You can now check out child poverty rates in your area on the End Child Poverty website, if you live in England (Wales and Scotland data will be added soon). You can also download spreadsheets that show the statistics by ward and parliamentary constituency – a useful tool for campaigners.
Thursday, 30 June 2011
Seen on the web …
via the Child Poverty Action Group
You can now check out child poverty rates in your area on the End Child Poverty website, if you live in England (Wales and Scotland data will be added soon). You can also download spreadsheets that show the statistics by ward and parliamentary constituency – a useful tool for campaigners.
You can now check out child poverty rates in your area on the End Child Poverty website, if you live in England (Wales and Scotland data will be added soon). You can also download spreadsheets that show the statistics by ward and parliamentary constituency – a useful tool for campaigners.
Aspirations for later life
DWP Research Report 737 by Alun Humphrey, Lucy Lee and Rosie Green (National Centre for Social Research)
Abstract
Abstract
In the context of Britain’s ageing population an important challenge is how to respond to people’s aspirations and ambitions for their later life. Good planning and preparation can have a huge impact on the quality of later life, making sure that people have the financial security and social support networks they need to make the most of their time, yet many people find it difficult to look ahead. There is a wide variety of activities that people can take advantage of as they get older – sporting, educational or social, and the benefits range from helping people make new friends, maintaining or improving their health and fitness, to taking the chance to develop new skills.
This research addresses what aspirations people of all ages hold for their later life, what they are currently doing to prepare, and what enablers and barriers there are to achieving their aspirations. The research focuses on many of the social aspects of preparing for later life and specifically looks at:
The research for this report was conducted as part of the National Centre for Social Research Omnibus (May-July and August-October 2010). A total of 1,867 adults aged 16 years and over took part in the survey across the two waves of data collection. The Omnibus uses a stratified random probability sample which is nationally representative of adults in Great Britain.
Full report (PDF 155pp) was published in May 2011
ISBN 978 1 84712 971 0
This research addresses what aspirations people of all ages hold for their later life, what they are currently doing to prepare, and what enablers and barriers there are to achieving their aspirations. The research focuses on many of the social aspects of preparing for later life and specifically looks at:
- what might encourage people to start planning for later life in their earlier years;
- what motivates people as they get older; and
- whether later life is viewed as an opportunity to do things people were unable to do in their earlier years or as a time to relax and do less.
The research for this report was conducted as part of the National Centre for Social Research Omnibus (May-July and August-October 2010). A total of 1,867 adults aged 16 years and over took part in the survey across the two waves of data collection. The Omnibus uses a stratified random probability sample which is nationally representative of adults in Great Britain.
Full report (PDF 155pp) was published in May 2011
ISBN 978 1 84712 971 0
Wednesday, 29 June 2011
… vocational education and training lacks esteem
A briefing note via Cedefop News tells us that vocational education and training provides many benefits to both individuals and the societies in which they live. Why is it, therefore, that the social value placed on vocational learning equates to non-academic i.e. for less intelligent people?
Predictors of attitudes to age across Europe
DWP Research Report 735 by Dominic Abrams, Christin-Melanie Vauclair and Hannah Swift (Centre for the Study of Group Processes, Department of Psychology, University of Kent)
This research examines the interaction of differences between individuals and differences between countries in the European region (28 countries) on people’s attitudes toward old age (i.e. beyond the age of 70), and on their experiences of ageism.
The research explores how people’s age and other demographics combine with different characteristics of the countries in which they dwell to affect responses to 13 measures that include some of the following:
Key Findings:
This research examines the interaction of differences between individuals and differences between countries in the European region (28 countries) on people’s attitudes toward old age (i.e. beyond the age of 70), and on their experiences of ageism.
The research explores how people’s age and other demographics combine with different characteristics of the countries in which they dwell to affect responses to 13 measures that include some of the following:
- age categorisation and identification;
- perceived status of people over 70;
- perceived threat from people over 70;
- perceptions of stereotypes of people aged over 70;
- how positively or negatively people feel towards those aged over 70 (direct prejudice); and
- people’s experiences of ageist prejudice against themselves.
Key Findings:
- Regardless of their own age, respondents in countries with a higher proportion of older people were more positive, suggesting that societal attitudes shift as a population ages. Older people’s status was perceived to be higher in countries that had later state pension ages.
- Age discrimination was personally experienced by about one third of all respondents, with the UK placed just below the average for all ESS countries. Across all ESS countries just under half of the respondents, including those from the UK, regarded age discrimination to be a serious or very serious issue.
- Age discrimination was affected by a variety of individual characteristics: with ageism being experienced more by younger people, those who were less well educated, felt poorer, were not in paid employment or were living in urban areas.
