Saint Louis University's civil engineering students will design and test steel beams and concrete frames at full-scale thanks to a recent National Science Foundation grant. The new lab aims to provide experiential learning opportunities, enabling students to better prepare for the workforce.
The Syncphonia app breaks down complex musical pieces into individual parts, allowing students to play in time with the rest of the orchestra without distractions. This approach increases motivation and enjoyment among children, leading to better learning outcomes and a more positive experience for all.
New research found that students from less privileged backgrounds remain far less likely to participate in informal science learning experiences. Schools can play a leading role in encouraging interest in science among traditionally marginalized groups, argue researchers.
A new study by NYU's Steinhardt School of Culture, Education, and Human Development found that children whose parents provide them with learning materials and engage in meaningful conversations develop early cognitive skills that cascade into later academic success. The study tracked the influence of early home learning environments on...
Researchers manipulate brain connections to enhance or impair cognitive functions, offering potential therapeutic applications for psychiatric disorders and learning disabilities.
Individuals with high levels of psychopathic traits are better at learning to lie than those with few psychopathic traits, according to a study. After practicing a lying task, individuals with high psychopathic traits showed significant improvements in response time, whereas those with low psychopathic traits did not.
A comprehensive new study from University of Illinois researchers found that combining physical exercise and mild electric brain stimulation with computer-based cognitive training promotes skill learning significantly more than using cognitive training alone. The enhanced learning was skill-specific and did not translate to general int...
Children start recognizing and following important rules governing English letter patterns, even before learning how letters represent sounds, around 3-5 years old. As they get older, their invented spellings improve, becoming more word-like in appearance.
A recent study published in Infant and Child Development found that pre-schoolers learn twice as many words from storybooks with only one illustration at a time compared to those with two or more illustrations. Guiding children's attention to the correct page can also help them focus on new words.
The three-year $392,000 grant will develop a comprehensive educational program to train future physicians in refugee health, addressing physical, emotional, and social trauma. The initiative aims to increase cultural competence among medical students and provide patients with culturally sensitive care.
Authentic teaching style is positively received by students, characterized by approachability, passion, attentiveness and care. This style involves conversing with students before and after class, sharing personal experiences and displaying humanity.
The Emperor Science Award program recognizes 100 high school students who will conduct research in a lab or virtually on a multi-week cancer project, receiving a computer and $1,500 stipend. The program aims to inspire students to pursue careers in cancer research.
A study by Emily Howell at Iowa State University suggests that playing Pokémon GO can enhance students' writing and research skills. By incorporating different modes of communication, such as gestures and visuals, the game provides a unique platform for students to practice multimodal text and develop their communication skills.
A study found that toddlers learn best from touchscreens through simple interactions like watching, with older children benefiting more. Researchers recommend app developers to tailor interactivity to individual needs, avoiding distractions.
A study published in PLOS ONE found that tablet-based, multimedia-enhanced training significantly improved internal medicine exam performance. The integrated program combined theoretical training with clinical practice, utilizing digital media and learning materials to enhance knowledge acquisition.
A new theory published in the journal Human Development proposes that adults can learn new skills and combat cognitive aging by adopting broad learning strategies similar to those used in infancy. By embracing open-minded learning, individualized scaffolding, growth mindset, forgiving environment, serious commitment to learning, and le...
College students who participated in a self-administered intervention prompting them to reflect about their use of classroom resources had final grades significantly higher than their peers. The intervention involved reflecting on how to use learning resources effectively, leading to better performance and reduced negative emotion.
The UTA team will collaborate with three pilot sites to test the effectiveness of maker-based competencies on undergraduate learning. The program aims to provide experiential learning opportunities that cut across subject areas and encourage collaboration, adaptability, and creativity.
Researchers developed a virtual reality program to teach medical students advanced communication skills, including delivering difficult news and managing patient reactions. The study found that the simulation was an effective tool in teaching these skills, which transferred to real-life clinical situations.
A mindfulness training program for first-year college students resulted in significant increases in life satisfaction and a decrease in depression and anxiety. The program, called Just BREATHE, was associated with improved stress management skills and increased recommendations to friends.
