Articles tagged with Learning
A recent study by Xuedi Li and colleagues found that excessive screen time was associated with increased symptoms of depression, anxiety, and hyperactivity in children during the COVID-19 pandemic. The research suggests that parents should monitor their child's screen use to mitigate potential mental health effects.
Researchers found that astrocytes regulate cognitive flexibility by releasing D-serine and glutamate, which integrates synaptic plasticity. Heterosynaptic long-term depression is mediated by astrocytes, critical for memory modification.
A new study found that parent praise, especially generic process praise, relates to fluctuations in child persistence during everyday tasks. Children brushed longer on days when parents used more praise and less instruction.
Researchers from Drexel University's Autism Institute found that professional development providers with larger, more supportive networks perform better as coaches for teachers of autistic students. They also discovered that coaching support is more important than financial support for performance outcomes.
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.
A new analysis provides guidelines for deploying effective role models to encourage learning across diverse populations. The study suggests that features like perceived competence, similarity, and attainability of success are key to motivating students, while portraying extreme levels of role model competence can backfire.
A study of over 560,000 children in India, Pakistan, Kenya, and Uganda found that private education made little difference in learning outcomes, with gains largely attributed to more advantaged backgrounds. The researchers suggest that private schools may be drawing support away from state education without significantly improving stan...
Researchers developed metrics to quantify information in animal responses to reward feedback, showing that animals exhibit undermatching behavior. The new metrics provide a way to predict this deviation from the matching law, offering insights into adaptive behavior and decision-making.
A new study found that adults and children make inferences about connections between experiences in different ways. Children create separate memories and compare them to make inferences, while adults build integrated memories with inferences already baked in. This difference may be due to differences in brain development and maturation.
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...
Young people who consider themselves ‘multilingual’ perform better across a wide range of subjects at school, regardless of their language proficiency. Research shows that encouraging pupils to identify with languages and value different styles of communication can support academic progress.
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.
A new module in biodiversity collections addresses the need for scientists to have both foundational biological skills and data acumen. The module was implemented in 10 courses across four universities and showed strong learning results, with students feeling well-prepared to collect and archive specimens, as well as deposit digital da...
Researchers found no difference between kids exposed to language at birth, regardless of sign or speech. Children with delayed language exposure tend to struggle with executive functioning. The study suggests that 'talking' doesn't just mean speech—sign language exposure is equally nourishing for baby brains.
Researchers at the University of California, Davis, have discovered brain activation in sleeping two-year-olds when played words they had previously learned. The study found activation in the hippocampus and anterior medial temporal lobe, indicating that these regions are crucial for laying down initial memories for words.
Researchers found that mice have innate circuits for processing positive and negative stimuli in the amygdala brain region. The study suggests that an imbalance in these circuits may contribute to depression and other mental health issues.
A new report from the University of South Australia reveals that refugee children are more likely to succeed academically if their parents share their story and their school empowers them. Schools with bilingual staff also show promise in building strong parent-school relationships.
A 27-year study suggests that income inequality is linked to lower maths scores among US children, with even richer students experiencing negative effects. The study found that states with higher income gaps saw poorer maths results, while reading grades were not associated with income inequality. Policymakers may need to consider redu...
A new study from Anglia Ruskin University found that increasing space between letters can improve reading speed for both dyslexic and non-dyslexic children. Dyslexic children showed a 13% increase in reading speed, while non-dyslexic children saw a 5% improvement.
A new study found that unusual visual inspection behavior in infants aged 9 months and older is predictive of a later diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. This behavior, characterized as an over-focus on objects, was most prominent and present earliest in infants who developed ASD.
Research reveals that only a few schools have gardens and woods, while most prioritize athletic fields and playgrounds. Teachers play a key role in promoting outdoor learning and play, with environmental education workshops showing promise.
University of Rochester psychologists train adolescents and young adults to reinterpret their stress response as adaptive, leading to reduced anxiety, improved test scores, and healthier coping mechanisms. The study finds that 'good stress' mindset resets help students perform better under pressure and stay enrolled in classes.
