Some parents have been raising concerns about the teaching of critical race theory in public schools in the United States. Recently, these specious claims have been showing up in Canada too. School boards are being questioned for their anti-racism policies and the teaching of CRT to students. The Waterloo Region Record recently published a story that […] … learn more→
Why critical race theory should inform schools
School orchestras to link music and civic engagement
“I feel happy when I play with “¡Musiquem!”. I don’t know how to explain it, it’s happiness. Maybe later I can become a great cellist. » It was with these words that Sara, a primary school student, told how she felt after the concert that her school orchestra gave in the symphony hall of the Auditorio de Castellón […] … learn more→
Religious women set up some of Australia’s first schools, but their history remains veiled
In a wealthy country like Australia, a time with no government schools seems unimaginable. But back in the 1840s, when the Sisters of Mercy opened the first seconadary school in Western Australia, there were only a few tiny private schools. Many children, particularly girls, received no formal education. Women religious, or nuns, made education more accessible. Their […] … learn more→
What “the 4-hour work week” can teach an idealist researcher
When I saw a colleague’s Tweet about a book called The 4-hour Work Week: Escape 9–5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich (by Tim Ferriss), I was puzzled. After all, the book title seems to advocate for values that idealist academics generally wouldn’t endorse: work little, make lots of money. I also felt some sense of […] … learn more→
5 Important things to know about student loans
Student loans help students pay for their education. They are usually given by the government or a private lender, and they have to be repaid with interest. The interest rate on student loans is usually lower than the interest rate on other types of loans, and the repayment period is often longer. Student loans can […] … learn more→
Patter’s diary
Health warning. This post contains no advice. Here in the UK we are now over the results of the Research Excellence Framework, REF, the UK audit measure of institutional “quality” and “productivity”. We can all breathe a sigh of relief and go back to life as we want it – right? No chance. Just a […] … learn more→
The advantages of growing up with the Internet: adolescents and participation
The development of digital technologies, and the consequent sociocultural change, has encouraged the adolescent population to participate in virtual environments. This permanent connection and supposed dependence on their smartphones and digital networks arouses suspicion, if not concern, on the part of those of us who did not grow up in a similar situation. But there is […] … learn more→
10 Myths about working for the Federal Government
There are myths and assumptions about nearly every type of job. For example, dentists must always have great teeth, and all lawyers are hard-faced individuals. That doesn’t make those statements true, though. The same can be said for many of the myths surrounding federal government work. If you are interested in a government position, it’s […] … learn more→
Children’s mental health and the digital world: how to get the balance right
Technology has increasingly blurred the boundaries between the physical and digital worlds. This has led to dramatic shifts in daily life and changed the way children and adolescents live, socialise, move around and learn. Never before has this been so evident than at the onset of the COVID pandemic and the subsequent exponential rise in technology and […] … learn more→
6 ways fathers can share love and connection with their babies, preschoolers and young children
The early years are the most dynamic time of life, producing more than a million neural connections each second. For parents or caregivers, this time offers a wonderful opportunity to impact children’s lives, allowing children to see and experience relationships and the world as balanced, secure and loving. Through a loving connection, children learn what it means […] … learn more→