Research on teaching and the teaching profession. Covers teacher retention, AI in the classroom, science-education grants, and early education's long-term impact.
A Durham University researcher has developed a new notation system for African drums, allowing people to learn and perform unique rhythms worldwide. The system is used in a song called 'Vuma! Unity, harmony, goal!' promoting rhythm and unity for World Cup success.
The American Sociological Association (ASA) has launched the Teaching Resources and Innovations Library for Sociology (TRAILS), an online platform offering peer-reviewed teaching resources, syllabi, and class activities. The tool aims to improve the way professors are evaluated and valued for their teaching skills.
The Active and Healthy Schools Program, implemented by University of Missouri researchers, has helped increase kids' activity levels, improve attention span, and reduce discipline problems. The program includes regular activity breaks and encourages small changes to create a healthy environment.
A study by researchers at the University of Malaga found that 62.7% of early childhood and primary education teachers suffer from voice disorders on a daily or weekly basis. The study highlights the psychosocial dimensions associated with these disorders, including less social support, role conflict, and reduced respect for their work.
University of Missouri researcher Jason Grissom is leading a study to determine the qualities and skills necessary for effective school principals. The study, funded by a $1 million grant, aims to gather data from K-12 administrators, teachers, and district officials to examine what makes a principal successful.
LA BioMed researchers created a collaborative team mentored approach to learning for assessing medical teaching methods. This new model enables large-scale studies to measure the effectiveness of educational programs, ultimately improving patient safety and medical outcomes.
A Florida State University study suggests that teacher quality has a direct impact on students' reading achievement, with better teachers allowing children to reach their optimal learning trajectory. The research used data from identical and fraternal twins to estimate the genetic and environmental influences on reading variability.
A study published in Archives of Surgery found that patients undergoing colon surgery have increased odds of death if performed at a teaching hospital. Teaching hospitals often have lower volumes and may employ less experienced surgeons for benign procedures compared to complex cancer surgeries.
A Kansas State University professor found that e-readers enhance students' reading experiences by allowing interactive text features. This interaction boosts reading comprehension and engagement, particularly among reluctant readers.
A University of Illinois professor argues that teaching young children to write without borrowing from popular culture is problematic and contradictory. She advocates for allowing children to copy or borrow plotlines, narratives, and characters from media stories to prepare them for a highly mediated world.
A MSU study of over 3,300 future US teachers and 23,244 across 16 countries reveals that math teacher preparation is crucial for student achievement. The study's findings highlight the need for more rigorous K-12 math standards and better training for US math teachers.
Researchers will study 100 classrooms in 20 elementary schools to determine if a video training program improves classroom performance, academic achievement and prosocial behaviors.
Researchers at Mount Sinai Hospital found that meta-cognitive therapy significantly improved symptoms of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in adults compared to supportive therapy. The study, published in the American Journal of Psychiatry, demonstrated the efficacy of a non-medication treatment for adult ADHD.
The study proposes a national model for addressing unhealthy substance use in internal medicine residents, integrating curricula into existing teaching venues. Researchers believe this approach mirrors effective clinical management and improves residency training.
A study found that owning a video game system can impede reading and writing development in young boys. The study, conducted by Robert Weis and Brittany C. Cerankosky, involved families with boys aged 6-9 who received either an immediate or delayed video game system.
The program has a 99% and 98% pass rate on national teaching exams, with graduates receiving valuable field experience at professional development school sites before graduation. K-State joins prestigious programs nationwide, including Michigan State and Arizona State University, in recognizing high-quality teacher education.
A study by the University of Huelva found that lack of reconciling work and family life policies and a male-oriented school culture hinder female teachers' access to management roles. The research highlights the need for specific training and support for women in leadership positions.
Thomas M. Schmidt, a renowned microbiologist, has been honored with the American Society for Microbiology (ASM) Graduate Microbiology Teaching Award. He is recognized for fostering an intellectually stimulating environment and inspiring rigorous thinkers through his clear explanations.
A Temple University study found that leading early childhood education programs like Head Start face barriers to addressing childhood obesity, including lack of funding and knowledge. The researchers suggest increasing federal resources for healthy meals, staff training, and parent support to overcome these challenges.
A team of researchers, including MSU geologist David Mogk, won a national award for their web site 'On the Cutting Edge', which promotes sharing scientific content and teaching methods. The site offers over 4,000 pages of educational resources, attracting 550,000 visitors in 2008.
