Researchers from the Medical Research Council (MRC) Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit at the University of Cambridge are using machine learning to categorize learning difficulties in struggling students. Their data suggests that grouping students according to broad categories like ADHD and autism can be inaccurate and unhelpful when it comes to improving learning outcomes for… Read More

We don’t need research to tell us sleep is important—we can feel it the day after a restless night or when we’ve reached our energy peak at the end of the work day. But how much is the right amount for optimal cognitive performance? What benefits, other than feeling sharp and alert, can the right… Read More

As of the last major literature review in 2008, there’s still very little evidence that people learn best when information is processed according to their purported “learning style.” Individuals may have preferred thinking styles, says cognitive psychologist Daniel Willingham, but these don’t serve them when the processing method (e.g. visual) doesn’t match up to the… Read More

“Predictive coding is as important to neuroscience as evolution is to biology.” —Lars Muckli, neurophysiologist, University of Glasgow A few days ago, I was sitting at my desk working when I felt something cold touch my bare foot. Since I knew a cat was in the room, and the sensation felt just like a cat’s… Read More

Authentic learning is a term used to describe instructional strategies that are designed to connect the subjects students are taught in school and university to the real world. Authentic learning experiences help students understand the relevance of what they’re learning and how they can apply their skills in the professional world. Rather than discussing hypothetical… Read More

We’ve all heard about memory strategies like spaced repetition and retrieval practice, but what else is there? Actually, neuroscientists are discovering some pretty exciting things about the way memory works, and as always, we’re here to share their research with you. Here are five ways to improve your memory based on the latest findings: 1…. Read More