Teaching assistants (TAs) are a common way to support students who need extra help, but their effectiveness may be quite limited and could even detract from learning, explains science writer Annie Brookman-Byrne. To maximize effectiveness, schools should train TAs on how to deliver evidenced-based interventions and to focus on helping students understand key concepts. Read more here.

Can digital tools help students learn math and science? Science writer Holly Cave describes how researchers from Ludwig Maximilian University and the Technical University of Munich explored how improvements in learning outcomes can also depend on the type of learning environment. The team found that digital tools are most effective when they are used to enrich teaching practices, and again, training in how and when to use a digital tool is key. Much also depends on the variances in the subject matter content, the learner’s needs, and the specific tool employed. Read more here.

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