George Lucas Educational Foundation
Edutopia

Brain-Based Learning

Explore the mysteries of the human brain! Find out how discoveries in neuroscience provide insights into how students learn -- and how to engage them in the classroom.

  • New Studies Link the Arts to Crucial Cognitive Skills

    What happens to our brains ‘on art’? New studies—often backed by brain imaging technology—are beginning to dial in on the answers.

  • What Brain Science Teaches Us About Conflict Resolution

    When a teacher noticed her kids fighting at recess, she turned to neuroscience and mindfulness practice to help them take control of their emotions.
    Sarah Gonser

  • Making (Low-Stakes) Practice Tests More Effective

    Practice tests not only help surface gaps in knowledge—they also strengthen memory.

  • A De-escalation Exercise for Upset Students

    A simple technique that takes just a few minutes can help an agitated student regain the state of mind needed for learning.
    Daniel Vollrath

  • The Powerful Effects of Drawing on Learning

    The science is clear: Drawing beats out reading and writing to help students remember concepts.

  • Debunking the IQ-Dyslexia Myth

    Children with dyslexia who struggle to read often conclude they're not smart enough to master the materials—but the research says that's wrong.

  • 2019 Education Research Highlights

    Does doodling boost learning? Do attendance awards work? Do boys and girls process math the same way? Here’s a look at the big questions that researchers tackled this year.
    Youki Terada

  • Decoding the Teenage Brain (in 3 Charts)

    New technologies are shedding light on what really makes adolescents tick—and providing clues on how we might reach them better.
    Stephen Merrill

  • Unraveling the Myths Around Reading and Dyslexia

    Teachers are seeking new training to understand the brain science around dyslexia, the most commonly reported disability among children.
    Holly Korbey

  • Developing Executive Function With Priority Lists

    Explicitly modeling the process of prioritizing tasks builds students’ ability to organize and manage their time.

  • The Science of Drawing and Memory

    Want students to remember something? Ask them to draw it.
    Youki Terada

  • 5 Research-Backed Studying Techniques

    Teachers can guide students to avoid ineffective studying habits in favor of ones that will increase their learning outcomes.
    Edward Kang

  • What’s Executive Function—and Why Does It Matter?

    The skills that make up executive function are better predictors of success than test scores, IQ, or socioeconomic status.

  • Why Students Forget—and What You Can Do About It

    Our brains are wired to forget, but there are research-backed strategies you can use to make your teaching stick.
    Youki Terada

  • Boosting Student Memory

    Forgetting starts as soon as learning happens, but you can make your teaching stickier with these five tips.