Researchers discovered that a brain area traditionally thought to specialize in old habits also plays a role in learning new actions. The study found that the dorsolateral striatum is involved in consolidating action learning immediately after the new action has been learned.
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.
A new study found that school closures exacerbated existing inequalities in education, with disadvantaged families spending less time on learning at home. Despite increased home lessons, the gap between advantaged and disadvantaged families remained, with single-parent families showing a narrowing of the gap.
A Colorado State University team has received a $3.2 million grant to develop ways to grow algae crops faster and improve their potential as a source of biofuels and other products.
A new study suggests that girls are less likely to view science as a viable career when taught alongside confident and aspirational peers. Contrary to expectations, boys' confidence in STEM subjects is more likely to inspire them to pursue careers in the field.
A new study from George Washington University found that Iowa school districts with strong teachers unions were more likely to adopt COVID-19 mask mandates. The researchers also discovered that Democratic-leaning union members played a significant role in advocating for mask requirements.
The new course will use real-life scenarios and technology to help students see how they can apply calculus to solve problems in the world. Students will be able to choose from a variety of homework sets and worksheets based on their interests, and an electronic textbook with free access will also be available.
USC researchers develop AI that can simulate human imagination by recombining learned knowledge of attributes. This technique enables controllable novel image synthesis, a key step towards overcoming the generalization problem in AI. The approach has potential applications in medicine, autonomous vehicles, and fairness in AI.
The NanED project aims to train 15 PhD students in 3D electron diffraction (3D ED) techniques, with a focus on industrial applications. The program will be led by the Istituto Italiano di Tecnologia and unite experts from 8 European research institutions and global companies.
A Rutgers University study found preschool children are more likely to choose information if they know enough but not too much about it. This optimal knowledge level creates perfect uncertainty and curiosity, motivating them to learn more.
A new study found a significant association between Head Start teachers' depressive symptoms and their students' math achievement, with the linkage being through the quality of family-teacher relationships. This relationship was found to affect children's motivation, engagement, and persistence in learning.
Educators who transitioned to remote teaching during the pandemic will retain online collaboration tools in the return to classroom instruction to increase student engagement and equity. Developing an online classroom culture is crucial for creating an environment where students feel valued and trust instructors.
The COVID-19 pandemic prompted researchers to develop a remote lab exercise teaching students how to use micropipettes. The 'Remote Laboratory Exercise' kit, costing $135 per student, contained equipment and reagents for practicing technique remotely.
Researcher Morgan Podraza examines the representation of trauma in horror films, arguing that the final girl trope can be reimagined as a space for healing and futures for people with trauma. The analysis highlights the need to acknowledge trauma and its ongoing effects, rather than just focusing on survival.
A study published in PLOS One found that an ancient Australian Aboriginal memory technique significantly improved retention of facts among medical students compared to the 'memory palace' method. The Aboriginal technique, which used narrative and locations to facilitate recall, was also found to be more enjoyable for students.
The Tennessee Distance Learning Initiative provides hundreds of free science kits aligned with Next Generation Science Standards, promoting hands-on activities in STEM-designated schools. The program aims to engage and inspire students in science and engineering fields.
A new study found that academic skills are the least valuable characteristic when assessing an ideal university student. The most important dimensions include diligence and engagement, organisation and discipline, and a positive outlook.
UNIST has partnered with Aramco Asia Korea and MIDAM Scholarship Foundation to provide coding programs to underprivileged students in Ulsan. The program aims to bridge the educational gap in computer science among elementary and middle school students.
Dr. Amy Azano is leading initiatives to improve rural education, including the Summer Enrichment Experience at Virginia Tech and the Appalachian Rural Talent Initiative. The programs focus on providing academic and social experiences for rural middle-schoolers and increasing access to gifted education in high-poverty schools.
A new study from North Carolina State University found that an outdoor science program improved fifth-grade girls' science grades and knowledge, while also addressing gender gaps in science. The program, Muddy Sneakers, used hands-on activities, hikes, and reflections to teach science in a natural environment.
