Good teachers at all levels already have their own techniques to speed up this process — multiplication flash cards, tips to break down word problems, heuristic rhymes — but scientists are working to tune students' eyes more systematically and to build understanding of very abstract concepts.
Collaborating with students to solve a major social problem has been the highlight of this experience; having the Design Thinking framework enabled supportive adults to tune into student experiences, and support their creativity while learning loads about education.
With recent events in Ferguson, New York City, Cleveland, and Los Angeles, among many other places across America, it's become imperative to make sure teachers are in tune with students.
There was also the issue of staying in tune with students' interests, which got harder once her own children grew and her administrative duties increased.
By putting the names to a tune, the students were not only more engaged in learning the content, but would remember it far better.
In this way, she claims, we can be in tune with our students' preferences.
Dr. King said the move to longer testing times was part of the state's efforts to fine-tune tests of student performance.
And with a working knowledge of the national curriculum, she can help her Manchester colleagues to design courses that are in tune with what students already know.
If students tune out and stay home it will also carry a profound message for American society about a generation that seemed so ready, so recently, to grab national politics by the lapels and shake.
Being alone but not lonely in a special outdoor place really helps students tune into the present and focus their thoughts and feelings, while acknowledging all the other "stuff" that enters our heads.
I don't expect all my graduates to go on to Twitter-based careers, but learning how to write concisely, to express one key detail succinctly and eloquently, is an incredibly useful skill, and more in tune with most students' daily chatter, as well as the world's conversation.
