IBM recently unveiled what it claimed was the world’s first commercial quantum computer. While the announcement of the Q System One wasn’t scientifically groundbreaking, the fact that IBM sees this as a commercial product that organisations (if not individuals) will want to use is an important breakthrough. IBM has taken a prototype technology that has existed in […] … learn more→
IBM launches commercial quantum computing – we’re not ready for what comes next
University scientists feel the pain of the government shutdown, too
I am very fortunate. My work involves research on topics of interest and importance (OK maybe I’m biased) related to the climate and oceanography of the North Pacific, and the weather of the Pacific Northwest. My primary office is at the Pacific Marine Environmental Laboratory of the National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration, in Seattle, Washington, in […] … learn more→
Higher English entry standards for international students won’t necessarily translate to success
For some time, lowering standards and inadequate English language proficiency have dominated discussions about international students in Australia. Studies show many international students struggle in their relationships, with their finances, feelings of isolation and belonging, all of which affect their educational experience. The suggestion that raising entry standards would ensure success and a higher quality of international graduates is not necessarily true. Achieving […] … learn more→
Too many children with autism are let down by schools and end up in prison
For many young people, school can be a difficult place. And for some, it can be just about impossible. Negative experiences in school can have harmful long-term effects on pupils with autism spectrum conditions. Official figures show that children, are increasingly being suspended or expelled from school because of “behavioural problems” – many of which […] … learn more→
Culturally responsive teaching in a globalized world
Targeted teacher recruitment efforts are one strategy to improve racialized teacher diversity. Enrolment targets or quota admissions are others. Specialized programs for Indigenous peoples such as the teacher program focused on Aboriginal Education at Brock University or Maori Medium Teacher Education in New Zealand demonstrate efforts to grow the number of Indigenous peoples in teaching. But strategies such as as diversified recruiting, […] … learn more→
How to get an exciting education
When I was 16 years old, in the public school where I was studying I was puzzled, the first day of class of the new course. The teacher, at the beginning of the course, told us that that year the subject was not going to be called Natural Sciences, but “learn to flirt”. We stood with […] … learn more→
Why create your personal brand?
Ah humans … we are both all different and all alike. We gauge, observe, we imitate. There is nothing better to see our similarities and differences than social networks. The new family album Facebook and Instagram have become, for some, the family album. We pose, we eat, we laugh … we give to see, we reveal, we share. […] … learn more→
Why it’s wrong to label students ‘at-risk’
Of all the terms used to describe students who don’t perform well in traditional educational settings, few are used as frequently– or as casually – as the term “at-risk.” The term is regularly used in federal and state education policy discussions, as well as popular news articles and specialty trade journals. It is often applied to large groups of students with little regard for the stigmatizing […] … learn more→
College sportsball “organizer” gets $1,000,000 a year…only does ONE game
I don’t often cover the immense fraud of college sportsball, there are so many frauds in higher education that I focus more on things which impact the real students on campus. On the other hand, I do often talk about the immense pay our administrators on campus make, and their luxurious lifestyles, and this guy […] … learn more→
Lessons from ‘Spider-Man’: How video games could change college science education
Like many people over the holidays, I spent some time – maybe too much – playing one of the most popular and best reviewed video games of 2018: “Spider-Man.” While I thought I’d be taking a break from chemistry research, I found myself web-swinging through virtual research missions all over New York City. I collected samples of polycyclic […] … learn more→