Assessments Today

To Move Platforms or Not?

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I am in a bit of a dilemma.   (Greek: δί-λημμα "double proposition") or a problem offering at least two possibilities, neither of which is practically acceptable.  The Assessments Today Blog was my very first blog and I choose to use Typepad. That is almost 7 years ago! I still think that Typepad is a great platform but WordPress is what I use for all my other blogs and websites... it is free, flexible and has great widgets to optimize the site.

I use WordPress for Assessments Here, the portal for professionals using assessments.  So I would like to move Assessments Today over as well.  This would not only save me almost $100 a year but it would add so much more capability. One can actually import past post quite easily but setting it up is another a different challenge.  Should I try for the same look?  What changes in the columns should I consider?

 

If you were me, what would you do?

Or here is a better question... How would you like to see Assessments Today look?  What features or widgets or advertising do you want or not want?

Please post your comments or send me a private email.

If I do move - which I probably will do, it won't be until the summer.  I just have to many other things on my plate.

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Improve your brain power, mental health, learning and more (not simply IQ)

There are a number of sites where you can "test" your brain power but the best that I have come across is Lumosity. Here are ten things that they claim:

10 Things You Should Know About Lumosity.com

1. Lumosity.com has been shown to improve memory and attention in clinical trials.
2. 98% of Lumosity.com subscribers say they would recommend us to others.
3. Over 10 million people have joined Lumosity.com.
4. Lumosity.com features over 30 brain games and exercises.
5. Lumosity.com's training program only takes 10 minutes a day.
6. People from over 180 countries have subscribed to Lumosity.com.
7. Lumosity.com is the exclusive provider of healthy games for The New York Times.
8. Lumosity.com costs less than a cup of coffee a day.
9. Lumosity.com partners with healthcare providers and media outlets.
10. Lumosity.com can change your life.

Designed by neuroscientists and based on extensive research, Lumosity's training program promotes cognitive health by selectively challenging cognitive faculties. They use the Brain Performance Index (BPI) to measureeach performance in a given cognitive function.

Lumosity improves brain health and mental functioning. Their brain training program selectively addresses five main brain areas: memory, attention, processing speed, flexibility and problem-solving skills. By focusing on all five, our training exercises steer you toward your peak performance. No matter what your age or educational background, Lumosity can help you stay mentally fit and at the top of your game.

You can use BPI to track your performance, and compare your ability in one cognitive area to another.  Overall BPI is your average BPI across each of the five cognitive areas: attention, memory, speed, flexibility and problem solving. This number provides a concise measure of your overall brain performance. If you are weak in one area, it will bring down your overall score, so it’s a good idea to focus on the games where you scores are lowest.

While there are paid accounts, you can open a full functioning free one by going to their website.  I highly recommend giving it a go. These are fun free and provide one place for an overall perpective on yur brain performance.

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ONe resource site that I like and have often mentioned in my blog is from the BBC Science: Human body and Mind.  One example of a memory test can be found here.  Check around there are lots more.

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Perhaps slightly more functional is Gild. Gild provides you with unique tools to certify your skills, find great jobs, and advance your career all while competing and sharing with friends and peers.

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WiZiQ helps you Learn and Teach Online.

 

These are just a few of many intersting sites.  Please share any others that you think are worth a visit.

iPhone Apps and Online Tests to Measure IQ

I am never quite sure if I would seriously consider any online quiz that claims to measure IQ anything more than fun... but there you have it.... these things are fun.

A recent article from MakeUsOf.com compiled a great list:

10 Websites With Fun Tests To Gauge Your IQ

I couldn't have done better myself so I encourage you to go directly there and see for yourself.

That said, I did realize that I could add value by pointing out a few applications for your iPhone (and iPad) which claim to do similar things. There are a heck of a lot out there. This short list does not include any silly or inane apps such as those for sex or music even if they have good ratings. This inclusde those claims for the Mozart Effect. Just search the titles on iTunes below.

• The IQ Test claims to be the most comprehensive app on iTunes.  t seems to have pretty good reviews and it comes in at $0.99  There is even a free version to try out first.
• Not to be mistaken with the above there is also IQ Test which costs the same and has a free version but seems to have slightly lower reviews. You decide.
• IQ Test Original is "on sale" at 80% off for $0.99  Has been on sale for quite some time.  Seems the other apps are giving this one a run for its money. Pun intended. Has good ratings.
• Mixed refers for I.Q. Test but again it is only $0.99
• As I live in France, I decided I should include Test de QI which is a French app for $0.99

My conclusions ar that you can't expect too much from these apps and may be better off sticking to the sites online instead.

Is promiscuity a luxury?

