Side view of student girl enjoying summer breeze , smiling with eyes closed

Does Mind-Wandering Harm Learning?

Andrew Watson
by: Andrew Watson
Posted on: March 17, 2024

If you teach children for several hours a day, you just know that sometimes they’re…

A bright yellow American football goalpost, above a bright green field and against dark stadium

“Writing By Hand Fosters Neural Connections…”

Andrew Watson
by: Andrew Watson
Posted on: March 10, 2024

Imagine this conversation that you and I might have: ANDREW: The fastest way to drive…

A winter scene: cars covered in a foot of swon, and two pedestrians walking away from the camera, shoulders hunched agains the cold snow

Weather Forecasting and Cognitive Science

Andrew Watson
by: Andrew Watson
Posted on: March 3, 2024

I live in Boston, and we just had an ENORMOUS snow storm. TWELVE INCHES of…

College students working together at a table, lots of papers in front of them

Constructivism, or Constructivism, Part II

Andrew Watson
by: Andrew Watson
Posted on: February 25, 2024

Last week, I wrote about the often-testy debates that surround “constructivism.” One possible cause for…

Neuman-cover-art-e1678309913861

Evolutionary Intelligence by Russell Neuman

Erik Jahner, PhD
by: Erik Jahner, PhD
Posted on: February 18, 2024

I have recently been reviewing human-technology interactions with a team at Brookings, and it is…

A construction site: a 6 story building with scaffolding all around, a crane against a sunset

Constructivism, or Constructivism? Part I

Andrew Watson
by: Andrew Watson
Posted on: February 18, 2024

If you want to launch a feisty debate in your next faculty meeting, stand up…

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…