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Friday, March 6, 2015

  • Do smartphones make us dumb?
  • Registration is open for youth programs
  • Students to learn about Ontario's invaders
  • Knowledge Integration eXhibition coming
  • Mean Girls and other notes to pass in class


Do smartphones make us dumb?

Our smartphones help us find a phone number quickly, provide us with instant directions and recommend restaurants, but new research indicates that this convenience at our fingertips is making it easy for us to avoid thinking for ourselves.

 

The study, from researchers at the University of Waterloo and published in the journal Computers in Human Behavior, suggests that smartphone users who are intuitive thinkers — more prone to relying on gut feelings and instincts when making decisions frequently use their device’s search engine rather than their own brainpower. Smartphones allow them to be even lazier than they would otherwise be.

 

“They may look up information that they actually know or could easily learn, but are unwilling to make the effort to actually think about it,” said Gordon Pennycook, co-lead author of the study, and a PhD candidate in the Department of Psychology at Waterloo.

In contrast, analytical thinkers second-guess themselves and analyze a problem in a more logical sort of way. Highly intelligent people are more analytical and less intuitive when solving problems.

 

"Decades of research has revealed that humans are eager to avoid expending effort when problem-solving and it seems likely that people will increasingly use their smartphones as an extended mind,” said Nathaniel Barr, the other lead author of the paper, and a postdoctoral researcher at Waterloo.

 

In three studies involving 660 participants, the researchers examined various measures including cognitive style ranging from intuitive to analytical, plus verbal and numeracy skills. Then they looked at the participants’ smartphone habits.

 

Participants in the study who demonstrated stronger cognitive skills and a greater willingness to think in an analytical way spent less time using their smartphones' search-engine function.

 

“Our research provides support for an association between heavy smartphone use and lowered intelligence,” said Pennycook. “Whether smartphones actually decrease intelligence is still an open question that requires future research.”

 

The researchers say that avoiding using our own minds to problem-solve might have adverse consequences for aging.

 

“Our reliance on smartphones and other devices will likely only continue to rise,” said Barr. “It’s important to understand how smartphones affect and relate to human psychology before these technologies are so fully ingrained that it’s hard to recall what life was like without them. We may already be at that point.”

 

The results also indicate that use of social media and entertainment applications generally did not correlate to higher or lower cognitive abilities.

 

Professors Jennifer Stolz and Jonathan Fugelsang, also from Waterloo's Department of Psychology, are co-authors of the study. Funding from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada supported the research.

 

Image credit: VOLODYMYR GRINKO/iStock/Thinkstock.

 

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Registration is open for youth programs

Registration is open for Engineering Science Quest (ESQ) and related youth programs for both March Break and the summer.

 

ESQ will be running March Break camps in Waterloo and Stratford for students in Grades 1 to 3 (Darwin camp) and Grades 4 to 6 (Franklin camp). Stratford camps are for students currently in Grades 1 to 4, and will take place at the Waterloo Stratford Campus. Registration is on a day-to-day basis at the cost of $60 a day.

 

Registration for the ESQ Summer Camps is also open. Camps are organized by grade level in Waterloo, Cambridge and Stratford, and you can register for multiple weeks of camp without repeats in programming. Camps include Banting, Suzuki, the Hawking Science & Technology camp, Newton, Edison, the Payette Technology Camp and the Tesla Technology Camp.

 

In addition, Engineering Explorations is an opportunity for parents and their students in grade 6 to 8 to visit the University of Waterloo campus, and explore the Faculty of Engineering. The program runs on Monday, March 16 from 5:00 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. and includes displays of Engineering projects. Professors and students will be on hand to highlight many of the problems that society asks engineers to solve. Admission is free, but registration is required.

 

The ESQ Leader in Training program is designed for current high school students who are interested in becoming ESQ Staff in the future. The Catalyst Summer Program is only open to current high school students and selection is application-based. Each of the three sessions will be restricted to approximately fifteen students. Applications are now open with rolling deadlines and acceptances.

 

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Students to learn about Ontario's invaders

Local high school students arrive on campus this Friday to learn about some of the most important invasive species affecting Southern Ontario, including Asian carp, zebra mussels, gypsy moth, and invasive worms.

 

The event begins with smaller breakout sessions from 9:30 to 10:15 a.m. in the J.R. Coutts Engineering Lecture Hall and the Mathematics & Computer Building, followed by a feature lecture by TD Walter Bean Visiting Professor Tom Stohlgren from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. in Federation Hall.

 

“Biological invasions are changing our world more rapidly than any other environmental concern, including climate change,” says Professor Stohlgren, Director of the US National Institute for Invasive Species. “We need to recruit an army of NGOSs (the Next Generation Of Scientists) if we are going to stop these invasions.”

 

The 45-minute breakout sessions will begin with an informative presentation by Let’s Talk Science volunteers. Students will then have an opportunity to discuss what they think about this growing issue.

