Performance Assessment Task: A Point of Reference for Science Teachers - this Pandemic and Beyond

The pursuit for quality education, including that in the basic education levels, for sustainable development is clearly described in the Education for Sustainable Development (ESD), one of the17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by the UN. Accordingly, to equip students, with knowledge, skills, attitudes, and values they'll need to face the difficulties along with sustainable development, there is a need to update some processes currently utilized in science teaching and learning. For this reason, alternative activities and assessment methods, like the use of performance task assessment is needed to improve both the quality of teaching and to provide a meaningful learning experience to students. The purpose of this study was to provide relevant information from extant literature and a sample performance task assessment to encourage Science teachers to utilize these information in their classes. To achieve this purpose, significant information about performance task assessment and an original performance task assessment were presented. The use of performance assessment task is one alternative method to develop critical thinking skills, and to provide an education that is truly relevant to every student in the light of today’s challenges, like the pandemic. It could provide authentic and meaningful learning experience to students, and is very relevant in the context of coping with the challenges the science teachers have been facing. With the many pieces of evidence on its effectiveness and positive learning experience by students provided by literature, it is certain that the use of performance assessment task in Science classes cannot be overemphasized.

Prior Prognostic Expectations as a Potential Predictor in Neurofeedback Training

The present study evaluated whether subjects’ expectations and neurofeedback training performance predict neurofeedback efficacy in cognitive training by controlling both factors as statistical variables. Twenty-two psychology students underwent neurofeedback training, employing beta/theta protocol to enhance beta1 power (13–21 Hz) and suppress theta (4–7 Hz) power. Neurofeedback efficacy was evaluated by behavioral components measured on pre-tests and post-tests employing a visual continuous performance task. The results revealed a significant interaction term between change in reaction time from pre-test to post-test and expectancy effect, indicating that participants with high prognostic expectations showed better improvement in reaction time scores. The data did not reveal that actual neurofeedback performance influenced the post-test measurements of the visual continuous performance task. No significant differences were found for reaction time variability, omission, or commission errors. Possible factors contributing to the results are discussed, and directions for future research are suggested.

An Investigation of Brain Signal Characteristics between Hafiz/Hafizah Subjects and Non-Hafiz/Hafizah Subjects

Tahfiz education has gain its popularity among Malaysians thus expand the circle of hafiz and hafizah all over the country. This study has been done to investigate effect of memorizing Al-Quran by determining the difference between hafiz/hafizah subjects and non-hafiz/hafizah subjects in terms of their focus using brain signal characteristics. 10 subjects (5 hafiz/hafizah and 5 non-hafiz/hafizah) have been participated in this study. Database of EEG was recorded by using EegoSport (ANT Neuro, ES-230, The Netherlands) while listening no music, rock music, instrumental music and Al-Quran audio simultaneously with Continuous Performance Task (CPT). The classification has been done by using machine learning method. Decision Tree method have obtained the highest accuracy (96.63%) for PSD Burg by using beta wave. The finding shows that hafiz/hafizah group were more focus in all given tasks compared to non-hafiz/hafizah group. Statistical analysis by using Wilcoxon Signed-Ranks Test found that the designed methodology was significant with 95% confidence interval.

Coupling between Trigeminal-Induced Asymmetries in Locus Coeruleus Activity and Cognitive Performance

In humans, the asymmetry in the masseter electromyographic (EMG) activity during clenching is positively correlated with the degree of pupil size asymmetry (anisocoria) at rest. Anisocoria reveals an asymmetry in LC activity, which may lead to an imbalance in cortical excitability, detrimental to performance. Hereby, we investigated, in individual subjects, the possibility that occlusal correction, which decreases EMG asymmetry, improves performance by balancing LC activity. Cognitive performance, task-related mydriasis, and pupil size at rest were modified by changing the occlusal condition. Occlusal-related changes in performance and mydriasis were negatively correlated with anisocoria changes in only 12/20 subjects. Within this population, spontaneous fluctuations in mydriasis and anisocoria also appeared negatively coupled. Occlusal-related changes in performance and mydriasis were negatively correlated with those in average pupil size (a proxy of average LC activity) in 19/20 subjects. The strongest association was observed for the pupil changes occurring on the side with higher EMG activity during clenching. These findings indicate that the effects of occlusal conditions on cognitive performance were coupled to changes in the asymmetry of LC activity in about half of the subjects, while they were related to changes in the average tonic LC activity in virtually all of them.

