Critical thinking is often touted as a superior way to confront the issues one faces. But what is critical thinking, really? How is it done? Can anyone do it, or are Spock-like mental abilities required? Critical thinking is sometimes talked about as a near-mystical skill that exercises ...
Learning Science
In the learning science category, we cover topics such as research on how people learn, what it means to learn well, what it takes to help students build competence and develop new skills, and ways that instruction can promote efficient, deep learning.
As with all of our writing, articles in this category are grounded in scientific research.
Read all about learning science here.
You can read all about learning science and instructional design methods under this topic. Here are 3 essential articles to get started:
What is Competence and Why is it Important?
What is Cognitive Task Analysis?
Metacognition is Knowing Your Mind
World History Videos for Kids
Looking to elevate your kids' video watchlist a smidgen? Perhaps add in some light reading to boot? A few years ago, I decided to read a kid friendly world history book to my children (aged 7 and 10 at the time), and settled on Gombrich's, "A Little History of the World." Beyond the book, I ...
How to Nurture Persistence with (the Right Kind of) Praise
Sure, you praise your kids. And they look at you with beaming little faces. Such a warm feeling, if only for a moment. But, is that all there is to praise? What’s simmering in the brain behind those sparkling eyes? It may well depend on the precise nature of the praise you ...
Motivated to Fail: When Flunking Becomes an Ambition
What is the opposite of being motivated to succeed? Well, it must be lack of motivation. Or not caring. Because surely nobody is motivated to do poorly. Or are they? A study published in the Journal of Educational Psychology shows that in fact some students purposefully behave in ...
Teach Your Teen How to Stop Procrastinating Homework (without Nagging)
“Trust me?” You send him off to school. Drive him to soccer practice. Then there’s dinner. And, you know, a little TV. Says he’s getting homework done. But there doesn’t seem to be that much. Gets it all done in school. Hmm. Trust me. Hmm. You want to trust him. You don’t have time to ...