- Across all ESS countries the stereotypes of older people as friendly and competent were consistently affected by age, education and residential area, with the UK placed above average for friendliness and below average for competence for all ESS countries. The gap between these two stereotypes is therefore notably larger in the UK. At the country-level, countries with higher unemployment rates and a lower proportion of people aged over 65, stereotyped older people as less competent.
- At the country-level older people being seen as a threat to the economy was influenced by economy-related characteristics, whereas, older people being seen as a threat to health services was affected by state pension age for men, i.e. a policy-related variable.
ISBN: 978 1 84712 961 1
Hazel’s comment:
Because I'd left this in my drafts file for quite a while I had to go back to check the availability of the PDF and so on and found a blog post from 50-Plus Marketing which included the following quotes from Dick Stroud.
Hazel’s comment:
Because I'd left this in my drafts file for quite a while I had to go back to check the availability of the PDF and so on and found a blog post from 50-Plus Marketing which included the following quotes from Dick Stroud.
- The UK’s Department for Works and Pensions has published a report that tells us surprising little.
I thought it was strange the DWP should be involved in this sort of research until I saw how the guy responsible for pensions was spinning the research – “The idea that 59 is old belongs in the past. We need to challenge our perceptions of what old age actually means.” I suspect this is code for “we might have another bash at raising the pension age”.
The 10 ways to Future Proof your Career
The Shift: the future of work is already here (links to Amazon.co.uk £11.57)
I am not necessarily recommending this book although I so read Lynda Gratton's blog with interest and agree with most of what she says about career choice.
In the book she talks a great deal about the five forces that will shape work and careers:
I am not necessarily recommending this book although I so read Lynda Gratton's blog with interest and agree with most of what she says about career choice.
In the book she talks a great deal about the five forces that will shape work and careers:
- ever greater globalisation of innovation and talent;
- the development of ever more sophisticated connective technologies;
- profound changes in demography and longevity which will see many live until they are 100 and others live in regions where 40% of the population are over 50;
- broad societal forces that will see trust in institutions decrease and families become ever more re-arranged; and finally,
- the impact that carbon use and Co2 will have on how we think about our own consumption patterns.
- Don't be fooled into walking into the future blindfolded
- Learn to be virtual
- Search for the valuable skills
- Become a Master
- Be prepared to strike out on your own
- Find your posse
- Build the Big Ideas Crowd
- Go beyond the family
- Have the courage to make the hard choices
- Become a producer rather than a simple consumer
Nothing really new there but the style might be right for some.
Tuesday, 28 June 2011
What do employers want from an aligned employment and skills system?
Research Report RR 743 from the DWP by Dr Sarah Jenkins, Jane Darragh and Jayesh Navin Shah (Ipsos MORI)
Abstract
Abstract
In recent years, there has been a vast amount of change taking place in the employment and skills sector. The UK currently lags behind its European neighbours in terms of qualifications and skills, and there is concern that much needs to be done in the sector to ensure that the UK remains internationally competitive. The primary goal of the Integrated Employer Offer is to ensure that employers receive a seamless service where employment and skills services are responsive and demand-led.
The Department for Work and Pensions and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills commissioned Ipsos MORI to undertake research on what employers want from an aligned employment and skills system, and the extent to which employers, employer representatives and stakeholders in the system currently think it is joined-up. The study comprised of a review of existing research on employer perceptions, plus qualitative research comprising of 41 in-depth interviews with stakeholders in Government and public sector agencies, employer representative bodies and employers of varying sizes and sectors across England.
Since this research was conducted, some government organisations or services cited may have been dissolved, renamed or rebranded, or had their responsibilities deferred elsewhere. The findings should be considered in this context, although the messages behind what employers want from an aligned system remain relevant.
The full report (PDF 53pp) was published in May 2011
ISBN 978-1-84712-977-2
The Department for Work and Pensions and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills commissioned Ipsos MORI to undertake research on what employers want from an aligned employment and skills system, and the extent to which employers, employer representatives and stakeholders in the system currently think it is joined-up. The study comprised of a review of existing research on employer perceptions, plus qualitative research comprising of 41 in-depth interviews with stakeholders in Government and public sector agencies, employer representative bodies and employers of varying sizes and sectors across England.
Since this research was conducted, some government organisations or services cited may have been dissolved, renamed or rebranded, or had their responsibilities deferred elsewhere. The findings should be considered in this context, although the messages behind what employers want from an aligned system remain relevant.
The full report (PDF 53pp) was published in May 2011
ISBN 978-1-84712-977-2
Rural business plan
The Commission for Rural Communities published its business plan yesterday (27 June). You can read it here but if you can find anything in its ten pages about guidance or careers in a rural context then &hellip
you’re a better information searcher than I am – and please tell me where you found it.
