State school pupils who apply for the most selective degree courses at top universities are as likely to win a place as private school pupils with similar A-level results, but are less likely to put their names forward says new research.
Read the full article from the FT
Friday, 14 August 2009
Clash in jobless data sparks inquiry
An urgent investigation into a striking discrepancy between two sets of unemployment data has been launched by the government.
Full article from the FT
Hazel’s comment:
I'm not sure what the fuss is about. There has always been a discrepancy between the claimant count and the number of people seeking work. Is the present discrepancy, in percentage terms, very different from that normally experienced? If yes then I can understand that the government may be concerned considering that Jobcentres now offer “real help”. However, the anecdotal “evidence” among my unemployed friends is that casual work is available (without resorting to the hidden economy) particularly for experienced LGV drivers and warehouse staff. A day and a half a week is more than JSA would pay so why bother making a claim?
Full article from the FT
Hazel’s comment:
I'm not sure what the fuss is about. There has always been a discrepancy between the claimant count and the number of people seeking work. Is the present discrepancy, in percentage terms, very different from that normally experienced? If yes then I can understand that the government may be concerned considering that Jobcentres now offer “real help”. However, the anecdotal “evidence” among my unemployed friends is that casual work is available (without resorting to the hidden economy) particularly for experienced LGV drivers and warehouse staff. A day and a half a week is more than JSA would pay so why bother making a claim?
Thursday, 13 August 2009
Does High Cost of Mortgage Debt Explain Why Young Adults Live with Their Parents?
an article by Nuno Martins (Barclays Capital) and Ernesto Villanueva (Banco de Españna) published in Journal of the European Economic Association Volume 7 Number 5 (September 2009)
Abstract
Young adults leave their parents’ homes at a higher rate in Northern Europe or in the United States than in Southern Europe, with broad implications on labour market mobility and on fertility. We assess if differences in household formation are associated to differences in access to credit by estimating the impact of the cost of a mortgage on the probability that a young adult leaves his or her parents’ home. Exogenous changes in the cost of credit are identified using the reform in 1998 and the cancellation in 2002 of Crédito Bonificado, a Portuguese programme that provided four different reductions of the interest rate of mortgages signed by low- and medium-income youth. Using a unique data set that links administrative records of debt with the 1998–2004 waves of the Employment Survey, we document three findings.
First, borrowing among young adults fell when borrowing costs increased.
Second, the elasticity of new household formation with respect to net interest rates lies between −0.8 and −3.3.
Third, young adults responded to the increase in mortgage costs by delaying home purchases or by reducing the quality of housing services purchased, but there was only a modest increase of the probability of renting a new accommodation.
Abstract
Young adults leave their parents’ homes at a higher rate in Northern Europe or in the United States than in Southern Europe, with broad implications on labour market mobility and on fertility. We assess if differences in household formation are associated to differences in access to credit by estimating the impact of the cost of a mortgage on the probability that a young adult leaves his or her parents’ home. Exogenous changes in the cost of credit are identified using the reform in 1998 and the cancellation in 2002 of Crédito Bonificado, a Portuguese programme that provided four different reductions of the interest rate of mortgages signed by low- and medium-income youth. Using a unique data set that links administrative records of debt with the 1998–2004 waves of the Employment Survey, we document three findings.
First, borrowing among young adults fell when borrowing costs increased.
Second, the elasticity of new household formation with respect to net interest rates lies between −0.8 and −3.3.
Third, young adults responded to the increase in mortgage costs by delaying home purchases or by reducing the quality of housing services purchased, but there was only a modest increase of the probability of renting a new accommodation.
Wednesday, 12 August 2009
Trivia – ten more non-work-related items
via Arts & Letters Daily – ideas, criticism, debate
If we continue to go on in the same way, our future is unsustainable. Of course, we never go on in the same way. Matt Ridley knows... more
via Arts & Letters Daily – ideas, criticism, debate
Bitterness is so common and so deeply harmful that some psychiatrists are urging it be identified as a mental illness: "post-traumatic embitterment disorder"... more
Classic video games reimagined as backyard "off your butt" games via Boing Boing by Xeni Jardin
Brian Crecente over at Kotaku has a terrific post up about backyard adaptations of classic video games. I can imagine playing them for lulz myself, but they're particularly cool for parents with bored kids at home on summer break:
Here, mostly for my amusement, is a collection of games meant to be enjoyed outdoors. I've taken some of my favorite video games and tried to turn them into the sorts of games you play with friends on the lawn, in a park or anywhere there's space.
Included are homages to Katamari Damacy, Super Mario Bros. Pac-Man, Space Invaders, Frogger, and Metal Gear Solid. Enjoy, but don't blame me if you break something... even a sweat.
