It may not be poetry, but the neologism “phygital” captures the balancing act required as organisations dip their toes back into physical interaction, without abandoning hard-won digital capabilities. This is one of a handful of buzzwords that have emerged out of a series of educational webinars, called The McMaster Collaboratorium, that has taken a diverse […] … learn more→
Blog Archives
Are university leaders up to the challenges of the ‘phygital’ world?
5 tips on how unis can do more to design online learning that works for all students
The COVID-19 pandemic has driven a rapid shift to online learning at all Australian universities. This presents unique opportunities for both educators and students, but also new challenges. Recent media reports suggest online learning might not be meeting the needs of all students. In particular, university students with disabilities report they are struggling with online learning that […] … learn more→
Masters, doctorate: is plagiarism increasing at university?
In March 2019, the world of journalism was shaken by a case of plagiarism : the former editor-in-chief of the New York Times was accused of having used passages from existing sources for her book Merchants of Truth . A year later, it was the turn of the French academic world to be shaken by a scandal: faced with proven evidence of […] … learn more→
Is ‘cultural Marxism’ really taking over universities? I crunched some numbers to find out
“Cultural Marxism” is a term favoured by those on the right who argue the humanities are hopelessly out of touch with ordinary Australia. The criticism is that radical voices have captured the humanities, stifling free speech on campuses. The term has been used widely over the past decade. Most infamously, in former senator Fraser Anning’s 2018 “final solution” speech to parliament […] … learn more→
Does 4 years of college make students more liberal?
The big idea Over four years of college, students develop positive attitudes for political liberals but not conservatives. Why it matters Higher education needs support from conservatives – lawmakers as well as taxpayers. But conservative critics continue to fault higher education for making students more liberal. The central argument is that higher education does not value politically conservative perspectives. As […] … learn more→
Universities are a juicy prize for cyber criminals. Here are 5 ways to improve their defences
Universities worldwide are a growing target for hackers. A July 2020 report by cybersecurity company Redscan found more than 50% of UK universities recorded a data breach in the previous 12 months. More recently, a data breach has affected 444,000 users of ProctorU. Universities, including several Australian ones, use this online tool to supervise students sitting exams from […] … learn more→
#LitReview – Getting to structure, part one
If you are about to start reading for your doctorate, or are already in the reading phase, then you know that you are reading in order to: refine your research question, locate your work in the field, identify your potential contribution, and find material that helps you to plan your research and analysis. You may […] … learn more→
Academics whose institution has no post-Covid future should be laid off
The job subsidies that are in place in many countries as a result of the Covid-19 lockdowns now apply to more than 50 million workers across the world, including probably about half a million in higher education. The subsidies’ aim is a worthy one: to protect workers from a descent into poverty when their jobs […] … learn more→
For maximum Covid compliance, build bridges with students, not barriers
When college students get onto campus this autumn, they will behave as 18-24-year-olds are accustomed to. They will gather in groups – to study, to socialise and, in the case of older students, to renew acquaintances that were abruptly broken off when Covid-19 hit in March 2020, forcing campus evacuations and the completion of the […] … learn more→
Universities must redouble their international mission
The suspension of international travel during the Covid-19 pandemic has caused many to revisit confident assertions that the 21st century will be defined by smooth and unfettered global links. In an age of lockdowns, working from home and the return, in some cases, of international trade barriers, many have been tempted to predict a more […] … learn more→
