The “zero tolerance” in the face of school bullying, brandished by the new Minister of Education, following the decree of August 16, 2023 on the exclusion of the harassing student, shows both the seriousness of this phenomenon which affects the school and the need for strong actions to address this threat which weighs on many children, adolescents […] … learn more→
School: excluding harassing students, is this really the solution?
Bilingualism and intellectual disability: what is recommended in families with more than one language
Until recently, it was common to recommend that a person with an intellectual disability not be exposed to a second language . Likewise, it was not common to carry out linguistic policies that encouraged the maintenance of heritage languages (foreign family language) among migrant families. However, some people with intellectual disabilities who grew up in families with this […] … learn more→
Virtual influencers: meet the AI-generated figures posing as your new online friends – as they try to sell you stuff
The future of influence is here: a digital avatar that captivates millions of adoring fans while offering unparalleled customisation and round-the-clock availability. Virtual influencers are transforming the way content is created, consumed and marketed online. They represent an electrifying dance between cutting-edge technology and our desire for connection. But, at the same time, they are […] … learn more→
This course uses ‘climate fiction’ to teach about the perils that a warming planet faces
Title of course: “Climate Change Literature” What prompted the idea for the course? After reading many fiction books that featured themes of climate change, I felt compelled to create a course that would allow students to do the same. The idea was to have students learn about our planetary crisis by exploring how it’s portrayed […] … learn more→
What helps students cope with academic setbacks? Our research shows a sense of belonging at school is key
Academic challenges and difficulties are inevitable parts of school – this is how students learn. So researchers have long been interested in the ways students navigate these challenges and how to help them cope better. Recent research has focused on the concept of “academic buoyancy” or everyday resilience at school. This is about students’ capacity […] … learn more→
How to take lunch
Recently, I challenged the hosts of the productivity podcast, On the Reg, to take a lunch break four days a week. You can hear it here (from 30:34 to 35:02). My challenge to the hosts Jason Downs and Inger Mewburn was simple: You have to be away from your desk for an hour. You can do no work […] … learn more→
4 steps to speed up recovery from post-pandemic ‘learning loss’
Since yesterday’s pandemic, we have often heard the term learning loss or a decline in students’ academic knowledge and skills. Our previous article discussed the potential for recovery from learning loss . Interestingly, some schools and students can recover from learning loss more quickly than others . What factors accelerated the recovery? 1. Curriculum adjustments The literature shows that curricula in developing countries tend […] … learn more→
National wants to change how NZ schools teach reading – but ‘structured literacy’ must be more than just a classroom checklist
If it wins the election, the National Party has vowed to shake up how children are taught to read and write. Part of this education overhaul includes a pledge to require the teaching of “structured literacy” in all year 0-6 classrooms. For many in education, the announcement is welcome. It signals a move to an explicit and […] … learn more→
Saving words – check your citations
It’s amazing how much citations can add to your word count. Before you know it, you’ve amassed a few hundred words just filling in brackets. Of course you need citations. You can’t just leave them out. You can’t just assert. Citing your sources acknowledges the work you’re building in, the work you’re using, the work […] … learn more→
Are the days of end-of-study projects as we know them numbered?
End-of-study projects (TFE) are a fundamental part of the educational system in higher education that marks the end (or end) of the student’s passage through the university. However, they also place a considerable workload on teachers. Corrections, meetings and paperwork that add to all the other tasks we do each academic year. For some it is a […] … learn more→