A longitudinal study of high school biology instructors reveals that biology dominates STEM education and the workforce increased 50% between 1987 and 2007. However, the same trend also shows that teachers outside their discipline are often assigned to teach outside their capabilities.
A UCLA study found that the Sound Body Sound Mind curriculum tripled the percentage of students who passed California's standardized physical fitness test in under-resourced schools. The program increased students' confidence levels, enjoyment of physical activity, and knowledge about fitness.
A £6.4 million study launched today will evaluate whether teaching mindfulness to teenagers can improve their mental health outcomes. The three-part trial, involving nearly 6,000 students, aims to assess the impact of mindfulness training on teenage mental resilience and well-being.
A Georgetown University Medical Center professor argues that visual and narrative arts can improve medical care by honing observational skills. Arts-based teaching tools and visual thinking strategies have become essential components of clinical practice, enhancing patient understanding and diagnosis.
A study from the University of Texas at Dallas found that sharing knowledge positively impacts innovation in retail. Employees had the highest levels of innovative behavior when flows were high and balanced, suggesting a give-and-take process is ideal.
Research suggests that non-drug interventions in schools can improve outcomes for children with ADHD, such as performance in standardized tests and reduction of hyperactive behavior. However, the study found it difficult to identify what works best due to variations in strategies and measurement methods.
Researchers aim to teach robots to understand forces during object movement and react to changes, enabling human-robot collaboration. The goal is to develop robots that can work together with humans on tasks like lifting objects, such as tables.
Professor Andreas Peter Ruediger, a leading expert in nanophotonics and nanoelectronics, has been awarded an honorary Fellowship of the Munich University of Applied Sciences (MUAS). He will collaborate with the university on a research project exploring multifunctional materials for new applications in nanotechnology.
A new programme, Good School Toolkit, has successfully reduced physical violence from teachers against school children by 42% in Ugandan primary schools. The initiative aims to foster change in operational culture at the school level, leading to improved feelings of well-being and safety among students.
A new study published in SAGE Open found that a computer game that exercises concentration and attention control can improve the behavior and social interactions of children with AD/HD in China. The game, combined with neurocognitive training, resulted in improved assignment completion, peer acceptance, and teacher relationships.
Kevin Morano, a microbiologist at UTHealth, has been recognized for his exceptional teaching skills by the Minnie Stevens Piper Foundation. He is one of 10 Piper Professors for 2015 and will receive a $5,000 award.
A University of Illinois study finds that developing relationships with young adults and modeling professional behaviors can improve their leadership development. By establishing mentorship opportunities, businesses can help emerging adults grow into confident leaders.
A $3.5 million grant will support 100 first-grade classrooms in Sacramento and Houston, teaching specific skills to struggling readers. The program aims to improve both basic reading skills and comprehension, with preliminary data showing a positive impact on struggling readers.
Researchers Dr. Walter Mischel, Philip Peake, and Yuichi Shoda have been awarded the first Golden Goose Award for their work on the marshmallow test, which found correlations between self-control and life outcomes. Their research has led to advances in teaching self-control and improving lives.
A Michigan State University scholar argues that school districts are complicit in the oppression of students of color by ignoring the issue of biased student discipline. Researchers faced roadblocks and resistance from district administrators who viewed their efforts as a threat.
The Jackson Laboratory will receive a $100,000 grant from The Arthur Vining Davis Foundations to support its 'Teaching the Genome Generation' program, which provides hands-on lab experience for high school science and math teachers. This program aims to prepare students for careers in genome-based healthcare.
Researchers found that teaching students to sound out words sparks more optimal brain circuitry than instructing them to memorize whole words. This study provides evidence of a specific teaching strategy for reading having direct neural impact.
A study by Jaana Viljaranta and colleagues found that limit setting is beneficial for children's math skill development, whereas guilt-inducing techniques hinder progress, especially among girls. The research project, funded by the Academy of Finland and Jacobs Foundation, examined teachers' interaction styles with around 150 children.
Researchers at UC Davis will investigate how virtual schooling affects student achievement and teacher effectiveness in a three-year study of Florida's K-12 virtual education sector. The study, led by Assistant Professor Cassandra Hart, aims to provide insights for policymakers and school personnel on avenues for improvement.
