Author: TeachThought Staff
Let’s face it. Everyone wants to learn faster. Whether you’re working with a maths tutor in Brisbane or studying on your own, your learning style matters. Many students rely on math tutors or English tutors to speed things up, but sometimes what holds them back isn’t effort — it’s misinformation. Learning myths are everywhere. And the worst part? Most sound like good advice. Let’s clear the air. Here are five common myths that slow you down — and the simple truths that can set you free. Myth #1: You’re Either Smart or You’re Not This one’s a confidence killer. The…
by TeachThought Staff Self-Directed Learning is not a new concept, but it’s often misunderstood—especially in the context of K-12 classrooms. In a prior reflection, Terry Heick explored the relationship between self-directed learning and the true purpose of education: “The goal of the model isn’t content knowledge (though it should produce that), but rather something closer to wisdom—learning how to learn, understanding what’s worth understanding, and perhaps most importantly, analyzing the purpose of learning (e.g., personal and social change). It also encourages the students to examine the relationship between study and work—an authentic ‘need to know’ with important abstractions like citizenship and…
What is social learning? Social learning theory is a behavioral theory that posits that new behaviors can be learned by observing and imitating others. It is underpinned by the idea that meaning-making (i.e., learning) is a cognitive behavior and process that occurs in social settings. And it is the possibility of future social interactions that drive a ‘need to know,’ curiosity, and general motivation to learn. In short, the idea behind social learning theory is that people learn by observing others. Who Is Responsible For The Development Of Social Learning Theory? As a ‘field’ and topic, social learning theory has…
A List Of Free MOOCs For Teachers & Students contributed by TeachThought Staff While the initial surge of enthusiasm for MOOCs in the early 2010s has tapered off, they remain a valuable and widely-used resource for lifelong learning, professional development, and academic enrichment. Let’s take a look at how and why that’s true. 1. Continued Demand for Flexible Learning MOOCs thrive because they offer flexibility—anyone can learn at their own pace, from anywhere in the world. They suit working professionals, students, and individuals who want to learn new skills without committing to full-time or formal education. Platforms like Coursera, edX,…
by TeachThought Staff Understanding how the brain actually learns has been a a scientific challenge for millennia. Based on recent advances in neuroscience and its application to learning, there is an emerging model of how the brain learns and it is unlike anything that was expected. It is suggested that the brain does not have one learning system but rather four integrated systems–each with its own unique memory pattern and accompaniments. 8 Neurosystems Of Learning Each system makes use of different cell types and processes. Before educators can embark on new pedagogies of practice that are consistent with 21st century demands, we…
by TeachThought Staff Reading is simply a sequence of symbol interpretation. By understanding that letters make sounds, we can blend those sounds together to make whole sounds that symbolize meaning we can all exchange with one another. By mastering the symbols and their most common contexts, reading becomes a practice in thought–less about decoding and more about understanding. Without getting too Platonic about it all, reading doesn’t change simply because you’re reading a text from another content area. Only sometimes it does. Science content can often by full of jargon, research citations, and odd text features. Social Studies content can…
by TeachThought Staff In the always-changing–recently even more so–landscape of education, the cultivation of creativity is a vital component of learning. Combinig existing ideas into new forms–into new ideas–is a part of creativity. More than just an artistic endeavor, creativity can lead to curiosity, enhances problem-solving capabilities, and can–well-implemented–a deeper, more authentic and nuanced understanding of the world. As we mentioned in The Significant Benefits Of Creativity In The Classroom, “Not only can you practice creativity through many different mediums, its benefits are applicable to almost all professions.” This adaptability and wide-ranging impact underscore the significance of nurturing creative thinking…
Good training data is key for AI models. Mistakes in data labeling can cause wrong predictions, wasted resources, and biased results. What is the biggest issue? Problems like unclear guidelines, inconsistent labeling, and poor annotation tools slow projects and raise costs. This article highlights what is data annotation most common mistakes. It also offers practical tips to boost accuracy, efficiency, and consistency. Avoiding these mistakes will help you create robust datasets, leading to better-performing machine learning models. Misunderstanding Project Requirements Many data annotation mistakes come from unclear project guidelines. If annotators don’t know exactly what to label or how, they’ll make inconsistent decisions that weaken AI models. Vague…
Social media content creators make anywhere from $500 to $50,000+ monthly. Learning to edit videos that stand out on social media platforms is a vital skill in today’s digital landscape. CapCut brings professional editing tools to everyone, whether you’re new or want to level up your content game. We found that there was no need for expensive software anymore. This free editor packs advanced features like 4K 60fps exports, motion tracking, and AI-enhanced tools that can reshape your social media presence. The built-in audio library comes with royalty-free music and trending TikTok sounds. Your content will stay fresh and keep…
contributed by Irena Nayfeld, TeachThought PD Inquiry Workshop Facilitator Those of us who spend our days around young children hear it all the time: “What’s that?” “Why are you doing that?” “How?” “Why?” “HowWhyWhenWhatWhy?” Children are infinitely curious – they want to understand the world around them, how it all works, where it comes from, and how to interact with it. And yet, research shows that children ask few questions during instruction – and that this number keeps decreasing in later grades. Why are questions pivotal for learning, and why should we as educators prioritize creating a classroom environment where…