Connecting to nature at the zoo: implications for responding to climate change

Societal response to climate change has been inadequate. A perception that the issue is both physically and temporally remote may reduce concern; concern may also be affected by the political polarization surrounding the issue in the USA. A feeling of connection to nature or to animals may increase personal relevance, and a supportive social context may counteract political tensions. Zoos may provide opportunities for both sense of connection and social support. We surveyed over 7000 zoo and aquarium visitors to examine the ways in which a feeling of personal connection among zoo visitors may encourage concern about climate change. Results show that feeling connected to animals at the zoo is significantly associated with cognitive and emotional responses to climate change, as well as with other social groupings and social responses. Overall, the zoo seems to present a supportive social context for considering the topic.     

Training Judges to Generate Standard-Setting Data

Is training judges beyond initial orientation required? How can we help judges apply their conceptualization of minimal competence to individual items?     

The three “Ds“ of successful performance measurement: Design,data, and display

Performance measurement is a critical enabler for better understanding, managing, and improving performance. The ultimate success of any performance measurement development effort is primarily a function of mastering the three “Ds“ of design, data, and display. It should always be remembered, however, that the real goal of any performance measurement system is to provide performance‐based data that can be easily converted into actionable performance‐based knowledge, thus enabling users to understand, manage, and improve what they measure.