FABBS reports on items of interest to many communities – scientists, policymakers, and the public. In our news, you will see updates on science funding and policy, articles that translate research for policy, and descriptions of the research contributions of scientists at all stages of their research careers.
Do Video Games Improve Learning?
There’s no question that video games are popular – they rack up more than $100 billion in sales every year – but can they improve student learning? Electronic games are everywhere in children’s lives, not only on home computers and smartphones, but increasingly in schools. Gaming enthusiasts like well-known researchers Jane McGonigal and James Gee have called for educators to leverage the popularity of gaming to revolutionize schooling. Children could learn more and more efficiently
read moreWant to Teach Critical Thinking? Forget Rote Learning
Gone are the days when school was only about “the three R’s”- reading, writing, and ‘rithmetic. Critical thinking is now a central educational goal, from the Common Core State Standards to employers’ demands for the future workforce. But students are apparently falling short of that goal.
According to a test viewed as the “Nation’s Report Card,” a third of America’s fourth graders fail to comprehend what they read or are unable to provide supporting evidence for their
read moreTeachers’ Beliefs Affect Whether Students Meet Learning Standards
When legislators make education policy, the decision-making process sometimes leaves out a surprising group of stakeholders – teachers. For decades, teachers have complained that policies too often ignore their expertise, and there may be another problem with excluding them: even the clearest standards and best instructional strategies won’t help students if teachers don’t believe in them. Teachers’ beliefs about learning affect what they do in the classroom, including whether they use
read moreNSF Reauthorization Bill Advances in Senate
The long-awaited Senate bill to reauthorize programs at the National Science Foundation and other science agencies was released in late June and greeted with cautious enthusiasm by the science and higher education communities.
S.3084, the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act
reaffirms NSF’s merit-based peer review process;
reduces administrative burdens on researchers;
addresses broadening participation of women and minorities in STEM;
and directs the Office of