The Science of Learning (SOL) Digital vs pen-and-paper note-taking – did you know that the latter has been found to better support learning? Find out more in this video by Seeker. Want to instil a growth mindset in students? Praising effort, rather than intelligence, can lead to the development of a growth mindset, fostering resilience, perseverance, and a love of learning among students. This infographic explains the science behind praising effort over intelligence. Want to learn more about growth mindset? Watch this video by Sprouts. This insightful infographic delves deep into the vital role of finding one’s ‘why’ or purpose, a powerful catalyst for fostering a growth mindset and sparking personal and academic growth. It illustrates how having a clear purpose or ‘why’ can fuel motivation, persistence, and ultimately, transformation. When we understand why we’re learning something, we’re more likely to be engaged and persist despite challenges. Want to learn more about growth mindset? Watch this video by Harvard Business Review. If you’re interested in improving your long-term memory, focusing on retrieval practice and distributed practice can be especially effective. You can also try Active Recall – this video from Tiny Medicine has more on this strategy. Do you want to learn more effectively and remember more of what you study? If so, you might want to try two powerful techniques: spacing and interleaving. Learn more about spaced repetition from this video by Tiny Medicine. Do you want to learn more effectively and remember more of what you study? Many students re-read (and re-read) when revising for their exams. However, studies show that retrieval practice is far more effective. Try this out with a flashcard app. College Info Geek reviews them here. Have you ever experienced an Aha! moment while explaining or teaching something to somebody? That’s the Protégé Effect at work! This happens when learners who are tasked with teaching others end up with better retention and understanding of the material. Try it for yourself the next time you are learning something new! To learn more, watch this video by Alux.com. Did you know that merely watching someone else perform a task can lead to false confidence when performing the same task yourself? This is why it’s critical to have hands-on practice! Related to this phenomenon is the Dunning-Kruger Effect, which is a cognitive bias that makes people believe they are smarter and more capable than they actually are. Find out more about the Dunning-Kruger Effect from this video by Sprouts. The Pygmalion Effect is the impact of others’ expectations on an individual’s behaviour and performance, while the Golem Effect is the negative impact of low expectations on a person’s self-image and subsequent performance. Recognising the power of expectations is important in setting positive expectations and supporting others to reach their full potential. Want to learn more about the Pygmalion Effect? Watch this video by Sprouts. Daydreaming and distractions can be common experiences in the learning process. While it is natural for the mind to wander, excessive daydreaming and distractions can hinder the ability to learn and retain information. For the same reason, we are often less effective when multitasking. How can we minimise daily distractions? Watch this video for some suggestions. Not only does sleep deprivation have a serious impact on our health, it can interfere with learning and memory. Sleep is essential for optimal cognitive functioning, learning, and memory. You may also like to watch this TED-Ed video on the benefits of a good night’s sleep. Excessive phone use can negatively impact both sleep and learning. Poor sleep can lead to decreased concentration and memory retention, making it more difficult to learn and retain information. In the long term, this can seriously affect one’s health as well. You may also like to watch this TED-Ed video on the benefits of a good night’s sleep. Consider turning on the “sleep mode” feature on your phone to automatically turn off notifications at night and promote better sleep. Additionally, charging your phone away from your bedside table can help resist the temptation to use it before bed and further support a healthy sleep routine. Explore how personal qualities, a supportive environment, and a challenge mindset can strengthen your resilience. No matter who you are – a student grappling with academic pressures, a staff member managing diverse tasks, or anyone seeking personal development – this infographic is a step towards becoming a more resilient you. Want to learn more about resilience? Watch this inspirational TED talk by Dr Lucy Hone “The three secrets of resilient people”. This in-depth visual guide dives into the science of resilience, focusing on four key areas: maintaining a sense of perspective, balancing support and challenge, promoting good health and relationships, and reframing mistakes as learning opportunities. This is an essential resource for educators who want to support their students in developing resilience. It’s not just about surviving challenges, it’s about learning, growing, and becoming stronger through them. Want to learn more about resilience? Watch this video by Psych2Go “8 Things Resilient People Do”. Academic buoyancy is a significant concept in educational science. Distinct from resilience, it focuses on students’ abilities to overcome daily school challenges. The key components are the 5 C’s. To find out more, check out our infographic. Dr Jonathan Beale shares more about this concept in this podcast.