Researchers at UAB are testing a software program designed to teach children safe dog interaction behaviors. The Blue Dog software aims to reduce accidental bites from pet dogs, particularly among children ages 5-9.
The program, launched in a year ago, provides weekly seminars on topics such as creating a good syllabus, working with students who have disabilities, and dealing with academic dishonesty. Graduate student Sarah Eddy credits the program for her win of the 2009 OSU Frolander Outstanding GTA award.
A renowned science educator, Marvin Druger, reflects on his mission to inspire students to enjoy the adventure of learning. His new book, Practical Perspectives on Science Education, offers practical tips, personal reflections, and a passion for making science education meaningful and motivational.
Research suggests that adult learners can easily recognize and identify words in a second language when spoken in the accent of their native speaker, not the 'original' accent. This challenges traditional teaching methods used in many adult schools.
Acquired prosopagnosia sufferers process faces as a whole, rather than in parts, according to new study findings. This 'locally restricted, serial processing style' is inefficient for certain types of information, hindering real-life face recognition.
A virtual training tool enhances teaching in cataract surgery, improving resident performance and patient outcomes. The Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary Cataract Surgery Trainer allows residents to practice complex surgeries in a safe, simulated environment.
The study found that videoconferencing enabled successful completion of education programs for radiology trainees in remote locations, removing the need for travel and increasing participation rates. Satisfaction with course content and delivery was high among participants.
Romesh C. Batra, a Virginia Tech professor of engineering science and mechanics, has been awarded the Virginia Outstanding Faculty Award for his exceptional teaching and research efforts. He is renowned for his work on material failure and has received numerous awards, including the Alexander von Humboldt Award.
A new study found that parents who allow their teenagers to drink at home may increase the risk of alcohol-related problems, including trouble in school and fights with peers. The researchers suggest that prohibiting drinking altogether is a better approach to reducing the risk of heavy drinking and problem drinking in adolescence.
Researchers from Oklahoma State University outline a teaching method that uses rapid computer game creation to bridge the digital divide. This approach circumvents traditional barriers to computing, such as prior knowledge of programming, and fosters critical and creative thinking skills.
A new study by University of Illinois psychologists suggests that individuals with low achievement motivation actually perform better on tasks when they are framed as enjoyable. This finding challenges the common assumption that motivation is essential for success and highlights the importance of considering individual goals and prefer...
Researchers in Brazil develop a GRASP heuristic for efficient school timetabling, solving the NP-hard problem by balancing teacher preferences, student schedules, and resource constraints. The algorithm improves solution quality and reduces building time.
A negative physical education experience during childhood can have a lasting impact on a person's attitude towards physical activity. Research by University of Alberta professor Billy Strean highlights the importance of creating a fun and playful environment for young athletes.
A recent report by a team of researchers finds that numerous studies on learning styles fail to satisfy key criteria for scientific validity. As a result, the widespread use of learning-style tests and teaching tools is considered a wasteful use of limited educational resources.
Incorporating technology in high school-level geometry classes makes teaching easier and empowers students to discover new geometric relationships. Students who used dynamic geometry software were more successful in discovering mathematical ideas than those using static diagrams.
A new study reveals that physical education teaching staff's responsibility, social interaction, and competence influence students' enjoyment of physical activities. Dispositional flow, a psychological state allowing optimal task engagement, is linked to these factors.
A study of 124,260 prescriptions in 19 UK hospitals found an error rate of 8.9% with potentially lethal mistakes in 1.7% of cases. Improving clinical working environments, undergraduate education, and introducing standard drug charts are recommended to reduce errors.
Research suggests that pushing toddlers to develop self-control too early may hinder brain development. Toddlers rely on brute-force competition to learn social conventions like language acquisition. Their immature brains are better equipped for learning through trial and error, allowing them to pick up skills effortlessly.
The First Step To Success program has shown robust improvements among at-risk elementary students in the Albuquerque, N.M., school district. The four-year study found significant impact on behavioral symptoms and social functioning among participating students, with effect sizes ranging from .54 to .87.
The Geisel School of Medicine at Dartmouth has launched a handbook for rural health care ethics, addressing the gaps in resources for regional clinicians. The guide covers case studies and personal ethical challenges faced by healthcare professionals in rural settings.