A UCLA-led study found that students who experienced high levels of stress in a college mathematics course were more likely to forget the material. The phenomenon, called 'motivated forgetting,' is thought to be a defense mechanism to protect one's self-image as an excellent mathematician.
Researchers from MIT CSAIL create an app called WaitSuite that tests users on vocabulary words during wait times, such as WiFi connectivity and email updates. The system, called "wait-learning," helps users make the most of small moments, enabling them to focus on primary tasks and learn new words simultaneously.
The study found that about 42% of players experienced an epiphany, committing to playing zero after realizing it was the best choice. Participants who had epiphanies showed signs of learning, such as increased pupil dilation and attention to low numbers, before making the commit decision.
Researchers at Northwestern University developed Sketch Worksheets, a software that analyzes and provides feedback on student sketches to help them learn various subjects. The software uses CogSketch's visual processing algorithms and analogy model to compare student and instructor sketches, providing immediate feedback on mistakes.
A nationwide study by Ohio State University found that kindergarten is now considered the new first grade for learning reading skills. While low-achieving students showed gains in basic skills, they struggled with advanced reading skills, highlighting a need to adjust strategies.
Researchers found that college students perform better between 11 a.m. and 9:30 p.m., with a 2:1 majority identifying as evening people. This supports recent university moves to offer more evening classes.
A Cornell professor explains how to use the 35-year-old evolutionary Tree of Life (TOL) classification system to make sense of biodiversity. The TOL approach reveals the diversity of life by matching and mapping relationships on a branching diagram, showing inferred evolutionary connections between taxa.
A University of Michigan study found that middle school boys who feel secure about their race are more likely to form diverse friendships. The researchers discovered that these boys tend to have more clarity about their ethnicity or race, which leads to greater friendship diversity.
A Michigan State University study suggests that peer rationales improve academic performance and motivation. Students who received a rationale from peers scored higher on final exams compared to those who received a rationale from instructors.
New research by Lehigh University professor Michael Gill and Stephanie C. Cerce found that considering a wrongdoer's life history reduces harsh blame but doesn't change the perception of their free will. This approach, known as historicist narrative, can lead to more constructive prison systems and improved mental health.
New research reveals significant variations in how English learners are reclassified in Texas schools, impacting their educational trajectory. The study found differences in assessment data, technology incorporation, and educator understanding, leading to disparate outcomes for students.
A longitudinal study by LMU Munich researchers found that positive emotions and success in math learning mutually reinforce each other. Students who enjoyed and took pride in math had even better achievement than those with high intelligence.
Researchers studied millennial medical students' learning preferences and found a need for personalized assessment and mentorship. The study attributes these traits to the global environment in which millennials were raised, influencing a generation that values technology, teamwork, and personalization.
UMass Amherst nursing students are trained in the screening, brief intervention, and referral to treatment (SBIRT) technique to identify signs of substance abuse and provide early interventions. The program aims to equip healthcare workers with skills to address addictive behaviors and promote holistic approaches to patient care.
Researchers found AR technology benefits pupils from the lowest achieving school success group, helping them catch up with peers. The study also showed that girls benefited more from informal learning experiences, highlighting a key factor in their learning outcomes.
Michigan State University researchers received a four-year, $2.2 million grant to develop kindergarten curriculum units that integrate science with literacy standards. The pilot project found that kindergartners who participated in the program outperformed their peers on tasks requiring evidence-based claims and science vocabulary usage.
A new study published in PLOS Biology found that a program teaching biology through raising zebrafish from embryos improves students' knowledge of scientific concepts and their attitudes towards science. The program, BioEYES, was shown to be particularly effective in engaging underrepresented minorities.
Researchers developed an integrated computational architecture to detect emotional states and provide pedagogic interventions with robot tutors, aiming to improve learning outcomes. The platform was tested on two primary school volunteers, showing that children preferred the robot tutor but still required human guidance.
The NYU Tandon School of Engineering has launched a novel summer program that brings together teams of teachers and their students to learn robotics and entrepreneurial education. The program aims to improve teacher practices and student outcomes by combining robotics and entrepreneurship to establish elective courses in STEM subjects.
The National Science Foundation grant will provide additional training for faculty to adapt teaching methodologies and create an 'accessibility toolkit' for deaf and hard-of-hearing students. The project aims to enhance inclusiveness in the classroom through student-centered pedagogy, universal design for teaching and learning.
