Learning a new skill can be tricky, and neuroscientists aren’t entirely sure how humans do it. Researchers at the University of Pittsburgh and Carnegie Mellon University are using video games, brain implants and Rhesus monkeys in an effort to figure it out

Via WITF.

“When we heard the news, it was definitely sad… The idea of how education could be transformed through play and games was inspired by the research the institute was doing on games and learning, and which inspired us as social entrepreneurs and practitioners.”

Via Edsurge.

According to the Air Force Research Lab, the goal of the Learning Laboratory is to “serve as a national authority on the integration and application of game-based technology to address USAF education and training needs. In addition to leveraging off-the-shelf technology to benefit Warfighter training, our goal is to inspire student interest in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), specifically modeling and simulation, and to equip the next generation defense workforce.”

Via Military.com.

When we asked educators to rank problems and frustrations that they had encountered, “resistance from colleagues, school/district leadership or parents,” was most frequently ranked as most acute.

Via EdSurge.

“If you fail in a game, you can keep trying and, eventually, you can complete a lesson… If you fail in the real world, there is a high chance you might have to stay behind.”

Via Orlando Sentinel.

“My boys have always been interested in video games and I would ask them to get off of the video games all the time until I saw an opportunity.”

Via Hillsborough Patch.

“The best games, the games really worth your time creating materials for and introducing to students, are games that they can play many times. When games allow differentiation by changing the range of numbers, or the operations, they allow more students to play them for a longer time and give you a bigger bang for your buck.”

Via EdWeek.

“Without a doubt, D&D has been one of the most successful classes we’ve offered at LiHigh School. Students love it; staff love it; and it genuinely helps the students achieve their social-emotional goals.”

Via KQED.

Kahoot, the popular e-learning platform that provides a range of games to teach subjects (it has described itself as the “Netflix of education”), has made its first acquisition: it has acquired DragonBox, a startup that builds math apps, for $18 million in a combination of cash and shares.

Via Tech Crunch

How much does it cost to build educational games with all the flair and polish of their commercial counterparts? $10 million? $13 million? Try $100 million.

Via EdSurge.