Structuring Learning Environments

PROJECT: LIFE Center: A collaboration among Stanford University, SRI International and the University of Washington, the LIFE Center seeks to understand and advance formal and informal learning through the exploration of interdisciplinary theories and collaborative research.

Principal Investigators: Brigid Barron, Associate Professor of Education; Roy Pea, Professor of Education; Byron Reeves, Paul C. Edwards Professor of Communication
Affiliated Faculty: Jeremy Bailenson, Assistant Professor of Communication; Shelley Goldman, Associate Professor of Education; Na’ilah Nasir, Assistant Professor of Education; Dan Schwartz, Associate Professor of Education
Funding: National Science Foundation
Web link: http://life-slc.org/

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PROJECT: Effects of Action and Knowledge on Spatial Inference: There are many competing claims about the use of hands-on activities in education. Researchers on this project seek to develop relevant evidence while addressing fundamental questions about the role of the physical body in problem solving and learning.

Principal Investigator: Dan Schwartz, Associate Professor of Education
Funding: National Science Foundation
Web link: http://aaalab.stanford.edu

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PROJECT: How External Representations Propel Development and Future Learning: Written symbols and representations have a profound influence on scientific discoveries. This study is exploring the question of whether symbols and representations also have a profound influence on children's abilities to acquire higher-order thinking skills.

Principal Investigator: Dan Schwartz, Associate Professor of Education
Funding: National Science Foundation
Web link: http://aaalab.stanford.edu

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PROJECT: Biological Bases of Alphanumeric Learning Interventions: This work explores how the brain learns (and how to help the brain learn) to associate written symbols with their meaning in foundational educational domains.

Principal Investigator: Dan Schwartz, Associate Professor of Education; Roy Pea, Professor of Education
Funding: National Science Foundation
Web link: http://aaalab.stanford.edu