From the News: College Financial Aid Drops – Families Pinched, San Francicso Chronicle October 23, 2013 Is College Tuition Too High? Of Course (Not), Higher Education Data Stories Blog October 15, 2013 So Many Students – So Little (Counseling) Time, Sacramento Bee October 28, 2013 From Clients: On-going Common Application Technical Issues: From recommenders not…
Tag: Learning
Knowledge Lives in the Now
Today is the first day of the rest of your life. Past failure and success can no longer be experienced. Right now is where life happens. To fail or succeed are just two more concepts others like to hang around our necks. Then, as our life unfolds, we are shaped, corralled by the overuse, abuse…
Learning with a Purpose
Let the semester unfold slowly–looking to make adjustments to your learning process–as your interactions with both the teacher and your other classmates set the tone for your learning experience. This is easier said than done, especially in the later years of one’s youth, when influence creep seems to be in full swing with the attendant…
The Great Math Divide
When a math grade goes south, often parents assume an academic tutor is the answer, as the problem must be a lack of understanding. Students often draw the same conclusion, under the reasoning that the “teacher can’t teach.” The latter sentiment of the student is what needs further examination; for while the student may…
Part 2: Learning May Not Be Simple–The Student’s Perspective
In Part One of our “Learning May Not Be Simple” series, we discussed the complexities of presenting new information in an average classroom, as well as how a teacher’s management of the class can influence the learning process. The following highlights the student’s perspective and the complications of understanding new information, particularly for high school…
Aging Doesn’t Have to Mean Old
Why is five, more alive, than sixty-five? As children, wisdom is simple, not contrived. You’d think that with age comes wisdom, not so. Somewhere along the way, wisdom dissolves into reason and logic, as my friends’ daughter reminded me the other evening.
The Complexities of Learning, Part 1
Learning at school can seem like a simple equation: teacher presents material + students listen (including taking notes) + students complete the homework assignments and tests = learning. Yet, in practice, learning can be more complex. The following is the first in an on-going series of posts that will discuss the intricacies of learning in…
Ever Wonder Where The Day Went?
The following chart represents the average time spent each day on a variety of activities for ALL American adults (people aged 15 or older), from the Bureau of Labor Statistics most recent American Time Use study. Might give you some answers to “where did all my time go today?” pondering. Some highlights: Only .47 hours of…
Purposeful Failure
“I have not failed. I have just found 10,000 ways that won’t work.” Thomas Edison I am the anti-Thomas Edison. I fear making mistakes. I fear mistakes will expose me to others’ (mis-)judgements, like being seen as stupid. I’ve evolved into a cautious reactor, preferring to watch others from the sidelines go first, make my…
Life in College: A Glimpse of Smaller Class Sizes in Action
Many universities publicize the small class sizes as a benefit for student’s learning. Wanting to understand more about what small class sizes looked in practice , I talked with a Creative Marbles Consultancy client and a current freshman at the University of San Diego (USD), Jarett. He graciously agreed to let me summarize his experience…
To Seek Tutoring or Not
From the middle to the end of any semester, I start receiving calls from worried parents for tutor referrals. What I’ve learned in my decade of experience is that families hire tutors for a variety of reasons. Being clear on the specific reasons for engaging a tutor can make the the tutoring relationship the most…
The Many Definitions of Smart
Memorizing a large number facts may not mean smart. You gotta know how to use the facts, too. Photo Credit: Science is Awesome
“Talk With Your Teacher”: Not Always a Simple Task
“Talk with your teacher” is usually advice that parents give to their high school aged student when an academic issue arises. Teens can typically have the following reactions to their parents’ suggestion: they silently agree, then don’t actually talk with the teacher or they protest, with reasons about the teacher not liking them or being…
The Wisdom of Our Parents
Do any of the following concerns sound familiar? “Is my student motivated enough?” “I don’t want to be a nag. How much do I remind my high school student to get her/his homework done?” “When do teenagers normally start taking greater responsibility for their homework and academic achievement?” I don’t want my daughter/son to lose…
Academic Cheating: No Simple Explanations
Harvard recently required 60 students to withdraw for up to two years, after being found responsible for cheating on a take-home final essay exam last spring. (The students will be eligible to re-enroll after the forced withdrawal period is over.) Is it surprising that Harvard students cheat? Or surprising that 125 students, about half the…