#academic practice

Thoughts on University Module Evaluation

[Frequent readers will know I have a long-standing interest in scholarly communications, metrics and research assessment. The post below fits within my academic research practice, this time focusing on teaching evaluation (“module evaluation” in UK parlance). For an older post on metrics and research asssessment, for example, see this post from June 30 2014. The suggestions shared in this post…

Event Review: Student-Led Midlands3Cities American Studies Retreat, 22nd – 29th June 2018

It’s very easy for postgraduate researchers, whatever the discipline, to get so caught up in the particular bubble of their own research that they miss the benefit of outside perspectives. These can be from a different time period, field, or even outside the discipline itself. Between the 22nd and 29th of June, 2018, a group of research students from across the East Midlands – united by a shared…

rubrics and open instruction versus direct instruction

First of all- both are necessary!

Direct instruction may have received a bad rap for a while, but little learning takes place without some form of clarification as to what is expected and how to make something happen.

Basketball Fever has been happening at our home these past few weeks, and being one who actually listens to the announcers in…

Middle school and up – social media lesson to share

First of all what is a parody? what is a spoof? how are they same/different?

http://www.newyorker.com/humor/daily-shouts/a-day-in-the-life-of-pinterest

Who or what is being made fun of in this piece of writing- ? Does anyone use Pinterest? can we count the references to actual online boards? Let’s all make our own collection of boards to become familiar with internet use…I have made a number of…

It is great to see and be inspired by so many modern workspaces, with their bright colours, comfy seating, and quiet nooks.  But what can the schools/learning environments that simply do not have the funds to refurbish, or to invest in the “gorgeous new designs” take from the “advice” about the ideal learning spaces? They don’t exist! Yes that is “blasphemy” in today’s newest is better culture of…

It is summer and as an advocate of library summer reading clubs and healthy relaxation activities – camps, stay at home vacations, family visits, road trips you name it…I am fully encouraging all to let the children self select the books, comics, graphic novels that they wish to read through;  I do however maintain that reading for pleasure is not for everyone- and this is ok.  It doesn’t change…

Playing Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young and wondering how these four men managed to capture beautifully in lyric and score the feelings of parents; so deeply moving when we do “look at them and sigh, and know they love you…”

Grace and beauty just walked out the door together, intent on a project and pleased to share – and I feeling truly blessed have the afternoon “free”, and time to catch up…