What if, instead of stirring up trouble for perverse pleasure, Internet trolls were paid and trained to be the creatures of contempt we love to hate? It’s akin to the singular, goat-gobbling monster versus an army of the same with the weapons to match. Think you’ll want to cross that bridge? Neither do the employers […] … learn more→

How we commend undergraduates can affect not only their attitudes but their performance … learn more→

While school shootings have received widespread media attention, their impact on enrollment and student performance is not well-known. High school shootings can leave potentially damaging effects on both students and schools. Could extreme violence in high schools hinder the ability of students to learn? Could it also influence their decision about whether to stay or […] … learn more→

In June I was at a small conference of social scientists, meeting in the Utah mountains. The setting was beautiful, the meals memorable. But all we talked about was l’affaire LaCour. The actual events have been described elsewhere, including here. In short: An influential article published in Science by Michael J. LaCour, an up-and-coming young […] … learn more→

Most PhD students enter their candidature having been praised throughout their education as “smart” and, perhaps, “a good writer”. Left unsupported these qualities cannot be relied on to produce the type of extended, coherent and innovative research necessary to satisfy doctoral supervisory panels and examination committees. Writing a thesis will almost certainly be more intellectually […] … learn more→

Google Photos is a perfect solution for backing up and managing photos (and videos) on your smartphone. It’s powerful, free, and filled with delightful features. Google Photos stores an unlimited amount of your photos and videos in the cloud and frees up space on your smartphone. It works with iPhones, Android and other devices, keeps […] … learn more→

Earlier this month Harvard University announced a $400 million donation to its engineering college, as part of a $6.5 billion fundraising goal for its comprehensive campaign. Harvard’s endowment stands at $36 billion, with its total wealth estimated at $43 billion. Its endowment earned a 15 percent return on investment last year. Taken together with the […] … learn more→

In earlier posts I highlighted a double standard in higher education, enforced by administration. Actually, I’ve highlighted a few, so guess I should clarify which one I’m talking about. Cheating is protected out of a sense of “fairness”, while religious prejudice against Christians, even if leading to unfair grading, is tolerated. I (and most faculty, […] … learn more→

Good comedians are masters of the call back. A call back is where the comedian tells a joke late in the set which recalls a joke told earlier on. The audience experiences a sense of familiarity. It’s as if they are part of an ongoing conversation. They are ‘in the know’ because they heard about […] … learn more→

A large body of research shows that lesbian, gay and bisexual people are often able to express their sexuality and confirm their sexual identity for the first time when they go to university. Having a safe, accepting and conducive environment in which to “come out” is critical for a person’s well-being. South Africa has very […] … learn more→