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Underachievers no more

A new University of California, Davis study found that implementing an educational philosophy called a mindset intervention raised grades among underachieving students. The study, which included nearly 2,000 ethnically diverse sixth and seventh grade students, showed that early intervention with teachers and training on malleable intel...

SourceUniversity of California - Davis·JournalPsychological Science·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJun 15, 2022

Bioengineering team develops a remote lab to teach enzyme kinetics

Researchers from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign created a remote laboratory activity to teach undergraduate students about enzyme kinetics. The at-home kit included basic equipment and protocols that allowed students to conduct experiments and collect data, providing an alternative to traditional lab techniques.

SourceCarl R. Woese Institute for Genomic Biology, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign·JournalJournal of Microbiology and Biology Education·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 13, 2022

Study shows program improves teaching skills, students' word problem solving

A new study from the University of Kansas found that a professional development intervention improved an educator's teaching skills and boosted students' abilities to solve word problems, especially for Hispanic English-learning students with math learning disabilities. The program helped develop a 'feedback loop' between educator and ...

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalJournal of Learning Disabilities·TypeExperimental study·DateJun 13, 2022

Whole-body learning can boost children's letter sound recognition - the first step towards reading

A new study by the University of Copenhagen found that children who move while learning sounds of letters significantly improve their ability to recognize individual letter sounds. This embodied learning approach can help give beginner readers a good start and may lead to better reading skills in the long run.

SourceUniversity of Copenhagen - Faculty of Science·JournalEducational Psychology Review·TypeRandomized controlled/clinical trial·DateJun 8, 2022

Talking about sexual consent and expectations can improve relationships and wellbeing

A new study found that teaching affirmative sexual consent and validating anxieties around consent communication improves relationships and wellbeing. Researchers identified barriers such as shame and guilt, but also found that discussing consent can enhance the relationship, create a safe context, and clarify expectations.

SourceUniversity of Waterloo·JournalJournal of Social and Personal Relationships·DateMay 19, 2022

Remote teaching during the pandemic disadvantages students in New Jersey’s lower-income school districts

A Rutgers study finds that remote teaching during the pandemic contributed to teacher and student stress, particularly in lower-income school districts where students faced inequities in online learning opportunities. The study highlights the need for targeted e-learning solutions and retrospective audits to address digital inequality.

SourceRutgers University·JournalJournal of the Association for Information Science and Technology·DateMay 18, 2022

The numbers don’t lie: Australia is failing at maths and we need to find a new formula to arrest the decline

Australian secondary students' math rankings have dropped to 29th place globally, with a new study suggesting hand gestures are crucial for understanding mathematical concepts. Online learning has exacerbated the issue, making it harder for students to grasp math concepts without human motor and sensory skills.

SourceUniversity of South Australia·JournalIntegrative Psychological and Behavioral Science·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateMay 17, 2022

Technology generates indications that automatically guide students and teaching staff

Researchers developed an AI system that identifies at-risk students and provides personalized guidance to improve their academic performance. The system sends relevant information and notifications to help students set goals, plan their learning process, and stay engaged in online courses.

SourceUniversitat Oberta de Catalunya (UOC)·JournalThe International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning·DateMay 2, 2022

UTHealth Houston’s UTMOVE program receives distinguished Edmond J. Safra Fellowship in Movement Disorders

UTHealth Houston's UTMOVE fellowship program has been chosen by The Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research to train a new generation of movement disorder specialists. The two-year program will provide fellows with comprehensive training in diagnosing and treating Parkinson's disease, as well as opportunities for research an...

The pandemic put university students’ study engagement to the test and greatly increased burnout

The pandemic significantly increased study burnout among university students, with engagement in studies dropping to its lowest level in late 2020. The conflict between demands and resources was a central factor, while basic psychological needs such as autonomy, relatedness, and competence played a crucial role in student wellbeing.

SourceUniversity of Helsinki·JournalJournal of Happiness Studies·TypeSurvey·DateApr 21, 2022

The University of the Basque Country on track to cut its environmental and social footprint

The University of the Basque Country is taking steps to cut its environmental and social footprint by analyzing its impact through life-cycle assessment and modeling. By identifying areas for improvement, such as reducing transportation emissions and extending computer lifespan, the university aims to reduce its impact by up to 30%.

SourceUniversity of the Basque Country·JournalData in Brief·DateApr 19, 2022

Diversity in U.S. medicine is not keeping pace with population changes, analysis finds

Despite increasing racial and ethnic diversity, US academic medical programs have underrepresented minority groups, with only modest increases in representation over the past four decades. Female representation has increased significantly, but progress in promoting diversity at leadership levels remains stagnant.

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalNew England Journal of Medicine·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateApr 6, 2022

Developing student learning in the ever-changing landscape of higher education

The special issue of the ECNU Review of Education examines how digital shift, international student mobility, and assessment methods impact student learning in higher education. Research reveals that offline interaction generates more desirable academic outcomes, while online education fosters student autonomy and thesis completion.

