power of naps

“Not Just a Decadent Luxury”: The Power of Naps

Andrew Watson
by: Andrew Watson
Posted on: April 1, 2018

We know that sleep is good for learning. But what about NAPS? Over at BrainBlogger, Viatcheslav…

homework improves conscientiousness

Homework Improves Conscientiousness: Do You Believe It?

Andrew Watson
by: Andrew Watson
Posted on: March 29, 2018

Obviously, conscientious students are more likely to do their homework. Researchers in Germany have found initial reasons to believe that doing homework improves conscientiousness. We can reasonably hope that homework benefits students beyond the learning its helps consolidate. Continue reading →

Adolescent self-control

Adolescents and Self-Control: Do Teens Recognize High Stakes?

Andrew Watson
by: Andrew Watson
Posted on: March 26, 2018

Why is adolescent self-control so difficult? Recent research suggests that teens don’t consistently recognize the difference between high-stakes and low-stakes situations. And: the brain networks that help them do so don’t mature until we turn 19 or 20. Continue reading →

assessing inquiry learning

Point/Counterpoint: Escaping the Inquiry Learning Debate

Andrew Watson
by: Andrew Watson
Posted on: March 24, 2018

In the absence of consistent research findings, assessing Inquiry Learning can be a challenge. Teachers should rely on basic cognitive variables — like working memory and attention — to reach conclusions about its usefulness. Continue reading →

uniquely human

Uniquely Human: How Animals Differ From People

Andrew Watson
by: Andrew Watson
Posted on: March 21, 2018

What separates humans from other animals? What makes us uniquely human? This question can be…

Teens and Cell Phones

Teens and Cell Phones: The Good, The Bad, The (Not...

Andrew Watson
by: Andrew Watson
Posted on: March 19, 2018

Debates about teens and cell phones often miss a crucial distinction. Although digital technologies can exacerbate problems for the few adolescents who are already struggling, they can provide real social benefits for the majority who are doing just fine. Continue reading →

VR haptics + Pedagogy

Feeling the Possibilities: Virtual Reality and Teaching

Andrew Watson
by: Andrew Watson
Posted on: March 17, 2018

Regular readers of this blog know that I like technology, but I’m not easily wowed…

mindset controversy

The Mindset Controversy: Is It Time to Give Up?

Andrew Watson
by: Andrew Watson
Posted on: March 15, 2018

Few theories have gotten more teacherly attention than Carol Dweck’s work on Mindset. As you…

Haier

The Neuroscience of Intelligence by Richard Haier

Rebecca Gotlieb
by: Rebecca Gotlieb
Posted on: March 14, 2018

The Neuroscience of Intelligence explores intriguing ideas about the neuroscientific and genetic bases of intelligence…

The Benefits (?) of Interactive Online Science Teaching

Andrew Watson
by: Andrew Watson
Posted on: March 12, 2018

Few educational innovations have gotten more hype than online learning, and few have a more…