Forced labour …
exploitation of migrant workers in Northern Ireland
As might be expected, research on this issue wasn’t easy to do: given their circumstances, the migrant workers were understandably reluctant to talk about their experiences. Despite this, the research (led by the Institute for Conflict Research in Belfast) uncovered employer behaviour that demonstrated deliberate exploitation and, in some cases, forced labour. The majority of workers interviewed had the right to live and work in the UK.
The study used the International Labour Organisation's indicators of forced labour and found evidence of all of these indicators:
Although the UK already has a wide range of legislation to tackle labour exploitation, it seems some employers still create and exploit vulnerability among migrant workers. The study makes significant recommendations for the Northern Ireland Government, community organisations, employers, and trade unions to work with.
We hope this study will contribute to ending the exploitation of migrant workers in Northern Ireland. Over the next few months JRF will be publishing more research on the topic of forced labour. It will reveal new evidence of the problem elsewhere in the UK, what the causes are and what we need to do if we are to eradicate severe exploitation of the most vulnerable workers.
Read the report summary (PDF 4pp 0.1MB) or the full report (PDF 70pp 0.3MB)
The first study to explore forced labour of migrant workers in Northern Ireland was published on 7 June 2011 by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
As might be expected, research on this issue wasn’t easy to do: given their circumstances, the migrant workers were understandably reluctant to talk about their experiences. Despite this, the research (led by the Institute for Conflict Research in Belfast) uncovered employer behaviour that demonstrated deliberate exploitation and, in some cases, forced labour. The majority of workers interviewed had the right to live and work in the UK.
The study used the International Labour Organisation's indicators of forced labour and found evidence of all of these indicators:
- Jobs often did not match the promises made to migrant workers before they left home or started their jobs.
- Workers reported very long hours of work for less than the minimum wage.
- Working conditions were often poor, with lack of regard paid to health and safety.
- There were examples of paperwork – such as identity documents – being taken away by employers, and sometimes payslips were non-existent or incomplete.
- Some workers were not able to claim sick pay and were expected to be at the beck and call of their employer.
- In extreme cases, researchers found instances of workers subjected to acts or threats of physical violence.
Although the UK already has a wide range of legislation to tackle labour exploitation, it seems some employers still create and exploit vulnerability among migrant workers. The study makes significant recommendations for the Northern Ireland Government, community organisations, employers, and trade unions to work with.
We hope this study will contribute to ending the exploitation of migrant workers in Northern Ireland. Over the next few months JRF will be publishing more research on the topic of forced labour. It will reveal new evidence of the problem elsewhere in the UK, what the causes are and what we need to do if we are to eradicate severe exploitation of the most vulnerable workers.
Read the report summary (PDF 4pp 0.1MB) or the full report (PDF 70pp 0.3MB)
Data protection
via The European Information Association
The European Parliament’s Civil Liberties Committee has called for data privacy rules to protect children using social networks, and for all EU citizens to have the right to know what information is being stored on them and for what purpose, and be able to have it deleted, corrected or blocked. The Committee’s recommendations come ahead of proposals for changes to Directive 95/46/EC (the Data Protection Directive) due to be launched later this year.
Read the full Press Release 20110614IPR21340
The European Parliament’s Civil Liberties Committee has called for data privacy rules to protect children using social networks, and for all EU citizens to have the right to know what information is being stored on them and for what purpose, and be able to have it deleted, corrected or blocked. The Committee’s recommendations come ahead of proposals for changes to Directive 95/46/EC (the Data Protection Directive) due to be launched later this year.
Read the full Press Release 20110614IPR21340
Monday, 27 June 2011
Families and Work: …
Revisiting Barriers to Employment (DWP Research Report no. 729)
Research published by the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) in April of this year explores the relationship between work and parenthood, as well as the role of the support available to parents in helping them overcome any constraints to working.
The main summary findings are:
The main summary findings are:
- Full Time Parenting and Decisions about Returning to Work
The decision to stay at home to look after children was often reported to be a conscious choice, in order to enable parents to provide the care and support their children need to develop emotionally and educationally. Other parents explained decisions to stay at home in terms of a lack of employment prospects, which were sometimes attributed to personal barriers such as poor health and a lack of suitable childcare. - Job search
Four themes emerged as key influences on the experiences of parents searching for work. These included constrained job opportunities, work experience and confidence, gendered roles and the availability of family and household support. - Easing the Transition into Work: Transitional and In Work Benefits
Recent policies concentrated on ensuring that work pays, supporting the transition into work; and providing advice and assistance about moving into work were found to have had only limited effect on the concerns of parents about leaving out of work benefits and the financial uncertainties they associated with being in work. - Experiences of Work
Parents who had returned to work reported both positive and negative experiences. Several factors were reported to support a return to work and to aid job retention. These included working part time, support from family and friends, the flexibility of employers and job satisfaction.
