an article by Heather Lynch (Institute of Education, University of Stirling) in British Journal of Sociology of Education Volume 29 Issue 6 (November 2008)
Abstract
Recent lifelong learning policies have been criticised for creating an illusion of freedom whilst simultaneously reducing choice. The concept of desire permits engagement with the conscious and unconscious drives that underpin individual decision-making, which direct the life course. Utilising the ideas of Hume and Spinoza, the present article articulates the interrelated nature of desire and learning. Evidence is drawn from Learning Lives, a Teaching and Learning Research Programme-funded research project that uses the life history method to explore themes of agency, identity and learning across the life course. Boltanski and Thevenot's sociology of critical capacity is used as a heuristic tool that illuminates the mechanics of desire as described by eight contributors. Their stories provide a basis from which to critique policies for lifelong learning that appear limited in relation to the multiple desires that drive their life choices.
Wednesday, 31 December 2008
Efficient Tuition Fees and Examinations
an article by Robert J Gary-Bobo (Université Paris 1, Paris School of Economics) and Alain Trannoy (EHESS and GREQAM-IDEP) in Journal of The European Economic Association Volume 6 Number 6 (December 2008)
Abstract
We assume that students observe only a private, noisy signal of their ability and that universities can condition admission decisions on the results of noisy tests. If the university observes a private signal of each student's ability, which is soft information, then asymmetries of information are two-sided, and the optimal admission policy involves a mix of pricing and pre-entry selection, based on the university's private information. In contrast, if all test results are public knowledge, then there is no sorting on the basis of test scores: Tuition alone does the job of implementing an optimal degree of student self-selection. These results do not depend on the existence of peer effects. The optimal tuition follows a classic marginal social-cost pricing rule.
© 2008 by the European Economic Association
Abstract
We assume that students observe only a private, noisy signal of their ability and that universities can condition admission decisions on the results of noisy tests. If the university observes a private signal of each student's ability, which is soft information, then asymmetries of information are two-sided, and the optimal admission policy involves a mix of pricing and pre-entry selection, based on the university's private information. In contrast, if all test results are public knowledge, then there is no sorting on the basis of test scores: Tuition alone does the job of implementing an optimal degree of student self-selection. These results do not depend on the existence of peer effects. The optimal tuition follows a classic marginal social-cost pricing rule.
© 2008 by the European Economic Association
Tuesday, 30 December 2008
Why the IWF was wrong to lift its ban on a Wikipedia page
via OUT-LAW.com on 11 December
"EDITORIAL: The Internet Watch Foundation faced a storm of criticism this week over its decision to add a Wikipedia entry to a blacklist of pages that ISPs block. Under pressure, the IWF removed the image from its blacklist. That decision was a mistake."
Full story
And I do recommend that you read Struan Robertson's thoughtful piece on this issue.
"EDITORIAL: The Internet Watch Foundation faced a storm of criticism this week over its decision to add a Wikipedia entry to a blacklist of pages that ISPs block. Under pressure, the IWF removed the image from its blacklist. That decision was a mistake."
Full story
And I do recommend that you read Struan Robertson's thoughtful piece on this issue.
Monday, 29 December 2008
Turning to teaching: gender and career choice
an article by Andrea Raggl and Geoff Troman (School of Education, Froebel College, Roehampton University) in British Journal of Sociology of Education Volume 29 Issue 6 (November 2008)
Abstract
As the largest public sector institution in the United Kingdom, education is a key site for studying the context of “choice” and changes in the identities of professional workers in contemporary society. Recruitment and retention problems in education have led to the creation of new routes into teaching to attract career changers from other professions and occupations. In this paper we focus on career changers within the Economic and Social Research Council project “Primary Teacher Identity, Commitment and Career in Performative School Cultures” who have entered teaching from other private sector occupations. The authors analyse these career changes in terms of “turning points” in the participants’ lives in order to assess the extent to which choices are “self-initiated”, “forced” or “structural”. They are interested in the basis on which these choices were made and the impact of gender on career decisions.
Abstract
As the largest public sector institution in the United Kingdom, education is a key site for studying the context of “choice” and changes in the identities of professional workers in contemporary society. Recruitment and retention problems in education have led to the creation of new routes into teaching to attract career changers from other professions and occupations. In this paper we focus on career changers within the Economic and Social Research Council project “Primary Teacher Identity, Commitment and Career in Performative School Cultures” who have entered teaching from other private sector occupations. The authors analyse these career changes in terms of “turning points” in the participants’ lives in order to assess the extent to which choices are “self-initiated”, “forced” or “structural”. They are interested in the basis on which these choices were made and the impact of gender on career decisions.