Printable PDFs for 6 games here.
Included: Katamari StickWithMe, Pac-Tag, Leapfrogger, Dodge Space Invaders, Metal Hear Hide and Sneak, and Super Hopscotch Bros. (hahahah!)
Free Steam Games – don’t be a party poop, download some free fun video games via The Red Ferret Journal by Nigel
It's Friday so why not kick back and enjoy some free video games courtesy of the Steam network delivery service?
Thanks to “How can I recycle this” I found
Ethical Consumer has reviewed a range of laundry detergents on the market in terms of their environmental impact – interesting reading.
via Arts & Letters Daily – ideas, criticism, debate
Plato called it “the greatest incentive to evil”" and maybe he was right. Yet we all succumb to pleasure: booze, chocolate, sex - or just a warm bath... more
via Arts & Letters Daily – ideas, criticism, debate
Refrigeration changed our attitude toward food by removing the site of production from the sight of consumers. Thus did our idea of "freshness" emerge... more
Friday fun via Science, Engineering & Technology Blog by Anne
Another interesting site from the Exploratorium today.
Last week we had the science of food. This week check out the science of music!
Petition to make clean water a human right via Boing Boing by Cory Doctorow
The Article 31 petition is trying to get the UN to add a new article to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, one that recognises a fundamental right to water. It comes from the people who made the amazing documentary on water rights, Flow.
via Arts & Letters Daily – ideas, criticism, debate
Time for old feminists like Germaine Greer to “step aside,” she says. “It's like, we're grateful for what you did, but it's time for you to hand over”... more
If we continue to go on in the same way, our future is unsustainable. Of course, we never go on in the same way. Matt Ridley knows... more
via Arts & Letters Daily – ideas, criticism, debate
Bitterness is so common and so deeply harmful that some psychiatrists are urging it be identified as a mental illness: "post-traumatic embitterment disorder"... more
Classic video games reimagined as backyard "off your butt" games via Boing Boing by Xeni Jardin
Brian Crecente over at Kotaku has a terrific post up about backyard adaptations of classic video games. I can imagine playing them for lulz myself, but they're particularly cool for parents with bored kids at home on summer break:
Here, mostly for my amusement, is a collection of games meant to be enjoyed outdoors. I've taken some of my favorite video games and tried to turn them into the sorts of games you play with friends on the lawn, in a park or anywhere there's space.
Included are homages to Katamari Damacy, Super Mario Bros. Pac-Man, Space Invaders, Frogger, and Metal Gear Solid. Enjoy, but don't blame me if you break something... even a sweat.
Printable PDFs for 6 games here.
Included: Katamari StickWithMe, Pac-Tag, Leapfrogger, Dodge Space Invaders, Metal Hear Hide and Sneak, and Super Hopscotch Bros. (hahahah!)
Free Steam Games – don’t be a party poop, download some free fun video games via The Red Ferret Journal by Nigel
It's Friday so why not kick back and enjoy some free video games courtesy of the Steam network delivery service?
Thanks to “How can I recycle this” I found
Ethical Consumer has reviewed a range of laundry detergents on the market in terms of their environmental impact – interesting reading.
via Arts & Letters Daily – ideas, criticism, debate
Plato called it “the greatest incentive to evil”" and maybe he was right. Yet we all succumb to pleasure: booze, chocolate, sex - or just a warm bath... more
via Arts & Letters Daily – ideas, criticism, debate
Refrigeration changed our attitude toward food by removing the site of production from the sight of consumers. Thus did our idea of "freshness" emerge... more
Friday fun via Science, Engineering & Technology Blog by Anne
Another interesting site from the Exploratorium today.
Last week we had the science of food. This week check out the science of music!
Petition to make clean water a human right via Boing Boing by Cory Doctorow
The Article 31 petition is trying to get the UN to add a new article to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, one that recognises a fundamental right to water. It comes from the people who made the amazing documentary on water rights, Flow.
via Arts & Letters Daily – ideas, criticism, debate
Time for old feminists like Germaine Greer to “step aside,” she says. “It's like, we're grateful for what you did, but it's time for you to hand over”... more
Shall We Stay or Shall We Go? ...
Re-migration trends among Britain's immigrants
a report by Tim Finch, Maria Latorre, Naomi Pollard and Jill Rutter published by ippr
In this report ippr sets out to quantify and analyse re-migration from the United Kingdom, and to understand what motivates immigrants to leave. The phenomenon of re-migration – in other words the emigration of immigrants – has not, on the whole, been well documented or understood. But policymakers should care about re-migration and know more about those leaving.
a report by Tim Finch, Maria Latorre, Naomi Pollard and Jill Rutter published by ippr
In this report ippr sets out to quantify and analyse re-migration from the United Kingdom, and to understand what motivates immigrants to leave. The phenomenon of re-migration – in other words the emigration of immigrants – has not, on the whole, been well documented or understood. But policymakers should care about re-migration and know more about those leaving.
