The Learning Corner. Learn about the European Union

The Learning Corner is an educational platform created by the European Commission to help children, teenagers, and teachers learn about the European Union in an interactive and engaging way. The website offers free educational materials in all 24 official EU languages, making it accessible to schools across Europe.

The platform is organised by age groups and topics, allowing users to explore subjects such as EU history, climate and environment, culture, European institutions, citizenship, and digital safety. It includes quizzes, games, competitions, videos, activity books, timelines, and teaching resources designed both for classroom use and independent learning at home.

One of its main goals is to make learning about the European Union more accessible and enjoyable. Instead of presenting information only through traditional texts, the site uses interactive activities and multimedia content to encourage participation and curiosity. Students can test their knowledge through games and quizzes, while teachers can access ready-to-use lesson materials and ideas for classroom activities.

The Learning Corner is also especially useful for teachers because it provides educational resources for different educational levels, from primary school to upper secondary education. In addition, it helps schools connect with other teachers and institutions across Europe, promoting collaboration and international projects.

https://learning-corner.learning.europa.eu/index_en

A brief history of melancholy

The TED-Ed lesson A brief history of melancholy, created by Courtney Stephens and directed by Sharon Colman Graham, explores how the idea of sadness and melancholy has changed throughout history. Through an animated and accessible format, the lesson explains that melancholy has been understood in many different ways over time: as a medical condition, a philosophical state, a creative force, or simply part of the human experience.

The resource examines historical beliefs such as the ancient theory of the “four humors,” where melancholy was linked to an excess of black bile, and later cultural ideas that connected sadness with wisdom, creativity, or artistic sensitivity. It also reflects on modern views of depression and emotional well-being, encouraging viewers to think critically about how societies interpret emotions.

One of the main strengths of this resource is that it combines history, psychology, philosophy, and culture in a short and engaging lesson. The TED-Ed format also includes discussion questions and additional materials, making it especially useful for educational contexts. Teachers can use it to promote conversations about emotions, mental health, and the historical evolution of ideas related to sadness and human behaviour.

https://ed.ted.com/lessons/a-brief-history-of-melancholy-courtney-stephens

OECD Digital Education Outlook 2026

The OECD Digital Education Outlook 2026, Exploring Effective Uses of Generative AI in Education," is a flagship report published by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.  

It serves as a comprehensive guide for policymakers and educators on how to integrate Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) into education systems without compromising the quality of learning. Its central argument is that while AI can improve task performance (e.g., writing a better essay), it does not automatically lead to better learning. 

The OECD warns of "metacognitive laziness," where students offload cognitive tasks to AI. Studies cited in the report show that while students using AI produce higher-quality work, their performance often drops or reverses during exams when the AI is removed. 

A major focus is on ensuring that AI augments rather than replaces teachers. In 2024, approximately 37% of lower secondary teachers were already using AI, and the report emphasizes that involving teachers in the "co-design" of these tools is essential for success.  

Beyond the classroom, the 2026 Outlook explores how AI can streamline school administration, curriculum alignment, and educational research.  

This resource is significant because it is the first major OECD publication to provide a "state-of-the-art" overview of GenAI since the technology became widely accessible. It establishes design principles to ensure that digital transformation in schools supports human growth, critical thinking, and equity, rather than just technical efficiency.

https://www.oecd.org/content/dam/oecd/en/publications/reports/2026/01/oecd-digital-education-outlook-2026_940e0dd8/062a7394-en.pdf

Why is grammar so confusing?

Grammar rules have sparked strong debates across different languages and cultures for centuries. While it is clear that people care deeply about using language “correctly,” it is not always obvious why these rules exist or where they come from. Many of them seem arbitrary, raising questions about whether they truly matter or are simply conventions that have developed over time.

In the video, Arika Okrent explores this issue by examining several well-known examples from English that have generated ongoing disagreement among speakers and writers. Through these cases, the video shows how grammar is not fixed, but shaped by history, usage, and changing attitudes, encouraging viewers to rethink what “correct” language really means.