Virtual Learning vs. Active Learning
Public school students from K-12 will experience a multitude of negative effects of the pandemic far beyond this year and the next. Aside from learning loss, many students are suffering social and psychological damage from school closures. Children who suffered...“Happy Father’s Day?” Whose Father?
And now, for something completely different! We await the consequences of the virus for American education. How will schools across the country reopen in the fall? In a past post, I’ve suggested that school closures...Opportunity from Adversity
In the midst of the Covid 19 pandemic, the fabric of American life is changing. Schools across the nation are closed, some for the remainder of this academic year. As more states and districts shut down in response to the outbreak of the novel coronavirus, the...Why Are U.S. Schools Still Using Everyday Math?
The Everyday Mathematics Program is widely used in American schools. It is based on a constructivist approach to math. To understand the difference between traditional math instruction and constructivism, consider the following: In a traditional math class, the...Learning from Home during School Closures: A Special Message
Some schools have directed teachers to provide several weeks of learning materials. The keys to successful learning include motivation and consistency. Whether your student has teacher-designed “learning activity packets,” or parent-directed...Study Skill: Dual Coding Explained
Dual coding is the process of combining text and images when studying. Dual coding theory has its roots in the practical use of imagery as a memory aid 2500 years ago. The memory emphasis evolved into broader applications of imagery aimed at accelerating the...High Expectations: “Tough” Teachers Benefit Students
Grade inflation is very prevalent. Because grades provided by teachers are highly subjective, comparing grade point averages (GPA’s) whether from...Active Learning Strategy: Writing vs. Typing
Handwriting notes is an effective strategy for knowledge retention because writing is a cognitive process. It is one of the strategies of active learning because it engages the brain to maximize understanding and retention. Eschewing high tech methods of...More Caveats about Screen Time
In a previous blog (November 2019), I provided a brief summary of the consequences of screen time for children. Additional research by the American Academy of Pediatrics demonstrates the alarming effects that smartphones, tablets, computers, and other devices have on...