'magnifying glass' photo (c) 2005, Tall Chris - license: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/

I often write about research studies from various fields and how they can be applied to the classroom. I write individual posts about ones that I think are especially significant, and will continue to do so. However, so many studies are published that it’s hard to keep up. So I’ve started writing a “round-up” of some of them each week or every other week as a regular feature:

Why It Might Be Helpful to Apologize for Something That’s Not Your Fault is from The Harvard Business Review and shares some interesting research. I’m adding it to The Best Resources On The Importance Of Saying “I’m Sorry.”

Retained Students and Classmates’ Absences in Urban Schools is a new study of the effect retaining students has on their classmates. Here’s an excerpt:

Based on quasi-experimental methods, the results indicate that a greater percentage of retained classmates increases other students’ absences. The effect is only present on unexcused absences, not excused absences, hence signaling an increase in disengagement in other students.

I’m adding this info to The Best Resources For Learning About Grade Retention, Social Promotion & Alternatives To Both.

The Reading Brain in the Digital Age: Why Paper Still Beats Screens [Preview] provides a short summary of research on the topic.

So, do iPads really improve student learning? is from Plugged-In Pedagogy. I’m adding it to The Best Research Available On The Use Of Technology In Schools.