npj Science of Learning Community: Digest #24

npj Science of Learning Community presents research focussed on the mind, brain and education space. In October, npj Science of Learning authors investigated the abstract thoughts of physicists, and the cognitive trap associated with online learning resources.

Physicists often think outside the box to investigate the many mysteries the world has to offer. But how do the brains of physicists manage the feat of thinking about so many complex concepts? In a study led by Robert Mason, a researcher based at Carnegie Mellon University, the brain patterns of physicists were explored to examine how their brains organise and apply their fascinating ideas. Read the story: Ancient brains learn new tricks: how modern physicists think

Digital online resources offer students different opportunities to understand new subject areas. However, is the simplicity of referring to these online platforms distracting students away from the actual practice of learning and encoding new information? And how do teachers encourage students to study and memorise content important to their long-term education? Read more in this contribution by Rob McEntarrfer: Encoding and retrieving or offloading and forgetting?