Youth unemployment
an article by Barbara Petrongolo and John Van Reenen published in CentrePiece – The Magazine for Economic Performance (CEPCP338. June 2011.)
The rise in joblessness among young people began long before the recession.
This article sets out to discover the explanation.
Full article (PDF 4pp) http://cep.lse.ac.uk/pubs/download/cp338.pdf
Full article (PDF 4pp) http://cep.lse.ac.uk/pubs/download/cp338.pdf
Sunday, 26 June 2011
10 non-work-related items that I found fun or interesting
via Arts & Letters Daily – ideas, criticism, debate
Maybe Cardinal Newman was right: higher education does not exist for the sake of training, but to turn undergrads into more interesting people... more
via Arts & Letters Daily – ideas, criticism, debate
The elimination of poverty ought to be within our grasp, and yet for hundreds of millions of people over the globe, it remains but a dream. Why can't the world's wealth be shared?... more
via Arts & Letters Daily – ideas, criticism, debate
Sean Wilentz's move from hard-left labour historian to defender of traditional, some might say conservative, political history seems an odd turn... more
via Arts & Letters Daily – ideas, criticism, debate
“Thoughts are magnetic,” says Rhonda Byrne, “and they magnetically attract all like things that are on the same frequency.” Money must be on the same frequency... more
via Arts & Letters Daily – ideas, criticism, debate
Lady Jane Grey, the “nine-day queen”, was virginal, sweet, and beheaded at the age of 16, a notorious victim of the Tudors, or so it is thought... more
via Arts & Letters Daily – ideas, criticism, debate
Tens of thousands of years of human mating norms are evaporating as Cro-Magnon males drag women into their caves, and the women love every minute of it... more
Fun websites to waste time on via MakeUseOf.com by Karl L Gechlik
Across the land, in colleges at every level of quality, students are spending far less time studying than they did thirty years ago... more ... Why? A few theories
via Arts & Letters Daily – ideas, criticism, debate
The arrest in 1894 of Capt. Alfred Dreyfus for revealing French military secrets to the German embassy rocked a nation. Its echoes are heard still... more
via Arts & Letters Daily – ideas, criticism, debate
A thousand years of economic bubbles, panics, and collapses shows that investors always think “this time is different”. We're not as naive as our parents or their parents. Oh, yeah?... more
Maybe Cardinal Newman was right: higher education does not exist for the sake of training, but to turn undergrads into more interesting people... more
via Arts & Letters Daily – ideas, criticism, debate
The elimination of poverty ought to be within our grasp, and yet for hundreds of millions of people over the globe, it remains but a dream. Why can't the world's wealth be shared?... more
via Arts & Letters Daily – ideas, criticism, debate
Sean Wilentz's move from hard-left labour historian to defender of traditional, some might say conservative, political history seems an odd turn... more
via Arts & Letters Daily – ideas, criticism, debate
“Thoughts are magnetic,” says Rhonda Byrne, “and they magnetically attract all like things that are on the same frequency.” Money must be on the same frequency... more
via Arts & Letters Daily – ideas, criticism, debate
Lady Jane Grey, the “nine-day queen”, was virginal, sweet, and beheaded at the age of 16, a notorious victim of the Tudors, or so it is thought... more
via Arts & Letters Daily – ideas, criticism, debate
Tens of thousands of years of human mating norms are evaporating as Cro-Magnon males drag women into their caves, and the women love every minute of it... more
Fun websites to waste time on via MakeUseOf.com by Karl L Gechlik
- Let's start with College Humor. They offer so much stuff that will make you laugh it is almost unreal!
- Along the same lines but geared toward men’s magazines content is Maxim Online. They often have links to CollegeHumor's videos but this is where I come for some funny jokes and ridiculously smoking women. The site can be construed by some people as not funny or going too far so be forewarned that the content is probably NSFW and could be offensive to some.
- Next up is my favorite web comic, XKCD, [has to be up there with my favourites as well, H] which has lots of old archives to waste time on.
- I love me some scrabble so I play games and dominate in Literati. The only place I can find it is at Yahoo Games.
- I have also been known to lose a few hours to Google Image Labeler – but hey that's just me right?