Professor Leonard C. Yannielli receives 2009 Evolution Education Award for his work promoting accurate understanding of biological evolution in the classroom and community. He has developed innovative instructional materials and organized discussions on evolution, working to educate colleagues across academic disciplines.
A new national study reveals that having a teacher mentor can nearly double the odds of attending college for disadvantaged students, with a 50% greater likelihood overall. Mentors in the teaching profession played a pivotal role in bridging the college gap.
Research from the University of Gothenburg reveals that preschool children actively challenge and redefine traditional gender structures. Despite teachers' biases, children often share play and learning activities, show concern for each other's well-being, and reformulate possibilities through child-led initiatives.
Researchers found helmet ventilation improves PaO2 in most ARF patients, low intubation rate and good tolerability. Admission to teaching hospitals increases mortality in ARF patients, study suggests factors needed to be explored.
The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) has received a $2.1 million National Science Foundation grant to provide professional development programs for middle-school math teachers and research their impact. The program aims to improve teacher performance, energize classrooms, and get students excited about math.
A book by Dennis Shirley and Elizabeth MacDonald offers a new approach to supporting teachers, drawing on small group discussions, journal writing, and meditation. The authors argue that mindfulness can help teachers lead themselves and their students to a more satisfactory classroom experience.
The article explores the importance of understanding cultural value systems in the classroom and how educators can adapt their teaching methods to accommodate diverse learners. By recognizing the unique features of multicultural groups, educators can maximize the benefits of cultural diversity in the learning process.
A University of Illinois professor proposes that the similarities between music, teaching, and research can improve educational outcomes. The article highlights how knowing an audience and being adaptable are essential for effective communication and making meaning.
Researchers found that gossip in formal settings is often veiled criticism, but can be redirected by changing the subject or targeting another colleague. The study also identified subtle ways that people who are targets of gossip are negatively evaluated during meetings.
The American Society of Plant Biologists has launched 'Teaching Tools in Plant Biology' in The Plant Cell, a monthly online feature with regularly updated sets of teaching materials on important themes in plant biology. Peer-reviewed tools are designed for upper-level undergraduates but can also be adapted for introductory courses.
A recent study by Cornell economist Michael Lovenheim found that teachers' unions have little impact on school districts' allocation of money, including teacher pay and spending per student. Unionization was linked to an increase in the number of teachers employed, but this effect was offset by increases in student enrollment, resultin...
Sue Goldie and Ichiro Kawachi, two Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health faculty members, have been elected to the Institute of Medicine. Their work focuses on developing models that link disease biology to population outcomes, with a focus on women's health and social determinants of health.
Researchers at Case Western Reserve University are testing a new intervention called Responsive Teaching, designed for parents and caregivers of children under 3 years old with autism. The study aims to improve social emotional functioning and daily routines, without direct instruction or rote learning activities.
The American Society of Agronomy, Crop Science Society of America, and Soil Science Society of America will recognize individuals with outstanding contributions to education, national and international service, and research. The 2009 award recipients include Donald Graetz, David Mengel, Robert G. Hoeft, and others.
A study by Indiana University found that women with more positive attitudes towards their genitals are more likely to engage in sexual health-promoting behaviors. The study also suggests that men generally have more positive attitudes towards women's genitals than women.
Operation Reboot pairs IT professionals with existing computing teachers to co-teach and gain teaching experience. Over three years, the initiative aims to increase computing education for 4,600 students by 30%.
A cross-cultural study finds that teacher support is essential to students' self-esteem in both China and the US. Students who feel supported by their teachers tend to have higher self-esteem, while those who don't face increased depression risk.
Professor Brenda Trofanenko argues that elementary school students lack the historical knowledge and critical sensibility necessary to understand genocide. High school students are better equipped, both emotionally and intellectually, to deal with traumatic events in world history. The professor suggests a fact-based approach to learni...
Jeannie Albrecht's five-year grant aims to develop techniques for increasing stability in mobile applications, benefiting students and researchers at small colleges. The project will integrate human interaction patterns into a software toolkit, providing valuable hands-on experience with emerging mobile computing systems.
The 2009 BERA/SAGE Practitioner Research Awards honored Lindsey Thomas and teams for innovative projects, including a virtual learning environment for poetry and academic induction guidelines. Winners receive £500 prize money and SAGE books, promoting high-quality research in education.