target group: grade-R and grade 1
• Project partners: Annemarie Fritz Stratmann (University of Duisburg-Essen), Antje Ehlert (University of Potsdam), Elizabeth Henning and  others (University of Johannesburg, South Africa), Lars Balzer (Swiss Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (SFIVET))
• Funding: South Africa

MARKO-D1: Standardization of mathematical competence level tests for grade 1

This mathematical testing method is based on the developmental model of mathematical competences according to Fritz and Ricken.

• Target group: pupils in the middle or end of grade 1, as well as at the beginning of grade 2
• Primary investigators: Annemarie Fritz-Stratmann (University of Duisburg-Essen), Antje Ehlert (University of Potsdam), Gabi Ricken (University of Hamburg), Lars Balzer (Swiss Federal Institute for Vocational Education and Training (SFIVET))
• Funding: Publishing company "Hogrefe Verlag"

Basic test: Development and standardization of a screening and testing method to capture basic mathematical skills in primary school 

This testing method helps capturing the basic skills of primary school pupils at the end of grade 4 or in grade 5

• Project partners: Antje Ehlert (University of Potsdam), Annemarie Fritz-Stratmann (University of Duisburg-Essen), Detlev Leutner (University of Duisburg-Essen)

Screening: Development and Standardization of a screening to capture mathematical development in the last pre-school year

This mathematical screening is based on the developmental model of mathematical competences according to Fritz and Ricken.

• Target group: Children in the last year before school enrolment
• Project partners: Antje Ehlert (University of Potsdam), Annemarie Fritz-Stratmann (University of Duisburg-Essen), Gabi Ricken (University of Hamburg)

Completed research projects 

Accompanying research of the project: Fit for school in the day care centers

The aim was to prepare preschool children for primary school. Over a 6-month period the math skills of children participating in this sub-project were supplemented with the "Förderbox" - "Mina And The Mole" (Fritz & Gerlach) in day-care groups before they officially start school. The project was scientifically supported by Antje Ehlert and Annemarie Fritz-Stratmann. 

• Target group: Preschool children
• Primary investigator: Winfried Bega (Wasserturmschule in Essen, North Rhine-Westphalia), Bureau of Education
• Funding: Broststiftung

Development of the acquisition of mathematical competencies and the investigation of influencing factors

Over a 2-year period the main objective was to capture the acquisition of conceptual mathematical knowledge of children with different mathematical competences (delayed - age-appropriate - accelerated). Focussing in particular on the working memory the development of conceptual mathematical knowledge and the influence of relevant cognitive functions on the mathematical acquisition of competencies using various diagnostic methods shall be investigated.

• Leadership: Annemarie Fritz-Stratmann, Co-proposer: Detlev Leutner, Antje Ehlert
• Duration: 2010 – 2013
• Funding: Federal Ministry of Science and Research (BMWF)

„Come with me! – support instead of staying out“

Under the initiative of the Ministry of Education and the North Rhine-Westphalian teacher association "Come with me! - Support instead of staying out" training courses for teachers focussing on developing and fostering mathematical basic competences of pupils at upper secondary level were conceived.

• Primary investigator: Annemarie Fritz-Stratmann
• Duration: 2010-2012
• Own position: Project collaboration
• Funding: Ministry of School and Further Education

MaKoK - Mathematical competence development of children with a learning disability

This study focused on the mathematical competence development of pupils with a learning disability. This investigation examined whether there are only quantitive or also qualitive differences regarding the acquisition of mathematical competencies during the developmental processes of mentally handicapped and normally developed children.

• Primary investigator: Antje Ehlert
• Duration: 2010 – 2011
• Funding: Program to promote post-doctoral researchers (University of Duisburg-Essen)

SERELISK - Self-reflexive learning in a school setting. An intervention study at intermediate secondary schools in Baden-Wuerttemberg

The one-school year longitudinal quasi-experimental intervention study „Self-reflexive learning in a school setting“ aims at strengthening the fostering of self-regulated learning in class and consequently, developing the self-regulation of pupils through the initiation of school focused cooperation between math teachers. In this context, written summaries of pupils and teachers as well as key events were carried out. 

• Primary investigators: Katharina Maag-Merki, Hans-Georg Kotthoff, Alfred Holzbrecher
• Duration: 03/2007 until 02/2009
• Own position: Project coordination
• Funding: In the framework of the program for educational research by the Landesstiftung Baden-Württemberg Foundation

Development of a working memory test and an investigation procedure for mathematical competences reviewing/checking the influence of the working memory according to Baddeley on mathematical skills of pre-schoolers - Doctoral thesis

In the course of an investigation of preschoolers at the age of 4 to 6 years a working memory test based on a model by Baddeley and Hitch (1974) was designed and an existing numeracy test was further developed. The aim of the individual studies was to check the influence of working memory - differentiated between separate components: phonological loop, visual-spatial notepad and und central executive - on the acquisition of preschool mathematical competencies.

• Primary investigator: Antje Ehlert
• Duration: 03/2002 until 02/2006
• Funding: NaFöG – Doctoral Sponsorship (Graduate Program for Young Scholars), Scholar of the Konsul Karl und Gabriele Sandmann Foundation (KKGS-Foundation)