Discussion of right brain versus left brain skills focuses on a study that compared the performances of computer science students, professional programers, and bank employees on eight tests of brain function. Results are reported which suggest that the cognitive profile may be an important indicator for success in certain occupations. (16…

This paper compares the performance of China and the United States at the high-school-level International Mathematical Olympiad, focusing specifically on the United States' short training period and lack of women team members. Ways in which the United States benefits from Chinese mathematical talent are described. (JDD)

Describes attributes of educational facilities that (1) influence occupants' performance (physical factors, task-related factors, user-friendliness, organizational qualities); (2) convey subtle messages (design statements, accessibility, spatial factors, aesthetics); and (3) influence programs and their delivery (technology, learning-style…

Describes a study conducted at the Brigham Young University Library that examined the quality of reference service provided by students and department assistants, the adequacy of the training program, and the effectiveness of the system of referring patrons to subject specialist librarians. Recommendations for improving training programs and…

Describes job aids and the characteristics that have potential effects on their usability and utility. Highlights include accessibility; worker motivation; convenience of use; ease of perception; focus to task; recommendations for designing job aids; and the need for a pilot test of a draft with the user population. (11 references) (LRW)

Examines the effects of headings and adjunct questions embedded in expository text on the delayed multiple-choice test performance of college students. Finds that headings may promote the organization of passage information so as to increase its general availability, while the overall effect of adjunct questions was not significant. (MM)

Discusses motivation based on adult learning conditions, and suggests appropriate motivation plans for leaders and trainers that will enhance performance. The steps to develop motivation plans include assessing current thinking on motivation and reinforcement options; objectively describing expected behaviors; and developing motivational…

A broad description and critique of assessment activities in colleges and universities is presented. The ideals of assessment are discussed along with organizational realities that temper and restrain them. Suggested strategies for practicing assessment that reduces perils and enhances contributions are provided. (MLW)

Two studies examined young children's ability to understand whether the actions of artifacts, insects, mammals, or humans were caused by mental or physical states. The studies suggest that children abstract specific features of action when construing its cause across disparate situations and actors. (MDM)

Compared six-year olds learning on a computer task using LOGO in four different social conditions--alone, with peer, with adult, with peer and adult. Found that children working with an adult performed significantly better than those working without an adult. However, adults' interventions did not consistently result in either the prevention of…

Investigated role of word identification skills, text phrasing, auditory analysis, and digit-naming speed on oral reading fluency and expressiveness of poor and average fifth-grade readers. Found that poor readers were less fluent and expressive than average readers; parsing contributed to fluency in average but not poor readers; and digit-naming…

Discusses six fundamental information resources management (IRM) practices in successful organizations that can improve government service delivery performance. Highlights include directing changes, integrating IRM decision making into a strategic management process, performance management, maintaining an investment philosophy, using business…

A study of 200 medical students' records at Albany Medical College (New York) found that quantity of science-based undergraduate premedical education, either in its entirety or in subdivisions (specific subjects), did not materially affect performance in preclinical years of medical school. (Author/MSE)

Studied the influence of school- and age-related variables on tasks involving quantitative skills. On conservation of number, performance improved as a function of age but not schooling. On mental arithmetic, accuracy improved with schooling rather than age. Results support the utility of the cut-off design for investigating instructional and…

The use of overt answer construction in computer-based programmed instruction was studied. Four college students completed an instructional program that alternated between presenting frames with blanks requiring overt responses and complete frames without blanks. All students produced more correct answers corresponding to program segments that…