Angela Duckworth and other behavioral-science experts offer advice to teachers based on scientific research. Angela is the founder and CEO of Character Lab, a nonprofit organization advancing scientific insights that help kids thrive. She is also the Rosa Lee and Egbert Chang Professor at the University of Pennsylvania. Character Lab is on Twitter @TheCharacterLab.
Student Well-Being
Opinion
The One Thing Teachers Do That Hurts Student Motivation
When adults take over on a challenging task, kids are more likely to quit sooner on the next one. Here’s what to do instead.
Teaching
Opinion
The Key to Understanding What Your Students Are Thinking
To get the right perspective, you need to channel your inner detective.
Teaching
Opinion
How to Unleash the Power of Collaborative Learning
Three research-backed ways to facilitate interactive activities, both in and outside the classroom.
Teaching
Opinion
Does Humor Help Students Remember?
If you want kids to pay attention to the news, new research shows that comedy might help.
Student Well-Being
Opinion
Why Venting When You Have Problems Feels Good—and Why It Doesn’t Work
When you keep talking about what’s bothering you, it keeps the negative emotions alive. Here’s what research says to do instead.
Student Well-Being
Opinion
Why the Myth of the Lazy Genius Is So Harmful
We shouldn’t assume that girls’ hard work is compensating for a lack of "natural" talent. Talent and hard work aren’t mutually exclusive.
Student Well-Being
Opinion
The Question That Doesn’t Help Students Figure Out Their Career
Don’t ask kids what they want to be when they grow up. Instead of trying to narrow their options, help them broaden their possibilities.
Student Well-Being
Opinion
New Pandemic Research Explains How to Flourish in Difficult Times
Rather than fixate on your happiness level, develop these character strengths to help you thrive.
Student Well-Being
Opinion
Assumptions Teachers Often Make About Black Students and What to Do About Them
Skin color doesn’t tell you everything about someone’s background. Here’s how to look beyond race.
Student Well-Being
Opinion
What Research Says About Breaking the Negative Thought Cycle
We are all worrying more than ever, given the pandemic, a racial reckoning, and extreme political polarization. Here’s what to do about it.
Teaching
Opinion
The Only Class a High School Dropout Never Missed
New research shows how to engage even the hardest-to-reach students.
Student Well-Being
Opinion
New Research Explains Why Confessions Are Convincing
Admitting mistakes makes you come across as knowledgeable—and it’s a good way to model intellectual humility.
Student Well-Being
Opinion
Helping Students Outsmart Their Smartphones
Kids know they study better without their phones. Here’s how to not leave them to their own devices.
Teaching
Opinion
Why Teamwork in Class Builds Competence and Confidence
When students have real-world problems to solve and incentives to work with each other, their self-efficacy grows.