Articles tagged with Learning
A study found significant differences in math curricula across US states and school districts, placing some students at a disadvantage. The research, published in the American Journal of Education, suggests that less demanding curricula can lead to poor outcomes despite controlling for socio-economic status.
A daily physical activity program that incorporated classroom lessons resulted in improved test scores for students at an elementary school. The percentage of students reaching their goal score increased from 55% to 68.5% after the program was initiated.
A new study uses long-term data to discover that the relationship between mood and alcohol use varies greatly among individuals. Adolescents with behavioral problems tend to drink more regardless of their mood, while those without behavioral issues exhibit a stronger link between depression and increased drinking when feeling down.
A study published in Psychological Science found that individuals with different theories of intelligence evaluate their own learning differently. Entity theorists tend to disengage when faced with challenges, while incremental theorists believe more time and effort can lead to better results.
ThinkSpace, a computer interface developed at Iowa State University, is helping students tackle real-world problems in the horticulture classroom. The platform leverages the classroom experience into something students can use at work, making connections between theoretical knowledge and practical applications.
Concordia University's Calvin Kalman found that incorporating reflective writing into introductory science courses enhances students' conceptual understanding. Students who practiced reflective writing reported better grasp of key concepts and improved retention rates in the field.
A recent study found that even educators struggle to agree on the meanings of these terms, making it difficult to compare learning methods and provide accurate course previews. Researchers argue that a common understanding is crucial for evaluating best practices in student learning.
Research at Kansas State University found that student confidence levels correlate with academic achievement, particularly when targeted learning objectives are used. Students' reported confidence improved significantly over the course period and was positively correlated with their academic performance.
Researchers found that bursts of brain waves known as 'sleep spindles' may network between key brain regions to clear a path to learning. This networking helps shift fact-based memories from the hippocampus to the prefrontal cortex, freeing up storage space for new data.
The University of Miami has received a grant from the Howard Hughes Medical Institute to design and assess an innovative competency-based premedical curriculum. The new curriculum will focus on integrating basic science concepts with clinical cases to teach students critical thinking skills and prepare them for future medical practice.
A recent study published in Psychological Science found that a positive mood enhances creative problem solving and flexible yet careful thinking. Volunteers who listened to happy music and watched funny videos performed better on a category learning task than those in negative moods.
A WSU researcher is conducting a four-year project to better understand how practicing civil engineers learn and apply engineering concepts. The study aims to develop a model of engineering thinking and research-based curricular materials based on the engineers' actual use of concepts.
Toddlers who played with a broader array of objects learned new words twice as fast as those who played with similar objects. They also developed the ability to generalize knowledge and learn names of new objects by focusing on material rather than shape.
OpenStudy enables students worldwide to form study groups and connect with peers in real-time, receiving significant gratification from helping others. With over 11,000 users across 151 countries, the platform has already made a notable impact on global education, promoting peer recognition and motivation.
A new initiative by Oregon State University aims to enhance science literacy among rural Americans through free-choice learning opportunities. The program seeks to tap into local scientific expertise, organize events, and create adult 'science clubs' across the nation.
Research suggests that children with learning difficulties can develop an understanding of arithmetic by using their own intuitive strategies such as number blocks and drawings. This approach has been shown to benefit nearly all pupils, including those with learning difficulties.
Researchers from Kent State University found that practice tests can significantly improve memory by helping learners develop more effective encoding strategies. By taking practice tests, individuals come up with better mental hints or keywords, which aids in remembering information later.
The 'Ask A Biologist' website provides educational content that grew from user requests, featuring expert answers from Arizona State University scholars. The site's popularity has expanded multimedia content, including a podcast competition and real-time interactions between users and experts.
A University of Arizona research team found that digital coupons are often difficult to use due to technical issues with redemption and cashier knowledge. The study suggests that a more convenient and user-friendly experience is needed to make digital coupons successful.
A global consortium led by Carnegie Mellon aims to develop technology-based methods for measuring students' understanding of STEM coursework. The Measuring Learning Consortium, supported by HP Catalyst Initiative, will create a new breed of technology-enabled embedded assessments to measure STEM competencies.
