AI should be introduced in the classroom without harming the cognitive abilities education aims to develop, says Erika Galea Artificial intelligence is not going away. But in the rush to integrate it into classrooms, we risk framing AI as the ultimate solution for teaching and learning, rather than what it truly is: a tool; a … Continue reading The neural cost of convenience: teaching with, and not by, AI – Dr. Erika Galea on the Sunday Times of Malta (originally published by Oxford University Press)
Cognitive Abilities
Kids on iPads: the silence of the goldfish? – Dr. Erika Galea on the Sunday Times of Malta
More than banning screens, we need to understand what children’s brains can cope with and when too much becomes harmful https://x2.timesofmalta.com/20251102/child/kids-on-ipads-the-silence-of-the-goldfish/ You’ve probably seen it: a child throwing a tantrum is handed a screen, and suddenly, it’s as if someone pressed the mute button. Peace returns instantly, like magic. But what if this ‘magic’ is … Continue reading Kids on iPads: the silence of the goldfish? – Dr. Erika Galea on the Sunday Times of Malta
‘Teaching the AI-Native Generation’ published by Oxford University Press
New research from Oxford University Press reveals that over half of UK pupils struggle to identify AI misinformation. Key findings from the latest report, Teaching the AI-Native Generation, released on the 15th of October 2025, include: 💡 UK teenagers seek support from teachers to identify trustworthy AI content.💡 60% of pupils are concerned that AI … Continue reading ‘Teaching the AI-Native Generation’ published by Oxford University Press
Developing and nurturing learning potential in children and adolescents – Dr. Rosienne Camilleri & Dr. Erika Galea on the Sunday Times of Malta
From an early age, Marcus was a curious little boy, always eager to explore the world around him. His parents, John and Martha, were often told what a bright child they had, as Marcus constantly asked questions and eagerly absorbed new information. It seemed like he had an unquenchable thirst for knowledge. But when Marcus … Continue reading Developing and nurturing learning potential in children and adolescents – Dr. Rosienne Camilleri & Dr. Erika Galea on the Sunday Times of Malta
How can we improve our mental health and wellbeing? – Dr. Erika Galea & Dr. Gabriel Ellul interviewed by Newsbook Malta
https://newsbook.com.mt/en/how-can-we-improve-our-mental-health-and-wellbeing/?fbclid=IwY2xjawGK2ZdleHRuA2FlbQIxMQABHdKgFLA470G85Fsuc7aMJ8juzaNmkx5i3j-D9NiKMQIdXKBSNuqLFJWbXQ_aem_bK5rmxdszSnX8FDkK_kgMA Mental health, undeniably, is as significant as physical health, if not more. But in an era where there is a wide variety of stresses, from societal pressures to personal challenges, mental resilience and well-being are essential. Nurturing a society that understands, respects and prioritises mental health is thus crucial. While discussions around mental health … Continue reading How can we improve our mental health and wellbeing? – Dr. Erika Galea & Dr. Gabriel Ellul interviewed by Newsbook Malta
How can we help children thrive at school? – an interview with Dr. Erika Galea by Newsbook Malta
https://newsbook.com.mt/en/how-can-we-help-children-thrive-at-school/ As the new school year begins, children are returning to school with all the challenges, opportunities and emotions it brings. They may be excited to see their friends but also conscious – perhaps apprehensive – of the academic challenges that lie ahead. When struggling with a subject, children may sometimes be told that they … Continue reading How can we help children thrive at school? – an interview with Dr. Erika Galea by Newsbook Malta
Key skills every student needs to achieve balance – Dr. Erika Galea on The Sunday Times of Malta
This third article in a series discussing educational neuroscience (EN) looks at the relevance of emotional intelligence, metacognition and self-regulated learning. In a rapidly evolving technological age, there is no doubt that artificial intelligence (AI) promises a revolutionary transformation in education. However, while we are eager to integrate advanced technologies into the classroom, we must … Continue reading Key skills every student needs to achieve balance – Dr. Erika Galea on The Sunday Times of Malta
‘We need to find those novel ways of introducing the curriculum, and doing it in ways that arouse their curiosity…we have to allow the students to experience the curriculum themselves. Traditional teaching is not conducive to learning. Being shown or told something doesn’t create strong memory traces’ – Liz Keable
In the third part of her three-part vlog series, Liz Keable, an experienced educator and parent, points out that in order to enhance learning outcomes, it is crucial to explore fresh and innovative approaches when introducing the curriculum. By captivating students' curiosity and providing opportunities for them to explore and engage with the ideas that … Continue reading ‘We need to find those novel ways of introducing the curriculum, and doing it in ways that arouse their curiosity…we have to allow the students to experience the curriculum themselves. Traditional teaching is not conducive to learning. Being shown or told something doesn’t create strong memory traces’ – Liz Keable
‘The greatest influencing factor to achievement is what the learner brings with them into any learning situation: what they are carrying with them inside their heads….but the teacher can’t go there….. the teacher doesn’t know what is going on inside their heads, and yet that is what is influencing the learning to the greatest extent’ – Liz Keable
In the second part of her three-part vlog series, Liz Keable, an experienced educator and parent, delves into how the learner's prior knowledge and experiences play a significant role in their achievement in any learning situation. It's what they carry inside their minds that truly impacts their learning outcomes. However, teachers face a limitation—they can't … Continue reading ‘The greatest influencing factor to achievement is what the learner brings with them into any learning situation: what they are carrying with them inside their heads….but the teacher can’t go there….. the teacher doesn’t know what is going on inside their heads, and yet that is what is influencing the learning to the greatest extent’ – Liz Keable
‘When students use metacognition, they become tremendously empowered as learners because they begin to be able to teach themselves’ – Liz Keable
In the first part of her three-part vlog series, Liz Keable, an experienced educator and parent, delves into the realm of metacognition and shares practical strategies that can be implemented by both parents and teachers. With a deep understanding of the importance of metacognitive skills in fostering effective learning, Liz provides valuable insights and techniques … Continue reading ‘When students use metacognition, they become tremendously empowered as learners because they begin to be able to teach themselves’ – Liz Keable
Why do teachers need to know about the transfer of learning?
‘We approach transfer not as some mystical superpower but as a skill that can be trained’ confirm Prof. Michael Thomas and Dr. Cathy Rogers in their latest and most insightful article about the transfer of learning. The authors (Centre of Educational Neuroscience) describe 'transfer as the ability to take learning from one situation and apply … Continue reading Why do teachers need to know about the transfer of learning?
Why Attention Matters for Students – Dr. Erika Galea
What is it to ‘pay attention’? Why is it that sometimes I can be having a conversation when all of a sudden my attention is called elsewhere, only to come back to realise that I need to respond to something that I missed? What was it that initially drew my attention away from what I … Continue reading Why Attention Matters for Students – Dr. Erika Galea
Why Teach Students About Metacognition? – Dr. Erika Galea
Most parents and teachers out there know that dealing with children who tend to repeat the same mistakes can be incredibly frustrating. The extra assistance you provide after class or at home and the thoughtful comments you write in their copybook/foolscap margins just don't seem to make a difference. Nevertheless, there are things we can … Continue reading Why Teach Students About Metacognition? – Dr. Erika Galea
How Does Executive Functioning Affect Learning? – Dr. Erika Galea
This post presents pertinent information about Executive Functioning, for the attention of parents, teachers and other stakeholders interested in the development of children at any stage in their educational journey. What is Executive Function (EF)? You can view EF as ‘the management system of the brain’ – it is a set of cognitive skills … Continue reading How Does Executive Functioning Affect Learning? – Dr. Erika Galea