What is the best way to get students to do Retrieval Practice? Is it through Cold-Calling, mini whiteboards or Think, Pair, Share? We explored the pros and cons of each of these in a previous blog, but really wanted to dig into the research on this. Here is what we found ..read more

Your high-achieving students' successes are definitely cause for celebration, but what can easily go unseen is the intricate web of challenges and pressures that come with those achievements. This blog aims to peel back the curtain, using research to explore the specific obstacles high achievers face, and the stress management techniques that can hopefully help relieve some of that pressure. Read on to learn more about: The stress of being a high-achiever What the research says How high achievers deal with stress How to support high-achieving students ..read more

Assessment of students’ learning is an integral part of school life, but did you know about assessment for learning? It has emerged as a pivotal strategy that allows to not only monitor student progress but also significantly contribute to the learning process itself. But what exactly is assessment for learning, and why does it matter so much in education today? Read on to learn more about: What assessment for learning is The benefits assessment for learning The challenges of assessment for learning ..read more

Wouldn’t it be good if a recently released study was able to capture exactly what students focus on when they look at your PowerPoint presentations? That way, we would be able to see what they pay attention to and get an indication of their levels of cognitive overload. Good news: This study exists. Not all PowerPoint presentations are created equal, and their effectiveness can significantly vary depending on how they're designed and used. Recent research suggests that some slide designs can be so overwhelming for students that they barely absorb any information from them at all. So, read on ..read more

Ever wondered how young children develop their sense of self? How they learn to understand what they read, and express their ideas in writing? How they develop abstract knowledge of mathematical concepts? Deans For Impact explored these questions and more in their latest publication, The Science of Early Learning, which investigates how young children acquire vital skills such as self-awareness, literacy and numeracy. So, let’s unpack the key findings of this report and the insights it gives into how children develop control over their own behaviour, learn to read and write proficiently ..read more

As students prepare for exams, it is no surprise that test anxiety creeps in. The pressure to perform well and the fear of failure can turn the whole experience into a daunting challenge. In response to this challenge, teachers are constantly seeking effective strategies to support students in their exam preparation. One such strategy that has been gaining attention: practice testing. Keep reading to uncover the true power of Practice Testing (not only as an effective learning strategy but also as a means to address exam-related stress) and learn more about: What is practice testing? What is ..read more

Retrieval Practice is widely used in classrooms. With good reason. The evidence that retrieving information can ingrain information and cement it into long-term memoryis firmly established. Now, we can move on to the nuance. The detail. The application. Let’s start off with a specific type of Retrieval Practice known as “Free Recall ..read more

We’re living in exciting times, with more and more educators seeking out evidence-informed practices to elevate their teaching and enhance their students’ learning experience and outcomes. But this journey isn’t without its obstacles. Once you’ve managed to find relevant research, get past paywalls and understand what all the psych jargon means, you still need to reckon with the cognitive biases that influence our decision making, ability to identify reliable sources, and even the very research findings we’re looking at. Unravelling and acknowledging these biases is key when engaging with res ..read more

How do we best help our students become better independent learners? For this, one of the key concepts we need to familiarise them with is Desirable Difficulties. But what exactly are Desirable Difficulties? How can students effectively use them when studying independently? And how do you facilitate this process? Read on to find out more about What the research says about Desirable Difficulties The pros and cons of Desirable Difficulties 4 ways to help students incorporate Desirable Difficulties ..read more

Teachers are constantly looking for ways to engage students and enhance their learning. One simple but powerful tool to do so: effective questioning. This teaching strategy holds potential in transforming our classrooms into spaces where students are cognitively engaged and thinking hard and critically about the concept. It also allows us to regularly check for understanding. So, read on to learn more about: What effective questioning is How to use effective questioning in your classroom Common misconceptions surrounding effective questioning ..read more