More and more we reach out to the web to get answers to our questions about the world. When we’re seeking to understand why oil spills, financial crises, and other major events take place, it seems natural to go to the internet for the latest analyses and reporting. The desire to get a grip on … [Read more...] about How to Learn from the Internet
A Simple Way to Make Good Decisions
Figuring out how to make good decisions can be hairy. It's not always easy to get past your uncertainty and make a tough choice. So, how do you do it? Some suggest that you “go with your gut,” acting quickly and instinctively. Others suggest analytical approaches that may involve computation … [Read more...] about A Simple Way to Make Good Decisions
A Scientific Reasoning Strategy to Make Everyday Discoveries
We humans like to think we understand the world pretty well. It gives us a fair amount of comfort to think our beliefs about how things work are spot on. When our human-made devices, our friends, or other bits of the natural world don’t behave as we anticipate, it’s all too common to write off … [Read more...] about A Scientific Reasoning Strategy to Make Everyday Discoveries
Study Strategies for Multimedia Learning Environments
Interactive, multimedia learning environments provide far more stimulation than traditional textbooks. Images, video, and links to extra material can enthrall and overwhelm, but do all those extras really lead to enhanced learning? Initial research has indicated somewhat disappointing results … [Read more...] about Study Strategies for Multimedia Learning Environments
Regaining the Brain Flexibility of Your Childhood
Kids have fantastic brain flexibility. They absorb volumes of new material effortlessly and adapt flexibly to changing conditions. Their brains start out with high plasticity. As they develop and amass patterns of information, their brains tend to crystallize. The aging brain has vast stores … [Read more...] about Regaining the Brain Flexibility of Your Childhood
Language of Stereotypes
Hearing generic language to describe a category of people, such as “boys have short hair,” can lead children to endorse a range of other stereotypes about the category, a study by researchers at New York University and Princeton University has found. Their research, which appears in … [Read more...] about Language of Stereotypes