Performance Tasks as a Mediator to Communicating in English and for Enhancing Language Learner Engagement

<p></p><p>This paper discusses whether technology-based performance tasks could be a mediator to communicating in English and enhance language learner engagement. Through action research, the study investigated how low-proficiency Japanese English-language learners could change their attitude toward communicating in their target language by completing a performance task that involve making and presenting a digital portfolio. The students had to mediate between themselves linguistically and contextually when completing the performance task. The study adapted two types of questions in a questionnaire: one involved a three-point Likert scale and the other had open-ended questions about the performance task. Twenty-five students completed the questionnaire. The students had to answer the questionnaire twice, once at the end of the first semester and once at the end of the second semester. The data from the open-ended questions were analyzed qualitatively from a phenomenological research perspective. The students’ comments on the task showed that they positively engaged in the performance task throughout the two semesters by reflecting on themselves as English learners, with some difficulty mediating themselves in L1 and L2.</p><p></p>

Predicting visual memory across images and within individuals

We only remember a fraction of what we see—including images that are highly memorable and those that we encounter during highly attentive states. However, most models of human memory disregard both an image’s memorability and an individual's fluctuating attentional states. Here, we build the first model of memory synthesizing these two disparate factors to predict subsequent image recognition. We combine memorability scores of 1100 images (Experiment 1, N=706) and attentional state indexed by response time on a continuous performance task (Experiments 2 and 3, N=57 total). Image memorability and sustained attentional state explained significant variance in image memory, and a joint model of memory including both factors outperformed models including either factor alone. Furthermore, models including both factors successfully predicted memory in an out-of-sample group. Thus, building models based on individual- and image-specific factors allows for directed forecasting of our memories.

The Impact of Negative Mood on Event-Related Potentials When Viewing Pornographic Pictures

Background: Negative affective states may increase the risk for problematic pornography use. Underlying neurophysiological mechanisms are, however, not completely understood. Previous research suggests that the participants' emotional state may affect neural processing of sexual stimuli. The aim of this study was to investigate neural correlates of negative affect-induced alterations in sexual cue reactivity in healthy men. The moderating effects of habitual porn consumption, trait sexual motivation, and symptoms of cybersex addiction were also considered.Method: Sixty-four healthy men engaged in a sexual cue reactivity task (passive viewing of explicit sexual pictures and neutral pictures depicting scenes of social interaction) during negative (n = 32) vs. neutral affect (n = 32), induced via tailored feedback on a performance task. Self-reported sexual arousal and event-related brain potentials indicated cue reactivity and motivated attention. Symptoms of cybersex addiction and trait sexual motivation were assessed with the help of the short Internet Addiction Test, adapted to online sexual activities, and the Trait Sexual Motivation Questionnaire.Results: Negative feedback increased negative affect after the performance task. While sexual pictures compared to neutral pictures elicited significantly larger P300 and late positive potential (LPP) amplitudes, there was no general effect of negative feedback on sexual stimuli-related P300 and LPP amplitudes. In the negative feedback group, men with higher solitary sexual motivation levels showed higher P300/LPP difference amplitudes for sexual stimuli compared to men with lower levels of solitary sexual motivation. The opposite effect was found in the group with neutral feedback. There was no link to other aspects of trait sexual motivation and symptoms of cybersex addiction.Conclusions: Results suggest that higher levels of solitary sexual motivation may enhance motivated attention toward sexual stimuli among men receiving negative performance feedback. Other characteristics of sexual behaviors and traits provided no exploratory value. Future studies extending onto men suffering from compulsive sexual behavior disorder will have to closer look at the neurophysiological bases of why and when some men develop an addictive pornography consumption.