AdobeStock_196182333_Credit

Category Archives: L&B Blog

AdobeStock_196182333_Credit

Factual Knowledge Must (Not?) Precede Higher Order Thinking

Scholars who focus on learning have long debated the importance of factual knowledge. Some (like Daniel Willingham) argue students need facts to undertake higher order synthesis and creativity. Others (like Jo Boaler) disagree. Recent retrieval practice research suggests that the primacy of facts might be overstated. But: it’s the first study of its kind, and we’ll need more information before we make big decisions. Continue reading



Posted in L&B Blog | Leave a comment
AdobeStock_118901002_Credit

The Better Choice: Open- or Closed-Book Quizzes

As predicted by research into “retrieval practice,” closed-book quizzes do in fact help students learn better than open-book quizzes do. Once again, the right kind of difficulties can be desirable in school. Continue reading



Posted in L&B Blog | Tagged , , | Leave a comment
AdobeStock_60691216_Credit

The Limitations of Neuroscience in Guiding Teachers

Neuroscience offers fascinating insights into brains; psychology provides specific teaching suggestions. However much we enjoy and learn from the former, we should keep our eye on the latter. (Helpful links provided.) Continue reading



Posted in L&B Blog | Tagged | Leave a comment
AdobeStock_117209441_Credit

The Best (Counter-intuitive) Sleep Advice You’ll Get This Year

How to fall asleep faster? According to this research, take 5 minutes a write a to-do list for the upcoming days. This technique offloads stress, and promotes faster sleep onset. Continue reading



Posted in L&B Blog | Tagged , | Leave a comment
AdobeStock_222678531_Credit

Studying Wrong Answers Helps Learn the Right Ones

With teaching as with baking, sometimes you should follow steps in a very particular order….



Posted in L&B Blog | Tagged , | Leave a comment
AdobeStock_121475859_Credit

How Can We Encourage Girls to Pursue STEM Disciplines?

When we see alarming statistics about gender disparities in STEM disciplines, we quite naturally wonder…



Posted in L&B Blog | Tagged , , | Leave a comment
AdobeStock_165079847_Credit

Can We Boost Our Students’ Self-Control?

You have, no doubt, heard about this research before. Walter Mischel tested preschoolers on self-control….



Posted in L&B Blog | Tagged , | Leave a comment
AdobeStock_99365599_Credit

A Handy Summary of Memory Definitions, for Teachers and Students

Here‘s a quick summary of information about memory: sensory memory, working memory, long-term memory, and…



Posted in L&B Blog | Tagged , , | Leave a comment
AdobeStock_246576531_Credit

Does Music Promote Students’ Creativity?

Music played during a creative task distracts students…but, music played before the task might increase creativity. Continue reading



Posted in L&B Blog | Tagged , | Leave a comment
research-based advice for students

Taking Notes with Graphic Organizers

Researchers office us concrete advice on the best form for handwritten notes: outlines vs. graphic organizers; incomplete vs. complete. Continue reading



Posted in L&B Blog | Tagged , | Leave a comment