Brain science supports movement, recess in school
Movement and exercise can help transform the brain and improve student learning, according to neuroscientist Wendy Suzuki. She says research shows that recess and movement breaks can nurture deeper learning and boost students’ attention, focus and mood.
Full Story: KQED-TV/FM (San Francisco)
How educators can help motivate students
Teachers can use situated motivation theory to boost student engagement and motivation to learn, panelists said at the recent EduCon Conference in Philadelphia. The panelists shared four components of this theory, including choice, challenge, collaboration and control.
Full Story: KQED-TV/FM (San Francisco)
Relationship is key to personalized learning gains
Positive relationships with students is the key to successful personalized learning, according to Rick Robins, superintendent of Juab School District in Utah. Robins outlines the elements of this approach — including technology adoption and a competency-referenced grading system — and how it moved graduation rates from 78% in 2009 to 97% over the past three years.
Full Story: The Hechinger Report
Study considers bias in teachers’ evaluations
Systems for evaluating teachers may be skewed against teachers of color, according to a study in Michigan that found that a greater number of African American and Hispanic teachers received poor ratings. While 3% of teachers in Michigan were rated ineffective, teachers of color were 50% more likely to receive low ratings than their white peers in the same school.
Full Story: Education Week (tiered subscription model)
Ways to boost equity in early learning
Educators can help drive equity in early learning by supporting rigorous and developmentally appropriate practices across the board, writes Vincent Costanza, superintendent in residence at Teaching Strategies. Costanza says that includes teaching social and emotional learning skills — such as emotional intelligence and negotiation — that students need to be successful later in life.
Full Story: The Hechinger Report
Audrey Altmann is an editorial assistant at SmartBrief.
____________________________________
This “most read” feature reflects the most read items in ASCD SmartBrief from the previous week. Sign up for ASCD SmartBrief to get news like this in your inbox, or check out all of SmartBrief’s education newsletters, covering career and technical education, educational leadership, math education and more.