North Carolina State University has received a four-year, $3.5 million grant to explore using artificial intelligence as a learning tool in fourth- and fifth-grade science classrooms. The project includes creating CyberPads with AI-based software that supports interactive scientific modeling for topics such as electricity and landforms.
Research shows that action video game players outperform non-gamers in making quick and accurate decisions based on evidence. The transfer of learning from action games to other tasks is notable for its broad improvements.
A series of studies published in Neuropsychology found that Arabic's visual complexity affects the right hemisphere's role in decoding text. Reading acquisition in Arabic is harder due to its unique script, requiring more practice and pedagogic effort.
George Mason University has received a $28.5 million grant from the US Department of Education to improve science education in Virginia through the Virginia Initiative for Science Teaching and Achievement (VISTA). The program will focus on rural and underperforming schools, providing innovative learning and teaching in science education.
A study by Texas A&M University researchers found that US middle-grade students exhibit misconceptions about the equal sign, leading to poor math performance. In contrast, international students from Korea and China show a much lower incidence of misunderstanding, with Turkish students exhibiting even less.
A new study by Harvard University economist John Friedman found that students who progress from average to above-average scores on the Stanford Achievement Test in kindergarten can expect to make $1,000 more per year at age 27. Additionally, they are more likely to attend college and own a home by age 28.
A new study by Ohio State University researchers found that people grow more confident in their beliefs when they learn a majority of others disagree with them. The study suggests that people who have developed strong opinions may become doubly sure they are right after learning the opposing view.
A study by a University at Buffalo professor found that family chats about societal issues can help students develop better reasoning and math skills. However, these chats are uncommon, occurring less than once a month for most children worldwide.
A new national study strongly links educational leadership to student achievement, revealing that collaborative leadership is crucial for improving instructional practices and student outcomes. Key findings include the importance of distributing leadership practices among stakeholders, leader efficacy, and district support.
Researchers found that Israeli Arabs' biases towards their own group are stronger in Arabic than in Hebrew, suggesting language influences thought patterns. The study used the Implicit Association Test to measure biases in bilingual Arab Israelis.
A new study by University at Buffalo psychologist Michael Poulin and colleagues found that caregivers experience more positive emotions when engaging in 'active care', such as feeding and bathing their spouses. In contrast, passive care provokes negative emotions and fewer positive emotions.
A new study by MIT researchers has identified two distinct brain circuits involved in habitual learning. The dorsolateral and dorsomedial striatal circuits show different patterns of activity as rats learn to navigate a maze, with the dorsolateral circuit becoming more active with repetition and the dorsomedial circuit playing a key ro...
Researchers found that laptops can increase students' engagement, attentiveness, and participation when used to facilitate interactive discussions and activities. Students reported feeling more attentive and able to learn when using LectureTools.
Luis Saldanha, an ASU mathematics educator, has been awarded a $638,805 NSF Career Award to investigate the role of variability in teaching statistical thinking among middle school students. The research aims to improve instruction and make students more aware of statistics' importance in daily life.
Middle school students may struggle to understand science texts due to lack of academic language skills, but Word Generation program provides tools for teachers to guide them. The program teaches systematic vocabulary development and nuanced understanding of complex scientific concepts.
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 new paper from NC State University outlines guidelines for developing partnerships between academics and local communities to address social issues. The study found that incorporating students into community-based research projects requires flexibility, student motivation, and faculty coordination.
A new approach to teaching agriculture in the classroom uses case studies to motivate students and inspire changes in attitude. The study found that engaging students with real-world examples improved their understanding and presentation skills, but some felt that more time was needed for discussions and activities.
The university's course, 'Kitchen Chemistry Sessions,' uses molecular gastronomy techniques to teach students about chemical and biochemical concepts in food. Students learn to apply these concepts to prepare meals, demonstrating their understanding of chemical processes and scientific principles.
The study found that students using their own laptops in a wireless classroom setting were more focused and took their work with them outside the class. Researchers plan to increase the number of classrooms with similar capabilities in the near future.
