Tag: school and education

Turning around boy culture in the classroom

Dominant cultural norms result in boys doing worse than girls in school, according to new Swedish doctoral research. But it's possible to turn it around, says the researcher.

Should teens’ school day start later?

A longer morning in bed can make teens more attentive in school. "We should shift the start of the morning for them," says one Swedish sleep researcher.

Diagnoses often blamed when kids struggle at school

ADHD and Asperger’s are sometimes used as explanations when a pupil has troubles at school. When the focus in on an individual child’s psyche, problems needing attention in the social environment might be overlooked.

Students’ reading improves with longer school days

Longer school days where teachers are free to plan extra sessions can improve students’ reading skills.

Tablets help students write faster – but is that better?

If they need to remember what they write, pencils work better. So what is really best?

Teaching about religions tends to be condescending

A Swedish study finds that in high school religious education courses both teachers and pupils often suggest that religions are unnecessary for modern people.

Building the best police force

Recruiters should consider personality over problem solving when looking for top police officer candidates, a Swedish study suggests.

Wrong type of praise can be demotivating

Positive feedback can cause stress and influence performance negatively, shows Swedish study.

Still text-based in the classroom

Text is still the dominant feature in primary school teaching, while visual media are less utilised, according to a Swedish study.

Swedish pupils fend for themselves

The joy of learning and kids’ inner motivation are not being given enough emphasis in Swedish compulsory elementary and secondary schools, according to a recent study.

Swedish teens now toe the line

The behaviour of Swedish 15-year-olds has improved since the mid-1990s – they're less likely now to skip school, steal or drink than they were in the past.

Neurotic and anxious students do better in school

Students who are motivated by a fear of failure need help – even when their grades are excellent. This kind of motivation will lead to stress and poorer mental health.

Computer games can improve teaching in schools

Computer games add challenges and a competitive element to school teaching and that can improve the learning experience for the pupils, provided that the teachers join in the fun.

Technological illiteracy can hurt patients and schoolchildren

New technology can cause more harm than good in schools and hospitals if teachers and nurses don’t fully know how to use it.

Big differences in Finnish and Norwegian teacher education

Finnish schools are frequently ranked as the best in the world, well ahead of their Nordic neighbors, despite cultural similarities. But Finland's secret and Norway's scourge may lie in each country's educational policy making.

Children who walk to school concentrate better

Children who walk or cycle to school rather than being driven by their parents have an increased power of concentration, and the effect of this ‘exercise’ lasts all morning.

Money won’t buy freedom from social inheritance

Children of social security recipients go on the dole; children of high school teachers go to university. But giving more money to socially disadvantaged families is not the solution.

Here’s tomorrow’s science classroom

Scientists are testing a new teaching concept to rekindle shoolchildren’s interest in science.

Poor classroom acoustics drive teachers away

Classroom acoustics play an important part in determining a school teacher’s job satisfaction. Poor acoustics can make them consider leaving their job.