Across the land, in colleges at every level of quality, students are spending far less time studying than they did thirty years ago... more ... Why? A few theories
via Arts & Letters Daily – ideas, criticism, debate
The arrest in 1894 of Capt. Alfred Dreyfus for revealing French military secrets to the German embassy rocked a nation. Its echoes are heard still... more
via Arts & Letters Daily – ideas, criticism, debate
A thousand years of economic bubbles, panics, and collapses shows that investors always think “this time is different”. We're not as naive as our parents or their parents. Oh, yeah?... more
Peach juice as an anti-corrosion inhibitor of mild steel
Ah, the joys of reading the “all article published in the last 7 days”. Without this feed (which is not working properly as at today) I would have completely missed this story by Aprael S Yaro, Anees A Khadom and Hadeel F Ibraheem published in Anti-Corrosion Methods and Materials Volume 58 Issue 3)
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this paper is to investigate peach juice as a cheap, raw, green and non-toxic anti-corrosion material for mild steel corrosion in hydrochloric acid at different temperatures.
Design/methodology/approach
The corrosion inhibition of mild steel in 1?M HCl solution in the presence of peach juice at temperature range of 30-60°C and concentration range of 5-50?cm3/l was studied using weight loss and polarization techniques. The inhibition effect, adsorption characteristics, mathematical and electrochemical modeling of peach juice were addressed.
Findings
Results show that inhibition efficiency rose with the increase of inhibitor concentration and temperature up to 50°C, while at temperatures above 50°C the values of efficiency decreased. The inhibitor adsorbed physically on metal surface and followed the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Monolayer formed spontaneously on the metal surface. Maximum inhibition efficiency obtained was about 91 percent at 50°C in the 50?cm3/l inhibitor concentration.
Originality/value
This work is an attempt to find a new, safe to environment, non-toxic corrosion inhibitor. Peach juice is a readily available material in Iraq and Middle East markets.
Abstract
Purpose
The aim of this paper is to investigate peach juice as a cheap, raw, green and non-toxic anti-corrosion material for mild steel corrosion in hydrochloric acid at different temperatures.
Design/methodology/approach
The corrosion inhibition of mild steel in 1?M HCl solution in the presence of peach juice at temperature range of 30-60°C and concentration range of 5-50?cm3/l was studied using weight loss and polarization techniques. The inhibition effect, adsorption characteristics, mathematical and electrochemical modeling of peach juice were addressed.
Findings
Results show that inhibition efficiency rose with the increase of inhibitor concentration and temperature up to 50°C, while at temperatures above 50°C the values of efficiency decreased. The inhibitor adsorbed physically on metal surface and followed the Langmuir adsorption isotherm. Monolayer formed spontaneously on the metal surface. Maximum inhibition efficiency obtained was about 91 percent at 50°C in the 50?cm3/l inhibitor concentration.
Originality/value
This work is an attempt to find a new, safe to environment, non-toxic corrosion inhibitor. Peach juice is a readily available material in Iraq and Middle East markets.
New research shows single mothers hit hardest by welfare changes
via Fawcett News
“Women are being forced to bear the brunt of cuts
A year on from the coalition government’s first budget, groundbreaking new research from the Fawcett Society and the Institute for Fiscal Studies on the impact of tax and benefit changes on men and women has found:
“Women are being forced to bear the brunt of cuts
A year on from the coalition government’s first budget, groundbreaking new research from the Fawcett Society and the Institute for Fiscal Studies on the impact of tax and benefit changes on men and women has found:
- The government could assess the different impact of its tax and benefit policies on women and men using data currently available. This runs counter to its claim that any meaningful assessment is impossible.
- Such an assessment, considering all tax and benefit reforms to be introduced between 2010-2015, shows that single women will lose more as a proportion of their income than other households as a result of the cuts.
- Single mothers can expect to lose 8.5 per cent of their net annual income by 2015 – more than a month’s income each year.”
Saturday, 25 June 2011
Fees and loathing: …
higher education finance and university participation
an article by Gill Wyness published in CentrePiece – The Magazine for Economic Performance (CEPCP343. June 2011)
With the UK's cap on tuition fees due to rise to £9,000, Gill Wyness looks at the impact of past fee increases on young people's decisions to go to university.
Full article: http://cep.lse.ac.uk/pubs/download/cp343.pdf
With the UK's cap on tuition fees due to rise to £9,000, Gill Wyness looks at the impact of past fee increases on young people's decisions to go to university.
Full article: http://cep.lse.ac.uk/pubs/download/cp343.pdf
Friday, 24 June 2011
Gender Differences in E-Learning: …
Communication, Social Presence, and Learning Outcome
Abstract
Although previous research has suggested that women may be at a learning disadvantage in e-learning environments, this study examines communication differences between women and men, arguing that women’s communication patterns may provide them with a learning advantage. Using data from 303 males and 252 females, this paper discusses gender differences in course communication processes and course outcomes in a web-based introductory information systems course. Results indicate that women communicated more, perceived the environment to have greater social presence, were more satisfied with the course, found the
course to be of greater value, and had marginally better performance than men. Despite the challenges facing women in e-learning environments, the results of this study suggest that e-learning environments that allow for peer to peer communication and connectedness can help females overcome some of these disadvantages.
