Is motivation the job of a teacher?

"To be blunt, a teacher is not responsible for motivating students; a great teacher models self-motivation." ... [more]

Engineering Starts Early

Engineering is catching on in elementary schools, reports the New York Times.

Supporters say that engineering reinforces math and science skills, promotes critical thinking and creativity, and teaches students not to be afraid of taking intellectual risks.

“We still hear ... [more]

Why Cosines?

Why Do We Learn About Cosine Functions? asks Forrest Hinton on The Quick and the Ed. I’ve waited more than 40 years for the answer — which he has not got. Hinton flashes back to his Algebra III classroom in ... [more]

Research about principals

The Kinds Of Knowledge Principals Use

School principals are a contributing factor to school success, so it's important to understand the kinds of knowledge that principals need and how they use that knowledge. A recent issue of the International Journal of Education Policy & Leadership highlights a study of how principals think through challenges. The study analyzes the types of knowledge principals use when problem-solving and suggests how preparation programs might be adjusted to better help principals meet the demands of their work.
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Who's Teaching Our Children

Researchers found a few surprises when they went through the past 20 years of demographic data from the Schools and Staffing Survey. Surprisingly, some of the most dramatic changes in the teaching force have gone largely unnoticed by policymakers and the public. ... [more]