SourceCactus Communications·JournalECNU Review of Education·TypeCommentary/editorial·DateMar 30, 2022

New research highlights “significant gap” in evidence about effectiveness of relationship education programmes

A systematic review of 20 relationship education programmes found a lack of high-quality evaluations, with only three programmes following participants for over a year. Experts recommend co-created programmes integrated into mental health-informed curricula and evaluated over the long-term to promote good mental health and wellbeing.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalPastoral Care in Education·TypeLiterature review·DateMar 30, 2022

Restricted internet access could be key to academic gains, says study

A study by University of Toronto researchers found that giving Malawi high school students limited internet access to quality online sources improved their English and biology scores. The intervention provided smartphones with restricted online access to Wikipedia, leading to significant gains among lower-achieving students.

SourceUniversity of Toronto, Rotman School of Management·JournalJournal of Development Economics·TypeObservational study·DateMar 23, 2022

New research shows that surgical training tool significantly improves residents’ ability to practice essential skills

The GlobalSurgBox has been shown to significantly improve residents' ability to practice essential surgical skills, overcoming barriers such as lack of convenient access and time. The tool's adaptability and user-friendliness have made it a useful resource for medical students and residents around the world.

SourceUniversity of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus·JournalSurgery in Practice and Science·TypeSurvey·DateMar 23, 2022

Study points to strategies for closing the participation gender gap in engineering courses

Researchers identified key factors contributing to the gender gap in engineering courses, including female instructors, peer participation, and icebreaker questions. The study suggests that these strategies can help increase women's participation and close the gap in STEM fields.

SourcePrinceton University, Engineering School·JournalIEEE Transactions on Education·TypeObservational study·DateMar 22, 2022

Study identifies key barriers to innovation among medical trainees

A new survey conducted by Massachusetts General Hospital researchers reveals that medical students, residents, and fellows do not see themselves as innovators. The study identifies key impediments to innovation, such as limited time and energy, lack of physical resources, and expertise gaps, but also highlights potential solutions like...

SourceMassachusetts General Hospital·JournalNature Biotechnology·TypeSurvey·DateMar 16, 2022

Frequent external childcare can affect children’s behavior

Research suggests that frequent external childcare can lead to behavioral issues in children, including aggression, ADHD symptoms, and anxiety. However, these problems typically disappear by the age of 13. The study also found no strong link between external childcare and substance use or delinquency in adolescents.

SourceUniversity of Zurich·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeObservational study·DateMar 9, 2022

What factors help students with disabilities transition to college?

A qualitative study identified key factors helping students with disabilities transition to college, emphasizing the importance of self-determination and inclusive education. Teachers can infuse self-determination into their teaching methods, while institutions should promote a welcoming climate through restructuring programs and foste...

SourceWiley·JournalPsychology in the Schools·DateMar 9, 2022

Computer games in the classroom: educational success depends on the teacher

A new study by University of Cologne researchers reveals that computer games can significantly boost educational success when used effectively in the classroom. The study found that personal characteristics of pre-service teachers play a crucial role in their intention to adopt digital game-based learning, with perceived effectiveness ...

SourceUniversity of Cologne·JournalBritish Journal of Educational Technology·TypeSurvey·DateMar 3, 2022

Fewer than half of K-12 PE teachers use high-quality instruction with disabled students, study finds

A recent study from Oregon State University found that fewer than half of K-12 physical educators use high-quality instruction practices for students with disabilities. The majority of teachers were highly qualified, but lacked specific training in adaptive physical education, leading to many disabled students being excluded from PE cl...

SourceOregon State University·JournalAdapted Physical Activity Quarterly·TypeSurvey·DateFeb 24, 2022

Over two-thirds of UK social scientists warn their academic freedom is under threat, new study shows

A new study found that over two-thirds of UK social scientists believe their academic freedom is at risk, with internationalisation and the rise of authoritarian states like China being major concerns. The survey also showed that academics are reluctant to self-censor when teaching students from autocratic states in the UK.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalThe International Journal of Human Rights·TypeSurvey·DateFeb 21, 2022

Research roundup: E-cigs aren’t safe

A recent review of e-cigarette research highlights the significant health risks associated with vaping, including lung inflammation and injury. The study found that e-cigarettes can cause negative effects in multiple organs, from the brain to the bladder, and may even increase the risk of lung cancer.

SourceVeterans Affairs Research Communications·JournalAnnual Review of Physiology·TypeLiterature review·DateFeb 17, 2022

Study performs cost analysis of popular autism interventions

A recent study conducted by researchers at the University of Kansas has analyzed the cost of two commonly used interventions for students with autism spectrum disorder. The results showed that implementing emerging or ineffective interventions can consume valuable resources without promising positive outcomes. The study's goal was to p...

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalExceptional Children·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateFeb 14, 2022