Academic freedom refers to a set of freedoms including freedom of teaching, freedom of research, and freedom of expression, all of which enable the university to fulfill its missions. It is therefore closely linked to the role assigned to the university. To better protect it, as attacks against education and higher education have multiplied in the United […] … learn more→
Blog Archives
The Origins of Academic Freedom, from Germany to the United States
Is learning better by participating in class?
What does a “good student” do? They take notes, pay attention, and remain silent while the teacher explains: this would be a common response. That is, the teacher takes the lead, and the students remain passive. This is often considered the best model for getting good grades . Active methodologies propose something different: learning based on student participation . […] … learn more→
Becoming a teacher: shaping a professional identity
Over the past decade, teacher resignations have been on the rise, particularly among those new to the profession. To curb this phenomenon, it is important to better understand how a sense of professional identity develops and the factors that play a role in its construction. This 2025 school year, a number of classes have once […] … learn more→
Private tutoring for school kids is ‘booming’. But this poses risks for students
Private tutoring for Australian school students is reported to be a “booming”, billion-dollar industry. It’s estimated one in six students get private tutoring at some point in their schooling. In some pockets – such as Sydney – this rises to one in four students. In our new research we highlight how there is little to no concrete state or federal regulation of tutoring […] … learn more→
Tibetan Buddhist nuns are getting advanced degrees − and the Dalai Lama played a major role in that shift
In August 2025, 161 Tibetan Buddhist nuns from religious institutions across India and Nepal – a record number – gathered at the Dolma Ling Nunnery in northern India to take various levels of the “geshema” examination. These exams are in preparation for one day receiving the geshema degree, comparable with a doctorate in Tibetan Buddhist philosophy. The […] … learn more→
Emmy-winning ER drama The Pitt shines a light on compassionate teaching
The Pitt, HBO Max’s Emmy-winning television medical drama, is a breakout hit. Medical professionals and critics alike laud the show for its realistic portrayal of an emergency room. That the show is also a master class in teaching has largely escaped notice. As a critic and scholar who writes about representations of teachers in popular media, I hadn’t expected to think […] … learn more→
How to develop a critical view of technology in the classroom
The digital transformation in all areas of life raises multiple questions about the relationship between technology and society. In the field of education, in particular, we see the need to prepare students for active digital citizenship. We want to educate citizens capable of using technology competently, appropriately, and responsibly in their daily lives. This objective […] … learn more→
Five science-based tricks to keep your new school year resolutions
For many, the return from summer vacation, in September in the northern hemisphere and March in the southern hemisphere, is the true “New Year” moment. More than just a return to the calendar, it represents a return to routine after a period of disconnection. During the summer, cities empty out, the pace changes, and for […] … learn more→
Identifying as a ‘STEM person’ makes you more likely to pursue a STEM job – and caregivers may unknowingly shape kids’ self-identity
Employers in science, technology, engineering and mathematics – commonly called the STEM industries – continue to struggle to attract female applicants. In its 2024 jobs report, the National Science Board found that men outnumber women almost 3-to-1 in STEM jobs that require at least a bachelor’s degree and over 8-to-1 in STEM jobs that don’t, such as electrical, […] … learn more→
5 ways students can think about learning so that they can learn more − and how their teachers can help
During my years teaching science in middle school, high school and college, some of my students have resisted teaching that educators call higher-order thinking. This includes analysis, creative and critical thinking, and problem-solving. For example, when I asked them to draw conclusions from data or generate a process for testing an idea, some students replied, “Why don’t […] … learn more→
