Monthly Archives: March 2014

Why did Sunrise Semester fail?

Last time around I reminded the gentle reader of a problem with the online craze in education, beyond the simple fact that most of it is, obviously, fraudulent. Sunrise Semester, college courses via tv programming, had everything online coursework does, but wasn’t anywhere near as successful. What does the internet have to offer that Sunrise […] … learn more→

Is misinformation about the climate criminally negligent?

The importance of clearly communicating science to the public should not be underestimated. Accurately understanding our natural environment and sharing that information can be a matter of life or death. When it comes to global warming, much of the public remains in denial about a set of facts that the majority of scientists clearly agree […] … learn more→

The true spirit of Law-school reform

Although a storm of criticism surrounds contemporary legal education, a key group in developing accreditation standards recently responded with welcome caution. The Standards Review Committee of the American Bar Association’s Section of Legal Education and Admissions to the Bar voted on February 7 to recommend only three relatively modest changes to ABA standards. The committee […] … learn more→

Goodbye, goodbye. . .

Here’s something we wouldn’t say nowadays. It’s in a “parlor ballad” published in The Social Harp (1855): Farewell, farewell is a lonely sound, And always brings a sigh, But give to me that good old word That comes from the heart, good-bye. Adieu, adieu, may do for the gay, When pleasure’s throng is nigh, But […] … learn more→

Remember sunrise semester?

Admin: “Utilization of Online Education will change the interface of higher education! We need to position ourselves to take advantage of these learners by installing dashboards and establishing metrics to strategically enhance our retention plan for growth in the 21st century…” –I’m kidding here, completely making up the usual administrative gibberish…I bet I fooled a […] … learn more→

Parenting your way to a PhD

PhD study while also parenting can’t be described as easy. Of course I never really expected it to be, but it’s difficult in ways I never anticipated. As my youngest child approached primary school age I realised that I was going to be bored when he went to school. Already I was spending far too […] … learn more→

Ice age: who has used crystal meth – and why?

If you’ve listened to the news lately, you might think that Australia is overrun with uncontrollably violent people on crystal methamphetamine. This may be true of those in crisis, but the bigger picture of meth use is much more varied. Australia has one of the highest rates of illicit methamphetamine use in the world and […] … learn more→

The curious case of the happy adjunct

One day last year I began my day by pedaling my bike gently, so as not to break a sweat, to the Taipei Public Library, an eight-story concrete tower with tropical plants hanging from its angular balconies. Once more into the breach, dear friends, once more, another day of work: I logged on to see […] … learn more→

The pathway from a Liberal Arts education to a job at Google

Quite appropriately, prospective college students and their families are looking for colleges and universities, and specific majors, that will help the student prepare for a successful future career. It is easy to see the path from accounting or nursing major to C.P.A. or R.N., but less so the path for English or Sociology majors leading […] … learn more→