Stressed teacher sitting in front of a white board with comlex mathematical equations on it

Overwhelmed Teachers: The Working-Memory Story

Andrew Watson
by: Andrew Watson
Posted on: January 16, 2024

If I could pick one topic from cognitive science for ALL TEACHERS to study, that…

Thief peering around the corner of a wall at painting he might steal from a museum

Reframing Motivation: Urgent vs. Interesting

Andrew Watson
by: Andrew Watson
Posted on: January 9, 2024

You are walking through a museum after closing time, peering into room after room. You…

Young children sit on the floor eagerly listening to a teacher, off camera

Help Me Understand: Narrative Is Better than Exposition

Andrew Watson
by: Andrew Watson
Posted on: December 31, 2023

I’m straight-up asking for some guidance here. Here’s the story… “Psychologically Privileged” For many years…

Arrows pointed to the center of a target

Feedback Before Grades? Research and Practice…

Andrew Watson
by: Andrew Watson
Posted on: December 27, 2023

The plan sounds so simple: Students practice a new skill. Teachers give them feedback. Using…

bright kids

Bright Kids Who Couldn’t Care Less by Ellen Braaten

Erik Jahner, PhD
by: Erik Jahner, PhD
Posted on: December 19, 2023

In Bright Kids Who Couldn’t Care Less: How to Rekindle Your Child’s Motivation, Ellen Braaten…

mathematics professor solving complex equations on a blackboard

Which Is Better: “Desirable Difficulty” or “Productive Struggle”?

Andrew Watson
by: Andrew Watson
Posted on: December 19, 2023

The obvious answer to my question is: “what a silly question.” After all, the two…

The cover of Walkthru: a bright yellow and white cover, with a drawing of two teachers thinking and talking together

“Comprehensive and Manageable”: Walkthrus Has It All

Andrew Watson
by: Andrew Watson
Posted on: December 11, 2023

Teachers who want to rely on cognitive science to improve our teaching have SO MANY…

A brighly colored beac ball floating in a vibrantly blue pool

How to Change Students’ Minds? Create Surprise…

Andrew Watson
by: Andrew Watson
Posted on: December 7, 2023

Sometimes teaching is challenging. And sometimes, it’s REALLY challenging. For instance: Because I’m an English…

Headshot of author and teacher Beth Hawks

Guest Post: “My Learning and the Brain Story”

by: Guest Post
Posted on: November 26, 2023

Beth Hawks has taught science for 25 years. She now serves as the science department…

attention spaN

Attention Span by Gloria Mark

Erik Jahner, PhD
by: Erik Jahner, PhD
Posted on: November 21, 2023

In our world we now spend over 10 hours a day in front of screens;…