There’s considerable animus for the Department of Education these days. Let’s not get carried away. Source: The Education Assassins – NYTimes.com I wrote. To see how scary it is, just go to my blog inside-higher-ed . Yes, the blog is about higher education, but it explains how higher education dumbs down all of education, doing […]
The Game Isn’t Rigged?
May 26, 2015 by
Can my working-class students avoid years of underemployment?… …As you learn quickly here in Vegas, the game isn’t rigged, but the odds don’t work in your favor. Source: Long Odds in the Game of Life – NYTimes.com I commented. I’m sorry, Brittany. I really am. It is rigged; big time. I’m a former math professor. […]
“The University of Minnesota’s Medical Research Mess” is Another Unfortunate Symptom of the Fall of Universities. It’s an Important Read
May 26, 2015 by
…in the felony case, university officials hid an internal investigation of the fraud from federal investigators for nearly four years.. Source: The University of Minnesota’s Medical Research Mess – NYTimes.com I commented. The author “…hope[s] the situation at..Minnesota..is exceptional…” It’s not. Nor is money an exceptional motivation. Ego and prestige work just as well. I […]
“What to Learn in College to Stay One Step Ahead of Computers” Ok, But is That the Problem?
May 24, 2015 by
Universities are struggling to figure out how to impart information to students that won’t be overridden in the near future by computers and robots. Source: What to Learn in College to Stay One Step Ahead of Computers – NYTimes.com I commented. (twice, unfortunately. I thought they had deleted my first comment:() Unfortunately, as thoughtful as […]
What’s Behind Big Science Frauds?
May 23, 2015 by
Bad incentives are corrupting scientific literature and the media that covers it. Source: What’s Behind Big Science Frauds? – NYTimes.com Bad incentives? I don’t think so. Good people don’t go out and do big harm because of bad incentives. Anyway, here is what I wrote. “What’s behind big science frauds? Usually, little science frauds – […]
‘Opt Out’? (Part II) It’s Going to Cost Them
May 21, 2015 by
A small, if vocal, movement urging parents to have their children sit out standardized exams took off this year, maturing from scattered displays of disobedience into a widespread rebuke. Source: ‘Opt Out’ Becomes Anti-Test Rallying Cry in New York State – NYTimes.com I commented further. Don’t test? Then, according to Harvard professor, and MacArthur Fellow, […]
“‘Opt Out’ Becomes Anti-Test Rallying Cry in New York State” – I Don’t Agree But OK If They Opt-In for Colleges
May 21, 2015 by
A small, if vocal, movement urging parents to have their children sit out standardized exams took off this year, maturing from scattered displays of disobedience into a widespread rebuke. Source: ‘Opt Out’ Becomes Anti-Test Rallying Cry in New York State – NYTimes.com I commented. Though, as a former math professor, I don’t agree with the […]
“Platinum Pay in Ivory Towers” Op-Ed Shows Frank Bruni is on to Something – That’s Good
May 20, 2015 by
The excessive salaries of some college presidents send a message at odds with higher education. Source: Platinum Pay in Ivory Towers – NYTimes.com I commented as follows. “..ostensible mission of academia..” Great word, “ostensible”. Here is how they get away with fooling us. “..advantage can..be taken of [students] by unscrupulous instructors and institutions..the student estate […]
The Way Out of a Political Paradox
My point in this post is not political in the sense of being for, or against, any party, candidate, or philosophy. I did post it though in response to a paradox that The Economist pointed out in the last paragraph of this article, What Elizabeth Warren wants | The Economist (I think the post is self […]