If you look at the courses offered in many colleges and universities, they fall into two ends of a spectrum. They are either obsolete or nearing obsolescence, or they are advanced and theoretical. None of them is in the sweet spot of "I just took this course and can go apply my current skills to work, or use them to help me land a job." Technology suppliers need to take college … [Read more...] about Why Colleges Need Better Connections with Technology Companies
Education
Are Teachers Under Fire?–A Must Listen from To the Point (NPR)
A must listen. Demonstrates how complex our education debate is. Program abstract: In this era of political polarization, public school teachers are getting heat from both sides: leftist reformers and right-wing union busters. We hear how demoralized teachers are responding to some of the harshest attacks. Listen here: … [Read more...] about Are Teachers Under Fire?–A Must Listen from To the Point (NPR)
More 2 Unlearn, Further thoughts on the paper: Retrieval Practice Produces More Learning than Elaborative Studying with Concept Mapping
I want to start with the conclusion of this paper by Karpicke and Blunt (Science, January 2011). Research on retrieval practice suggests a view of how the human mind works that differs from everyday intuitions. Retrieval is not merely a read out of the knowledge stored in one's mind – the act of reconstructing knowledge itself enhances learning. This … [Read more...] about More 2 Unlearn, Further thoughts on the paper: Retrieval Practice Produces More Learning than Elaborative Studying with Concept Mapping
New Social Media Targeted to Learners
Here is an article from The Chronicle of Higher Education that looks at new social media services aimed at learners. My sense is that we already have commercial sites that meet most needs. Do you think any of these services will take off? If so, which ones? Why? Read the article here: New Social Software Tries to Make Studying Feel Like Facebook The new services covered … [Read more...] about New Social Media Targeted to Learners
Time to Rethink First 2 Years of College?
Time to Rethink First 2 Years of College? From NPR February 9, 2010 As enrollment rates in colleges have continued to increase, a new book questions whether the historic number of young people attending college will actually learn all that much once they get to campus. In Academically Adrift: Limited Learning on College Campuses, two authors present a study that followed … [Read more...] about Time to Rethink First 2 Years of College?