Title of course: Whodunit?: Detective Stories What prompted the idea for the course? I had just finished reading one of Dorothy Sayers’ novels – “Gaudy Night,” which in my opinion is one of the best of her detective novels featuring Harriet Vane and Lord Peter Wimsey. A colleague and I were discussing Harriet’s ability to […] … learn more→
Blog Archives
This course uses crime novels to teach critical thinking
English tuition fees rise – but it’s nowhere near enough income to solve universities’ financial crisis
UK education secretary Bridget Phillipson has announced that university tuition fees in England are set to rise next academic year, with the maximum fee increasing by £285 to £9,535. This will be the first increase in university education for domestic undergraduate students since 2017, when fees were raised to £9,250. The additional income is sorely needed. Data from […] … learn more→
How Computer screen monitoring software helps with online exam integrity
Online education has seen rapid growth, with the global e-learning market expected to reach $457.8 billion by 2026. This growth has fueled a parallel increase in online exams, often raising concerns about the integrity of these assessments. Institutions increasingly turn to computer screen monitoring software to prevent cheating and ensure fair testing environments. Such software […] … learn more→
Are academics more likely to answer emails from ‘Melissa’ or ‘Rahul’? The answer may not surprise you
Universities are supposed to be places where all students can learn, free from discrimination. A key part of this ideal is academics welcoming all students to study and research, regardless of their racial background. But as our new research shows, Australian academics responded differently to potential PhD students, depending on whether they were called “Melissa” or “Rahul”. Racism on campus […] … learn more→
False economies
First of all, there is the business model of the university. In Australia (where I’m based) almost all universities are teaching and research ‘liberal arts’ universities, and they are almost all pubic institutions. We have a couple of private universities, but I haven’t really considered them for the purpose of this post. The business model […] … learn more→
Higher education: from students’ freedom to demonstrate to the neutrality of public service
Who is responsible for order on campus? Who should a demonstration be reported to? What are students’ rights in this area? How do universities ensure freedom of expression? Some legal insights. While various student gatherings “in support of the Palestinian people” were organized at the beginning of October, the new Minister of Higher Education Patrick Hetzel addressed the […] … learn more→
Happiness class is helping clinically depressed school teachers become emotionally healthy − with a cheery assist from Aristotle
Title of Course Evidence-Based Happiness for Teachers What prompted the idea for the course? I was discouraged. For nearly three decades, as a clinical psychologist, I trained mental health professionals on suicide assessment. The work was good but difficult. All the while, I watched in dismay as U.S. suicide rates relentlessly increased for 20 consecutive years, from […] … learn more→
Decolonising the curriculum hasn’t closed the gap between Black and white students – here’s what might
Students at UK universities are less likely to get a top degree – a first or 2:1 – if they are from an ethnic minority. This is known as the race or ethnicity award gap. It is measured by comparing the proportion of white undergraduates who recieve a top degree with the proportion of students […] … learn more→
United States : Student debt, a threat to universities and a major political issue
Is a college education still a worthwhile investment when it means taking on decades of debt? A growing portion of young Americans believe the benefits of their degrees don’t justify the price. With the Supreme Court blocking the Biden administration’s attempt to ease the burden of that debt, the situation is putting pressure on universities […] … learn more→
Indigenous students and faculty are on the rise — and universities have a moral obligation to support them
As we close out September, universities across Canada are well into their new year of learning. An exciting change is underway. An increasing number of First Nations, Inuit and Métis students have enrolled in post-secondary studies. Many universities are aware of this growing interest in post-secondary studies among Indigenous Peoples and have actively recruited from this […] … learn more→
