In South Africa, university students who come from low-income households in rural areas are at a disadvantage. Having generally attended poorly resourced schools, they’re not well resourced or prepared to participate in the processes of making and sharing knowledge at tertiary education level. When they enter universities, they tend to have lower English language proficiency than […] … learn more→
Blog Archives
We asked university students to tell their own stories in photos: here’s why
Teaching children digital literacy skills helps them navigate and respond to misinformation
As we all head back to school during a global pandemic, it’s a good time to ask whether students are learning the skills they need to keep themselves and their communities safe. Over the last decade, scholars, policy makers and citizens have been concerned about whether young people had the key skills they needed to […] … learn more→
School: national assessments, is it the right time?
Are the young classes of our “learning nation” condemned to come and bang their heads on the “chestnut tree” of evaluation? As for the Covid-19, it may seem essential to “test”. But as with Covid-19, the cardinal question is who to test, and when. What is at stake is the benefit expected from the test. Between September 14 […] … learn more→
Few US students ever repeat a grade but that could change due to COVID-19
With in-person instruction becoming the exception rather than the norm, 54% of parents with school-age children expressed concern that their children could fall behind academically, according to a poll conducted over the summer of 2020. Initial projections from the Northwest Evaluation Association, which conducts research and creates commonly used standardized tests, suggest that these fears are well-grounded, especially […] … learn more→
‘Pandemic pods’ may undermine promises of public education
With schools reopening after COVID-19 closures, concerns about the safety and certainty of public schooling have driven some parents to consider alternatives to sending kids back to brick-and-mortar classrooms. One option making headlines is the formation of “learning pods” also known as “pandemic pods.” Pandemic pods are small groups of children from different families who learn together outside of […] … learn more→
Have students evaluate lessons: a test for teachers?
An airport, in the boarding hall. At the exit of the toilets, in front of me, a small white box, a little worn, invites me to appreciate my user experience. Three options, no more, represented by three icons of different colors. I look at this box and I find myself thinking of the denunciation of the spirit of […] … learn more→
The course begins: how to return to the classroom without fear
Far back this year has been the return to “school” characterized by the nerves of the students to see their classmates, the illusion of brand new backpack, enjoy the smell of a new book or the adrenaline of the beginning of a new educational stage. The current scenario poses an unusual turn, in which it […] … learn more→
8 tips to support Grade 1 readers at home
Learning to read is one of the most important skills and strongest predictors of success. Studies show that children who develop strong reading skills are more successful in school, more likely go to university and more likely to achieve a high quality of life. Teaching children how to read is primarily a teacher’s job, but parents play a valuable role. Reading for […] … learn more→
Note-taking by hand: A powerful tool to support memory
Do you pick up any old notebook and pen when you need them, or do you have a thing for Moleskines or Montblancs? Whether or not you’re picky, know that tools for the hands are tools for the brain. Handwritten notes are a powerful tool for encrypting embodied cognition and in turn supporting the brain’s capacity for retrieval of information. […] … learn more→
The risk of contagion of COVID-19 in the classrooms: the importance of ventilation
In recent weeks, the incidence of COVID-19 in Spain has increased . In addition, recent scientific evidence shows that minors seem to be infected between a third and a half than adults and that if they are older than 10 years, they are just as contagious as adults . Given this situation, the concern of families and teachers about planning to return to classrooms in […] … learn more→