Add BrightSurf on Google Email

Calls for resilience training, more extra-curricular activities in schools to help prevent mental health disorders

A new study by Murdoch Children's Research Institute calls for increased support for student mental health, including training for educators and co-locating mental health clinicians. The researchers believe schools can play a crucial role in identifying at-risk children and providing prevention and early intervention strategies.

SourceMurdoch Childrens Research Institute·JournalPLOS ONE·TypeSurvey·DateFeb 6, 2022

Schools and the pandemic: Simulation model allows for safe operation

Researchers developed a school simulation model that shows how the virus spreads in different settings and calculates the effectiveness of measures against its spread. The model reveals that elementary and lower secondary schools can keep reproduction rates below 1 with classroom ventilation, wearing masks, and class size reduction.

SourceComplexity Science Hub·JournalNature Communications·TypeComputational simulation/modeling·DateJan 27, 2022

Faculty mentor training program strengthens university’s institutional climate

A pioneering program at UC San Diego Health Sciences has trained 23% of faculty between 2017-2020, improving mentoring quality and faculty satisfaction, especially among underrepresented groups. The program's success suggests a universally applicable model for medical schools to improve diversity and success.

SourceUniversity of California - San Diego·JournalJournal of Clinical and Translational Science·DateJan 11, 2022

Study finds that classrooms with more Black and Latinx students receive lower quality of teaching

A new study by researchers at New York University Steinhardt found that classrooms with higher percentages of Black and Latinx students receive lower quality of teaching. The study, which analyzed data from the Measures of Effective Teaching database, suggests that racial biases among teachers contribute to these disparities.

SourceNew York University·JournalAmerican Journal of Education·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateDec 14, 2021

Getting childhood obesity initiatives across the finish line

The Medical University of South Carolina's Boeing Center for Children's Wellness offers a menu of wellness initiative options that schools can tailor to their needs. Schools with health professionals on the wellness committee implement 25% more initiatives, leading to a culture change and increased student participation.

SourceMedical University of South Carolina·JournalJournal of School Health·TypeObservational study·DateDec 10, 2021

AAA funds initiative to bring equitable representation to anatomical instructional materials

The American Association for Anatomy (AAA) has funded the Portfolios of People: Advancing Anatomical Representation Together (POP AART) program. This project aims to create an accessible digital library of representative photographs and illustrations of diverse individuals, addressing a lack of inclusive visual supplements in anatomy e...

SourceAmerican Association for Anatomy·TypeNews article·DateDec 8, 2021

Orangutan mothers help offspring to learn

A new study reveals that orangutan mothers are proactively involved in teaching their young, tailoring behavior to match age and abilities. They adjust tolerance levels during feeding interactions, facilitating learning opportunities and enabling immatures to acquire complex foraging skills.

SourceMax-Planck-Gesellschaft·JournalScientific Reports·DateDec 8, 2021

Imagining future guilt helps athletes turn away from doping - study

Researchers discovered that appealing to athletes' sense of 'future guilt' through psychological intervention was a more powerful initial reaction than education programmes highlighting the risks of doping. The study also found that receiving useful information about doping strengthened athletes' confidence to resist temptation.

SourceUniversity of Birmingham·JournalPsychology of Sport and Exercise·TypeObservational study·DateDec 8, 2021

Persistent gender bias found in scientific research and related course materials: A long-term linguistic analysis

Two studies published in Language reveal persistent gender bias in both peer-reviewed journal articles and course materials used in linguistics. Linguistics textbooks exhibit male-gendered protagonists more often, while research articles show stereotypes about men and women, with non-binary identities absent.

SourceLinguistic Society of America·JournalLanguage·TypeMeta-analysis·DateDec 6, 2021

Perceiving sound-letter associations in English can help learn to read it better, Pusan National University scientist says

A new study from Pusan National University suggests that phonological awareness (PA) and phonics instruction can significantly improve the reading skills of English language learners. The meta-analysis of 46 studies found a moderate effect of PA and phonics on word reading, but a larger impact on pseudo-word reading.

SourcePusan National University·JournalSAGE Open·TypeMeta-analysis·DateDec 2, 2021

Parent-teacher relationship vital to home schooling

A new study reveals the vital role primary school teachers play in supporting families during home schooling, particularly for middle-income families who struggle to balance work and childcare responsibilities. The research highlights the range of resources and services provided by teachers to help mitigate socio-economic disadvantages.

SourceAnglia Ruskin University·JournalEducational Review·TypeSurvey·DateDec 2, 2021

Requests for anti-racism classroom curricula increased following recent police brutality events

A study found a significant increase in requests for anti-racism books and materials following police brutality events and BLM protests, particularly among teachers of younger students. The demand for inclusive curriculum materials also rose sharply, with over $3.4 million worth of books acquired for half a million students.

