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Information about education provided online, with recent results of scientific research and useful information for teachers, parents, students and the general public. Contributing to an informed debate.

Notetaking Formats
Opinion 30.05.2025

Notetaking Formats

One of the most common metaphors to describe what the first few years of medical school is like is that it is like drinking water from a fire hose. There is an overwhelming amount of information that students need to learn, and need to learn fast. One of the areas that I help medical students with is in improving their notetaking to help them manage the “fire hose” of information.


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The Key to Motivating Students--and Maybe Everyone Else Too
Opinion 28.02.2025

The Key to Motivating Students--and Maybe Everyone Else Too

Students won’t learn unless they’re motivated. But the best way to motivate them is to enable them to experience achievement.


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To Boost Learning, Weave Writing Activities Into Regular Instruction
Opinion 31.01.2025

To Boost Learning, Weave Writing Activities Into Regular Instruction

Weaving explicit writing instruction into class discussion can maximize the benefits of any content-rich curriculum—and help students become proficient writers.


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Want Students to Be Good Speakers? Teach Them to Write
Opinion 12.12.2024

Want Students to Be Good Speakers? Teach Them to Write

A push for "oracy" in England points up connections between writing and oral language

Thinking is Hard
Opinion 22.11.2024

Thinking is Hard

Thinking is hard. As someone whose career is more or less based on thinking thoughts, and communicating those thoughts effectively, I have a love-hate relationship with thinking.


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Do two weeks of instruction time matter?
Opinion 21.03.2024 Reading time: 4 min

Do two weeks of instruction time matter?

In Madrid, public schools cut two weeks from their school year without altering the syllabus. We examined student test scores before and after this change and compared them with private schools, which didn't experience this shift.

Dramatic new evidence that building knowledge can boost comprehension and close gaps
Opinion 22.06.2023 Reading time: 6 min

Dramatic new evidence that building knowledge can boost comprehension and close gaps

Building students’ general knowledge can lead to dramatic long-term improvements in reading comprehension, a new study suggests—casting serious doubt on standard teaching approaches.


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The gift of gifted children
Opinion 24.05.2023 Reading time: 6 min

The gift of gifted children

When discussing education systems, the focus is usually on low-performing students. Often the reasons for a low performance are linked to the students’ disadvantaged socioeconomical or immigrant background: youngsters who struggle with their shortcomings, their motivation to learn and even to be at school. The other end of the spectrum is discussed less frequently.


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Shower some love on the sentence
Opinion 09.12.2022 Reading time: 6 min

Shower some love on the sentence

When students can’t understand what they’re reading, it may be because they’re unfamiliar with the complex syntax of written sentences. Teaching them how to write complex sentences about what they’re learning can help.

When language prevents kids from succeeding at math
Opinion 22.09.2022 Reading time: 6 min

When language prevents kids from succeeding at math

Students who don’t read well or lack crucial vocabulary often face unnecessary obstacles — not just in reading but also in math. Why is that?


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Five ways our intuition can mislead us about learning
Opinion 13.07.2022 Reading time: 5 min

Five ways our intuition can mislead us about learning

Our perceptions about what’s working in the learning process often conflict with scientific findings. That can make it harder for teachers and students to be successful.


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What are the future reading challenges for Covid-era babies?
Opinion 23.06.2022 Reading time: 5 min

What are the future reading challenges for Covid-era babies?

We know the pandemic has had a serious negative impact on the academic achievement of school-age children. But recent evidence shows we also need to worry about Covid-era babies and toddlers.


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