Houston Matters
Adventure Playgrounds Put Kids In Charge Of How They Play And Create
Posted on · As Houston prepares to host a conference on the concept of "playwork," we visit a local adventure playground to learn more.
Tag: learning
Engines Podcast
Engines of Our Ingenuity 1585: Dissonance
Posted on · Episode: 1585 In which the elephant Prathida teaches me about dissonance and Christmas. Today, dissonance, elephants, and the holiday season.
Engines Podcast
Engines of Our Ingenuity 1519: Seeing Around the Corner
Posted on · Episode: 1519 Learning to acquire knowledge and create it at the same time. Today, we wonder where knowledge comes from.
Engines Podcast
Engines of Our Ingenuity 1464: Learning Curve
Posted on · Episode: 1464 Trying to teach technologies that were novel for us, but not our students. Today, a thought about technological change and learning.
News
Could A Bumblebee Learn To Play Fetch? Probably
Posted on · Scientists found that bumblebees are nimble learners, especially when there's a sugary reward at the end. No wonder they're such good pollinators.
Houston Matters
Leveling the Educational Playing Field for Disadvantaged Kids
Posted on · We learn about Making It Better, a Houston non-profit organization that tries to “level the playing field” for disadvantaged children who lack educational support at home. We hear from the organization’s executive director Jacque Daughtry.
Houston Matters
What Are the Benefits of Full-Day Pre-K?
Posted on · Legislation recently filed in the Texas House would create an incentive payment system for school districts offering full-day prekindergarten programs. The measure provides additional state funding for districts that agree to adopt a number of policies for those programs. Almost half of school districts in the state currently fund full-day programs, even though the state […]
Arts InSight
Full-Day Pre-K and Bobby Whitlock: Thursday’s show (February 19, 2015)
Posted on · Legislation recently filed in the Texas House would create an incentive payment system for school districts offering full-day prekindergarten programs. The measure provides additional state funding for districts that agree to adopt a number of policies for those programs. Almost half of school districts in the state currently fund full-day programs, even though the state […]
Houston Matters
Study Indicates Teacher Training Important for Quality Pre-K
Posted on · A Houston-based nonprofit education program recently published a year-long study looking at an early literacy teacher training program. Neuhaus Education Centerâs project focused on workshops for HISD teachers in order to improve classroom instruction. Marybeth Flachbart, President & CEO of Neuhaus Education Center, tells us more about what the study says regarding the importance of training […]
Houston Matters
HISD Superintendent Terry Grier Answers Your Questions
Posted on · For the last five years, Terry Grier has served as the Superintendent of the Houston Independent School District, the seventh largest public school district in the nation, and the largest in Texas. In advance of a new school year, we welcome your questions for Superintendent Grier about public education in Houston. While we’ll discuss a variety of issues relating […]
Houston Matters
How to Insulate Your Teenager From Modern Stressors
Posted on · Our summer reading series continues with Judith Widener Muir, author of Live Wires: Neuro-Parenting to Ignite Your Teen’s Brain. Her book explains what makes the teenage brain unique and versatile and how to insulate today’s teens from the stresses of “college frenzy, achievement mania and media explosion.” She also explains how versatile and adaptive the teenage […]
Houston Matters
How to Keep Students Sharp Through the Summer Months
Posted on · It’s long been established that students tend to score lower on tests at the end of summer vacation than they do just before it begins. Efforts to address such summer “brain drain” usually revolve around keeping students engaged in learning through the summer months. A new project at a Houston elementary school seeks such engagement from students, […]
Houston Matters
Smartie Pants Academy: Daycare for Kids with Disabilities
Posted on · We learn about Smartie Pants Academy, a Houston daycare center for children with disabilities.
Houston Matters
What’s the Value of Outdoor Education?
Posted on · Fifth graders in Houston public schools have, for nearly 40 years, participated in Outdoor Education Programs at two centers, in Forest Glen and Olympia. But future funding for the programs may be in doubt. We learn about such outdoor education programs, and both their benefits and challenges. Then, we discuss research examining the impact of […]
Houston Matters
How Do Magnet Schools Stack Up Against Other Houston Schools?
Posted on · On past programs, we’ve explored a variety of alternative forms of education, from Montessori schools to dual language programs. We’ve talked about efforts to focus education on preparing students for STEM careers – jobs in science, technology, engineering and math. Many public schools throughout Greater Houston offer specialized curriculum. They’re what are known as magnet […]