Dr. Ferdinand Kiemeneij and Dr. Shigeru Saito received the Ethica Award for their roles in developing and teaching the radial approach to coronary catheterization. They are internationally renowned for their contributions to interventional medicine, patient comfort, and quality of life.
Researchers analyzed millions of online donations collected over a 14-year period and found that increasing repeat givers by 10% could yield over 60% more dollars donated. Building a predictive model with 21 variables helps fundraisers focus on cultivating people likely to become repeat donors.
Raúl A. Ramos, a UH associate professor of history, has been selected for the Organization of American Historians' 2015 China Residency to teach a one-week seminar on the American West in Beijing, China. This fellowship marks an opportunity for global academic collaboration and exchange between Chinese scholars and US faculty.
A new study by Michigan State University scholars found that exceptional teachers incorporate their personal interests into the curriculum to create interactive and effective learning experiences. The research suggests that teachers should be encouraged to take creative risks and bring diverse perspectives to the classroom.
Polymer chemist Kazunori Kataoka and theologian Kwok Pui Lan receive the Gutenberg Research Award for their pioneering work on polymer-based nano-carriers for cancer therapy and post-colonial feminist theology. Their research has significantly advanced theoretical research in these fields and contributed to practical applications.
Researchers found that education reform in New Orleans exacerbated economic and cultural inequities for black students, parents, and educators. The takeover of public schools by charter operators led to the loss of beloved neighborhood schools, jobs, and a black veteran teacher at one school.
A new approach to English language learning using multiple genres leads to improved student gains, according to a Boston College study. Genres in Writing breaks from traditional essay formats and teaches students to write across various genres, such as persuasive, expository, and historical.
According to TALIS survey results, US teachers work largely in isolation, reporting less engagement in collaborative efforts. This lack of collaboration may hinder student learning and teacher development.
Researchers found educators connecting within and between schools to focus on central goals as they shifted from monolingual to bilingual instruction. School leaders need to foster structures that support teachers embracing new practices.
Researchers at Boston College surveyed 59 educators about mobile technology's impact on non-cognitive skills like empathy and teamwork. While teachers were mostly positive about classroom learning benefits, they expressed concerns about digital distraction and its effects on students' social-emotional development.
A new study finds that teachers' conversational art of instruction can measurably influence literacy skills. Measured, positive feedback is shown to improve student performance, while talking around standardized test questions and failing to cultivate class-wide discussions have a negative effect.
New research finds that teachers' perceptions of student behavior are influenced by race, with black students being labeled as 'troublemakers' more often than white students. This can lead to harsher discipline and perpetuate racial disparities in school discipline.
W. James Lewis received the 2015 AMS Award for Impact on the Teaching and Learning of Mathematics, recognizing his career-long advocacy for integrating mathematics research and education. He established a national model for teaching at University of Nebraska-Lincoln, shaping math education across the country.
A Nation Empowered: Evidence Trumps Excuses aims to empower parents, educators, and policymakers with tools to implement acceleration strategies. The report presents evidence-based research on the benefits of acceleration for gifted students, dispelling myths and misconceptions about its dangers.
A study found that kindergartners sharing iPads in class scored higher on achievement tests compared to those with individual iPads or no technology. The collaborative learning environment made a significant difference in student outcomes.
Researchers developed a scale to quantify student engagement, which is positively correlated with academic performance and motivation. The scale can help educators identify barriers and increase student involvement in the classroom.
Michigan State University is developing a carbon cycling program, called Carbon TIME, to teach middle- and high-school students about climate change. The program aims to help teachers gain buy-in from local school administrators and provide extensive professional support to significantly improve teaching strategies.
A special issue of Educational Researcher examines value-added measures, a contentious accountability tool used by over 30 states. Articles explore challenges in designing evaluation systems, the potential of value-added to improve teacher quality, and its impact on school policies.
Researchers developed a robot-based writing tool called CoWriter that helps children improve their handwriting and writing skills. The program uses learning by teaching, a recognized principle in pedagogy, and has been tested with over 70 students aged 6-8 years old.
A study of 374 elementary music teachers reveals that school-level factors such as scheduling and instructional contact time have the greatest impact on music programs. Music teachers also reported significant influences from school facilities, administration, and budgets.
