The Learning Sciences Research Institute at UIC is studying how teachers learn and acquire knowledge to promote critical inquiry and deep reading in science, mathematics, and literature classrooms. The project aims to inform ideas about teaching practices that support student problem-solving and inquiry-based learning.
Research by neuroscientists at New York University uncovers neural circuits that may be intact but improperly tuned, leading to inflexibility in learning new information. The study sheds light on the cognitive deficit characteristic of Fragile X syndrome, which impairs memory use in multiple ways.
A new study published in the Journal of Experimental Child Psychology found that children aged 8-12 can learn routes quickly and efficiently with minimal repeated experience. The research suggests that young children's brains are capable of learning complex spatial information, even with a large number of turns.
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station
Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Weather Station offers research-grade local weather data for networked stations, campuses, and community observatories.
The STARS (Students and Trainees Advocating for Resource Stewardship) program at Boston University School of Medicine aims to help medical students develop skills to identify the appropriate amount of patient care. Through the program, students will review ABIM Foundation's Choosing Wisely value-based care campaign and use tools like t...
A new study published in Physics Today found that traditional introductory physics laboratory courses fail to enhance student learning due to lack of active engagement. Researchers designed innovative lab alternatives that encourage iterative experimentation and critical thinking.
A new study published in PLOS ONE found that female students outperform male students on biology courses where exams count for less than half of the total grade. The researchers suggest that instructors can mitigate performance gaps by using a mixed assessment model, incorporating lower-stakes exams and quizzes.
Research suggests that Chinese storybooks stress purpose, respect for others, humility, and enduring hardship, which aligns with the lessons taught in Chinese schools. In contrast, US storybooks emphasize happiness, self-esteem, and overcoming obstacles, which may not contribute to scholastic success.
A study from the University of Waterloo found that reading information aloud enhances long-term memory by leveraging the dual action of speaking and hearing oneself. This 'production effect' is particularly beneficial for learning new information, suggesting a simple yet effective method to improve memory retention.
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition
Sky & Telescope Pocket Sky Atlas, 2nd Edition is a durable star atlas for planning sessions, identifying targets, and teaching celestial navigation.
The NIH has awarded $2.34 million to the Global Biological Standards Institute (GBSI) for a five-year educational project to improve research reproducibility. The project, PREPaRED, will train students in reverse experimental design and create freely-available online curricular materials.
A new study found that boys' reading test scores significantly improve in schools where more than 60% of pupils are girls, shedding light on the benefits of gender balance in education. This suggests that characteristics commonly associated with girls' academic behavior can positively influence boys' performance.
A new Iowa State University study found that dual-language learners (DLLs) outperform English-only students in cognitive and academic areas once they gain basic English proficiency. DLLs with limited English skills also made significant progress, eventually matching or outperforming English-only peers.
Research suggests that smartphones and digital media are distracting students during university lectures, leading to lower academic performance. The constant multitasking of digital natives hampers their ability to focus on the lecture content, making sense of it difficult when switching attention to their phones every five minutes.
A study found that women tend to gossip more about their rivals' physical appearance and enjoy it more than men. Men, on the other hand, often gossip about others' achievements, demonstrating sex differences in gossiping behavior.
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor
Aranet4 Home CO2 Monitor tracks ventilation quality in labs, classrooms, and conference rooms with long battery life and clear e-ink readouts.
A survey of university students found that many know about common learning strategies, but fewer actually use them. The reasons include lack of time, ineffective application, and difficulty in seeing the benefits. To improve this, universities should provide more self-regulated learning training, including hands-on practice to learn ho...
The research team discovered a neural signal in the brain's ACC that detects unexpected outcomes, offering clues to the cellular origin of feedback negativity. This finding has significant implications for our ability to detect situations where we can learn more effectively.
A University of Washington-led study found that group project dynamics affect academic performance, with students who report being uncomfortable in their groups faring worse. Jigsaw activities were shown to promote more collaboration, reducing the likelihood of a 'dominator' in the group.
Researchers gathered data from over 16,000 students and found no evidence that motivation decreased despite prolonged effort on a single task. Instead, motivation increased as new tasks were completed, suggesting that self-control may be stable throughout the day.
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm)
Apple Watch Series 11 (GPS, 46mm) tracks health metrics and safety alerts during long observing sessions, fieldwork, and remote expeditions.
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.
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach
Garmin GPSMAP 67i with inReach provides rugged GNSS navigation, satellite messaging, and SOS for backcountry geology and climate field teams.
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.
Apple iPhone 17 Pro
Apple iPhone 17 Pro delivers top performance and advanced cameras for field documentation, data collection, and secure research communications.
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.
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB
SAMSUNG T9 Portable SSD 2TB transfers large imagery and model outputs quickly between field laptops, lab workstations, and secure archives.
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.
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro)
Apple MacBook Pro 14-inch (M4 Pro) powers local ML workloads, large datasets, and multi-display analysis for field and lab teams.
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.
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 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.
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars
Nikon Monarch 5 8x42 Binoculars deliver bright, sharp views for wildlife surveys, eclipse chases, and quick star-field scans at dark sites.
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.
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter
Fluke 87V Industrial Digital Multimeter is a trusted meter for precise measurements during instrument integration, repairs, and field diagnostics.
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.
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4)
Apple iPad Pro 11-inch (M4) runs demanding GIS, imaging, and annotation workflows on the go for surveys, briefings, and lab notebooks.
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.
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C)
Anker Laptop Power Bank 25,000mAh (Triple 100W USB-C) keeps Macs, tablets, and meters powered during extended observing runs and remote surveys.
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.
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2)
DJI Air 3 (RC-N2) captures 4K mapping passes and environmental surveys with dual cameras, long flight time, and omnidirectional obstacle sensing.
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.
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope
Celestron NexStar 8SE Computerized Telescope combines portable Schmidt-Cassegrain optics with GoTo pointing for outreach nights and field campaigns.