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Research -- StepUp to Learn

Brain-Imaging Study Reveals Curiosity as it Emerges

Brain-Imaging Study Reveals Curiosity as it Emerges

In a first, researchers link subjective feelings of curiosity to the way the brain physically represents it.

Posted in Attention, Engagement, Motivation, Neuroscience

Positive vs Negative Feedback: What's Better for Motivation?

Positive vs Negative Feedback: What's Better for Motivation?

Researchers examining how feedback affects mental effort finds positive feedback boosts confidence, while negative feedback makes tasks seem harder, both boosting motivation. 

Posted in Education, Motivation, Neuroscience

Does Cognitive Control Training Really Work?

Does Cognitive Control Training Really Work?

Training exercises designed to improve cognitive control in children aim to improve their ability to delay gratification and their academic achievement. But do they really work?
Posted in Motivation, Neuroscience, School Readiness

Teachers’ Growth Mindset Appears More Important Than Warmth

Teachers’ Growth Mindset Appears More Important Than Warmth

Students tend to like friendly teachers, but they like those who believe they can improve even more, new research indicates.
Posted in Education, Engagement, Motivation

Need to Improve Focus? This One Habit Can Keep You On Task

Need to Improve Focus? This One Habit Can Keep You On Task

New research provides evidence that this simple and easily implementable change can help individuals better sustain their attention and reduce attention lapses.
Posted in Attention, Motivation

How To Get Students To Think (and Transform Your Classroom)

How To Get Students To Think (and Transform Your Classroom)

After a series of failed attempts at improving students’ problem solving in the classroom, one former teacher came up with the idea of building a ‘thinking classroom’ and a research project designed to find ways to help teachers build it.

Posted in Education, Engagement, Motivation

Research Casts Doubt on This Longtime Academic Practice

Research Casts Doubt on This Longtime Academic Practice

This longtime academic practice has no impact—positive or negative—on reading development for elementary school students.
Posted in Education, Engagement, Language, Motivation

Early Self-Regulation Boosts Children’s Educational Success

Early Self-Regulation Boosts Children’s Educational Success

Teaching children how to manage their attention and impulses in primary school had a positive long-term effect on their later educational success.
Posted in Attention, Education, Motivation, School Readiness, Social Development

How Dopamine Hacks Decision Making

How Dopamine Hacks Decision Making

New insight into how dopamine controls learning and decision-making processes.
Posted in Engagement, Motivation, Neuroscience

Whether a Task Feels ‘Easy’ or ‘Hard’ May Be Due to Dopamine

Whether a Task Feels ‘Easy’ or ‘Hard’ May Be Due to Dopamine

Why do physical efforts feel “easy” to some and exhausting to others? It may come down to the brain chemical dopamine (and why that matters).

Posted in Engagement, Motivation, Neuroscience

Stressed at School? Kids Cope Better With Exercise

Stressed at School? Kids Cope Better With Exercise

From positive associations to preventing the release of too much cortisol, learn how daily exercise boosts resiliency in kids.
Posted in Health & Wellness, Motivation, Movement & Exercise, Neuroscience, Social Development

Want to Increase Resiliency in Kids? Teach Creativity

Want to Increase Resiliency in Kids? Teach Creativity

Kids imagine themselves as different characters it builds creativity which can make them more resilient.
Posted in Education, Engagement, Health & Wellness, Motivation, Neuroscience, Social Development, Social Skills