Elementary school students who attended summer learning programs for at least 20 days experienced benefits in math and reading. High attenders showed a 20-25% academic advantage, while also exhibiting stronger social and emotional competencies.
A team of researchers from North Carolina State University identified serious security vulnerabilities in the iOS operating system, which can be exploited by third-party apps. These vulnerabilities include bypassing privacy settings, accessing location search history, and inferring sensitive information.
The University of Kansas is partnering with the Peace Corps to provide custom, web-based resources to staff and volunteers in Africa. The Community Tool Box will support volunteers with research-based knowledge from disciplines such as community development and urban planning, making best practices easy to implement in the field.
A study by Markus Paulus found that preschoolers (3-5 years) expect reciprocity in social interactions, even before it's explicitly taught. This strategic behavior is rooted in the understanding of relative amounts of social capital they build with others.
A new study found that background noise in homes and schools impairs toddlers' word learning skills. However, providing additional language cues can aid young children in overcoming this difficulty. The research suggests that reducing background noise or highlighting important information can help children learn effectively.
A study by Dr. Kalipada Pahan found that cinnamon improves learning in poor mice by increasing sodium benzoate, a chemical produced as cinnamon breaks down in the body. The effect appears to be due mainly to sodium benzoate's ability to stimulate hippocampal plasticity and enhance the structural integrity of brain cells.
A new study from Carnegie Mellon University reveals four distinct stages of problem solving: encoding, planning, solving, and responding. The research uses functional MRI to analyze brain activity patterns and provides insights into how students think when solving math problems.
City Connects, a Boston College initiative, has received a $300k grant to expand its 'whole child' support services, addressing poverty's negative effects on education. Research shows the program improves student grades, test scores, and long-term academic success.
A new study uses a video game to teach abstract math concepts by making relevant arm movements. Researchers found that this approach can improve knowledge and retention of complex geometry theorems, promoting embodied cognition and learning through motion.
A recent study published in the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology found that genetics account for approximately half of the differences in character traits among individuals. Environmental factors outside of home and school environments influence the remaining variation in character, with certain personality traits driving l...
The US National Science Foundation has awarded five early-concept grants to investigate new approaches in STEM learning and innovation through making. The projects aim to create more accessible and engaging maker programs for diverse youth populations.
A new study found that genetic variations of the COMT gene and white matter in the brain predict a student's performance in a second-language class, accounting for 46% of the variance. This research sheds light on why individuals learn differently and could lead to interventions that improve learning.
A new educational software application, Food for Thought, is introducing middle school students to the topic of climate change and its impact on the environment. The app allows students to create a meal and visualize the nutritional data and carbon footprint associated with each food item.
A new study finds that busier lifestyles are associated with better processing speed, working memory, and episodic memory in older adults. The research suggests that busyness may stimulate learning and improve cognition, but more experimental work is needed to confirm this association.
A Dartmouth College study measures bias in how we learn and make decisions, revealing contradictory biases when combining evidence from different sources. The research shows that our ability for learning and inference is limited and biased due to the inability to separate information about cues from overall probability of outcomes.
Roger L. Boltz, a longtime UH optometry professor, has been recognized as Educator of the Year by the Texas Optometric Association for his commitment to advancing the profession and fostering academic excellence. He is also an associate dean at UH, overseeing finance and administration.
NYU scholars presented research on diversity, inequality, and technology in education at the American Education Research Association (AERA) 2016 meeting. Preliminary findings indicate that 60% of public research universities have differential tuition, while nearly 30% of private research universities do. The studies also examine the im...
Researchers found intentional mind wandering is more common when tasks are boring and less common when tasks are challenging. This challenges the common view that all mind wandering is unintentional, highlighting the need to distinguish between two unique subtypes of mind wandering.
A University of Houston study suggests that traditional internship lengths of one semester are insufficient for experiential learners, who require structured support and time to navigate the challenges of a professional workplace.
A study comparing blind and sighted participants reveals that language learning shapes gesture patterns, with Turkish speakers producing more separated sentence units. The findings suggest that speech carries the imprint of the language, marking it as a source of cross-linguistic variation in gestures.