OCW
How comic books can help you learn
In the 1940s, comic books became a mass medium, with millions of copies selling every month. Teachers even began experimenting by bringing comics into their classrooms. So, can comic books and graphic novels really help you learn? Gene Luen Yang explores the history of comics in American education, ..
TED
The benefits of play in child brain development
A little bit of playtime can have big benefits for a child's developing brain, but adult participation is a crucial ingredient for best results. Early-education leader Jesse Ilhardt makes the case for you to put down the phone, pick up the make-believe tea cup (or that blanket-superhero cape) a..
TED
The seed that gave Coca-Cola its name
The kola nut is the seed of the kola tree, a small evergreen native to the forests of West Africa, where it’s long been integral to the cultural fabric of many communities. So, how did this sacred ingredient end up all around the world? And how did it make its way into the original recipe of a dri..
TED
This is what happens in your brain when you can’t recall a word
You’re sure you know your 3rd grade teacher’s name— it’s like you’re hovering over it in your mind, but it just won’t materialize. Researchers call this tantalizing torment a “tip-of-the-tongue state,” and it’s something everyone experiences. But what’s actually happening when a ..
TED
How we can unlock every student’s genius
Forget home economics and standardized tests, Trish Millines Dziko has a much more engaging and fulfilling way for students to develop real-world skills. Get schooled by Dziko as she shares how project-based learning can transform public education and unlock genius for the next generation of critica..
TED
What sleep deprivation does to the teenage brain
Sleep deprivation among American teenagers is an epidemic. Only about 1 in 10 teens gets the 8 to 10 hours of sleep per night recommended by sleep scientists and pediatricians. So, what’s going on? And what changes can be made to address this issue? Wendy Troxel shares how early school start times..
TED