Confounded Thoughts

Working Memory Workout?

2012-01-31T15:00:00.000-08:00

Cogmed Working Memory Training (a first-hand approach)

I was interested to see that someone took the time (and plopped down the $1000) to try out the Cogmed Working Memory Training and write about her and her son's experiences. Controlled studies seem to support this training, but the "real world" (i.e., anecdotal) results here are strikingly...inconclusive. Ah well.

Maybe the lack of clear outcomes is an exception? We can hope, I suppose. It would be super fantastic if a truly effective ADHD/executive skills intervention system existed.

Sound comprehension

2011-12-11T10:24:00.001-08:00

Listening to music while reading/studying can be a good thing (with instrumental stuff, at least), but some new research is suggesting to us that we're best off making sure that it's not fast and loud. (Sorry for yelling...I kind of felt that "fast and loud" called for some increased volume on my end)

Strangely, though, fast and soft might actually be helpful for our reading comprehension. Huh. So I guess that if you need to maintain you daily dose of speed metal during your study time, just try keep yourself from turning that volume dial up to 11.

But there are a lot of factors that play into how our brains process stuff, so nothing is really cut-and-dry. Try some music experiments on yourself and see what happens!

(read the full published article here (as long as it's still available at least))

Search like a boss

2011-11-30T18:57:00.001-08:00

My new favorite utility on OS X is Alfred. It's like Spotlight on steroids (cliched simile, but it's true). The app is totally free, so there's really no excuse to avoid downloading it and experiencing productive happiness. (And then if you find yourself fancying Alfred, upgrade your happiness (like I did) with the add-on "Powerpack," which has some neat features like at-your-fingertips file system navigation, iTunes control, and access to clipboard history.)

The app's home is alfredapp.com (and no, I'm not advertising or anything...I'm just an enthusiastic new fan).

It takes a village (or at least a home and a school)

2011-11-30T06:33:00.001-08:00

Surprise surprise! Teachers aren't the only ones responsible for kids' educations. Some recent research (full report here) found that four basic types of involvement by parents result in children experiencing better academic performance:

Monitoring their homework
Making sure they get to school
Rewarding their efforts
Talking about going to college

Think we can handle that?

Another study (read it here) showed that students whose parents regularly read to them early on in school achieved higher than those who didn't, even when accounting for socioeconomic status. File this one under "an ounce of prevention."

Happy food

2011-11-29T18:08:00.000-08:00

A couple funky food concoctions that I made and enjoyed recently:

Eggo blueberry waffle sundae
Leftover turkey sandwich (Sliced turkey placed on a bed of cranberry sauce, then topped with mozzarella (okay, it's not entirely leftovers), stuffing, mashed rutabaga, and a light spreading of mayo)

Two yums up.

By Tim Dowling, for Tim Dowlings

2011-11-26T08:55:00.001-08:00

Apologies to the other Tim Dowlings of the world who may have sought out this domain name and/or the related eponymous gmail address. Judging by the many misdirected emails that I receive, we do seem to be a rather accomplished and well-liked bunch (with a few exceptions...but I'm willing to ignore those).