A little while ago, I spent a morning writing introductory letters to people. They came about for a range of reasons: A friend had asked me if I knew someone who could help with qualitative methodology and analysis. I knew a consultant who could help. A colleague was looking for work, and I offered to […] … learn more→
Author Archives: Kevin
How I build bridges
Homework: How to make the most of search engines
Doing research on the Internet is a very formative activity. For example, a study has shown that young people who develop real online research strategies also have better grades at university. But these skills are not acquired automatically by spending more time surfing the web. On the contrary, students need explicit advice and instructions to be able to do more effective research. Young people tend […] … learn more→
College men more likely to seek grade changes than college women
“Professor, my final grade in your class is a C. Is there anything I can do to get a B-minus?” In my job as a college professor, I typically got one or two such requests from male students at the end of each semester. However, only one female student ever asked me for such a […] … learn more→
Lecture recordings mean fewer students are turning up – does it matter?
In 2017, a business lecturer posted a photo on LinkedIn showing a completely empty university classroom, 15 minutes after the class had been scheduled to start. This is not an isolated incident. Anecdotally, lecture and tutorial attendance has been declining steadily in Australian universities and faculties for many years. Declining attendance may affect students’ academic performance and their sense of connectedness. University […] … learn more→
Playing about with data
Not everything we do in our research has to have a definite end point. Sometimes it’s good to set aside all those anxieties about ‘getting through and getting done’. We might even like to take some time to simply play about with our data. Experiment. See what happens. Perhaps there are new insights to be […] … learn more→
China’s universities have been at the centre of its #MeToo movement
China recently marked the second anniversary of its #MeToo movement and despite no robust legislation to curb sexual harassment on a national or institutional level, the movement has had some important victories driven mostly by students. Considering China’s ongoing censorship that has silenced various civic voices, the emergence and persistence of #MeToo should be regarded […] … learn more→
Zero-sum thinking is an AI talent killer
Technology arising out of artificial intelligence has untold potential to benefit humanity and to generate wealth and employment. It also offers exciting new ways to explore most academic disciplines. Moreover, if a technology company cannot learn from the innovative work done in higher education, it will probably fail to find a platform for sustainable growth. […] … learn more→
GIF jumps from social networks to the classroom
GIFs ( Graphics Interchange Format , for its acronym in English) have resurfaced as a preferred format in communications and are present daily on social networks. We live in a very visual time. Images, photographs and videos facilitate the understanding of information and dialogue not only verbal, but also visual and audiovisual. Increasingly simple programs and applications now […] … learn more→
Federal Pell Grants help pay for college – but are they enough to help students finish?
Pell Grants are one way the federal government helps people pay for college. During the 2020 to 2021 school year, eligible students can receive up to US$6,345 through the program, depending on where they go to school, how many classes they take and how much money their family makes. Despite this assistance, students who receive Pell Grants […] … learn more→
A guide to buying the perfect engagement ring in Baltimore
One of the very first impressions you make on your better half is at the start of your married life when you give them a ring that is going to be a symbol of your engagement. The custom of proposing marriage with a ring has its origins from ancient Egypt but wasn’t common until the tradition was […] … learn more→