an article by Richard D Johnson (University at Albany – SUNY, USA) published in Journal of Organizational and End User Computing (Volume 23 Number 1 (January-March 2011))
Abstract
Although previous research has suggested that women may be at a learning disadvantage in e-learning environments, this study examines communication differences between women and men, arguing that women’s communication patterns may provide them with a learning advantage. Using data from 303 males and 252 females, this paper discusses gender differences in course communication processes and course outcomes in a web-based introductory information systems course. Results indicate that women communicated more, perceived the environment to have greater social presence, were more satisfied with the course, found the
course to be of greater value, and had marginally better performance than men. Despite the challenges facing women in e-learning environments, the results of this study suggest that e-learning environments that allow for peer to peer communication and connectedness can help females overcome some of these disadvantages.
10 non-work-related items that I found fun or interesting
via Arts & Letters Daily – ideas, criticism, debate
Courage. Chivalry. Brutality. War. Jerusalem contains them all. The city's past, and less still its present, offers little hope for a peaceful future... more
via Arts & Letters Daily – ideas, criticism, debate
Max von Oppenheim – archaeologist, diplomat, lothario – amassed a stunning collection of Syrian antiquities. He also charmed sheiks and Nazis, and bought slaves... more
via Cool Websites and Tools by Aibek
Interesting mashup that combines a timeline of world wars with their geographical location and presents this data on Google Maps. The timeline starts from 3000 BC and covers all conflicts up to 2005. You would be surprised to see the amount of conflicts the world has had just in the last decade.
Read more: ConflictHistory – Interactive Map Of World Conflicts
If Lincoln had a Facebook page via Phil Bradley's weblog
If Lincoln had a Facebook page it might have looked something like this. Slightly amusing in its own right, but more interesting to consider how something like this could be used within an educational setting. Facebook pages for the dead and famous!
Crazy organic bread-slicer sign for crazy organic bread eaters via Boing Boing by Cory Doctorow
Environmental scientist Jennifer Jacquet poses they question, “Are You an Eco-Douchebag? The test is simple: read this sign [“Dear customers: Please be advised that our Bread Slicer is used for both Organic and Conventional items”] (recently photographed at my local Vancouver market, which is owned by Whole Foods) then gauge your response...” Now, I’m inclined to believe that pesticide-free food production has health benefits and is good for the planet, but likewise: it is the major crazy to believe that pesticides leap from the bread-slicer wires into your wholesome organic loaf.
via Arts & Letters Daily – ideas, criticism, debate
Capitalism may not be finished, but it is set to become a servant of the people rather than a master. The current slump will accelerate this change... more
The brains behind: Windosill via .net top stories by .net magazine
Windosill is a Flash-based puzzle game full of whimsical objects to push, pull, take apart, and otherwise manipulate. Creator Patrick Smith explains how he designed it Continues...
“Oldest English words” identified via BBC News Technology UK Edition
Some of the oldest words in the English and other Indo-European languages have been identified, scientists believe.
via Arts & Letters Daily – ideas, criticism, debate
Marx was wrong. The opiate of the masses isn’t religion, but spectator sports, says David Barash. It’s in our genes.... more
via Arts & Letters Daily – ideas, criticism, debate
James Neugass was an ambulance driver and member of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade in the Spanish Civil War. His War Is Beautiful was almost lost... more
Courage. Chivalry. Brutality. War. Jerusalem contains them all. The city's past, and less still its present, offers little hope for a peaceful future... more
via Arts & Letters Daily – ideas, criticism, debate
Max von Oppenheim – archaeologist, diplomat, lothario – amassed a stunning collection of Syrian antiquities. He also charmed sheiks and Nazis, and bought slaves... more
via Cool Websites and Tools by Aibek
Interesting mashup that combines a timeline of world wars with their geographical location and presents this data on Google Maps. The timeline starts from 3000 BC and covers all conflicts up to 2005. You would be surprised to see the amount of conflicts the world has had just in the last decade.
Read more: ConflictHistory – Interactive Map Of World Conflicts
If Lincoln had a Facebook page via Phil Bradley's weblog
If Lincoln had a Facebook page it might have looked something like this. Slightly amusing in its own right, but more interesting to consider how something like this could be used within an educational setting. Facebook pages for the dead and famous!
