Dopamine is a key neurotransmitter in the brain. It’s involved in essential functions such as movement, motivation, and learning . It’s often referred to as the “pleasure neurotransmitter” because it’s so prevalent in reward systems: those that drive us to repeat things that make us feel good. But its function goes much further: it also influences how we make […] … learn more→
Blog Archives
Rewarding is not the same as motivating: how dopamine works in learning
Does artificial intelligence help students with learning difficulties?
In class, we’re supposed to read aloud. But when we look at the page, the letters seem to be dancing. The words blur together, and each sentence seems like a slog. We sit down to study at home: we try to concentrate, but our minds jump from one thing to another as if it were […] … learn more→
How to combat ageism with educational networks for young people and adults
The film “Plan 75” presents a dystopia about a hypothetical Japanese government proposal that would allow those over 75 to end their lives with “logistical and financial” support, thereby reversing the aging of the population. The elderly are seen as a useless burden . Ageism is discrimination based on age. The term was coined by American gerontologist Robert Butler in 1969. No one […] … learn more→
Algebra is more than alphabet soup – it’s the language of algorithms and relationships
You scrambled up a Rubik’s cube, and now you want to put it back in order. What sequence of moves should you make? Surprise: You can answer this question with modern algebra. Most folks who have been through high school mathematics courses will have taken a class called algebra – maybe even a sequence of classes called […] … learn more→
In high school, mobilizing ancient thought to understand the environmental crisis
Drawing on ancient myths and concepts, the Philia project helps high school students think from a different perspective about the links between human societies and their environment, in order to better tackle the ecological crisis. “In the beginning was Chaos, then the Earth with its broad sides, a secure foundation forever offered to all living […] … learn more→
How parents can help their kids avoid the negative effects of Standardized Testing
Every adult remembers what their SATs and ACTs were like. For many, the days leading up to the tests felt like something straight out of a nightmare. Even now, not much has changed. So many students struggle with the heavy side serving of stress, anxiety, and pressure that these tests usually come with. So, how […] … learn more→
Can learning cursive help kids read better? Some policymakers think it’s worth a try
Recently, my 8-year-old son received a birthday card from his grandmother. He opened the card, looked at it and said, “I can’t read cursive yet.” Then he handed it to me to read. If you have a child in the Philadelphia School District, chances are they have not been taught how to read or write […] … learn more→
The future of Classroom design: Flexible seating trends
Do you find the traditional classroom arrangement with its rigid desk rows and matching chairs monotonous? Well, you’re not alone! The education world is undergoing significant changes in the design of learning spaces. The era of students sitting silently in hard chairs for lengthy periods has ended. Modern classroom design trends focus on flexible and […] … learn more→
Is a faith-based charter school a threat to religious freedom, or a necessity to uphold it? The weighty decision lies with the Supreme Court
As demonstrators gathered outside, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments on April 30, 2025, about whether Oklahoma can operate the nation’s first faith-based charter school. St. Isidore of Seville would be a virtual, K-12 school run by the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Oklahoma City and the Diocese of Tulsa. Charters are typically public schools of choice, funded by taxpayer […] … learn more→
Trump seeks to reshape how schools discipline students
The Trump administration is trying to reshape how schools discipline students – and alter the federal government’s role in the process. On April 23, 2025, President Donald Trump issued an executive order suggesting schools have been using racially discriminatory discipline policies. It sets in motion new federal guidance that would reverse policies supported by the Obama and […] … learn more→