Children flourish when they learn in nature. It can improve their health, attention capacity and social skills. The enriching experience of outdoor learning can also lead to significant improvements in children’s mood and wellbeing, which last through the academic year. However, teachers are not leading outdoor learning as much as they would like. In a 2018 survey conducted by Semble (formerly Project Dirt), […] … learn more→
Blog Archives
How children at urban schools can benefit from learning in nature
Small-group learning can mitigate the effects of school closures – but only if teachers use it well
Schools aren’t just where kids go to learn reading, math, science and history. The social skills they learn – like how to build and maintain relationships with peers – are also critical. This is particularly true as schools grapple with the aftereffects of school closures due to the COVID-19 pandemic. As an education researcher, I have dedicated my career to understanding […] … learn more→
You actually can teach an old dog new tricks, which is why many of us keep learning after retirement
Lorna Prendergast was 90 years old when she graduated with a master’s degree from the University of Melbourne in 2019. She said her message to others was, “You’re never too old to dream.” Nor, obviously, too old to learn. In the same year 94-year-old David Bottomley became the oldest person in Australia to graduate with a PhD from […] … learn more→
What’s missing from English literature at school – emotion
Reading fiction is an emotional experience. Feeling emotions – even negative emotions such as sadness – drives reading and helps us enjoy books. Research from the National Literacy Trust, a UK charity, has found that nearly 45% of children and young people said that reading made them feel better. The emotions we feel when reading may even help us […] … learn more→
Learning to read starts earlier than you might think: five tips from an expert
Learning to read does not begin when a child puzzles over the words in a book for the first time. In the early weeks of their lives and even before birth, babies are skilfully processing important information about the sounds they hear. They are attuning to tones, patterns of language and distinguishing their own familiar adults’ voices. Making […] … learn more→
Stereotypes about girls dissuade many from careers in computer science
Stereotypes about what boys and girls supposedly like aren’t hard to find. Toy advertisements send signals that science and electronic toys are intended for boys rather than girls. Computer scientists and engineers on television shows and movies are often white men, like the guys on “The Big Bang Theory.” Policymakers, teachers and parents sometimes subscribe to these stereotypes, too. They […] … learn more→
Little red children and ‘Grandpa Xi’: China’s school textbooks reflect the rise of Xi Jinping’s personality cult
When students in China returned to classrooms in September 2021, they were provided with a new series of textbooks outlining China’s president Xi Jinping, or “Grandpa Xi’s”, political philosophy. Each textbook on “Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for the New Era”, as Xi’s political philosophy is officially called, is tailored to students at primary, secondary, […] … learn more→
Art illuminates the beauty of science – and could inspire the next generation of scientists young and old
Scientists have often invited the public to see what they see, using everything from engraved woodblocks to electron microscopes to explore the complexity of the scientific enterprise and the beauty of life. Sharing these visions through illustrations, photography and videos has allowed laypeople to explore a range of discoveries, from new bird species to the inner workings of the human cell. […] … learn more→
5 ways online tutor can help you with your general chemistry class
Out of all subjects students come across during their studies, chemistry seems to be the most dreadful. Studying the different elements and compounds from the periodic table and their chemical reactions can be challenging, so learners often seek aid from chemistry experts to help them understand this subject better. Generally, chemistry is used by everyone […] … learn more→
Algorithms can decide your marks, your work prospects and your financial security. How do you know they’re fair?
Algorithms are becoming commonplace. They can determine employment prospects, financial security and more. The use of algorithms can be controversial – for example, robodebt, as the Australian government’s flawed online welfare compliance system came to be known. Algorithms are increasingly being used to make decisions that have a lasting impact on our current and future lives. Some of […] … learn more→
