Science of Learning

Key Developments

 

Associate Professor Anne Rifkin-Graboi Appointed as Co-chair of the LIFE@NIE SG® Science of Learning Strategic Growth Area Steering Committee

Associate Professor Anne Rifkin-Graboi has been appointed as the Co-chair of the LIFE@NIE SG® Science of Learning (SoL) Strategic Growth Area (SGA) Steering Committee (SC) for a two-year period with effect from 11 March 2024.

As the Co-chair of the SoL SGA SC with Professor David Hung, Associate Professor Rifkin will render support in the strategic positioning and advancement of Science of Learning in Education at NIE.​

 

SGA-SoL Seminar Series

The Science of Learning in Education Centre (SoLEC) has been actively engaging in outreach efforts, both locally and internationally, through its ongoing monthly seminar series. The seminars have garnered significant attendance from personnel representing the Ministry of Education (MOE) and various Institutes of Higher Learning (IHL). Noteworthy speakers slated for the months of January to March 2024 include Ms Wang Fengjuan, Assistant Professor John Komar, Associate Professor Yao Zheng and Professor Robyn Mildon. These seminars serve as platforms for knowledge exchange and collaboration among educators, researchers, and policymakers in the field of education and learning sciences.​
Life@NIE SG Developments - SGA-SoL Seminar Series 1Life@NIE SG Developments - SGA-SoL Seminar Series 2Life@NIE SG Developments - SGA-SoL Seminar Series 3Life@NIE SG Developments - SGA-SoL Seminar Series 4

LIFE@NIE SG ® SGA Science of Learning Symposium 2023

On 2 November 2023, the Science of Learning in Education Centre at the National Institute of Education, Singapore (SoLEC@NIE SG) hosted a symposium titled ‘Building the Future of Education with Science of Learning’. This event brought together leading researchers in the fields of education and neuroscience for a full day of knowledge sharing. Distinguished keynote speakers included Professor Michelle Ellefson from the University of Cambridge, Professor Rebecca Ang from the National Institute of Education (NIE), Singapore, and Assistant Professor Hae Yeon Lee from the National University of Singapore (NUS).​

The Brainverse Experience

The Science of Learning in Education Centre at the National Institute of Education, Singapore (SoLEC@NIE SG) unveiled the Neurofeedback Station during the inaugural Brainverse Experience science festival, organised by the Nanyang Technological University Centre for Lifelong Learning and Individualised Cognition (NTU-CLIC) on 8 September 2023. The SoLEC@NIE SG Neurofeedback Station was an interactive and informative ‘space station’ (booth) that introduced the public to electroencephalography (EEG) and neurofeedback through a series of games powered by players’ EEG brain activity.​

Life@NIE SG Developments - Brainverse Experience

Seminar on ‘Sensitive Periods of Social Brain Development in Adolescence’​

On 28 August 2023, the Science of Learning in Education Centre at the National Institute of Education, Singapore (SoLEC@NIE SG) hosted Professor Sarah-Jayne Blakemore, a renowned expert in Psychology and Cognitive Neuroscience from the University of Cambridge. This was in collaboration with the Nanyang Technological University Centre for Lifelong Learning and Individualised Cognition (NTU-CLIC). Prof Blakemore conducted a seminar titled ‘Sensitive Periods of Social Brain Development in Adolescence’ as part of the LIFE@NIE SG ® Strategic Growth Area Science of Learning (SGA-SoL) Seminar Series. She presented neuroscience research that indicated a period of heightened neuroplasticity during adolescence and discussed implications for social development.​

Life@NIE SG Developments - Seminar on Sensitive Periods of Social Brain Development in Adolescence

Prof Brian Butterworth and Prof Diana Laurillard as Visiting Consultants​

The Science of Learning (SoL) LIFE@NIE SG ® SGA Steering Committee welcomed visiting consultants Professor Brian Butterworth and Professor Diana Laurillard from 28 February 2023 to 1 March 2023. Both from the University College London (UCL), Prof Butterworth is a Professor of Cognitive Neuropsychology and Prof Laurillard is a Professor of Learning with Digital Technologies. The collaboration with them helped to raise the national and international reputation of SoL. They also gave advice on the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and areas of growth for NIE SoL.​

Life@NIE SG Developments - Prof Butterworth and Prof Laurillard Visit

Procurement of iMotions Software Suite​

The Science of Learning in Education Centre at the National Institute of Education, Singapore (SoLEC@NIE SG) had procured a set of iMotion Software Suite. This is a set of learning analytics software that could capture facial expressions and it was meant for research scientists to enhance their teaching and learning.​

Courtesy Appointment of Prof Ong Yew Soon​

Professor Ong Yew Soon, President’s Chair Professor of Computer Science, joined the Science of Learning (SoL) LIFE@NIE SG ® SGA Steering Committee to initiate a new pipeline of SoL research as well as build pedagogy-techno partnerships with institutes of higher learning (IHLs) and technology partners. His courtesy appointment played a significant role in the development of education research at NIE and in Singapore through informing new pedagogies, learning and education for the future.​

Research Projects and Collaborations at the Science of Learning in Education Centre at the National Institute of Education, Singapore (SoLEC@NIE SG)​​​

On 4 and 5 April 2022, SoLEC@NIE SG hosted delegates from the Seoul National University (SNU) with the intent to foster partnerships with international SoL communities.

SoLEC@NIE SG research staff worked on a meta-synthesis of SoL projects across NIE as well as a systematic review of the effects of socio-emotional learning interventions on academic achievement and executive functioning outcomes.
Life@NIE SG Developments - SoLEC@NIE SG Research Projects and Collaborations