Category: Technology

New review on multitasking while learning: a big problem, but also an opportunity?

It’s something Paul Kirschner and I have written about before, and a new review study confirms: using electronic media while doing schoolwork negatively impacts learning. But even worse: any students believe they’re immune to any ill effects because they’re good multitaskers, which they’re not. From the press release: Scanning social media while listening to a… Read More New review on multitasking while learning: a big problem, but also an opportunity?

PedroLeave a comment

Don’t get this the wrong way: Teens who think their parents are loving are less likely to be cyberbullies

Again an interesting study but: correlation doesn’t equal causation this doesn’t mean all children from broken families will become CYBERbullies From the press release: Adolescents who perceive their parents to be loving and supportive are less likely to engage in cyberbullying, according to a new study by researchers at NYU Rory Meyers College of Nursing.… Read More Don’t get this the wrong way: Teens who think their parents are loving are less likely to be cyberbullies

PedroLeave a comment

Interesting but not too surprising: Video is not always effective in science communication

We are living in YouTube and TikTok times so people often think that when communicating about science we also should use video. Not a bad idea, but do be warned… it could be a bad idea if you are looking for funding. The study doesn’t surprise me as it seems to be in line with… Read More Interesting but not too surprising: Video is not always effective in science communication

PedroLeave a comment

Toddlers who use touchscreens show attention differences, but is that bad?

I guess the title has triggered you? Well, it did trigger me as much debate has been about the possible negative consequences, would this now also be the case? I hate to say it, but the researchers behind this longitudinal study can’t say it yet. Still, they already have some interesting findings! From the press… Read More Toddlers who use touchscreens show attention differences, but is that bad?

Pedro1 Comment

Does the smartphone hinder learning? New review study suggests ‘yes’, but…

A new review study by Amez and Baert examined the existing research on the use of smartphones and the consequences for academic success. In short: A predominance of empirical results supporting a negative association. This finding is driven by studies relying on actual GPA measures. But, there is one important limitation: The literature’s main limitation… Read More Does the smartphone hinder learning? New review study suggests ‘yes’, but…

PedroLeave a comment

Again: silver bullets are seldom the case in education. E.g. no single solution helps all students complete MOOCs

Yesterday I received this very interesting Freakonomics podcast on the issue of the scalability of interventions. Often we see – also in education – that something works in an experiment or in a field trial, but when everybody starts adopting the new method or the new insight… it fails. There can be several reasons why,… Read More Again: silver bullets are seldom the case in education. E.g. no single solution helps all students complete MOOCs

PedroLeave a comment

Great new handy tool for students and researchers: connected papers

Yesterday I discovered this great new tool that I’m sure I will be using a lot myself and will advise my students to try when working on their papers: connected papers. An important element of scientific work is to build upon earlier insights or to nuance or contradict earlier findings in science. That’s why scientific… Read More Great new handy tool for students and researchers: connected papers

Pedro3 Comments

Virtual charter schools’ consistent and persistent negative impacts (Best Evidence in Brief)

There is a new Best Evidence in Brief and I’ve picked a very relevant but depressing study this time… As COVID pushes more schools online, the call for evidence of online learning is at a premium. Virtual charter schools are one recent innovation claiming to utilize technology for more individualized and flexible learning. However, a recent article published… Read More Virtual charter schools’ consistent and persistent negative impacts (Best Evidence in Brief)

PedroLeave a comment