Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Students taught by highly qualified teachers more likely to obtain bachelor's degree

A study by Se Woong Lee found that students taught by successive teachers with expertise in the subject they're learning are more likely to succeed both short-term and long-term. This suggests that schools can increase student success by prioritizing teacher qualifications and collaboration among educators.

SourceUniversity of Missouri-Columbia·JournalEducational Evaluation and Policy Analysis·DateMay 22, 2018

The case for hope: Educating as if survival matters

A new article in BioScience proposes that education can be a powerful tool to empower students and inspire action on environmental sustainability. The authors argue that teachers should encourage students to investigate environmental issues, collect data, and participate in citizen science and conservation efforts.

SourceCornell University·JournalBioScience·DateMay 2, 2018

Do men outnumber women in academic neurology programs?

A recent study found that men outnumber women in top-ranked academic neurology programs, consistent with previous research on neurology and other specialties. The study analyzed data from 1,712 academic neurologists across 29 programs, highlighting the underrepresentation of women in academic careers.

SourceJAMA Network·JournalJAMA Neurology·DateApr 2, 2018

Some teachers don't talk to anyone about violent incidents

A nationwide study found that one in five teachers who experienced physical or verbal violence at their schools didn't report the incidents to school administrators. The study also showed that significant minorities of teachers who experienced violence also didn't tell their colleagues (14 percent) or family (24 percent).

SourceOhio State University·JournalSocial Psychology of Education·DateMar 7, 2018

Why US policies for dyslexia should be scrapped

Leading expert Julian Elliott argues that current US Federal and State dyslexia laws ignore scientific evidence and prioritize expensive diagnoses over early intervention. He advocates for a focus on identifying reading difficulties in children and providing targeted support, rather than pursuing a dubious diagnosis of dyslexia.

Online tool speeds up evolution education

A study using Avida-ED curriculum found that students who used the digital evolution software improved their understanding of evolutionary principles, including variation, randomness, and natural selection. The tool also increased acceptance of evolution among students, suggesting it could be an effective educational tool.

SourceMichigan Technological University·JournalThe American Biology Teacher·DateFeb 5, 2018

'Depression education' effective for some teens

The Adolescent Depression Awareness Program (ADAP) achieved its intended effect of encouraging teenagers to speak up and seek adult help for themselves or a peer. More than 54% of students were depression-literate four months after the curriculum, compared with 36% of students who weren't exposed.

SourceJohns Hopkins Medicine·JournalAmerican Journal of Public Health·DateJan 22, 2018

School climate and diversity may affect students' delinquent behaviors

A study of 8947 African American and White students found that a non-discriminatory school climate and increased teacher diversity are associated with lower delinquent behavior scores. Perceived peer inclusion surprisingly increases delinquent behavior, highlighting the need for programs to incentivize teachers of color.

SourceWiley·JournalJournal of School Health·DateJan 16, 2018

Mapping the social landscape

Scientists discovered a sub-population of neurons in bats' brains that encode the specific location of other bats nearby. These 'social place cells' support the idea that our brains create a cognitive map not just of our location, but also one that includes social mapping.

SourceWeizmann Institute of Science·JournalScience·DateJan 14, 2018

Historical development of teacher education studied in a cross-country collaboration

A study by Kazan Federal University researchers explores the evolution of teacher education in Russia and England over 40 years, revealing similarities in policy changes and decision-making. The authors found that globalization has created common standards for teacher education, with a focus on psychological aspects in Russian pedagogy.

SourceKazan Federal University·JournalEuropean Journal of Teacher Education·DateJan 2, 2018

Cooperative learning aids in preventing alcohol use in rural middle schools

A new study found that cooperative learning significantly reduced students' association with deviant peers and growth in alcohol use among middle schoolers. By increasing students' contacts with prosocial youths, cooperative learning helps interrupt the tendency for socially marginalized students to cluster into groups of deviant peers.

SourceSociety for Research in Child Development·JournalChild Development·DateDec 19, 2017

Intervention offered in school readiness program boosts children's self-regulation skills

A daily self-regulation intervention added to a summer kindergarten readiness program significantly improved children's self-regulation skills and early academic skills. The intervention, co-developed by OSU researcher Megan McClelland, uses music and games to help preschoolers learn and practice self-regulation skills.

SourceOregon State University·JournalEarly Childhood Research Quarterly·DateDec 14, 2017

Multicultural awareness boosts teaching competency, but is an uneven resource among future teachers

A study by NYU Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development found that multicultural awareness is crucial for promoting positive outcomes in the classroom. Multicultural awareness varies significantly among future teachers based on their race or ethnicity and prior experience working with students of color. The resear...

SourceNew York University·JournalJournal of Teacher Education·DateDec 4, 2017

Intentional teaching makes the biggest impact on early childhood outcomes

Research suggests that high-quality preschool teaching practices, particularly those focused on intentional teaching and scaffolding, have the largest effect on young children's academic and social skills. Effective curricula, teacher-child ratio, and professional development also play a significant role in shaping outcomes.

SourceFrank Porter Graham Child Development Institute·JournalChild Development Perspectives·DateNov 15, 2017