The coronavirus pandemic has disrupted the education of at least 1.5 billion school students. That’s more than 90% of the world’s children. Although many schools in the west, along with private schools in the developing world, have continued some school activities online, more than 50% of learners worldwide do not have a household computer. The absence of face-to-face learning […] … learn more→
Monthly Archives: June 2020

I redesigned a school playground for my PhD – and the children got better marks learning outside

What is the future of Blockchain technology?
Most of the tech investors are now interested to invest in blockchain technology. Because technology has a wide range of applications for keeping records of data and transactions of different industries in a secure, transparent, and immutable way. However, blockchain technology has become popular when people get to know about the potential of the digital […] … learn more→

Going online due to COVID-19 this fall could hurt colleges’ future
When the California State University system decided to conduct all of its classes online this coming fall, administrators said it was to avoid the health risks associated with COVID-19. Many other colleges are making similar decisions as they move online. Wayne State University and Michigan State University are likely to go online – but may offer a hybrid of […] … learn more→

‘I love Australia’: 3 things international students want Australians to know
A recent statement from China’s education bureau warned Chinese students about studying in Australia due to “racist incidents” during the COVID-19 pandemic. Such statements, and further moves from China’s education agents threatening to redirect students towards international competitors such as the United Kingdom, can negatively affect Australia as a study destination. Australia’s universities are already reeling from the loss […] … learn more→

Scientific breakthroughs: it takes a village
The greater prominence enjoyed by scientists during the Covid-19 pandemic has led to some individuals gaining a high profile – with the attendant praise and demonisation that this can bring. But these public figures are just the visible tip of a huge iceberg of effort taking place to combat the pandemic. To convert one bright […] … learn more→

Collaboration across disciplines makes it easier to solve problems (including COVID-19 )
In this time of hoaxes and false news we miss ideas. The “good ideas” arise from knowledge, from reflection, from argumentation and from counter-argumentation. This is why cooperative and shared knowledge is so important. The concept of interdisciplinary refers to the study or activity that is carried out with the cooperation of various disciplines . The cooperation between different disciplines allows analyzing […] … learn more→

Brain research shows the arts promote mental health
During self-isolation due to coronavirus, many are turning to the arts. Perhaps they seek a creative outlet or opportunity for expression; but it’s also possible that their attraction may be driven by an innate desire to use their brains in ways that make them feel good. As a professor and arts educator for over 20 years, I […] … learn more→

University students aren’t cogs in a market. They need more than a narrow focus on ‘skills’
Prime Minister Scott Morrison recently announced a revamp of the vocational education and training (VET) sector to focus more on skills needed for work. Providing training for people “who need to upskill or reskill” was also a recommendation of an interim Productivity Commission report released last week. The same emphasis on skills is evident when it comes to […] … learn more→

Why academic writing sucks (and how we can fix it)
My last post, where I called bullshit on the way we do the PhD seemed to hit a nerve. In fact, it got more hits in 24 hour period than I’ve ever seen before. Many people wrote in asking: how should I spend the remaining time in my PhD? Good question! I have a lot of thoughts. […] … learn more→

Online education can strand the disadvantaged on a Pacific island
In the Republic of the Marshall Islands, people still go to stores and touch everything. Hugs and handshakes are common. We have unprotected intimate interactions with door handles. Yet, even here, on this series of 29 small atolls in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, Covid-19 has raised issues for higher education that reverberate on […] … learn more→