Dasgupta, a renowned chemist and educator at the University of Texas at Arlington, has received the prestigious J. Calvin Giddings Award for his commitment to teaching and research excellence. The award recognizes his efforts to enhance analytical chemistry students' professional development and publish influential textbooks on teaching.
Researchers identified the anterior cingulate cortex as a key region in the teacher's brain involved in understanding students' mistakes. This finding provides insight into how teachers can guide student learning through meaningful feedback.
A recent Finnish-Swiss-Belgian study finds that technology changes the teacher's role from a traditional knowledge provider into a facilitator guiding students' learning processes and engaging in joint problem-solving. Technology offers new types of learning possibilities, including interactive learning and teaching opportunities.
A new study reveals that genetics curricula are improving, but still lag behind, with minimal instruction in years three and four of medical school. Medical schools are adopting innovative teaching strategies to incorporate genomics into training.
A new study found that teachers with higher symptoms of depression had classrooms of lesser quality, resulting in lower math performance gains for students. Schools need mental health support systems to help teachers cope with chronic stress.
A study by Monash University found that while seven in eight students use Wikipedia, it's not considered the most useful education resource. Academics and universities should integrate Wikipedia into teaching and learning to support students' scholarship.
A study by UVM's Carmen Petrick Smith found that elementary school students who performed body-based tasks while interacting with a Kinect program showed significant gains in understanding angles and angle measurements. The movement-based lessons were more effective than traditional static representations.
A new kindergarten curriculum developed by the University of Wisconsin-Madison has been shown to improve preschoolers' academic performance and social skills. The curriculum focuses on promoting kindness, compassion, and self-regulation skills in young children.
New research indicates charter schools' opponents are failing to persuade even moderate Democrats, while supporters create enduring support by highlighting non-unionized teachers and the benefits of charters in poorer districts.
Researchers at the University of Missouri identified a plan to evaluate teachers using a 'proportional' system, which considers school resources. This approach aims to level the playing field among teachers working with students from different socioeconomic backgrounds.
Scientists have found a connection between early Stone Age slaughtering tools and the emergence of modern human communication. The study suggests that teaching and perhaps even proto-language occurred around 1.8 million years ago.
A new study finds that kindergartners and first graders with high maintenance temperaments showed less disruptive behavior and more active engagement in the classroom, thanks to a program that recognizes and adapts to individual differences.
A survey of Boston teachers found that while many provided classroom-based support after the 2013 Boston Marathon attack, others lacked clear policies and training to help students cope with trauma. The study suggests that teachers play a crucial role in supporting student mental health following crises like terrorist attacks.
Researchers analyzed 10,319 acute ischemic strokes between July 2003 and March 2008, finding patients admitted in July had similar outcomes to those admitted any other month. The study suggests the lack of a 'July effect' may be due to the multidisciplinary nature of stroke care compensating for trainee experience.
Research published in JAMA Internal Medicine found that high-risk patients admitted to hospitals during cardiology meetings are more likely to survive than on non-meeting days. The study suggests that a less intensive approach for these patients may be beneficial.
A new report from NYU and the University of Michigan examines how teachers are using digital games to assess student learning and provide ongoing feedback. Key findings include that over half of teachers use digital games weekly or more often, with elementary school teachers being most likely to do so.
Plymouth University has received £1.2 million from HEFCE to invest in teaching facilities for Biomedical and Human Bioscience programs. The funding will enhance STEM education and research capabilities, supporting the university's reputation for world-leading medical science.
A recent study by NC State University found that online students tend to evaluate male instructors more favorably than female instructors, regardless of the instructor's actual gender. The researchers discovered a significant bias against women, with students who believed they were taught by men receiving higher ratings on various traits.
Researchers developed game-theoretical model to examine different incentive schemes, finding rewarding cooperative agents first leads to higher cooperation levels. The optimal strategy shifts to punishing wrongdoers after a sufficiently large proportion of agents cooperate, promoting highest level of cooperation at lowest cost.
Louisiana Tech University has been awarded a $1.45 million grant to produce more highly-effective secondary math and science teachers through the UTeach program, which aims to address the need for qualified STEM educators. The university will work with partners to increase the number of highly-qualified STEM teachers in the region.
Kansas State University professors C. Michael Smith and Christopher Sorensen were selected as AAAS fellows for their pioneering contributions to entomology and soft matter physics, respectively. Their research has been recognized for advancing science, education, and outreach.