Neural Networking

Learning rewires the brainBrain cells actually change shape as we learn. It’s one way we cement new knowledge. And much of the action happens as we sleep.

Learning science : Actively recalling information from memory beats elaborate study methods

Research findings by Jeffrey D. Karpicke, a Purdue assistant professor of psychological sciences who studies learning and memory, show that the time students invest in rereading or reviewing their notes would be better spent practicing retrieval, such as self-testing, to ensure better learning.

Credit: Purdue University photo/Andrew Hancock

Mistakes: A key to learningThis man uses a robotic arm to move a cursor across a computer screen. The screen blocks his view of his hand and arm. This focuses his attention on any errors he makes as he tries to move a cursor to a target location.

Boost Your Memory By Learning From Your MistakesMaking mistakes are the best way to memorize the right answer, as long as you're not blindly guessing.

How tests and wrong answers help us remember what we learnTeachers give tests to find out what their students know. But tests do a lot more than that and can have a powerful effect on what a student remembers. In a typical research study looking at the links…

Why Mistakes Matter in Creating A Path For LearningAmerican educators love to emphasize correct procedure, but cognitive science says that students learn better when you focus on their mistakes.