Learning in Informal and Formal Environments (LIFE) Center an NSF Science of Learning Center

An article in the June 2005 issue of the journal Nature profiles the research goals of the LIFE Center. Read the article describing “big plans for little brains.”

In Summer 2005, John Bransford, Nancy Vye, and Hank Clark conducted a workshop in Bangkok, Thailand with over 50 School Leaders from 17 Pan-Asian countries using the “Twenty-First Century Schools” CD-ROM that LIFE members developed with support from Microsoft’s Partners in Learning. The materials and workshop focused new perspectives on school leadership and learning, in particular ideas on adaptive expertise and its development. The workshop was a “train the trainer” session; participants in turn conducted training using the CD with principals, teachers and other school leaders in home countries. For example, Hong Kong has now introduced the materials to more than 15% of the over 1200 principals in Hong Kong. Since the Bangkok training, the CD materials have been used in similar workshops in South Africa, London, Dubai, and Korea. LIFE is presently developing a second CD focused on new approaches to assessment, in particular assessments of preparation for future learning.