Thursday, 25 July 2013
Memory : Repeated Test Taking
New research from Washington University in St. Louis suggests that repeated test taking might be more effective than repeated studying. Students who tested themselves while they studied had better retention of the information than students who simply studied the material without testing themselves.
The improved retention of material was probably a result of the feedback that students received from taking the tests. The students who did not take tests were never able to verify that they had correctly learned the information. Students who did not test themselves came away with a false sense of confidence about their knowledge.
This research suggests that teachers who give their students frequent quizzes may be improving their student's retention of the material better than if they had spent the time discussing the material.
The improved retention of material was probably a result of the feedback that students received from taking the tests. The students who did not take tests were never able to verify that they had correctly learned the information. Students who did not test themselves came away with a false sense of confidence about their knowledge.
This research suggests that teachers who give their students frequent quizzes may be improving their student's retention of the material better than if they had spent the time discussing the material.
Creativity : Flow
Flow is a mental state that was first described by psychologist Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi. It is characterized by the ability of creative people to block out all distractions and fully immerse themselves in an activity. When someone feels like they are "in the zone" or "in a groove", it is likely that they are experiencing flow.
The unbroken concentration that comes from flow can be refreshing and invigorating. Extreme productivity and highly creative ideas are often the result of a flow experience. People come out of flow feeling happy and fulfilled.
Someone who is experiencing flow may lose their feeling of self-awareness. They will become completely absorbed by the activity and forget about themselves, sometimes ignoring bodily needs, such as eating and sleeping. They may also become unaware of the passage of time and may be surprised when they realize how much time has passed while they were enjoying the activity.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to get into flow on command, but it is possible to shift things in your favor. Reducing disturbances is very important. Each phone call, instant message or other distraction call pull you out of the flow experience. It is also important that the task you are working on posses most of these criteria:
1. The person must have active control over the task.
2. The task must have clear goals and expectations.
3. The task must give immediate feedback, such that mistakes can be quickly corrected.
4. The task must not be so easy that it is boring, but not so difficult that it is frustrating.
5. The activity should be intrinsically rewarding so that participation is its own reward.
To learn more about flow, you can read Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi's book "Flow" at Amazon.com.
The unbroken concentration that comes from flow can be refreshing and invigorating. Extreme productivity and highly creative ideas are often the result of a flow experience. People come out of flow feeling happy and fulfilled.
Someone who is experiencing flow may lose their feeling of self-awareness. They will become completely absorbed by the activity and forget about themselves, sometimes ignoring bodily needs, such as eating and sleeping. They may also become unaware of the passage of time and may be surprised when they realize how much time has passed while they were enjoying the activity.
Unfortunately, it is not possible to get into flow on command, but it is possible to shift things in your favor. Reducing disturbances is very important. Each phone call, instant message or other distraction call pull you out of the flow experience. It is also important that the task you are working on posses most of these criteria:
1. The person must have active control over the task.
2. The task must have clear goals and expectations.
3. The task must give immediate feedback, such that mistakes can be quickly corrected.
4. The task must not be so easy that it is boring, but not so difficult that it is frustrating.
5. The activity should be intrinsically rewarding so that participation is its own reward.
To learn more about flow, you can read Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi's book "Flow" at Amazon.com.
Vocabulary : Valence
The number of subjects or objects that a verb refers to in a sentence is called its valence. A verb that has only one subject is called an intransitive verb. In these sentences, there is no receiver of the action. Examples:
Bob whispers all the time.
Jane was the prettiest girl in school.
A verb that takes a subject and an object is called a transitive verb. In these sentences, something receives the action. Sometimes the doer of the action is omitted from the sentence, but it still counts as a transitive verb. Examples:
Frank eats ice cream.
Sally kicked the ball.
The ball was kicked.
Some verbs can take a subject and two objects. These are called ditransitive verbs. Example:
Jane gives the dog a treat.
Bob whispers all the time.
Jane was the prettiest girl in school.
A verb that takes a subject and an object is called a transitive verb. In these sentences, something receives the action. Sometimes the doer of the action is omitted from the sentence, but it still counts as a transitive verb. Examples:
Frank eats ice cream.
Sally kicked the ball.
The ball was kicked.
Some verbs can take a subject and two objects. These are called ditransitive verbs. Example:
Jane gives the dog a treat.