Crazy organic bread-slicer sign for crazy organic bread eaters via Boing Boing by Cory Doctorow
Environmental scientist Jennifer Jacquet poses they question, “Are You an Eco-Douchebag? The test is simple: read this sign [“Dear customers: Please be advised that our Bread Slicer is used for both Organic and Conventional items”] (recently photographed at my local Vancouver market, which is owned by Whole Foods) then gauge your response...” Now, I’m inclined to believe that pesticide-free food production has health benefits and is good for the planet, but likewise: it is the major crazy to believe that pesticides leap from the bread-slicer wires into your wholesome organic loaf.
via Arts & Letters Daily – ideas, criticism, debate
Capitalism may not be finished, but it is set to become a servant of the people rather than a master. The current slump will accelerate this change... more
The brains behind: Windosill via .net top stories by .net magazine
Windosill is a Flash-based puzzle game full of whimsical objects to push, pull, take apart, and otherwise manipulate. Creator Patrick Smith explains how he designed it Continues...
“Oldest English words” identified via BBC News Technology UK Edition
Some of the oldest words in the English and other Indo-European languages have been identified, scientists believe.
via Arts & Letters Daily – ideas, criticism, debate
Marx was wrong. The opiate of the masses isn’t religion, but spectator sports, says David Barash. It’s in our genes.... more
via Arts & Letters Daily – ideas, criticism, debate
James Neugass was an ambulance driver and member of the Abraham Lincoln Brigade in the Spanish Civil War. His War Is Beautiful was almost lost... more
Thursday, 23 June 2011
Elitism and Meritocracy in UK Universities: …
the UK Needs Investment in its Labour Force
an article by John Simister (Birkbeck College, University of London) published in Higher Education Quarterly (Volume 65 Number 2 (April 2011))
Abstract
This article summarises previous academic research into university education, distinguishing between arguments for and against improving access. Several views are summarised, including structural-functionalism, which claims that powerful social groups maintain their status and income, and human capital theory, which focuses on employee productivity. Almost all viewpoints discussed in this article support meritocracy. UK universities differ in their openness to people from disadvantaged backgrounds. Many universities, referred to here as ‘inclusive’, deserve credit for encouraging disadvantaged people to become students; in contrast, ‘exclusive’ universities tend to have fewer disadvantaged students than expected. There are barriers facing disadvantaged students, including unequal access to universities, which can at least partly be explained by private schools for rich pupils and financial burdens at university causing some students to take paid work (reducing time available for study). The UK spends less per student on universities than the world average and less than half as much as some European countries. The UK Government could increase university funding, concentrating on universities that are most inclusive and that tend to have the largest problems in affording sufficient staff and teaching facilities. This investment would give long-term benefits to the UK economy.
an article by John Simister (Birkbeck College, University of London) published in Higher Education Quarterly (Volume 65 Number 2 (April 2011))
Abstract
This article summarises previous academic research into university education, distinguishing between arguments for and against improving access. Several views are summarised, including structural-functionalism, which claims that powerful social groups maintain their status and income, and human capital theory, which focuses on employee productivity. Almost all viewpoints discussed in this article support meritocracy. UK universities differ in their openness to people from disadvantaged backgrounds. Many universities, referred to here as ‘inclusive’, deserve credit for encouraging disadvantaged people to become students; in contrast, ‘exclusive’ universities tend to have fewer disadvantaged students than expected. There are barriers facing disadvantaged students, including unequal access to universities, which can at least partly be explained by private schools for rich pupils and financial burdens at university causing some students to take paid work (reducing time available for study). The UK spends less per student on universities than the world average and less than half as much as some European countries. The UK Government could increase university funding, concentrating on universities that are most inclusive and that tend to have the largest problems in affording sufficient staff and teaching facilities. This investment would give long-term benefits to the UK economy.
Fees and loathing: …
higher education finance and university participation
an article by Gill Wyness published in CentrePiece – The Magazine for Economic Performance (CEPCP343. June 2011)
With the UK's cap on tuition fees due to rise to £9,000, Gill Wyness looks at the impact of past fee increases on young people's decisions to go to university.
Full article: http://cep.lse.ac.uk/pubs/download/cp343.pdf
With the UK's cap on tuition fees due to rise to £9,000, Gill Wyness looks at the impact of past fee increases on young people's decisions to go to university.
Full article: http://cep.lse.ac.uk/pubs/download/cp343.pdf
Evaluation of Information Strategy Implementation: A Critical Approach
an article by Yongmei Bentley (University of Bedfordshire Business School), and Steve Clarke (University of Hull Business School) published in Journal of Organizational and End User Computing (Volume 23 Number 1 (January-March 2011))
Abstract
Information strategy is often relegated to an information technology element of corporate strategy, or worse, ignored in favour of IT operational planning. This research, conducted over a five-year period, stresses the correct framing of an information strategy and its implementation. The authors propose a framework that assists in the evaluation of such strategies, primarily those at higher education institutions, but also in a wider range of organisations seeking to improve the understanding and implementation of their information strategy.