Full report priced at £12.95, executive summary free
Virtually there, almost: ...
educational and informational possibilities in virtual worlds
an article by Peter Edward Sidorko in Library Management Volume 30 Numbers 6-7
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this article is to analyse the educational and more specifically, the library and information opportunities afforded through virtual worlds such as Second Life.
Design/methodology/approach
The article provides an analysis of virtual world opportunities through a review of relevant literature as well as actual applications of virtual world platforms.
Findings
Virtual worlds have the potential to provide a rich learning and information environment. Despite what many see as limitations, virtual worlds can enhance the learning experience if problematic issues are addressed and if expectations are realistic. For libraries, a unique set of limitations are identified.
Research limitations/implications
The limited availability of library presences in virtual worlds prohibits a full scale analysis of the success or otherwise of such projects. Future analyses of virtual worlds, in particular Second Life, will be useful if their pervasiveness increases.
Practical implications
Library managers are alerted to issues and problems surrounding an investment in virtual worlds.
Originality/value
This paper will prove useful to educators and librarians considering investing time and other resources in developing content in virtual worlds.
an article by Peter Edward Sidorko in Library Management Volume 30 Numbers 6-7
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this article is to analyse the educational and more specifically, the library and information opportunities afforded through virtual worlds such as Second Life.
Design/methodology/approach
The article provides an analysis of virtual world opportunities through a review of relevant literature as well as actual applications of virtual world platforms.
Findings
Virtual worlds have the potential to provide a rich learning and information environment. Despite what many see as limitations, virtual worlds can enhance the learning experience if problematic issues are addressed and if expectations are realistic. For libraries, a unique set of limitations are identified.
Research limitations/implications
The limited availability of library presences in virtual worlds prohibits a full scale analysis of the success or otherwise of such projects. Future analyses of virtual worlds, in particular Second Life, will be useful if their pervasiveness increases.
Practical implications
Library managers are alerted to issues and problems surrounding an investment in virtual worlds.
Originality/value
This paper will prove useful to educators and librarians considering investing time and other resources in developing content in virtual worlds.
Tuesday, 11 August 2009
How is a Fruit Tree Like You?
Using Artistic Metaphors to Explore and Develop Emotional Competence in Children
an article by Kathryn Geldard (University of the Sunshine Coast, Australia) and Rebecca Yin Foo and Jane Shakespeare-Finch (Queensland University of Technology, Australia) in Australian Journal of Guidance and Counselling Volume 19 Issue 1 (July 2009)
Abstract
Counselling children often requires the use of supplementary strategies in order to interest and engage the child in the therapeutic process. One such strategy is the Metaphorical Fruit Tree (MFT); an art metaphor suited to exploring and developing self-concept. Quantitative and qualitative data was used to explore the relationships between children's ability to use metaphor, age, gender, and level of emotional competence (N = 58). Quantitative and qualitative analyses revealed a significant negative relationship between self-reported emotional competence and ability to use the MFT. It is proposed that children rely on different processes to understand self and as children’s ability to cognitively report on their emotional capabilities via the Emotional Competence Questionnaire (ECQ) increases, their ability to report creatively on those capabilities via the MFT is undermined. It is suggested that the MFT may be used, via creative processes and as an alternative to cognitive processes, to increase understanding and awareness of intrapersonal and interpersonal concepts of self in the child during counselling.
an article by Kathryn Geldard (University of the Sunshine Coast, Australia) and Rebecca Yin Foo and Jane Shakespeare-Finch (Queensland University of Technology, Australia) in Australian Journal of Guidance and Counselling Volume 19 Issue 1 (July 2009)
Abstract
Counselling children often requires the use of supplementary strategies in order to interest and engage the child in the therapeutic process. One such strategy is the Metaphorical Fruit Tree (MFT); an art metaphor suited to exploring and developing self-concept. Quantitative and qualitative data was used to explore the relationships between children's ability to use metaphor, age, gender, and level of emotional competence (N = 58). Quantitative and qualitative analyses revealed a significant negative relationship between self-reported emotional competence and ability to use the MFT. It is proposed that children rely on different processes to understand self and as children’s ability to cognitively report on their emotional capabilities via the Emotional Competence Questionnaire (ECQ) increases, their ability to report creatively on those capabilities via the MFT is undermined. It is suggested that the MFT may be used, via creative processes and as an alternative to cognitive processes, to increase understanding and awareness of intrapersonal and interpersonal concepts of self in the child during counselling.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