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So postulates author Marian Adshade. Have you ever wondered in which countries people are the most promiscuous, or even if promiscuity varies at all?  The International Sexuality Description Project turned up a great deal of variety in promiscuity between nations.

Marina Adshade from BigThink asks: How Promiscuous are You? Find out by taking a simple self-assessment test, which the International Sexuality Description Project—a team of more than 100 scientists—has administered in 48 different countries.* The test will take less than a minute, and will measure what psychologists call your “sociosexuality"—or, what the author calls, promiscuity. My score?  About average.

Are there levels of evil?

The Question Posed: What is evil? 

Psychiatrist Michael Stone explains his 22-point scale of evil, ranging from justified homicide to crimes so shocking and unspeakable they “take your breath away.”

One study, led by Dr. Michael Stone of Columbia University, delved into the life histories of over 500 people who have killed; the findings were used to develop a 22-level chart Stone calls the “gradations of evil.” The flavors of malevolence range from “Those who have killed in self-defense and do not show psychopathic tendency” to “Psychopathic torture-murderers, with torture their primary motive.” Outlaw Billy the Kid, who is believed to have killed between nine and 21 men, scores an almost cuddly six on Stone’s scale, “Impetuous hot-headed murderers, yet without marked psychopathic features.” England’s Yorkshire Ripper, convicted of the murders of 13 women, came in at a more dastardly 17.

(Original source the Telegraph, quote in The Brent Morrison Column: Measuring Evil)

You can explore Dr. Stone's Evil Scale more here.

Dr. Stone goes through each of the 22 levels and gives an example and his rational.  Jim Jones is a "12"?

I just don't buy this scale system. While I might agree that there are three categories this "fine tuning" is somehow warped.

Yes, I know it is Oprah

Oprah's Spirit Newsletter last week was all about How to Tap into Your Intuitive Side.  I sat on it for a few days but let's face it. . . .  she knows what she is doing. There are some wonderful articles, quizzes and "how to's" available that you might want to try out.  Most of them are pretty sound scientifically as well.  Here they are:

10 Quizzes to Assess Your Life

01. How happy are you?
02. When it comes to food, are you a Restrictor or Permitter?
03. How old are you emotionally?
04. Are you resilient?
05. Can you identify the shadow working in your life?
06. What's your beauty quotient?
07. Are you an optimist or a pessimist?
08. Are you addicted to praise?
09. Who are you meant to be?
10. Ready for a soul makeover?

Multi Tasking and Distractions

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I don't believe in multi-tasking.  This is probably because I as grow older I am note acutely aware of how poorly I juggle too many things at one time.  I like it when articles support the position that multi-tasking is not effective.  While most research in the area is related to the brain, I can't help wondering if personality is also at play.

The New York Times this week has two interactive (tests) online for you to see how well you perform on a number of tasks.  I will share with you one aspect of my results - while I did score well in getting the right answers - I was miserably hopelessly slower than both multi-taskers and non mulit-taskers.  I blame the slowness of my computer. 

Check your ability to switch between tasks and see how well you filter out distractions with a pair of tests.

1. Test How Fast You Juggle Tasks
2. Test Your Focus

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More Fun Tests - That have science behind them.

The BBC Science and Nature Homepage has a wonderful selection of tests.  I have mentioned a few of them before.  The latest one that I have tried out is The Senses Challenge. 

While they are not about personality , I suppose that it is a reflection on my personality that I like them so much. If you do too - enjoy.

New Assessment Portal and Community Network Launched

• Curious about assessments but not sure who to trust?
• Have you wanted to stay informed about assessments but don’t want to do the research?
• Do you use assessments but would like to expand your repertoire?
• Would you like assessment information all in one place with easy access?
• Do you have expertise that you would be willing to share with others?

Well I hope that is what I have created with my Assess Yourself Now Portal. You can now connect through a Community Network, FaceBook Page and / or Blog.  Membership in the community is free. If you are a trainer, coach, consultant or HR professional, I encourage you to register and join..  There is no charge for joining and you will have access to more resources. Up until the end of July you can enjoy extra resources as a Charter Member – then you will revert back to the Community Network.

Register no obligation at: http://www.AssessmentsHere.com

Just For Fun - Celebrity Voice Overs

If you score well - you listen well.  I don't think so.  If you can figure out who is who, you are knowledgeable.  No again.  OK maybe this isn't related to the use of assessments by coaches or trainers but have fun anyway. Go ahead, test yourself with this fun celebrity voice-over quiz. In this Slate video, ten famous actors anonymously lend their voice talent—guess their identities. If it means anything - which I doubt, I only got the last one.