Stanford Research Lab Brings Effective Behavioral Interventions Online

Stanford Research Lab Brings Effective Behavioral Interventions Online

Dec 19, 2012

LIFE HAS ITS PERTS: A newly formed research group out of Stanford University is taking quite a different approach to raising students' test scores and GPAs. PERTS, a mix of education psychologists, data scientists, and software developers, has opted out of the "social-mobile-adaptive" buzz machine in favor of time-honored, scientifically validated behavioral interventions. The team is experimenting with ways to deliver such interventions online, cutting the red tape associated with training personnel and capturing data in a physical setting. If you're unfamiliar with the research behind behavioral interventions, grab those bifocals and start here.

Official results from the first pilot groups should be published in early 2013, but word on the street is that low-performing students improved their GPAs after just two 45-minute computer sessions. It should come as no surprise that MindsetWorks, creator of Brainology, is one of the supporting organizations. Oh yeah, there's funding from the Gates and Hewlett foundations, too. To find more details on how your middle school, high school, or community college can participate, submit an inquiry on the PERTS website.

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