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Let's have lunch! -- teachers eating with their students provides nutrition education opportunities

Swedish researchers found three types of teachers who interacted with children during meals: sociable, educating, and evasive. To realize the potential of nutrition education, teachers must be aware of their actions. The study provides a useful tool for clarifying best practices for teacher-student interactions during mealtimes.

SourceElsevier Health Sciences·JournalJournal of Nutrition Education and Behavior·DateAug 6, 2013

Songbirds turn on and tune up

Researchers found that bullfinches memorize melody sequences in smaller subunits, anticipating the next note sequence when their human partner stops. The study suggests that songbirds have complex brain processes to learn and recall human melodies accurately.

SourceSpringer·JournalAnimal Cognition·DateJun 26, 2013

Black-white education gap is worsened by unresponsive state policymakers, Baylor study shows

A Baylor University study finds that state policymakers are less responsive to addressing the black-white education gap, particularly for African-American students. Despite efforts from federal-level initiatives like No Child Left Behind and Race to the Top, the research suggests a persisting achievement gap due to political foundations.

SourceBaylor University·JournalAmerican Politics Research·DateJun 20, 2013

When retailers strike out twice

Researchers found that customers may desire both revenge and reconciliation after a double service failure, depending on perceived firm motives. Effective ways to reduce negative customer response include explanations of the failure and apologies paired with compensation.

SourceWashington State University·JournalJournal of Retailing·DateJun 17, 2013

Teacher collaboration, professional communities improve many elementary school students' math scores

A study by UNC Charlotte researchers found that teacher collaboration and professional communities can significantly improve math performance among elementary school students. However, many schools fail to provide such environments, leading to persistent achievement gaps between racial and socioeconomic groups.

SourceUniversity of North Carolina at Charlotte·JournalSociology of Education·DateJun 7, 2013

Teacher collaboration, professional communities improve many elementary school students' math scores

A new study by UNC Charlotte researchers shows that teacher collaboration and professional learning communities improve many elementary school students' math performance. However, few schools have effectively developed both environments, and the study highlights the need for school leaders to create supportive districts that provide re...

SourceAmerican Sociological Association·JournalSociology of Education·DateJun 5, 2013

Parent input ignored in school closings

A Michigan State University researcher found that parents' concerns are frequently ignored when closing urban schools, and that teacher quality and economic investment are key factors that are not considered. Khalifa's study argues that school administrators should consider community voices and vested interests when making decisions.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalUrban Education·DateMay 30, 2013

'Boys will be boys' in US, but not in Asia

A new US study found that girls have higher levels of self-regulation than boys in American young children, but this gender gap does not exist in Asian countries. Researchers also suggest that cultural expectations and teaching practices may influence teachers' perceptions of boys' behavior.

SourceOregon State University·JournalEarly Childhood Research Quarterly·DateMay 22, 2013

Twitter can give power to the people

A Michigan State University researcher found that Twitter can be a better source of information than traditional news sources and online search engines. Tweets tagged with hashtags provide multiple perspectives on topics like the Occupy Wall Street movement. The study suggests using Twitter as a complement to formal teaching and learni...

SourceMichigan State University·JournalAmerican Behavioral Scientist·DateApr 18, 2013

Corporate accounting earnings data relevant for determining value of the aggregate stock market

A study by Prof. Panos Patatoukas of the University of California - Berkeley Haas School of Business found that aggregate accounting earnings are tied to news about expected future cash flows and discount rates, impacting stock market valuation. The research suggests that capital market participants and policymakers can extract valuabl...

SourceUniversity of California - Berkeley Haas School of Business·JournalReview of Accounting Studies·DateApr 5, 2013

Teachers' gestures boost math learning

A study published in Child Development found that instructors who use hand gestures while teaching math problems outperform those without gestures. Students who learned from gesture videos performed better on tests compared to those who learned from speech-only videos, with improved retention over time.

SourceMichigan State University·JournalChild Development·DateMar 29, 2013

World first for fly research

The University of Manchester has published the first-ever basic training package for using fruit flies in research, particularly in cancer and Alzheimer's disease studies. The package was developed by Dr Andreas Prokop and aims to educate scientists about the benefits of using Drosophila flies.

Which study strategies make the grade?

A new report finds that popular study strategies like highlighting and rereading don't improve student learning, while effective techniques like practice testing and distributed practice can boost performance. The researchers recommend using these evidence-based strategies to direct teachers, students, and parents.

SourceAssociation for Psychological Science·JournalPsychological Science in the Public Interest·DateJan 10, 2013

Being bullied can cause trauma symptoms

A Norwegian study of 963 children aged 14 and 15 found that post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms were seen in roughly 33% of respondents who said they had been victims of bullying. The research also showed that girls are more likely to display PTSD symptoms than boys.

SourceUniversity of Stavanger·JournalJournal of Abnormal Child Psychology·DateNov 27, 2012

Students at cooperative schools are more engaged

A recent study by IkerRos found that students at co-operative schools display the greatest engagement, while those at public schools show the lowest. The study also reveals differences in engagement based on sex and age, highlighting the importance of organizational development and teacher-student interaction.

SourceElhuyar Fundazioa·JournalRevista de Psicodidáctica·DateNov 26, 2012

Star Trek Classroom: The next generation of school desks

A three-year project at Durham University has found that collaborative learning increases both fluency and flexibility in mathematics, while using interactive smart desks can have benefits over traditional paper-based activities. The new 'Star Trek classroom' also encourages active student engagement and equal access.

SourceDurham University·JournalLearning and Instruction·DateNov 22, 2012