ICYMI: Most read by educators

Research links gesturing, learning

Instruction using gestures — whether performed by a live teacher or digital avatar — may improve student learning, according to research by Susan Wagner Cook at the University of Iowa. Other studies on the topic of “embodied cognition” have yielded similar results.

Full Story: The Hechinger Report

Report: 7 lessons for blended learning

Seven key practices may help schools operate successful blended-learning programs, according to a report about takeaways from the 2017 Blended and Personalized Learning Conference. Practices include going slow to go fast and increasing student agency.

Full Story: eSchool News (free registration)

Strategies to build students’ academic courage

Introducing students to the concept of differentiated courage can be transformational, asserts Ron Berger, chief academic adviser at the Springfield Renaissance School in Massachusetts. In this blog post, he explains the concept and how to incorporate it into teaching and learning.

Full Story: Edutopia online

Education Dept. takes action on special-education policy

In response to an executive order “to alleviate unnecessary regulatory burdens,” the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services said it has “a total of 72 guidance documents that have been rescinded due to being outdated, unnecessary, or ineffective.” Some advocates say it is not unusual for new administrations to take such steps.

Full Story: The Washington Post (tiered subscription model)

How effective is brain training?

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University and the Kennedy Krieger Institute compared two common methods used to improve memory and attention. One approach yielded 30% better results in working memory than the other, but neither approach yielded gains in overall intelligence.

Full Story: National Public Radio

Teresa Donnellan is an editorial assistant at SmartBrief.

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This “most read” feature reflects the most read items in ASCD SmartBrief from the previous week. Sign up for ASCD SmartBrief to get news like this in your inbox, or check out all of SmartBrief’s education newsletters, covering career and technical education, educational leadership, math education and more.