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Lessons in learning

A new Harvard study shows that students in 'active learning' classrooms learn more than they think, contradicting long-held beliefs about the effectiveness of traditional lectures. The study found that students felt like they learned more from lectures but actually scored higher on tests following active learning sessions.

SourceHarvard University·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateSep 5, 2019

County board of supervisors approves $170 million five-year annual funding for patient care and physician medical education at LAC+USC Medical Center

The Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approved a five-year, $170 million annual funding agreement to provide patient care services and physician medical education at LAC+USC Medical Center. This historic partnership continues the institution's commitment to providing superior medical care to the Los Angeles County community.

Study debunks 'July Effect' for heart surgery

Researchers analyzed over 470,000 cardiac procedures and found no differences in mortality, complications, or costs between July and other months. The study suggests that experienced multidisciplinary teams can provide high-quality care regardless of resident training status.

SourceElsevier·JournalThe Annals of Thoracic Surgery·DateJul 31, 2019

Learning in virtual spaces

Researchers at the University of Würzburg are developing a social-VR platform called ViLeArn to explore the potential of virtual reality in education. The platform allows students to engage in fully equipped virtual teaching environments, fostering collaboration and creativity.

Study: Black students receive fewer warnings from teachers about misbehavior

A study by University of Illinois social work professor Kate M. Wegmann found that black middle school students were significantly less likely to receive verbal or written warnings from their teachers about behavioral infractions. Black students were also more likely to experience exclusionary forms of discipline, such as suspensions a...

SourceUniversity of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, News Bureau·JournalChildren and Youth Services Review·DateJul 29, 2019

Study shows power of refocusing student stress in middle school transition

A new study by University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers finds that proactively addressing students' anxieties with reassuring classroom activities can lead to higher grades, better attendance, and fewer behavioral problems. The intervention boosts students' sense of belonging and reduces fears about fitting in.

SourceUniversity of Wisconsin-Madison·JournalProceedings of the National Academy of Sciences·DateJul 29, 2019

Group medical visit innovations improve access & advance integrative heath equity

This Special Focus Issue on Innovation in Group-Delivered Services explores various applications of group medical visits for chronic diseases, including mindfulness, meditation, and yoga. The issue highlights the potential of group visits to address unmet needs of underserved patients and promote integrative health equity.

SourceMary Ann Liebert, Inc./Genetic Engineering News·JournalThe Journal of Alternative and Complementary Medicine·DateJul 25, 2019

Decades after a good-behavior program in grade school, adults report healthier, more successful lives

University of Washington researchers found that parents and teachers who received a bonding curriculum in elementary school reported better health and socioeconomic status as adults. The study, which followed participants since fifth-grade, showed enduring effects on physical health, mental well-being, and civic engagement.

SourceUniversity of Washington·JournalPrevention Science·DateJul 25, 2019

Head Start accountability systems may be missing how classroom quality varies within preschool centers

A recent study by Northwestern University researchers found that high-stakes accountability policies used to monitor Head Start preschool center quality may overlook significant variation in classroom quality within centers. This could lead to inaccurate representations of center quality and decisions about re-competition for funding.

SourceAmerican Educational Research Association·JournalAmerican Educational Research Journal·DateJul 17, 2019

Helping physics teachers who don't know physics

A new study by Ohio State University found that focused physics professional development can improve teachers' understanding of physics concepts and their teaching strategies. As a result, students' understanding of physics improved significantly. The training also increased teacher satisfaction and trust in their abilities, leading to...

SourceOhio State University·JournalJournal of Science Teacher Education·DateJun 25, 2019

Costs of care similar or lower at teaching hospitals compared to non-teaching hospitals

A new study by Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health found that teaching hospitals have similar costs to non-teaching hospitals for common medical conditions, with lower costs for follow-up care and readmissions. The findings suggest a reevaluation of the relationship between teaching hospital costs and patient outcomes.

SourceHarvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health·JournalJAMA Network Open·DateJun 7, 2019

Fighting academic failures

Supporting socially vulnerable students is key to preventing academic failures. International studies have shown that family context impacts a child's school progress, but strict predetermination is not inevitable. Experts suggest measures such as subsidies, monitoring, and targeted support like special tutors, personalized curricula, ...

SourceNational Research University Higher School of Economics·JournalJournal of Modern Foreign Psychology·DateMay 27, 2019

Want to eliminate workplace bias? Watch your rating system, study says

A study by University of Toronto researchers found that a six-point performance rating scale reduces the gender gap in ratings, with both sexes getting top rankings almost equally. Altering the ratings scale can limit the expression of pre-existing biases, such as stereotypes associating brilliant performance with men more than women.

SourceUniversity of Toronto, Rotman School of Management·JournalAmerican Sociological Review·DateMay 21, 2019

Teachers predict pupil success just as well as exam scores

Teacher assessments were found to correlate strongly with exam scores, predicting around 90% of differences between pupils in exam performance at GCSE and A-level. The study suggests that relying on teacher assessments could be a more effective way to monitor progress and reduce the impact of high-stakes exams.

SourceKing's College London·JournalJournal of Child Psychology and Psychiatry·DateMay 12, 2019