A Clemson University psychology professor has published research revealing a positive link between mood, motivation and physical activity during work and study. June J. Pilcher, alumni distinguished professor of psychology, studied the cognitive effects of physical activity workstations and traditional desks on Clemson student volunteers. The results of the study, published in Frontiers in Psychology, suggest the inclusion of light physical activity during work or study has positive effects without detracting from work or study effectiveness. Pilcher wanted to determine whether or not the positive benefits associated with light exercise could be attained while working in sedentary environments. According to Pilcher, working in sedentary environments might not be harmful in the short term, but this type of behavior is related to long-term chronic disease and physical frailty.

If you are looking to increase participation in classroom discussion, you should take a look at this three part post from Lolita Paff. She shares several methods from the research literature that may prove useful in your classes. She writes, "Whether a teacher incorporates protocols, empty rewards, or signals, the key to engaging interactions that advance learning is students’ role in setting and administering the process. Shared control promotes shared responsibility for learning. The teacher isn’t dictating rules about participation. The teacher isn’t solely responsible for ensuring the discussions are successful."

Teaching has completely become a different ball game with the adoption of modern tools of education technology that have been incorporated in classrooms all over the world. There are quite a few positive changes that have come into effect but even though technology has been seeping slowly into the world of education, there are people who are still in the dark about the advantages of technology in teaching. Let’s have a look at some of the ways technology can impact teaching and how it can connect students from all over the world to a global classroom. Continue reading here.