Monthly Archives: November 2023

Wearing eyeglasses can help students do better in school

Wearing eyeglasses can help students do better in school

Education plays a pivotal role in shaping a child’s future. While there are a few generally accepted factors for setting them up for success in school, such as dedicated parents or caregivers, encouraging educators, and healthy habits, a surprising component is gaining prominence in the academic performance of students. The simple act of wearing glasses […] … learn more→

Gonski for universities: what if we funded higher education like schools?

Gonski for universities: what if we funded higher education like schools?

The Australian Universities Accord is a major review of Australian universities. Its proposals promise to have a huge impact on how Australia’s higher education system will function in years to come. Education Minister Jason Clare has made equity a top priority for the accord. This means increasing opportunities for disadvantaged groups to attend university and finish their degrees. In […] … learn more→

Is the use of English as the language of instruction at universities in Indonesia effective?

Is the use of English as the language of instruction at universities in Indonesia effective?

In 2021, the British Council Indonesia published a report on the results of a study in response to the policy of using English as a medium of instruction (EMI) which is being widely implemented by several universities in Indonesia as part of higher education internationalization programs. EMI policy ‘requires’ all forms of communication, be it instructions from teachers, materials, […] … learn more→

Do you trust AI to write the news? It already is – and not without issues

Do you trust AI to write the news? It already is – and not without issues

Businesses are increasingly using artificial intelligence (AI) to generate media content, including news, to engage their customers. Now, we’re even seeing AI used for the “gamification” of news – that is, to create interactivity associated with news content. For better or worse, AI is changing the nature of news media. And we’ll have to wise […] … learn more→

As a death doula and professor who teaches about dying, I see a need for more conversations about death

As a death doula and professor who teaches about dying, I see a need for more conversations about death

A growing number of folks may have heard of the death-positive movement, death cafés or death-friendly communities — each of which are animated by the understanding that welcoming our own mortality could improve the quality of our lives. There is truth to these claims. Both as a person who has taught courses on death, dying, and spirituality for more than […] … learn more→

Biden administration executive order tackles AI risks, but lack of privacy laws limits reach

Biden administration executive order tackles AI risks, but lack of privacy laws limits reach

The comprehensive, even sweeping, set of guidelines for artificial intelligence that the White House unveiled in an executive order on Oct. 30, 2023, show that the U.S. government is attempting to address the risks posed by AI. As a researcher of information systems and responsible AI, I believe the executive order represents an important step in building responsible and trustworthy AI. The […] … learn more→

Social media content in times of war: an expert guide on how to keep violence off your feeds

Social media content in times of war: an expert guide on how to keep violence off your feeds

Social media platforms are a great source of information and entertainment. They also help us to maintain contact with friends and family. But social media can also – and has, often – become a toxic environment for spreading disinformation, hatred and conflict. Most people can’t or don’t want to opt out of social media. Efforts by courts and state […] … learn more→

Texas tried to fix its teacher shortage by lowering requirements − the result was more new teachers, but at lower salaries

Texas tried to fix its teacher shortage by lowering requirements − the result was more new teachers, but at lower salaries

Facing persistent teacher shortages, Texas in 2001 reduced its student teaching requirements for alternative licensure programs. Our study found that these reduced teacher licensure requirements also led to reduced wages for all new elementary school teachers over the next 20 years. Previously, a new teacher license was obtained through university training and a series of standardized tests. The license […] … learn more→

Friendship research is getting an update – and that’s key for dealing with the loneliness epidemic

Friendship research is getting an update – and that’s key for dealing with the loneliness epidemic

The benefits of friendship go far beyond having someone to confide in or spend time with – it can also protect you from physical and mental health problems. For example, people with good friends recover more quickly from illnesses and surgeries. They report higher well-being and feel like they live up to their full potential. Additionally, people with good friends report […] … learn more→