 

Professor Stohlgren’s lecture will explore current extinction and invasion patterns around the globe as a result of population expansion and biodiversity loss. Often appearing in his signature Hawaiian shirts, Professor Stohlgren is well known for communicating his globally recognized expertise on biological invasions using an entertaining and engaging style.

 

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Knowledge Integration eXhibition coming

A message from Knowledge Integration.

KI-X (n): Knowledge Integration eXhibition; a convergence of disciplines, teaching methods and creative minds in an exhibition of topical, object-centric displays.

 

The students of the Amsterdam cohort in the Knowledge Integration program at the University of Waterloo invite you to experience the culmination of our third-year design project: The Museum Course. After spending ten days in Amsterdam last April and May, we returned to Waterloo in September ready to implement some of the design features we examined on our trip. Working in teams to produce these exhibits has been a rewarding and unique experience.

 

In building our exhibits, we have moved beyond the traditional projects and assignments typical of an undergraduate experience. The creation process allowed us to be self-directed and enabled us to incorporate skills from many different disciplines. The result is an exhibition that showcases our knowledge of museums and their design methods, as well as our teamwork and dedication to something that is a little out-of-the-box.

 

“KI-X 2015” is taking place in the Environment 1 Courtyard (EV1-250) on the following days:

 

  • Monday, March 16: 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
  • Tuesday, March 17: 11:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m.
  • Wednesday, March 18: 11:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

 

Help solve an unsolved murder, and learn about forensic science along the way! Look at the cosmetics industry as a case study to examine how companies sell products. Explore mental illness through the lens of everyday objects. Find out whether the villains we love to hate are really so evil after all. Ask yourself: does having 600 friends in our pockets mean missing out on the ones right in front of us?

 

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Mean Girls and other notes to pass in class

Mean Girls lecture poster.The sixth and final event in this year’s English Language & Literature Speakers Series will be taking place this afternoon. Speaking will be Western University's Professor David Bentley, whose talk is entitled "Mean Girls: Queen Bees, Wannabees, and the Education of Cady Heron.”

Professor Bentley is Carl F. Klinck Professor in Canadian Literature at Western University. He has written and edited extensively in the fields of Canadian literature and culture and Victorian literature and art, and serves as editor in chief at Canadian Poetry Press. In addition to his work on Mean Girls, current projects include a collection of essays on modernism in Canada and an essay on the stories Alice Munro wrote as a student at Western.

 

His lecture will examine the structure, sources, ethics, and cultural messages that make Mean Girls more than a movie about wearing pink on Wednesdays. The talk will take place in PAS 2438 at 2:00 p.m.

 

“Attention all University employees,” writes Kevin Smith of Human Resources. "On Friday, March 6-National Employee Appreciation Day- follow @WaterlooCareers on Twitter and mention us in a tweet using the hashtag #uwemployee to be eligible for a chance to win a prize.”

 

The Winter 2015 Arriscraft Lecture Series event featuring Marc Fornes has been rescheduled due to weather. The new date is May 14.

 

Imprint, the University's student newspaper, will be undergoing some changes in the near future, according to, er, a story in last week's issue of Imprint. First, a change in its publication day - after 37 years of coming out on Fridays, the newspaper will hit newsstands across campus on Wednesdays. Second, the paper's dimensions will change from its current folded-over model to a smaller tabloid format that will allow all stories on its front page to be seen. There are also hints that the newspaper's content will be changed to include more magazine-style pieces that will complement the sort of student-oriented news Imprint is known for. Onward and upward!

 

Here's the latest Nutrition Month "myth vs. fact" supplied by Health Services Dietician Sandra Ace:

 

Myth: Packed lunches are boring.

 

Fact: If you’re packing the same things day in and day out then this myth may be true, but it doesn’t have to be! Packing lunch is a healthy and budget-friendly habit. Keep it interesting: reinvent tonight’s leftovers for tomorrow’s lunch with these tasty ideas or find ways to make your bagged lunch healthy, new and exciting that will keep the whole family happy. Think outside the lunch box by packing a colorful crunchy salad in a jar using foods you likely already have in your kitchen. Cookspiration is a free phone app created by Dietitians of Canada, where you can find easy, creative recipe ideas for healthy lunches. Check it out and get inspired today!

 

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Link of the day

Sunday: International Women's Day

When and where

UWaterloo CanBuild, Monday, February 9 to Thursday, March 12. Details.

 

English Language & Literature presents David Bentley, "Mean Girls: Queen Bees, Wannabees and the Education of Cady Heron," Friday, March 6, 2:00 p.m., PAS 2438. Details.

 

International Women's Day Dinner, Friday, March 6, 5:30 p.m., University Club. Details.

 

Knowledge Integration seminar: “Cultural Translation”, featuring artist and educator Soheila Esfahani, Friday, March 6, 2:30 p.m., Environment 3 (EV3), room 1408. Details.

 

The Department of Philosophy and the Canadian Bioethics Society present “Makayla’s Choice: Ethics and the Aboriginal Right to Pursue Traditional Medicine,” Friday, March 6, 3:30 p.m., HH 373.

