Higher Education Observer

I worked at a college in the mid-1990s when I was introduced to the Franklin Planner system  At that institution, the president loved them so much he made sure every faculty member who wanted one would get one free.  I left that college and had to buy my own every year, so I've been buying and using one for at least 20 years. So I was glad to read this article.  Although I put my scheduling on the computer now (Outlook, which interfaces with the phone), I still use the Franky planner as a back up, for meeting notes, for daily journaling, etc.  The research shows it is best to have a paper planner. https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/04/smarter-living/paper-planner-guide.html

https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2018/06/26/re-evaluating-perceptions-about-first-generation-college-students-and-their-academic?utm_source=Inside+Higher+Ed&utm_campaign=ea5337f219-DNU_COPY_02&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_1fcbc04421-ea5337f219-198482621&mc_cid=ea5337f219&mc_eid=ab27a3f05f Interesting piece on attitudes of first generation students and their academic preparation, which may or may not match.  

Interview with author of new book on this subject: h ttps://www.insidehighered.com/news/2018/06/29/author-discusses-his-new-book-literature-era-challenges-scholars?utm_source=Inside+Higher+Ed&utm_campaign=884802b742-DNU_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_1fcbc04421-884802b742-198482621&mc_cid=884802b742&mc_eid=ab27a3f05f Quote:  "I’d rather encourage my students to write about mundane things in their lives -- to really linger on and pay attention to the details that comprise their everyday existence -- rather than push them to take … fully developed stances on Big Issues. There is a time for the latter, sure -- but it has to be grown from more patient, attentive processes of learning. From minutes and pages filled with observation and reflection first. And this sort of thinking and writing can (and should) happen everywhere that usually gets left beyond bracketed Works of Literature." Close reading is a habit we should do everyday. I do it w...

I have a course where students are required to write a CV and letter of intent for graduate school.  I strongly advise them not to use for-profit universities. Here's a good reason: https://www.nytimes.com/2018/06/22/opinion/sunday/job-training-midlife-career-change.html

Well, not really.  I'm guilty of sensational headlines.  But this is the latest word. https://medium.com/s/trustissues/the-lifespan-of-a-lie-d869212b1f62 Just like the marshmallow experiments that we've been citing for years, the exaggerated conclusions for the Stanford Prison experiments are more or less debunked. I'm glad.  Human behavior is far, far more complex than an experiment.  Thank heavens.  Read literature; get some friends; be involved in community.  That might teach you more about humanity. Watched Brigadoon for the first time last night. As a person whose DNA is at least 50% Scottish, all I can say is that no self-respecting Scot would dress or dance like that. We are a tough breed who built this country. But there's a good line in it: Gene Kelly:  It's hot in here (a crowded bar). Van Johnson:  It's not the heat, it's the humanity. Oh, so true!

That title might be extreme, but this article nails it, plus giving some good links to other research. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/the-problem-with-learning-styles/ What is mostly important here is that we do know what universally works in learning (time, multiple modalities, application rather than rote, spaced out study) rather than an overfocus on "what makes me special."