Monthly Archives: November 2024

What are threshold concepts and what role do they play in college success?

What are threshold concepts and what role do they play in college success?

Imagine a chef at a trendy restaurant who doesn’t know how to make mayonnaise, or a pastry chef who works in a bakery and has never made a basic cake: do you think it’s possible? At university, students begin a path of specialization that requires a much more detailed study of academic subjects and disciplines. […] … learn more→

How are research integrity complaints handled in Australia?

How are research integrity complaints handled in Australia?

Most researchers are honest and their work is a worthwhile addition to the scholarly record. However, a significant percentage of researchers are engaged in questionable practices or producing work lacking integrity. For example, Bik and colleagues have estimated ~2% of the biomedical literature is affected by image manipulation problems. Adam Day, who runs the Papermill Alarm, has estimated that […] … learn more→

AI harm is often behind the scenes and builds over time – a legal scholar explains how the law can adapt to respond

AI harm is often behind the scenes and builds over time – a legal scholar explains how the law can adapt to respond

As you scroll through your social media feed or let your favorite music app curate the perfect playlist, it may feel like artificial intelligence is improving your life – learning your preferences and serving your needs. But lurking behind this convenient facade is a growing concern: algorithmic harms. These harms aren’t obvious or immediate. They’re […] … learn more→

Warm and friendly or competent and straightforward? What students want from AI chatbots in the classroom

Warm and friendly or competent and straightforward? What students want from AI chatbots in the classroom

Artificial intelligence (AI) is rapidly transforming education, with schools and universities increasingly experimenting with AI chatbots to assist students in self-directed learning. These digital assistants offer immediate feedback, answer questions and guide students through complex material. For teachers, the chatbots can reduce their workload by helping them provide scalable and personalised feedback to students. But what makes […] … learn more→

Understanding Juvenile Court: Navigating the path for young offenders

Understanding Juvenile Court: Navigating the path for young offenders

Juvenile court is a dedicated branch of the legal system designed to handle offenses committed by individuals under the age of 18. Unlike adult court, its primary focus is on rehabilitation rather than punishment. When minors commit unlawful acts, juvenile court steps in with the goal of helping them correct their behavior and avoid a […] … learn more→

ChatGPT's false empathy

ChatGPT’s false empathy

Anthropomorphism is the tendency to attribute human characteristics to non-human entities, such as machines or animals. In the case of chatbots , such as ChatGPT, Gemini or Copilot, this phenomenon occurs when they imitate human language to communicate with us. Not only do they use understandable and familiar words and phrases, but they also adopt human-specific communication patterns . In this […] … learn more→

Science fiction stories allow us to explore what we want, and what we reject with AI

Science fiction stories allow us to explore what we want, and what we reject with AI

Science fiction has long been a window into possible futures, often anticipating technological advancements and societal shifts with surprising accuracy. While AI is now widely recognized for its practical uses — like natural language processing and pattern recognition — science fiction often brings more captivating and thought-provoking perspectives. Movies and shows have depicted AI and robots both […] … learn more→

What would it mean if President-elect Trump dismantled the US Department of Education?

What would it mean if President-elect Trump dismantled the US Department of Education?

In her role as former chief executive of World Wrestling Entertainment, Linda McMahon oversaw an enterprise that popularized the “takedown” for millions of wrestling fans. But as President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for secretary of education, the Trump loyalist may be tasked with taking down the very department Trump has asked her to lead. If Trump does dismantle the Department […] … learn more→

Alliance defending freedom challenges Oklahoma's religious Charter  School ban

Alliance defending freedom challenges Oklahoma’s religious Charter School ban

The Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board, represented by Alliance Defending Freedom, has petitioned the U.S. Supreme Court to review a case that could have far-reaching implications for religious schools and educational choice across America. Oklahoma Statewide Charter School Board v. Drummond, stems from the Oklahoma Supreme Court’s ruling that blocked the board from authorizing a […] … learn more→