Sunday, 28 December 2008
Emotional intelligence: theory and description: A competency model for interpersonal effectiveness
an article James Thomas Kunnanatt in Career Development International Volume 13 Issue 7 (2008)
Abstract
Purpose
Despite the crucial role that emotional intelligence (EI) could play in improving individuals’ performance and career prospects in organisations, employees, executives and career professionals across the world are still in search of practical frameworks for understanding the concept. This is because EI research outputs from academics still remain mostly as correlations, co-variations and associations between EI and other variables. This paper seeks to provide a practical framework that could help executives, employees and career advisors understand what EI competencies people need to acquire and how these could be developed through EI training.
Design/methodology/approach
The approach is to develop a competency-based model of EI based on inputs from academic research and feedback from EI training specialists. An attempt is made to incorporate the role of brain theory in EI. Exploration is also made into the progressive stages and dynamics involved in typical EI training programs.
Findings
The paper brings out current research insights and highlights the strategic significance of EI as an augmenter of job performance and career advancement. The competency-based model provides comprehensive understanding of the psychological configuration, inner mechanisms, and organization and operation of EI in human beings.
Originality/value
While the model holds many of the classic components of EI intact, a new sub-competence called social influence is introduced, with cautions about the difficulty in acquiring this sub-competence solely through EI training. Going beyond the popular literature, the paper explains the role of brain theory in EI – a dimension often ignored in EI discussions. Finally, the paper provides an abbreviated coverage of the progressive stages and the dynamics involved in typical EI training programs.
Abstract
Purpose
Despite the crucial role that emotional intelligence (EI) could play in improving individuals’ performance and career prospects in organisations, employees, executives and career professionals across the world are still in search of practical frameworks for understanding the concept. This is because EI research outputs from academics still remain mostly as correlations, co-variations and associations between EI and other variables. This paper seeks to provide a practical framework that could help executives, employees and career advisors understand what EI competencies people need to acquire and how these could be developed through EI training.
Design/methodology/approach
The approach is to develop a competency-based model of EI based on inputs from academic research and feedback from EI training specialists. An attempt is made to incorporate the role of brain theory in EI. Exploration is also made into the progressive stages and dynamics involved in typical EI training programs.
Findings
The paper brings out current research insights and highlights the strategic significance of EI as an augmenter of job performance and career advancement. The competency-based model provides comprehensive understanding of the psychological configuration, inner mechanisms, and organization and operation of EI in human beings.
Originality/value
While the model holds many of the classic components of EI intact, a new sub-competence called social influence is introduced, with cautions about the difficulty in acquiring this sub-competence solely through EI training. Going beyond the popular literature, the paper explains the role of brain theory in EI – a dimension often ignored in EI discussions. Finally, the paper provides an abbreviated coverage of the progressive stages and the dynamics involved in typical EI training programs.
What to do with your blog over the holidays
Darren Rowse, one of the gurus of blogging, (ProBlogger Blog Tips among several others) asked this question of his readers and then answered the question by pointing at a blog he wrote a while ago, 7 Things to Do with Your Blog when you take a Vacation.
Only two of the suggestions out of the seven seem to fit for me personally.
Retrospective posting where the topic isn't time critical and keeping on going through the holiday (which makes it not much of a holiday).
Regulars here will know that since my health has been a bit uncertain (particularly after that Noro virus attack in November) I've been playing catch-up so retrospective posting is not a problem. Time critical items I do try to get to you straight away but there's not much in the information management sector that is vital (as in a threat to life or limb) and certainly not in careers guidance. Labour market information is, perhaps, more important but most of you will have your own sources for that.
What should I do with this blog over the holidays?
Carry on as normal taking Christmas Day off because by the time I've got in from Midnight Mass and then slept in there's not much of the day left!
Here's to a bright New Year for all.
Only two of the suggestions out of the seven seem to fit for me personally.
Retrospective posting where the topic isn't time critical and keeping on going through the holiday (which makes it not much of a holiday).
Regulars here will know that since my health has been a bit uncertain (particularly after that Noro virus attack in November) I've been playing catch-up so retrospective posting is not a problem. Time critical items I do try to get to you straight away but there's not much in the information management sector that is vital (as in a threat to life or limb) and certainly not in careers guidance. Labour market information is, perhaps, more important but most of you will have your own sources for that.
What should I do with this blog over the holidays?
Carry on as normal taking Christmas Day off because by the time I've got in from Midnight Mass and then slept in there's not much of the day left!
Here's to a bright New Year for all.
Saturday, 27 December 2008
Ten more off-topic items I've found recently
10th day of xmas from Intute via Intute: Social Sciences Blog by Heather Dawson on 23 December
Heather and the team at Intute counted back from Christmas and started with the partridge in the pear tree on 13 December. It's been great fun but this one is the best if you have a vivid imagination!
and through to the PNC christmas price index - how much do the days of xmas really cost!
Deck the Halls via by Maeve on 23 December
Many of the traditional Christmas songs in English contain words or references that have changed in meaning or fallen out of common use.
