Life Based Learning ™
Delivering subject content through nine life themes
Category: Learning & Cognitive Health
Critical thinking and fake news
A recent report suggests that young people are increasingly relying on social media platforms rather than traditional news channels to keep up to date with the news. This is a worrying trend. How do we know that what we read is accurate or even… Continue Reading “Critical thinking and fake news”
Promoting creativity
The phrases ‘blue-sky thinking’ and ‘thinking outside the box’ would probably be somewhere near the top of many people’s list of most annoying examples of management speak. Clichés are, by definition, tired and hackneyed, but they usually convey something important – in this case… Continue Reading “Promoting creativity”
Limiting screen time
Researchers say that there was an increase in screen time during the Covid pandemic affecting all age groups, and most noticeably in children aged six to ten. Screen time is the amount of time spent using a device with a screen such as a… Continue Reading “Limiting screen time”
Invest in music education
A leading classical musician is introducing an eye-catching initiative to widen access to music for children. The Chinese pianist, educator and philanthropist Lang Lang has announced plans to set up several ‘piano labs’ in schools, each with 20 to 30 keyboards. The first piano… Continue Reading “Invest in music education”
Studying history helps us deal with conspiracy theories, lies and disinformation
Earlier this week the UN secretary-general António Guterres tweeted about the dangers of conspiracy theories, rumours and lies which are seriously hampering efforts to limit the remorseless spread of Covid around the world. The tweet included a graphic highlighting several questions that Guterres urged… Continue Reading “Studying history helps us deal with conspiracy theories, lies and disinformation”
Why teaching critical thinking is critically important
Discussing the number of Americans who believe in at least one phenomenon that defies the laws of science, Professor Steven Pinker mentions psychic healing (55%), ESP (41%), haunted houses (37%) and ghosts (32%), “…which also means,” Pinker writes, “that some people believe in houses… Continue Reading “Why teaching critical thinking is critically important”
Adventurous play helps children learn resilience and how to assess risk
“If we want children to be prepared for risk, we need to allow them to come into contact with risk.” So says Prof Rolf Schwarz of Karlsruhe University of Education in a recent newspaper article on how Germany is leading the way in an… Continue Reading “Adventurous play helps children learn resilience and how to assess risk”
Children need trust, positivity and mutual respect to learn effectively
It was the end of the 1970s when Pink Floyd were at Number One in the charts with a song the lyrics of which spoke of “dark sarcasm in the classroom” and included the cry “Hey! Teacher! Leave them kids alone!” The accompanying video… Continue Reading “Children need trust, positivity and mutual respect to learn effectively”
Quality not quantity: focus catch-up plans on how children learn best
QUALITY NOT QUANTITY: FOCUS CATCH-UP PLANS ON HOW CHILDREN LEARN BEST