Adults over the age of 25, called non-traditional students among academia, are returning to school in increasing numbers. In 2015, 8.1 million non-traditional students were actively enrolled in courses at higher learning institutions in America. To some extent, the rise in non-traditional student college and university enrollment is driven by the hasty evolution of business […] … learn more→
Blog Archives
5 reasons I went back to school (& why you should too)
How to make an index for your book or dissertation
The index is the elder sibling of the glossary, who has grown up, moved to the big city and started doing drugs. Anyone who has been asked to write one will tremble a little in their boots, at least the first time. Basically, an index is a quick look up list of terms that appear in […] … learn more→
Take down the administrative University, Part 2
I’m continuing to look at a thorough discussion of the main reasons higher education is such a mess today. The author cites four key problem areas, but as always I have some things to add. Students By all available metrics, student intellectual performance has declined precipitously as the university administration has ballooned…the takeaway numbers regarding […] … learn more→
Why double-majors might beat you out of a job
Two college majors are better than one. That is the conclusion that researchers are beginning to reach. Prior research has already shown that students who double major can earn more than peers who majored in only one field. New research we conducted recently shows that double majors fare better in another way as well: They are more innovative. We […] … learn more→
Takedown of the all-administration University
It’s no secret we have a huge, huge, problem in higher education today. Between the riots, the proven lack of education, and the soaring tuition we’re seeing a system of such high cost, minimal stability, and low usefulness it’ll be surprising if higher education 20 years from now looks anything like the mess of today. […] … learn more→
Why ‘safe spaces’ at universities are a threat to free speech
The idea of universities being a “safe space” was until recently an issue that was unique to the US. Now the UK has experienced an upswing in incidents in which so-called “safe space” policies have reportedly threatened the right to free speech in British universities. Closely tied to the concept of “no-platforming” – where speakers […] … learn more→
Universities should take stronger leadership on knowledge and how it matters
If reports in the media can be trusted, then “knowing” isn’t what it used to be. It seems that we are all caught in a rip, being swept helplessly from a knowledge-based world into a post-truth society, where robots will take all the best jobs. The latest edition of the Innovating Pedagogy report, published annually by […] … learn more→
Clothes do not make the woman: what female academics wear is subject to constant scrutiny
The grand orator at today’s graduation couldn’t be bothered to take out her facial piercings! Gross! What a slob!” This tweet, written last November, was clearly designed to be offensive, and it hit home, blindsiding me and briefly knocking my confidence. I had gone for the role as public orator because it troubled me that […] … learn more→
Facebook data: why ethical reviews matter in academic research
When the Facebook data of 50m users was collected by Cambridge academic Aleksandr Kogan, his actions reportedly came to the attention of colleagues who regarded his subsequent use of the data as unethical. The university revealed that Kogan had unsuccessfully applied for ethics approval in 2015 to use data collected on behalf of GSR, a commercial enterprise he set […] … learn more→
Thesis knowhow – “the contribution” can create coherence
My Nordic colleagues often say that the thesis has to have a red thread, a line of argument that holds things together. So what’s this red thread? Think of the red thread as a sturdy rope that guides the reader up the rocky mountain that is the thesis, making sure that they don’t fall down a […] … learn more→