 

DaCapo Chamber Choir, conducted by Leonard Enns, Professor Emeritus at Conrad Grebel University College, presents “O Earth, Return!” Saturday, March 7, 8:00 p.m. and Sunday, March 8, 3:00 p.m. with pianist Catherine Robertson. Tickets are available online.

 

Water Institute Lecture Series featuring Professor John Smol, Queen's University, "Exploring the Past to Protect our Future: Using Lake Sediments to Study Water Quality Issues," Thursday, March 5, 2:30 p.m., DC 1302. Details.

 

OGVG Celebrating Ontario Agriculture Awards Reception for Food Services, Friday, March 6, 2:30 p.m., University Club.

 

Résumé Tips: Think Like an Employer, Monday, March 9, 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Tatham Centre room 2218.

 

For graduate students and post docs: Mitacs - Essentials of Productive Term, Tuesday, March 10, 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Tatham Centre room 2218.

 

Waterloo Institute for Complexity and Innovation (WICI) presents Professor Lewis Dartnell, “Knowledge and Civilization: Technical and Theoretical Considerations,” Tuesday, March 10, 2:00 p.m., DC 1302. Details.

 

Work Search Strategies, Tuesday, March 10, 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Tatham Centre room 1208.

 

“Taking it personally: Why Gender Violence is an Issue for Men” – A lecture by Dr. Jackson Katz, Tuesday, March 10, 4:00 p.m., Humanities Theatre, Hagey Hall. Note the change in location. Details.

 

IQC presents a public lecture by Michele Mosca, “Cybersecurity in a quantum world – will we be ready?” Tuesday, March 10, 7:00 p.m., QNC 0101. Register for your complimentary tickets.

 

Velocity Science: Brainstorming, Tuesday, March 10, 7:30 p.m., Environment 3 room 4412. Details.

 

Noon Hour Concert, Metamorphosis featuring Mauro Bertoli, piano, Wednesday, March 11, 12:30 p.m., Conrad Grebel University College Chapel. Free admission.

 

Career Interest Assessment (Strong Interest Inventory), Wednesday, March 11, 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Tatham Centre room 1214.

 

Computational Mathematics Sushi Night, Wednesday, March 11, 4:30 p.m., DC 1301. RSVP to Patricia Robinson-Angel by Monday, March 2.

 

Senior Co-op Student Panel: Strategies for Success, Wednesday, March 11, 5:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., Tatham Centre room 2218.

 

Velocity Fund $5K Qualifier – Night 1, Wednesday, March 11, 7:00 p.m., Quantum-Nano Centre room 0101. Details.

 

Waterloo Institute for Complexity and Innovation (WICI) presents Lewis Dartnell, author of “The Knowledge: How To Rebuild Our World From Scratch,” Wednesday, March 11, 7:00 p.m., The Museum, Kitchener. Details.

 

UWaterloo CanBuild, Thursday, March 12. Details.

 

Connect with NSERC’s President on a Vision for 2020, Thursday, March 12, 10:00 a.m., Federation Hall, Main Hall. RSVP details.

 

For graduate students and post docs: Writing CVs and Cover Letters, Thursday, March 12, 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m., Tatham Centre room 1208.

 

Faculty of Arts 3 Minute Thesis heat, Thursday, March 12, 4:00 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., HH 1106. Details.

 

2015 TD Walter Bean Lecture in Science featuring Tom Stohlgren, Ph.D., "Invasions from Inner Space: Species Invasions and Extinction," Thursday, March 12, 5:30 p.m., Humanities Theatre, Hagey Hall. Details.

 

Multiple-Mini Interview (MMI) Practice Session, Thursday, March 12, 5:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m., Tatham Centre room 2240.

 

Velocity Fund $5K Qualifier – Night 2, Thursday, March 12, 7:00 p.m., Quantum-Nano Centre room 0101. Details.

 

Environment Research Seminar featuring Michelle Morris, Friday, March 13, 10:00 a.m., EV1-221.

 

Interviews: Preparing for Questions, Friday, March 13, 10:30 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., Tatham Centre room 1208.

 

Department of Psychology presents Steve “The Worm Wrangler” Schaefer, “All About Vermicomposting,” Friday, March 13, 12:00 p.m., PAS 3026. RSVP to Marianne Appleby.

 

Interviews: Proving Your Skills, Friday, March 13, 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m., Tatham Centre room 1208.


March Break Open House, Saturday, March 14, 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

 

KI-X 2015 exhibition, Monday, March 16 to Wednesday, March 18, Environment 1 Courtyard. Details.

 

Bookstore Author Event featuring Ian Milligan, Susan Roy, and Catherine Briggs from the History Department, Monday, March 16, 2:30 p.m., Bookstore, SCH.

 

Retirement celebration for Bud Walker, Tuesday, March 17, 3:30 p.m., Village 1 Great Hall. RSVP by Monday, March 9.

 

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