Education
Great minds lead to great solutions. Our education section features solutions and innovations directed at strengthening educational systems around the world.
Shutdown movie theater turned its parking lot into a safe drive-in cinema
Like many other public venues, cinemas have not been spared from the coronavirus shut down, leaving many moviegoers no other choice than to wait it out until they see the big screens again. But it appears that’s not necessarily the case everywhere. A resourceful cineplex in Schertz, Texas, has Read More...
10 ways to spot misinformation online
In today's online world, there is a plethora of misinformation around, especially in heightened times of tension. The Optimist Daily is always working hard to ensure that the stories we bring you are verified. Here are 10 ways to spot misinformation online as you browse media sources. Did the post Read More...
Parents! These 5 free resources will help make homeschooling better
As a parent of a young child, the outbreak of the coronavirus can make life particularly challenging. With schools closed, parents now have kids on their hands round the clock—with an added responsibility of guiding them through virtual school. If this situation sounds familiar and you’re new Read More...
Babbel makes its language-learning app free for all US students
As students find themselves cooped up in their homes due to the outbreak, an increasing number of educational services are taking down their paywalls to encourage learners to, well, learn more. Earlier this week, for example, Yale made its beloved online “happiness” class free for everyone. Read More...
Open source education is gaining over costly textbook companies
Paired with the rising cost of college tuition, the astronomical growth of textbook prices makes many students' dreams of attending a university fall well short of a reality. Data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that from 1977 to 2015 the cost of textbooks rose over three times the rate Read More...
Celebrate Fantastic Fungi Day with a home movie screening and director’s Q&A
Today is Fantastic Fungi Day! These impressive organisms work to recycle and decompose material in our ecosystems to make room for new growth. They connect to one another through extensive networks and some even provide amazing health and nutrition benefits to humans. At a time when humanity Read More...
Children’s book authors are hosting virtual live readings for kids
Last week we shared a story about how artists are hosting virtual concerts via Instagram to keep self-distancing fans entertained. Now, online platforms are hosting something more entertaining for a younger generation: children’s book authors performing live readings for elementary school Read More...
You can now take Yale’s most popular class online for free
What is the most popular class at one of the world’s most prestigious schools? At Yale, the most popular course on campus is not in engineering or medicine, but in psychology. Professor Laurie Santos’ “Psychology and the Good Life” course explores what it means to truly live a happy life. Read More...
Zoom offers free virtual meeting services to K-12 schools
While COVID-19 slows down business around the globe, one company is seeing an increase in demand. Zoom, the online video conferencing platform, is becoming more integral than ever as companies facilitate connecting remote workers. CEO Eric Yuan is taking this surge as an opportunity to give Read More...
Use these strategies to sharpen your analytical skills
Analytical skills allow us to digest information and communicate it to others. These skills are critical in both our professional and personal lives, so how can we better cultivate them? Here are nine ways to improve your analytical skills, and some of them are even fun! Play games. We played Read More...