Two weeks after the A-level and GCSE exams were cancelled, English assessment authority OFQUAL has decided how grades will be decided for these qualifications. They will be awarded by teachers in the first instance, and these recommendations will then be moderated by exam boards. The fact that this announcement was delayed twice suggests that the prime […] … learn more→
Author Archives: Kevin
Coronavirus and school exams: despite plan for grading pupils, there may be trouble ahead
What will happen to school grades during the coronavirus pandemic?
COVID-19 has brought a tsunami of change and impacted every facet and sector of society, including the lives of children, parents and teachers. UN Secretary-General António Guterres recently said that the coronavirus pandemic is the biggest global challenge since the Second World War. When K-12 schools will reopen in Canada remains an open question, and hope […] … learn more→
Tips on how to plan a virtual academic conference
As the Covid-19 pandemic expands across the globe, the cancellation of academic conferences may not seem a top concern. But for those involved in organising or contributing to a conference it can be devastating to see their work wasted. In 2019 the Educational Developers’ Caucus in Canada changed the traditional face-to-face format of our annual […] … learn more→
6 ways to build motivation to do your schoolwork now that you’re forced to learn online at home
Even in normal circumstances, it can be hard to get motivated to do your schoolwork. But these are not normal circumstances. The switch to remote instruction caused by COVID-19 has been unsettling. Patterns have changed. Habits have been disrupted. Remote classes are simply different from classes that involve face-to-face instruction. As a researcher who looks at what it takes to […] … learn more→
Improve your gut’s health with these top tips and tricks
Why are you neglecting your health? Why are you not taking good care of your gut? Do you know that the gut is one of the most important organs of the body? According to research, the gut plays a key role in boosting your body’s overall immunity. Plus, not taking good care of your gut […] … learn more→
US private schools often inflate student grades. This could happen in Australia if we cancel year 12 exams
The unfolding COVID-19 situation has brought many changes to school education. NAPLAN tests have been cancelled for 2020 and most children are learning online. Education minister Dan Tehan is meeting with the states on what to do with year 12 exams and criteria for university entry. One option flagged is for universities to look at a mixture of students’ […] … learn more→
Chloroquine and viral infections: what you need to know
Unknown to most people yesterday, hydroxychloroquine (trade name Plaquenil) is today at the heart of a medical, scientific and ethical issue. Due to the progression of the pandemic, these debates which started in France are now experiencing various developments abroad, notably in the USA where President Donald Trump and Professor Anthony Fauci, director of the National Institute of Allergies and […] … learn more→
National university curriculum not the answer to ‘low quality’ courses
When the UK government talks – as it often does – about its desire to crack down on what it terms “low quality courses”, it is really talking about courses with low graduate earnings. But a recent article in Times Higher Education suggested that a better alternative might be to introduce some form of national […] … learn more→
Being a PhD researcher in a digital world
During last year, I found myself drawn to attend several workshops run by the research education and development team at my university. They had topics such as blogging and developing a digital profile. My interests sprang from a desire to get my research and writing on girl internees in Changi during World War II – […] … learn more→
Coronavirus: Social distancing is cutting asylum seekers off from education and support
The UK’s social distancing measures in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic have caused unprecedented changes to individual and social lives. The necessity of the measures to control the disease is not in question. However, it is becoming clear that the effects of social distancing will hit refugees and asylum seekers harder and in more […] … learn more→