Researchers found that a midday nap significantly improves learning capacity by clearing the brain's short-term memory storage and making room for new information. This finding supports previous data on the negative effects of prolonged wakefulness and all-nighters on cognitive function.
Researchers found that daytime naps significantly aid infants' ability to generalize knowledge and recognize patterns in new information. The UA study revealed that napping within four hours after exposure to artificial language enhances abstract learning and sentence structure recognition in young children.
A recent study published in Learning and Instruction found that home literacy environments and motivation play a significant role in predicting children's initial literacy skills, which ultimately affect their future reading ability. Reading to kids regularly is essential for English-speaking children to acquire language skills.
Researchers at the University of Alberta designed materials that link mathematical concepts to real-world scenarios, such as disease transmission, to enhance learning. Students used these materials to calculate the West Nile virus's reproductive number, gaining a deeper understanding of math in science.
College students who practice retrieving knowledge through self-testing learn more effectively than those who rely on repetitive note reading. The key is not dropping flashcards once mastered, as retrieval fluency can create an illusion of learning.
A new study published in the Journal of Applied Psychology found that personality characteristics play a significant role in determining who succeeds in medical school. Conscientious individuals tend to excel in early years, while extraverted students perform better in later years as interpersonal skills become more important.
Interactive e-lessons developed by soil science educators engage learners with active learning strategies, interactive Flash animations, and experiential activities. These lessons aim to help students and the public recognize the critical importance of soil in addressing various issues.
Researchers found that sounds presented during naps could guide rehearsal of specific information, strengthening spatial memories. The study suggests that deep sleep is a key time for memory processing, challenging the idea that memories are only processed during REM sleep.
A new study found that foreign subtitles can enhance second-language listening ability, particularly when the subtitles are in the same language as the film. English subtitling was associated with improved recognition of both familiar and unfamiliar words, while Dutch subtitling reduced this effect on new materials.
A recent survey of ISU horticulture graduates reveals that they are adequately to exceptionally well-prepared for the workforce. Employers rank personal skills such as communication, professionalism, and teamwork highly, while solid technical skills take a backseat.
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 university has established a new Q-STEP program, which provides support and resources to increase the graduation rate of students in science and math fields. The five-year grant aims to improve retention and success in these disciplines, with goals including increased group study opportunities and assigned academic advisors.
The Carnegie Mellon Mobile & Immersive Learning for Literacy in Emerging Economies (MILLEE) project will conduct a controlled study involving 800 children in 40 villages in Andhra Pradesh, India. The goal is to gauge the effectiveness of mobile phone-based games for teaching English lessons.
Researchers discovered that learning a new task alters the brain's spontaneous activity patterns, particularly in regions involved in attention and visual processing. This 'anti-correlation' between brain areas improves task performance and facilitates future skill retrieval.
K-State will expand its program for recruitment and retention of Latino students, including a new learning community and academic tracking system. The goal is to improve retention rates, reduce academic warning cases, and increase graduation rates among Hispanic students.
Research suggests that reading surreal literature like Kafka's 'The Country Doctor' can enhance implicit pattern learning and accuracy. Participants who read the nonsensical story performed better on an artificial-grammar task than those who read a rewritten version with a logical plot.
A Canadian report reveals that nearly a million students will fail to graduate high school due to poor reading skills. The study highlights the importance of literacy education and calls for increased support in junior and senior high schools.
A University of Illinois study found that high-school put-downs contribute to a hostile climate, where good students struggle to learn and those behind fall further behind. Verbal harassment is prevalent in schools, with 70% of students experiencing disruptions.
Melanie Cooper, a Clemson University professor, has been recognized as an American Chemical Society Fellow for her contributions to chemistry education and research. Her research focuses on developing effective ways for students to learn science, including evidence-driven curricula like Chemistry, Life, the Universe and Everything (CLUE).
Amanda Cobbs-Russell, a junior majoring in conservation biology at UC Riverside, is part of an international group trekking across Baffin Island. She will investigate the geology and climatology of the region, with a focus on the impact of climate change on the Canadian Arctic.