Blog Archives

Girls less likely to be diagnosed with special educational needs – new research

Girls less likely to be diagnosed with special educational needs – new research

The point when a child with special educational needs (SEN) is diagnosed is an important moment in their lives. It allows schools to provide them with access to additional resources, such as assistive technology, specialised teaching programs or the services of professionals such as educational psychologists. These resources help to meet children’s academic, emotional or social needs. […] … learn more→

Writing instructors are less afraid of students cheating with ChatGPT than you might think

Writing instructors are less afraid of students cheating with ChatGPT than you might think

When ChatGPT launched a year ago, headlines flooded the internet about fears of student cheating. A pair of essays in The Atlantic decried “the end of high-school English” and the death of the college essay.“ NPR informed readers that ”everybody is cheating.“ Meanwhile, Teen Vogue ventured that the moral panic ”may be overblown.“ The more measured […] … learn more→

What should I give my child’s teacher at the end of the year?

What should I give my child’s teacher at the end of the year?

As we approach the end of the school year, many families are thinking about what might be an appropriate gift to thank teachers. Meanwhile, teachers are preparing for an inundation of scented candles, boxes of chocolates and pot plants as they head into a well-deserved summer break. As a former high school teacher, I remember […] … learn more→

What are bush kinders? And what makes a good one?

What are bush kinders? And what makes a good one?

In Australia we have a long history of taking children outdoors to learn about the natural environment. But thanks to computer games, tablets and busy lifestyles, children aren’t getting as much exposure to nature as they used to. “Bush kinders” are one way to counter this. In a bush kinder, children in preschool years are regularly taken […] … learn more→

Why are so many graduates shunning teaching? Pay – but not bonuses – could be the answer

Why are so many graduates shunning teaching? Pay – but not bonuses – could be the answer

There is a persistent shortage of teachers in England. Numbers of new recruits fail to meet targets, and too many teachers are leaving their jobs. It’s clear that more new teachers are needed – but apparently not enough people are choosing the profession. Much of the existing evidence about why people become teachers is based only on the views of […] … learn more→

A new database of teachers on screen shows they are often portrayed as rule breakers, losers or villains

A new database of teachers on screen shows they are often portrayed as rule breakers, losers or villains

The federal and state governments’ new “Be That Teacher” campaign aims to boost enrolments in teaching degrees by raising the status of teachers. It uses a diverse range of real teachers talking about the real impact they can have on students’ lives. It has been praised for its authenticity, but will it be enough to meaningfully change the way […] … learn more→

Creating level classes: assets or obstacles to student success?

Creating level classes: assets or obstacles to student success?

How can we get students with varied academic skills and learning problems to work together? Some teachers report their difficulties in managing the heterogeneity of their classes . This is particularly the case when the academic difficulties of certain students are coupled with behavioral problems. Is forming level classes the solution then? By evoking in October 2023 the possibility of organizing […] … learn more→

Fewer U.S. college students are studying a foreign language − and that spells trouble for national security

Fewer U.S. college students are studying a foreign language − and that spells trouble for national security

When the Soviet Union launched Sputnik 1, the first artificial Earth satellite, on Oct. 4, 1957, it did more than spark fears about America’s ability to compete technologically. It also raised concerns that the U.S. had a shortage of Russian speakers capable of monitoring Soviet scientific and military activities. In 1958, the National Defense Education Act authorized funding to […] … learn more→

Investing in your child's future: A guide to education savings

Investing in your child’s future: A guide to education savings

Navigating the financial landscape to secure your child’s educational future can be daunting, a sentiment echoed by 63% of Canadian parents. These parents not only express concern over the means to fund post-secondary education but also find the financial preparation overwhelming. With tuition fees on the rise, establishing an education fund is becoming an indispensable […] … learn more→