A series of land-based learning retreats is helping Indigenous youth reconnect with their cultures, emphasizing knowledge-sharing, survival skills, and ceremonies. The retreats provide a safe space for young people to learn about their heritage, including cultural workshops, arts-based activities, and storytelling sessions.
Researchers found that infants as young as 11-12 months can distinguish between frequently used and less common multiword sequences, suggesting they learn individual words and complex phrases simultaneously. This study challenges traditional views on how children acquire language.
A study by Thomas Jefferson University found that 87% of incoming medical students reported imposter syndrome, a mental health challenge linked to depression, anxiety, and self-sabotage. The researchers suggest that supportive feedback, collaborative learning, and individual counseling can help alleviate imposter syndrome.
A new study published in Language and Literacy explores the value of bilingual children's books in French immersion classrooms. Bilingual books are seen as an effective tool for second language learning, with students noting benefits such as learning French vocabulary and developing English knowledge. The study suggests that incorporat...
Research from Binghamton University found that star employees take most of the credit for successful collaborations and most of the blame for failed ones, affecting non-star collaborators' careers. Non-stars may benefit from working with stars despite not receiving equal rewards or penalties.
Researchers found that 66% of learning gains made by Ghanaian children during the academic year are lost during three months of school closure. Children without home learning resources experience significantly higher losses, while community-based programs can mitigate these effects.
Researchers at Yale-NUS College identified five components of resilience that correlate with lower rates of burnout and psychological distress among college students. These components include approach coping, self-belief, effort and purpose, interpersonal resources, and spirituality, which can be learned and honed over time.
A new study by Ohio State University researchers found that increasing students' sense of belonging in school is a key way to boost academic motivation. Over two years, the study followed more than 1,600 students and found that most shifted towards more adaptive profiles with better motivational characteristics.
The University of Missouri's eMINTS National Center has received a $3.9 million grant to teach computer coding skills to rural Missouri students. The project will partner with 47 schools in rural Missouri, providing coaching and technological support to teachers.
Researchers from RUDN University conducted a comprehensive study on how Russian speakers differentiate between similar consonants in the Greek language. They found that Russian speakers associate certain Greek sounds with specific Russian sounds, contradicting traditional linguistic borrowings.
A new study found that most parents (63%) believed remote learning caused their child to fall behind, but the vast majority of schools provided effective online programs. Parents reported spending around 2.5 hours per day helping with schoolwork, while children spent an hour more in remote learning.
According to TIMSS results, East Asian countries continue to outperform all participating countries in mathematics by a significant margin at both the fourth and eighth grades. The gap between top performers and next highest achievers is substantial, highlighting the need for targeted educational strategies.
A new study found that high national math achievement combined with societal pressures can lead to decreased enthusiasm for learning math among girls. Girls are more susceptible to this effect, highlighting the need for schools to promote both interest and achievement in mathematics.
A neural network has been developed to estimate uncertainty, allowing for safer outcomes in AI-assisted decision-making. The 'deep evidential regression' approach accelerates uncertainty estimation, enabling faster and more accurate confidence levels, reducing the risk of errors.
New research from the University of Cambridge shows that targeting the education of the world's poorest children and marginalized girls can significantly improve the attainment of all young people. The study found that interventions like CAMFED's bursaries for disadvantaged girls lead to notable academic improvements, including improve...
A study projects that returning students likely started school this fall with significant academic losses due to extended school closures. The top third of students may have made gains in reading, but educators and policymakers must address the academic struggles of many students who fell behind academically.
The redesigned course overcomes obstacles of collaborative learning online, including teacher confidence, student resistance, and plagiarism. The five key elements - student-focused and active, structured in phases, multi-format, 360 assessment, and proactive online professor - improve student satisfaction and teamwork skills.
A new study found that our brains use different approaches to avoid harm to ourselves versus others. When learning to avoid harm to others, decisions are automatic and efficient, but when avoiding harm to oneself, choices become more deliberative and future-focused.