Posts

AI is making networking and social skills more critical. Are your students prepared?

By Robert Markle, Reprinted from SmartBrief In an AI-driven future, social skills aren’t just a plus; they’re a prerequisite. Between 1980 and 2012, jobs requiring social skills surged by almost 12%, while their less social counterparts dwindled by 3.3%. By 2030, demand for social skills is projected to skyrocket 26% across all industries. But social […]

A potential alternative mentoring intervention for youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder

Karoff, M., Tucker, A. R., Alvarez, T., & Kovacs, P. (2017). Infusing a peer-to-peer support program with Adventure Therapy for adolescent students with Autism Spectrum Disorder. Journal of Experiential Education, 40, 394-408. doi:10.1177/1053825917727551 Summarized by Renée Klein Schaarsberg Notes of Interest: This article provides preliminary support for a way to increase social competence and decreasing […]

New research demonstrates impact of sports mentoring on life skills development

Choi, E., Park, J. J., Jo, K., & Lee, O. (2015). The influence of a sports mentoring program on children’s life skills development. Journal of Physical Education and Sport, 15(2), 264. Summarized by Kirsten Christensen   Introduction In recent years, there has been a paradigm shift in how we conceptualize youth development, moving from a […]

Avoiding the electronic communication trap for teens: An opportunity for mentors

Nesi, J., Widman, L., Choukas-Bradley, S., & Prinstein, M.J. (2016). Technology-based communication and the development of interpersonal competencies within adolescent romantic relationships: A preliminary investigation, Journal of Research on Adolescence Journal of Research on Adolescence. doi:10.1111/jora.12274 Summarized by Benjamin Alford Introduction: With the convenience and growth of technology in the lives of individuals around the […]

Why a little loneliness can be protective

“Loneliness is something we all have, we can all fall into, and nearly all of us experience at some point in our lives,” says John Cacioppo. (Photo Credit: Phil Thomas/Flickr) University of Chicago Posted by U. Chicago on March 2, 2016 The power of loneliness, and its potential for both causing depression and keeping us safe […]

How teachers (and mentors) can help shy kids learn

Posted by Rachel Harrison-NYU on September 24, 2014 Researchers find that an evidence-based intervention helps shy children, who are often at risk for poor academic achievement, become more engaged in class work, and in turn improve their math and critical thinking skills. Shy children are described as anxious, fearful, socially withdrawn, and isolated. In the classroom, they […]