AdobeStock_129959535_Credit

No, Brain Scans Can’t See You Think

Andrew Watson
by: Andrew Watson
Posted on: April 27, 2019

https://npjscilearncommunity.nature.com/users/19663-tracey-tokuhama-espinosa/posts/42620-deciphering-fact-from-fiction-about-the-brain Continue reading →

AdobeStock_131420485_Credit

Does Low-Structure Free Time Improve Executive Function?

Andrew Watson
by: Andrew Watson
Posted on: April 25, 2019

Students can be taught executive-function skills that help in schools. They learn executive-function skills that help outside of school by playing on their own. Both kinds of practice help children mature. Continue reading →

Screen Shot 2019-04-22 at 3.30.19 PM

Great Myths of Adolescence by  Jeremy D. Jewell, Michael I....

Rebecca Gotlieb
by: Rebecca Gotlieb
Posted on: April 22, 2019

Do you think that teenagers today are lazier, riskier, and more self-absorbed than previous generations? Great…

AdobeStock_244673956

The Best-Known Neural Model of Learning Might be Substantially Wrong

Andrew Watson
by: Andrew Watson
Posted on: April 22, 2019

A new neural model of long-term memory formation might change our understanding of learning. It should not, however, change our approaches to teaching. Continue reading →

AdobeStock_48669496_Credit

Building a Better Research Mousetrap: @justsaysinmice

Andrew Watson
by: Andrew Watson
Posted on: April 19, 2019

A new twitter account can help you sort the good science reporting from the bad. And, it’s got cute pictures too. Continue reading →

AdobeStock_247468576_Credit

Meet Blake Harvard, “Effortful Educator”

Andrew Watson
by: Andrew Watson
Posted on: April 17, 2019

An interview with Blake Harvard: high-school psychology teacher, and Effortful Educator. Continue reading →

AdobeStock_172606477_Credit

Surprise: Screen Time (Even Before Bed) Doesn’t Harm Adolescents

Andrew Watson
by: Andrew Watson
Posted on: April 14, 2019

A very large study with more than 17,000 people suggests that screen time isn’t really harming adolescent well-being. If that’s true, we should focus our efforts on finding and solving real problems in adolescent life, and not be distracted by sincere but inaccurate hype. Continue reading →

AdobeStock_218171481_Credit

STOP THE PRESSES (And Yet, Remain Calm)

Andrew Watson
by: Andrew Watson
Posted on: April 12, 2019

In the world of science, if you see the right kind of evidence, you have…

AdobeStock_124073162_Credit

How to (Un)Make System-Wide Changes Based on Research

Andrew Watson
by: Andrew Watson
Posted on: April 9, 2019

We might be eager to hurry up and change everything to make our schools better. By rolling out one change at a time, and by agreeing on criteria for success and failure in advance, we can raise the likelihood that our changes will help students learn. Continue reading →

AdobeStock_232484949_Credit

Working Memory Overload Throws Neurons Out of Synch

Andrew Watson
by: Andrew Watson
Posted on: April 7, 2019

Students use working memory all day long, but they — and we — don’t have very much. New research is starting to explain what happens when they experience working memory overload. In brief: brain regions that must function synchronously stop doing so. Some day this research field might help our students learn more effectively. Continue reading →