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Learning and the Brain Blog

Building Skills? What Minecraft Really Does for Children’s Thinking
Andrew Watson
Andrew Watson

Research doesn't often sound fun, so you can imagine my...

When “The Handwriting Advantage” Meets  “Learning How to Learn”
Andrew Watson
Andrew Watson

We teachers have LOTS to learn from cognitive science: how...

When Educators Disagree: Two Habits that Help
Andrew Watson
Andrew Watson

A school in England recently posted its educational philosophy on...

How Hard Should Students Think?
Andrew Watson
Andrew Watson

Researchers typically work by isolating variables. If a research team...

We Should Teach Introverts Differently (Or, Should We?)
Andrew Watson
Andrew Watson

As we strive to make classrooms helpful for all our...

Shift: Managing Your Emotions—So They Don’t Manage You by Ethan Kross
Erik Jahner, PhD
Erik Jahner, PhD

Emotions move quickly—often faster than our awareness of them. In...

Online Discussion Boards: Beyond “All the Research Shows…”
Andrew Watson
Andrew Watson

If your school uses a learning management system -- Canvas,...

The Emperor’s New School — or, the Future of Education?
Andrew Watson
Andrew Watson

Here's my pitch for you: I can run a school...

Building Better Concept Maps
Andrew Watson
Andrew Watson

Teachers regularly hear that "concept maps help students learn." While...

When Retrieval Practice Backfires (and When It Doesn’t)
Andrew Watson
Andrew Watson

If you've heard about retrieval practice, you've probably heard this...

Beyond the Science of Reading by Natalie Wexler
Erik Jahner, PhD
Erik Jahner, PhD

There is something almost combustible about stepping into the reading...

Why Cognitive Science in Education Feels Fragmented—and How Self-Efficacy Helps
Andrew Watson
Andrew Watson

I've got good news: cognitive psychology has SO MANY practical...

Book Review: “Mental Models” and “Just Tell Them”
Guest Post

Today's book review is by Dr. Rob McEntarffer “Without… mental...

Rows vs. Pods: What Seating Research Says (and Doesn’t Say)
Andrew Watson
Andrew Watson

I spoke recently with an AWESOME group of primary school...

Speaking, Writing, and Learning: What the “Production Effect” Can—and Can’t—Do
Andrew Watson
Andrew Watson

A colleague recently asked me this thoughtful question: I've seen...

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