Teenage girl sitting on floor and trying to learn with post-it notes

Should Students Make Their Own Flashcards, Take II

Andrew Watson
by: Andrew Watson
Posted on: February 11, 2024

A respected colleague recently posted a study about making flashcards. The basic question: should students…

A closeup of four hands holding out single puzzle pieces, trying to see how to put them together well.

The Jigsaw Advantage: Should Students Puzzle It Out?

Andrew Watson
by: Andrew Watson
Posted on: February 4, 2024

The “jigsaw” method sounds really appealing, doesn’t it? Imagine that I’m teaching a complex topic: say,…

College student smiling while taking notes on while studying

Putting It All Together: Connecting “Motivation” with “Teaching Style”

Andrew Watson
by: Andrew Watson
Posted on: January 28, 2024

Researchers tend to focus on particular topics in education. Some folks study attention, while others look…

Young teacher wearing sweater and glasses sitting on desk at kindergarten clueless and confused expression with arms and hands raised.

Overwhelmed Teachers: The Working-Memory Story (Part II) [Updated with Link]

Andrew Watson
by: Andrew Watson
Posted on: January 24, 2024

Last week, I offered an unusual take on working memory in the classroom. Typically, I…

Screenshot 2024-01-23 at 12.24.30 PM

Get It Done by Ayelet Fishbach

Erik Jahner, PhD
by: Erik Jahner, PhD
Posted on: January 23, 2024

Over the last few months, I have been working with a student who is retaking…

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…