SourceCarnegie Mellon University·JournalManagement Science·DateNov 22, 2021

Finnish parents want assessment that supports and motivates learning

A new study from the University of Eastern Finland reveals that Finnish parents regard assessment as primarily a tool for supporting pupils' learning and growth. They hope for diverse forms of assessment, including numerical evaluations, to motivate children and facilitate comparison. The researchers propose that schools engage in clos...

SourceUniversity of Eastern Finland·JournalStudies In Educational Evaluation·DateNov 11, 2021

COVID-19 lockdowns deepened struggle for work-family balance

A new study by McGill University researchers found that COVID-19 lockdowns disproportionately affected graduate students' mental health, particularly among women. Women reported more stress related to remote teaching and caregiving responsibilities, leading to increased depressive symptoms.

SourceMcGill University·JournalPreventive Medicine Reports·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateNov 10, 2021

Jewish autistic pupils thrive as bilingual learners, after communities reject advice “not to teach Hebrew”

A University of Cambridge study found that Jewish autistic children who learn Hebrew as a second language benefit from their cultural identity and community involvement. Parents and teachers rejected outdated professional advice, instead teaching pupils Hebrew to enhance their spiritual and family life.

SourceUniversity of Cambridge·JournalJournal of Autism and Developmental Disorders·DateOct 27, 2021

Cognitive study shows lack of bilingual education adversely affects English language learners' writing skills

A University of Kansas study examined three key cognitive functions in teaching writing to Hispanic English learners, revealing word retrieval skills, verbal language skills, and working memory are crucial for success. The research highlights the negative effects of a lack of bilingual education on these students' writing abilities.

SourceUniversity of Kansas·JournalJournal of Educational Psychology·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateOct 13, 2021

Physics outreach programs benefit students’ scientific identities, career prospects

A Texas A&M University study found that physics outreach programs have a positive effect on both students and their audiences, boosting confidence, skills, and career readiness in STEM fields. The programs provide experiential learning opportunities beyond classrooms, promoting deeper understanding and enhanced job prospects.

SourceTexas A&M University·JournalPhysical Review Physics Education Research·TypeNews article·DateOct 12, 2021

Students’ certainty about belonging and their performance in a STEM course reinforce each other – for better or worse

A new study from the University of Utah finds that students' uncertainty about belonging in a STEM course reinforces each other, affecting midterm scores and persistence in the field. Women students experience higher belonging uncertainty than men, despite similar academic preparation.

SourceUniversity of Utah·JournalJournal of Chemical Education·TypeObservational study·DateSep 20, 2021

Atmosphere and caring teachers at special schools more important to parents of children with SEN than educational standards, study shows

A study found that parents prioritize atmosphere and teacher approach over academic standards when selecting a special school for their child. High-quality inclusive education provision means a sense of belonging, social acceptance, and individualized curriculum. Only a minority reported experiencing 'hard choice' due to limited options.

SourceUniversity of Exeter·JournalEuropean Journal of Special Needs Education·TypeSurvey·DateSep 15, 2021

Study shows motivation is key for teachers to overcome racial bias in classroom

A study published in Learning and Instruction found that pre-service teachers' genuine desire to be unprejudiced is positively associated with their endorsement of culturally supportive instructional practices. Cultivating open-mindedness rather than anti-racist training is key for teachers to overcome racial bias.

SourceUniversity of Toledo·JournalLearning and Instruction·TypeData/statistical analysis·DateSep 9, 2021

Remote learning shown to be effective for preparing clinicians as wheelchair-skills trainers

A new study by Spinal Cord Injury Model System investigators found that remote wheelchair-skills training increases clinician confidence in teaching peers. The training program improved trainees' ability to navigate real-world spaces, empowering them to engage with their communities. This innovative approach has the potential to expand...

SourceKessler Foundation·JournalArchives of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation·TypeObservational study·DateAug 30, 2021

Study finds praising middle school students improves on-task behavior by up to 70%

Middle school teachers who praised students more often than reprimanding them saw a significant improvement in class-wide on-task behavior, with some classrooms experiencing improvements of up to 60-70%. The study also found that high-risk students benefited from increased praise, leading to improved grades and reduced behavioral issues.

SourceBrigham Young University·JournalJournal of Positive Behavior Interventions·DateAug 25, 2021

Empathy training could cut crime figures

Research by Anglia Ruskin University suggests that empathy training programs can reduce antisocial behavior and crime. Programs targeting young people have been shown to increase empathy and decrease cyberbullying behavior, while pre-natal training for parents and social-emotional learning programs in schools may also be effective.

SourceAnglia Ruskin University·JournalPsychology Crime and Law·TypeLiterature review·DateAug 18, 2021