The effects of school-wide interventions on school climate

Originally posted on Best Evidence in Brief Index:
By Sooyeon Byun, Johns Hopkins University Charlton and colleagues reviewed various types of school-wide interventions promoting students’ and teachers’ perception of school climate regarding engagement (quality of relationship), safety (the absence of aggression, bullying, and violence), and environment (quality of physical school environment). Only peer-reviewed studies published…

November 26, 2020 PedroLeave a comment

The human ability to teach and our use of complex tools may have evolved together

This is a bit of a different kind of study for this blog, although many may have noticed that I do like the history of education. In this study, the researchers see a link between the evolution of teaching and the rise of the complexity of the tools we use as a species. From the… Read More The human ability to teach and our use of complex tools may have evolved together

November 25, 2020 PedroLeave a comment

Schools and the Economy–Not Yet a Faddish Idea

Originally posted on Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice:
Fashions in ideas, like clothes, change with the times. But when they are in fashion, they become the wisdom of the moment. Supply-side economics, embraced by the Republicans during the Reagan presidency, cut taxes and ran up unparalleled deficits. It was group-think wisdom. Sure…

November 23, 2020 PedroLeave a comment

The effect of the group on learning math, or the “Big-Fish-Little-Pond Effect”

I have been fascinated by the effects of the collective in education – e.g. group composition – for a while now. No wonder this study also caught my attention as it shows that a student’s experience with math is affected by the composition of the group they are in. Weak students in high-performing math classes,… Read More The effect of the group on learning math, or the “Big-Fish-Little-Pond Effect”

November 19, 2020 PedroLeave a comment

New data on COVID and education confirm trends, but there is also some hope

One of the most-read posts on this blog the past few weeks was on the effect the pandemic has had on education. Bottom-line of the 3 studies I mentioned in that post: the online learning didn’t have the same effect for most of the pupils and students and inequality has been on the rise. This… Read More New data on COVID and education confirm trends, but there is also some hope

November 17, 2020 PedroLeave a comment

Do schools kill creativity? New research debunks this myth again!

I debunked this myth – made popular by Ken Robinson – a long time on this blog, and also more extensively in our first Urban Myths book. This new video uses new research to further debunk this idea. Link to the mentioned study under this video. The summary of the study by Tamara Paulin et… Read More Do schools kill creativity? New research debunks this myth again!

November 15, 2020November 15, 2020 PedroLeave a comment

Teachers as Improvisers

Originally posted on Larry Cuban on School Reform and Classroom Practice:
Every job has its share of surprises. A key piece of equipment breaks down. A traffic accident forces a change in delivery routes. A client calls to say you’ve won the contract–but they need the order filled three months earlier than planned. No matter…

November 13, 2020 PedroLeave a comment

Are computer-supported literacy interventions effective for young children?

Originally posted on Best Evidence in Brief Index:
By Qiyang Zhang, Johns Hopkins University Computer-assisted learning (CAL) is gaining popularity due to its promise of cost-effectiveness, individualized approach, and enhanced engagement. However, before incorporating CAL in traditional classrooms, it is important to understand the effectiveness of CAL. Recent research, published in Educational Research Review, presents…

November 10, 2020 PedroLeave a comment

How has lockdown affected the attainment gap between poor and rich pupils? A talk with Martin Robinson

This talk Martin and I had, was inspired by this post and this post.

November 9, 2020 PedroLeave a comment

Magic and Science

Originally posted on Richard Wiseman:
I am delighted to launch a new series of videos that use magic to celebrate science. Fab sleight of hand artist Will Houstoun and I produced them, supported by The Royal Society of Chemistry and chemist Dr Suzanne Fergus (University of Hertfordshire). The three videos use sleight of hand techniques…

November 7, 2020 PedroLeave a comment