monitoring screen time

Strategies that Backfire: Monitoring Screen Time

Andrew Watson
by: Andrew Watson
Posted on: January 23, 2019

Paradoxically, monitoring screen time for young children increases their screen usage. A better strategy: modeling the behavior we want to see. Continue reading →

drawing benefits memory

Does Drawing a Simple Picture Benefit Memory?

Andrew Watson
by: Andrew Watson
Posted on: January 22, 2019

If a picture is worth 1000 words, how many words is drawing a picture worth? More specifically, Jeffrey Wammes & Co. have been exploring this question: is it true that drawing benefits memory? If I draw a picture of a

The Disordered Mind: What Unusual Brains Tell Us About Ourselves by Eric R. Kandel

Rebecca Gotlieb
by: Rebecca Gotlieb
Posted on: January 20, 2019

One of the most complex unsolved mysteries in science is how the brain produces consciousness.  The study of brain disorders not only helps us understand and treat those conditions; it also renders insights into questions about human consciousness, sense of

Spiders in Budapest: Deeper Understanding of the Brain

Andrew Watson
by: Andrew Watson
Posted on: January 18, 2019

“Why can I forget what the capital of Hungary is, but not that I’m afraid of spiders?” Michael S. C. Thomas kicks off his website “How The Brain Works” with this intriguing question. Dr. Thomas is a good person to

Dodging “Dodgy” Research: Strategies to Get Past Bunk

Andrew Watson
by: Andrew Watson
Posted on: January 15, 2019

If we’re going to rely on research to improve teaching — that’s why you’re here, yes? — we need to hone our skepticism skills. After all, we don’t want just any research. We want the good stuff. But, we face

highlighting

Research Summary: The Best and Worst Highlighting Strategies

Andrew Watson
by: Andrew Watson
Posted on: January 13, 2019

Does highlighting help students learn? As is so often the case, the answer is: it depends. The right kind of highlighting can help. But, the wrong kind doesn’t help. (And, might hurt.) And, most students do the wrong kind. Today’s

Let’s Have More Fun with the Correlation/Causation Muddle

Andrew Watson
by: Andrew Watson
Posted on: January 10, 2019

We’ve explored the relationship of correlation and causation before on the blog. In particular, this commentary on DeBoer’s blog notes that — while correlation doesn’t prove causation — it might be a useful first step in discovering causation. DeBoer argues

procrastination

“Wait Just a Minute!”: The Benefits of Procrastination?

Andrew Watson
by: Andrew Watson
Posted on: January 8, 2019

“A year from now, you’ll wish you had started today.” This quotation, attributed to Karen Lamb, warns us about the dangers of procrastination. Presumably our students would propose a slightly modified version: “The night before the test, I’ll wish I

grades and motivation

True/False: Grades Motivate Students to Study Better?

Andrew Watson
by: Andrew Watson
Posted on: January 5, 2019

The following story is true. (The names have been left out because I’ve forgotten them.) When I attended graduate school in education, I handed in my first essay with some trepidation, and lots of excitement. Like my classmates, I had

Physics and Engineering: My New Year’s Resolution

Andrew Watson
by: Andrew Watson
Posted on: January 1, 2019

  Over on Twitter, @DylanWilliam wrote: “[P]hysics tells you about the properties of materials but it’s the engineer who designs the bridge. Similarly, psychology tells us about how our brains work, but it’s teachers who craft instruction.” In other words,