Abstract
Information strategy is often relegated to an information technology element of corporate strategy, or worse, ignored in favour of IT operational planning. This research, conducted over a five-year period, stresses the correct framing of an information strategy and its implementation. The authors propose a framework that assists in the evaluation of such strategies, primarily those at higher education institutions, but also in a wider range of organisations seeking to improve the understanding and implementation of their information strategy.
Explaining the class gap in training: …
the role of employment relations and job characteristics
an article by Steffan Schindler and Felix Weiss (University of Mannheim, Germany) and Tobia Hubert (Bogotá, Columbia) published in International Journal of Lifelong Learning (Volume 30 Number 2 (March-April 2011)
Abstract
Abstract
Existing studies consistently find a gap in further education between high- and low-skilled workers, implying a gap in formal training between high- and low-skilled classes. In this paper, we hypothesise that the most important reasons for differences between social classes in further education participation are grounded in job characteristics rather than worker characteristics. This is in line with theoretical foundations of the construction of the widely used Erikson-Goldthorpe-Portocarero (EGP) class scheme and related classifications, such as the new European Socio-Economic Classification (ESeC) scheme that we apply in our analyses. We explore the importance of different job characteristics for the explanation of the class gap with a dataset providing detailed information about the jobs of more than 20,000 German employees. The tasks performed and the technologies used in the job are found to be of particular importance. Both are able to explain much of the variation in training activity between different class positions and different educational levels. We discuss the implications of our results for social inequality. Our conclusion is that much of the variation of training incidents between classes comes from the very simple fact that they carry out different jobs. This should always be taken into account when inequality in training between individuals is examined.
Consultation on Passported Benefits under Universal Credit
The Social Security Advisory Committee (SSAC) has been asked by the Minister for Welfare Reform to undertake an independent review of Passported Benefits and provide advice on possible approaches to the provision of Passported Benefits under Universal Credit.
DWP press releases – read in full here but please note that this is a very short consultation which lasts only until 22 July.
Lifelong learning, education across the life-span …
are, in general, meaningless terms since both equate, in policy terms, to adult learning as few, if any, countries think of life as starting before leaving compulsory schooling.
OK, I am over simplifying again but you get the point, I’m sure.
I have just finished reading an interesting article on the subject in The International Journal of Lifelong Education (volume 30 number 2 (March-April 2011)) by Vera Centeno (Humboldt-University, Berlin) which looks at the policy concept internationally.
If you're in an institution which has a subscription to this journal then it is worth reading otherwise you will have to make do with the abstract at http://www.informaworld.com/smpp/content~content=a935075034~db=all~jumptype=rss
Sunday, 12 June 2011
World Report on Disability
via UN Pulse by UN reference
The World Report on Disability, developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Bank, with contributions from over 380 experts, calls for the elimination of barriers that often force the people with disabilities to “the margins of society”. The report suggests that more than one billion people in the world today experience disability.
People with disabilities have generally poorer health, lower education achievements, fewer economic opportunities and higher rates of poverty than people without disabilities. This is largely due to the lack of services available to them and the many obstacles they face in their everyday lives. The report provides the best available evidence about what works to overcome barriers to health care, rehabilitation, education, employment, and support services, and to create the environments which will enable people with disabilities to flourish. The report ends with a concrete set of recommended actions for governments and their partners.
Full report (PDF 349pp)
No, I haven't read it all!!
The World Report on Disability, developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) and the World Bank, with contributions from over 380 experts, calls for the elimination of barriers that often force the people with disabilities to “the margins of society”. The report suggests that more than one billion people in the world today experience disability.
People with disabilities have generally poorer health, lower education achievements, fewer economic opportunities and higher rates of poverty than people without disabilities. This is largely due to the lack of services available to them and the many obstacles they face in their everyday lives. The report provides the best available evidence about what works to overcome barriers to health care, rehabilitation, education, employment, and support services, and to create the environments which will enable people with disabilities to flourish. The report ends with a concrete set of recommended actions for governments and their partners.
Full report (PDF 349pp)
No, I haven't read it all!!
Also available in an “easy read” version and hard copy (ISBN: 9 789 241 564 182 Price: CHF 40 / US$ 48 paperback)
Saturday, 11 June 2011
Yet again … only this time I’m finding it harder
Some of my regular readers will be aware that I have been battling mild depression for a while. Feelings of helplessness and a lack of confidence are not the best foundation for managing a blog, nor indeed for job hunting which I have been doing since January.
Talk about regular readers – I guess they might be if I could manage posting regularly. I am very good a reading, logging something as a draft and then … and then …
I guess you know the rest of the story.
No, nay, never, no nay never no more
Will I – be so stupid!
Get the real words from The Dubliners here.
PS Went to YouTube for above link but I can’t just pick up one thing! Time-wasting again. I ended up with this which surprised me by having cigarettes on stage.
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