Maeve covers the meaning and history of words such as: deck, don, doff, gay, troll, yule and, of course, carol.
Leap second to be added to the official world time via Boing Boing by David Pescovitz on 10 December
On December 31, at 23:59:59 UTC, a leap second will be added to the official timekeeping clocks of the world. That's because the timescales of atomic clocks and the earth's rotation aren't perfectly in synch. From Smithsonian:
Have you ever wondered about the chemistry behind items that you use everyday? Check out these articles from the American Chemical Society's Chemical and Engineering News. Items covered range from instant coffee to nail polish, and fireworks to cement.
Arts & Letters Daily - ideas, criticism, debate on 29 October
Do tales of witchcraft and wizardry, Harry Potter novels, for instance, have a negative effect on children? Richard Dawkins wants to know... more
Light bulb warning sign via Boing Boing by Mark Frauenfelder on 5 December
Found on Next Nature:
European researchers have developed a smart fabric that can monitor muscular overload and help prevent repetitive strain injury or RSI. But that is just the beginning. The team is also exploring a pregnancy belt to monitor baby’s heartbeat, clothing to help coach hockey, and shirts that monitor muscle fatigue during training.
Punctuation Game via Daily Writing Tips by Sharon on 25 October
So you think you know your punctuation? Now you can put it to the test. Eats, Shoots and Leaves, reviewed by Maeve in July, has a punctuation game online.
There are to questions on the placement of the apostrophe and comma, and at the end of the game you get a score showing how much of a stickler you are for correct punctuation use.
via Arts & Letters Daily - ideas, criticism, debate on 18 October
Life without my noisy boy. "You can't tell just by looking at us. There isn't even a name for parents who have lost children"... more
via Arts & Letters Daily - ideas, criticism, debate on 16 October
The array of worst-case natural disasters in the new "Climate Change" exhibit at the American Museum of Natural History is downright biblical in character... more
Heather and the team at Intute counted back from Christmas and started with the partridge in the pear tree on 13 December. It's been great fun but this one is the best if you have a vivid imagination!
and through to the PNC christmas price index - how much do the days of xmas really cost!
Deck the Halls via by Maeve on 23 December
Many of the traditional Christmas songs in English contain words or references that have changed in meaning or fallen out of common use.
Maeve covers the meaning and history of words such as: deck, don, doff, gay, troll, yule and, of course, carol.
Leap second to be added to the official world time via Boing Boing by David Pescovitz on 10 December
On December 31, at 23:59:59 UTC, a leap second will be added to the official timekeeping clocks of the world. That's because the timescales of atomic clocks and the earth's rotation aren't perfectly in synch. From Smithsonian:
Earth's rotation is the traditional form of timekeeping. It is what defines a day. However, while we call a day 86,400 seconds, it is really 86,400.02 seconds. All those .02 seconds add up over time. In addition, the earth's rotation is not constant – it has been slightly slowing, and 900 million years ago a day was only 18 of our hours.Friday fun via Science, Engineering & Technology Blog by Anne on 12 December
Have you ever wondered about the chemistry behind items that you use everyday? Check out these articles from the American Chemical Society's Chemical and Engineering News. Items covered range from instant coffee to nail polish, and fireworks to cement.
Arts & Letters Daily - ideas, criticism, debate on 29 October
Do tales of witchcraft and wizardry, Harry Potter novels, for instance, have a negative effect on children? Richard Dawkins wants to know... more
Light bulb warning sign via Boing Boing by Mark Frauenfelder on 5 December
Found on Next Nature:
19th century people needed some explanation to understand the difference between the regular candlelight and the electrically simulated candlelight. Note the disclaimer at the bottom: "The use of Electricity for lighting is in no way harmful to health, nor does it affect the soundness of sleep."Smart fabrics make clever (medical) clothing via ICT Results
European researchers have developed a smart fabric that can monitor muscular overload and help prevent repetitive strain injury or RSI. But that is just the beginning. The team is also exploring a pregnancy belt to monitor baby’s heartbeat, clothing to help coach hockey, and shirts that monitor muscle fatigue during training.
Punctuation Game via Daily Writing Tips by Sharon on 25 October
So you think you know your punctuation? Now you can put it to the test. Eats, Shoots and Leaves, reviewed by Maeve in July, has a punctuation game online.
There are to questions on the placement of the apostrophe and comma, and at the end of the game you get a score showing how much of a stickler you are for correct punctuation use.
via Arts & Letters Daily - ideas, criticism, debate on 18 October
Life without my noisy boy. "You can't tell just by looking at us. There isn't even a name for parents who have lost children"... more
via Arts & Letters Daily - ideas, criticism, debate on 16 October
The array of worst-case natural disasters in the new "Climate Change" exhibit at the American Museum of Natural History is downright biblical in character... more
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