Blog Archives

We pitted ChatGPT against tools for detecting AI-written text, and the results are troubling

We pitted ChatGPT against tools for detecting AI-written text, and the results are troubling

As the “chatbot wars” rage in Silicon Valley, the growing proliferation of artificial intelligence (AI) tools specifically designed to generate human-like text has left many baffled. Educators in particular are scrambling to adjust to the availability of software that can produce a moderately competent essay on any topic at a moment’s notice. Should we go back to pen-and-paper […] … learn more→

Why using AI tools like ChatGPT in my MBA innovation course is expected and not cheating

Why using AI tools like ChatGPT in my MBA innovation course is expected and not cheating

I teach managing technological innovation in Simon Fraser University’s Management of Technology MBA program. Thanks to the explosion of generative artificial intelligence, I’m rewriting my 2023 syllabus and assignments. No matter our industry or field, we should regularly review our tools and workflows. New tools, like AI, are excellent triggers for this assessment. Sorting out […] … learn more→

3 Things to do before your Senior year of College ends

3 Things to do before your Senior year of College ends

College seniors deal with more challenges today than in the past. Between finishing up your courses and searching for positions, it’s easy to lose sight of your end goal of getting a great job once you graduate. There are several things you can do to prepare yourself for the search as you finish up your […] … learn more→

South Africa’s dysfunctional universities: the consequences of corrupt decisions

South Africa’s dysfunctional universities: the consequences of corrupt decisions

What happens when those responsible for managing universities cannot trust each other to act with integrity? In a nutshell, as I discuss in my new book, Corrupted: A study of chronic dysfunction in South African universities, dysfunction is the consequence. This is the situation playing out in some South African universities – sometimes with fatal results. […] … learn more→

Building a second brain for writing – with Obsidian

Building a second brain for writing – with Obsidian

Writing a thesis or book is an enormous task that takes years and involves reading hundreds, sometimes thousands, of books, papers and articles. At the same time, you must produce your own words and make sure you don’t accidentally plagiarise other people. People end up with all kinds of home-brew solutions to solve this epic […] … learn more→

What is Basic Vocational Training? The educational keys against school dropout

What is Basic Vocational Training? The educational keys against school dropout

At the beginning of the 20th century, basic education became a human right. This implied that anyone in the defined age groups had the right and obligation to attend school. This is what was called the principle of universalization. Finishing this basic stage of education was a guarantee of job placement by obtaining a job. Only 5% of the […] … learn more→

Why major schools take care of their alumni networks

Why major schools take care of their alumni networks

For nearly twenty years, alumni associations and networks have taken on strategic importance for the Grandes Ecoles. Although their activities have long been centered on the publication of a directory of graduates, the organization of a few events bringing together the most loyal alumni, and the sharing of career testimonials with new promotions, many human and financial resources […] … learn more→

Why labour strife at universities should concern us all

Why labour strife at universities should concern us all

Universities are important public institutions. The education of students and the research undertaken on campuses have a broad impact throughout our economy and society. In Canada, a significant portion of university budgets also comes from government. In smaller cities and towns, universities are often among the largest employers in addition to serving as important community […] … learn more→

Free online courses could be a path to higher education in African countries but awareness is low

Free online courses could be a path to higher education in African countries but awareness is low

Sub-Saharan Africa is one of the largest regions in the world and has the lowest rates of participation in higher education anywhere in the world. The World Bank reported in 2020 that only 9.4% of the region’s tertiary education age group is enrolled. The global average ratio is 38%. Education is a key catalyst of economic emancipation. Open […] … learn more→

Lots of people believe in Bigfoot and other pseudoscience claims – this course examines why

Lots of people believe in Bigfoot and other pseudoscience claims – this course examines why

Title of course “Psychology of Pseudoscience” What prompted the idea for the course? While teaching a course on research methods at the United States Air Force Academy, I concluded that the course needed a bigger emphasis on broad scientific reasoning skills. So I incorporated material about the difference between science – the systematic process of evidence-based […] … learn more→