Mindshift

Home / Uncategorized / MindShift AI is moving beyond chatbots and into toys, dolls, and robots built to befriend children. A leading child-development expert says the technology offers real promise — but also risks crowding out the human relationships children need most. Jul 16, 2026 In A.I. Artificial Intelligence, Monica introduces Teddy to David. The seemingly ordinary teddy bear quickly reveals himself to be an intelligent companion capable of conversation and emotional support.

Home / Education research / MindShift Teachers save time with AI. Their students may pay the price. Jul 13, 2026 (Ridofranz/iStock) Artificial intelligence is often promoted as a way to make teachers more effective by helping them write lesson plans, generate classroom materials and provide feedback to students in seconds. But one of the first randomized trials testing AI in real classrooms found that it can also undermine learning.

Home / Higher Education / MindShift If an undergraduate program's graduates don't earn more than workers who never went to college, that program could be cut off from federal student loans. But is a degree just about making more money? Jul 9, 2026 Updated Jul 10, 2026 (Tara Anand for NPR) This month, the U.S. Department of Education began rolling out a new accountability test that most colleges and universities will soon have to pass.

Home / Digital Tools / MindShift Many schools rely on consumer fees funneled through the federal government to cut internet costs. FCC Chairman Brendan Carr called for ending this program before Donald Trump tapped him for the job. Jul 10, 2026 FCC Chairman Brendan Carr asked for a review of the E-Rate program, which helps many public schools and libraries, and some private schools, pay monthly internet bills.

Home / Education research / MindShift Schools try to block kids from accessing dangerous content and games online but often fall short. Parents and educators say if devices are here to stay, districts need to have more control, transparency. Jul 8, 2026 Even in districts that have filters, safeguards and systems in place meant to block inappropriate content, parents say their students are still able to access alarming games and distractions.

Home / Education research / MindShift AI can be a helpful tool to help students learn, but many are taking shortcuts and learning less, according to a study. Jul 6, 2026 (Makhbubakhon Ismatova/iStock) When ChatGPT arrived in late 2022, educators quickly asked whether students would use artificial intelligence to cheat, learn or simply get through homework more efficiently.

Home / Belonging / MindShift Experts say that programming to boost belonging and offer more social-emotional support for boys may be one key to closing the academic gender gap. Jun 30, 2026 Updated Jul 1, 2026 (Zinkevych/iStock) This story about the gender gap  was produced by The Hechinger Report, a nonprofit, independent news organization focused on inequality and innovation in education. Sign up for the Hechinger newsletter. OAKLAND, Calif.

Home / Education research / MindShift The idea that there's a connection between federal student loans and what colleges charge dates back almost four decades. But it's unclear that link can lead to lower costs. Jun 28, 2026 Updated Jun 29, 2026 Students toss their mortarboards in the air at a 2018 commencement ceremony at Wesleyan University in Middletown, Conn.

Home / Parenting / MindShift Students will relax and forget over the summer, which is expected. For others, it's a time to catch up. Jun 16, 2026 (Solovyova/iStock) As kids settle into summertime, parents often wonder how much they should be incorporating academic activities into their children’s routines.

Home / Education research / MindShift Unscathed by pandemic-era school closures, the nation's 9-year-olds showed progress in math and reading. It's a different story for 13-year-olds, however. Jun 10, 2026 Updated 1:41 pm PT Average reading and math scores for 9-year-old students rose from 2022 to 2025, according to the newest results from the National Assessment of Educational Progress.