Number 308 - January 2009

Insight
by Jenny Lind Olin, Tampa PC Users Group
Some of you may think that I was kidding when I told you I was in a brain training program. It has been fun to tell people: "I had brain training this morning" and see their reaction.    I have recently taken part in a study using InSight by the Aging Department at the University of South Florida. InSight is an expensive ($395 for the single user) program which you can purchase online. I participated free because I volunteered to participate and do a follow-up program in five years. After completing the course, I took the assessment test, which was similar to the pre-assessment test I took before starting the program. In five years I will go back to be reevaluated. The study has shown that your assessment score after a 5-year lapse will be very similar to the assessment score that you obtain after completing the InSight program.    InSight features five engaging exercises. These exercises adapt to individual performance, so you're always working at the right level for your brain.    This scientific program has been designed to improve your memory, your reaction time and your life. Check it out at www.PositScience.org	Change the way you see the world. See more, react faster, drive better. Get more out of viewing a movie. InSight features five engaging exercises for visual precision, useful field of view, visual processing speed, and divided attention, found in these exercises: Bird Safari, Jewel Diver, Master Gardener, Road Tour, and Sweep Seeker. Although it was offered, I never did do the Master Gardener. After an hour session, I felt as though I had worked out in the gym except it was my brain that was stimulated rather than my muscles. Also, I started looking forward to the sessions just as I would look forward to a good physical workout. It was similarly rewarding in the feeling of satisfaction.    Jewel Diver is one of the five exercises in InSight, Posit Science's program for visual processing. These exercises are designed to improve multiple aspects of visual processing--such as divided attention. They also adapt to your performance, so that you are always training at the right level for you. You can actually do a 10-minute trial on the above website.    An alternative would be to find games like this one on the Internet and improve your brain that way: Southbank - Turkey Shoot, www.southbank-design.co.uk/turkeyshoot/index.htm
Number 308 - January 2009