Oxygen uptake, heart rate, and rating of perceived exertion were used to measure the effect of caffeine ingestion on active college students. The results do not support the general use of caffeine as an ergogenic aid for either males or females, although caffeine may have that effect on specific individuals. (Author/MT)

Assessed the effects of Transcendental Meditation on the perceptual efficiency of the cerebral hemispheres in 20 right-handed men who underwent reaction time trials to an auditory stimulus. Results suggested Transcedental Meditation is an attentional strategy that disrupts the usual biases of the brain. (JAC)

Examined the effects of prior practice on the Set Test (ST), a test of verbal fluency, in 30 geriatric patients assigned to specific or nonspecific practice groups or a control. Results showed a significant improvement for the practice groups from days 1 to 2. (JAC)

Performed orthogonal and oblique factor analysis using the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale-Revised (WAIS-R) standardization sample (N=1,880). Analysis of the variance components for each subtest at every age level revealed a substantial proportion of subtests at a wide range of age levels evidenced high or intermediate levels of specific…

Observed college students (N=195) divided according to sex and measures of wittiness to determine the effects of humor on problem solving in groups. Results showed that group composition was not a crucial issue in problem-solving performance, but that humerous group interaction was, and did not interfere with ongoing task performance. (LLL)

This standards publication provides acoustical performance criteria, design requirements, and design guidelines for new school classrooms and other learning spaces. The standards may be applied when practicable to the major renovation of existing classrooms. These criteria, requirements, and guidelines are keyed to the acoustical qualities needed…

A hypothetical case study provides examples of the inter-rater reliability issues involved in complex performance assessment, focusing on the Baldrige model. A hypothetical team of five evaluators was asked to rate a Baldrige model performance assessment along the seven defined criteria or performance dimensions that comprise the Baldrige model…

This handbook provides practical plans for theme-based activities that promote learning through doing. Each activity incorporates a wide range of tasks and skills across multiple content areas that can be modified for students of different abilities and grade levels. The book also illustrates how to make activities more meaningful by including…

Performance is the actual work that is done to assure that an organization achieves its mission, and aligning that performance assures that the path to the mission is harmonious. Alignment exists when all people involved understand the dimensions of the work and want to achieve and improve alignment. This book presents the "Language of Work" model…

Five components of learning motivation delineated are: (1) expectations of positive affective change; (2) self concept; (3) goal setting; (4) knowledge of steps instrumental to learning; and (5) self evaluation. Cultural differences on these components are also discussed. (RP)

The hypothesis confirmed in this study is that high test-anxiety students performed more poorly on difficult material because they divided their time between personally relevant and task relevant concerns more than did low-anxiety individuals. (Author/KM)

The effects of competing auditory stimuli on the performance of 11 possibly learning disabled children and 11 normal children were compared. (Author)

The present study investigated: (a) the relationship between IQ test scores and ability to follow specific instructions for solving matrices; and (b) the relationship between IQ test scores and the ability to follow strategy instructions for solving matrices. Findings from this investigation may clarify the relationship between intelligence and…