Voters should have say on term limits - Homer News
via brain teasers - Google News http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNHuDSrvknXj-AmSPPlegXrDEd7VtA&url=http://homernews.com/homer-opinion/editorial/2013-07-24/voters-should-have-say-on-term-limits
FlipPix Art - Zoo iPad Game Review: Great Tile Puzzles - Tapscape
Tapscape | FlipPix Art - Zoo iPad Game Review: Great Tile Puzzles Tapscape FlipPix Art – Zoo is an iPad game developed by GabySoft. In this fun app, you can take on a whole pack of challenging puzzles and unveil the hidden pictures. After entering your name, you can dive right into the action. Alternatively, you can watch a ... |
http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTV_BwgaN5FENizKb3IpSm2Yw-vmPla5PsXVf-pWu08sigv_otgTcLyKs5M
Crafty Puzzles
'Star Wars: Episode VII' Gets Ryan Gosling and...Zac Efron - Get The Big Picture (blog)
via brain teasers - Google News http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNEvT3cm61i6liX9DE1AK8r1FzQ8IA&url=http://www.getthebigpicture.net/blog/2013/7/25/star-wars-episode-vii-gets-ryan-gosling-andzac-efron.html
Capital Quiz: Friday, July 26 - The Dominion Post
via brain teasers - Google News http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNEtJ9xYpmGlVr6xJwbuCa_XUrzFEw&url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/news/quizzes/8963746/Capital-Quiz-Friday-July-26
Jigsaw Puzzle for Granddaughter
After completing a miniature armoire for my 8 year old granddaughter (see my previous projects), I wanted to make something for her 2 1/2 year old sister, too. I built her a jigsaw puzzle starring herself eating “Superman Ice Cream” in Florida this past May. I also included my first attempt at a dovetailed box as a puzzle piece holder.
The box was made from a resawed 2×4 scrap. I got 5 1/4” slices from the 2×4, cut one in half for the ends and used the other 4 as the front, back, top, and bottom. The puzzle backing and tray were made from a scrap of glued up 1×12 left over from a shelving project. I printed off the photo on plain paper with an inkjet printer, and laminated it onto the backing board using wipe on poly. When the poly was dry, I cut out the pieces with a scroll saw.
http://lumberjocks.com/assets/pictures/projects/412302-196x130.jpg
Crafty Puzzles
First International Trailer For 'Snowpiercer' Comes Out Of Nowhere, Makes No ... - Get The Big Picture (blog)
via brain teasers - Google News http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNEyXInogto4cogdr2dnX5cvBpXWiQ&url=http://www.getthebigpicture.net/blog/2013/7/25/first-international-trailer-for-snowpiercer-comes-out-of-now.html
Renton home to Lone Shark Game Design Studio - Renton Reporter
Renton home to Lone Shark Game Design Studio Renton Reporter Then the company was asked to work on online and computer games, launch company events and all sorts of other projects. Fundamentally, Lone Shark's primary activities are making board and card games, puzzles, puzzle events and puzzle books. |
http://ifttt.com/images/no_image_card.png
Crafty Puzzles
2 Clips from 'Dexter' 805 "This Little Piggy" - FEARnet.com
via brain teasers - Google News http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNHDpFcpVbdYz0WBLJoYP-T6NDLFDg&url=http://www.fearnet.com/news/news-article/2-clips-dexter-805-little-piggy
LEGO Optical Illusion Mosaic
via Mighty Optical Illusions http://www.moillusions.com/2013/07/lego-optical-illusion-mosaic.html
Crafty Puzzles
This is what you get when you combine LEGO and optical illusions. Main effect – the circle made of the studs, produces the appearance of curved pieces. However, the design can appear very different depending on the angle it’s viewed from. I’m still discovering surprising patterns in it. If you still got some LEGO brick laying around, try and reproduce some of your favourite old school illusions and we’ll certainly make them pubic!
Crafty Puzzles
National Geographic Channel Unveils Fall Schedule - Broadcaster
via brain teasers - Google News http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNEiXV-L0P3CCMjK2vP5hK3tN9G-Kw&url=http://www.broadcastermagazine.com/news/national-geographic-channel-unveils-fall-schedule/1002491659/
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