Does writing really help us think? A response to the New York Times opinion piece by Joe Cruz

One of the major concerns surrounding generative AI in education relates to writing, or rather, to the assessment of writing. If pupils and students can have their texts written by ChatGPT or another AI, how can we still be sure whether they have actually thought for themselves? This has already led to all kinds of… Read More Does writing really help us think? A response to the New York Times opinion piece by Joe Cruz

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OECD: Fewer students, but that does not necessarily mean a smaller teacher shortage

Teacher shortages have become a persistent problem in many countries. But at the same time, birth rates are falling in many of those same countries. Fewer children mean fewer students. And fewer students mean we may need fewer teachers, and so surely this will mean that teacher shortages should eventually disappear, at least partially, on… Read More OECD: Fewer students, but that does not necessarily mean a smaller teacher shortage

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Children’s books show many emotions in words, but far fewer in pictures

A character can be afraid, or angry, maybe sad. You can read this clearly in the children’s book. But if you look at the picture on the same page… There is a good chance you will see someone who looks… strikingly calm or happy. That is the finding of a new NBER working paper by… Read More Children’s books show many emotions in words, but far fewer in pictures

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Why are there more diagnoses of ADHD and autism now?

It is the basis for discussions about overdiagnosis. Every now and then, you even read possible explanations that seem more like conspiracy theories. Yet it is a fact: many more children and young people are diagnosed with ADHD or autism today than, say, ten or twenty years ago. In Denmark, for example, the number of… Read More Why are there more diagnoses of ADHD and autism now?

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What do highly inclusive teachers actually do?

This is a pretty impressive study by Petr Svojanovský and colleagues, published in Learning and Instruction, where you shouldn’t get too hung up on the sample size. It seems relatively small, with 2 schools, 42 students, 6 teachers, and 2 teaching assistants. But the researchers wanted to know how teachers who are strong in inclusive… Read More What do highly inclusive teachers actually do?

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Funny on Sunday: An Invisible Friend

Made me think also a bit of that Queen song… Check here for more Funny on Sunday.

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Another possible negative effect of grade retention: your later earnings

Grade retention is a topic I have written about many times before. It can also lead to quite heated discussions in education. At the same time, the scientific consensus is fairly clear: it is generally not the best option. I know there are dissenting scientific voices, too. However, you still cannot avoid the question of… Read More Another possible negative effect of grade retention: your later earnings

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Teachers and students influence each other’s emotions, but not quite as expected

Set an enthusiastic teacher in front of their class, the students will become enthusiastic too. And vice versa, enthusiastic students can also make their teacher enjoy teaching more. It does sounds logical, and in my own research I once found how contagious passion can be. This also fits nicely with the idea that what teachers… Read More Teachers and students influence each other’s emotions, but not quite as expected

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One of the most striking conclusions from PISA 2025 may be wrong!

One of the most striking conclusions from PISA 2025 may be wrong. A new analysis suggests that the apparent sharp decline among more advantaged students may largely be the result of a change in measurement. It was one of the most important new insights from PISA earlier this month: it is now mainly children from… Read More One of the most striking conclusions from PISA 2025 may be wrong!

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How do you get research-based knowledge into the classroom?

How do you actually get research-based knowledge into the classroom? This is a question my colleagues at Leerpunt and I keep coming back to. Leerpunt is a knowledge broker for education in Flanders, Belgium. Publishing a report or a set of guidelines is one thing, but ensuring that the knowledge from it is actually put… Read More How do you get research-based knowledge into the classroom?

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