Blog Archives

An American flag, a pencil sharpener − and the 10 Commandments: Louisiana’s new bill to mandate biblical displays in classrooms is the latest to push limits of religion in public schools

An American flag, a pencil sharpener − and the 10 Commandments: Louisiana’s new bill to mandate biblical displays in classrooms is the latest to push limits of religion in public schools

Louisiana is not a stranger to controversy over religion in schools. In 2023, it joined almost 20 states that require or allow officials in public schools to post the national motto, “In God We Trust.” Now, the Bayou State could become the first in the nation to require the posting of the Ten Commandments in classrooms in public schools, […] … learn more→

Hydration is really important for learning. How much do kids need to drink?

Hydration is really important for learning. How much do kids need to drink?

Last month, Ballarat Clarendon College began a trial to ban water bottles in the classroom for students in Years 5 to 9. According to the school, “early feedback” indicated it had reduced noise and bathroom breaks during class time. Along with becoming a status symbol and fashion item, water bottles are now considered essential for school. So how much water do children […] … learn more→

Are bilinguals better at math?

Are bilinguals better at math?

Bilingualism can impact cognitive functioning , including executive functions such as logic, strategizing, planning, problem solving, and reasoning. Associated with the prefrontal areas of the brain, these allow the management of our social behaviors, the adaptation to new situations and the regulation of our emotions. Executive functions therefore allow us, on a daily basis, to manage situations that […] … learn more→

‘It’s between us and gangs’: teachers are on the front line against youth violence

‘It’s between us and gangs’: teachers are on the front line against youth violence

Gang violence and knife crime threaten the lives and future of young people. Figures from the Office of National Statistics show that in London, knife crime increased by 22% in the year up to September 2023. County line gangs have capitalised on reductions in youth services, such as cuts to funding for after school clubs, to recruit an increasing […] … learn more→

Using AI in the classroom to recommend exercises to students: what is the benefit, what are the biases?

Using AI in the classroom to recommend exercises to students: what is the benefit, what are the biases?

Since the 1950s, computer-assisted instruction and then intelligent tutoring systems have helped improve learning experiences. Today, the rapid emergence of artificial intelligence (AI) opens up new perspectives, affirming the growing role of digital technology in education, as in other sectors. The arrival of generative AI , accessible to the general public from the end of 2022, is […] … learn more→

How our brain learns to read: from reading mechanics to comprehension

How our brain learns to read: from reading mechanics to comprehension

Reading is determined biologically, like speech. It is the result of a complex learning process. The first signs of language could have appeared with Homo Erectus around 1.9 million years ago . Instead, the first writings date back to around 4,000 years before Jesus Christ . The brain has had almost two million years to develop the neural network […] … learn more→

New research suggests girls in single-sex schools do slightly better in exams than girls in co-ed environments

New research suggests girls in single-sex schools do slightly better in exams than girls in co-ed environments

Students at all-girls’ schools do slightly better in their exams than girls at co-educational schools, according to new research from the United Kingdom. This goes against previous studies that suggest it does not matter if students attend single-sex or co-ed schools. What is the study? This research was done by FFT Education Datalab. This is an independent research team specialising […] … learn more→

Our research shows children produce better pieces of writing by hand. But they need keyboard skills too

Our research shows children produce better pieces of writing by hand. But they need keyboard skills too

Children today are growing up surrounded by technology. So it’s easy to assume they will be able to write effectively using a keyboard. But our research suggests this is not necessarily true. We need to actively teach students to be able to type as well as write using paper and pen or pencil. Our research Our research team has […] … learn more→

Billions are spent on educational technology, but we don’t know if it works

Billions are spent on educational technology, but we don’t know if it works

During the COVID lockdowns, schools and universities worldwide relied on education technology – edtech – to keep students learning. They used online platforms to give lessons, mark work and send feedback, used apps to teach and introduced students to programs that let them work together on projects. In the aftermath of school closures, the market […] … learn more→