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The Great Exam Debate: A Conversation with a Colleague

A colleague recently reached out to ask me about research into the benefits and perils…

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Do Gestures Improve Learning? Baby Steps Toward a Conclusion

The idea that “gestures improve learning” has be increasingly popular in recent years. I first…

Questions, Questions (First of a Series)

Because teachers spend so much time asking questions, we’d be grateful if we had research…

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Experts, Expertise, and Teachers (and Students!)

Researchers often focus on experts and expertise. And bloggers like me often follow their leads….

rewired

Rewired by Carl Marci

In Rewired: Protecting Your Brain in the Digital Age, Dr. Carl D. Marci takes readers…

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Do Fidget Spinners Help Children with ADHD?

Good news: cognitive science research can be SPECTACULARLY useful in guiding and informing teachers. Less…

Bored Male Student Listens Lecture at the University. Tired, Exhausted and Overworked Young Male Holds His Head.

Attention Contagion in the “Real World”: Plato was Right!

I’m always grateful to have research guidance for my classroom work, but I have to…

Several middle school students eagerly raise their hands to answer questions

Retrieval Practice “In the Wild”: Lots of Good News

Last year at this time, I summarized an ENORMOUS meta-analysis about retrieval practice. The reassuring…

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Graphic Disorganizers; or, When Should Teachers Decorate Handouts?

Recent research has raised questions about classroom decoration. In this post, our blogger wonders about…

endoftrauma

The End of Trauma by George Bonanno

When faced with extreme adversity—like violent incidents or life-threatening situations—we often assume that trauma is…