May 1, 2012
Up The Workers
Pay teachers according to performance, MPs propose | Education | The Guardian
Teachers' pay should be more closely tied to the value they add to pupils' performance so that the best are rewarded while the weakest are discouraged from staying in the profession, MPs on the education select committee are to recommend.
The MPs say there are "huge differences" in the performance of teachers but express concern that the pay system rewards poorly performing teachers at the same levels as their more successful counterparts.
In a report, the committee urges ministers to develop proposals for a pay system that rewards the teachers who add the "greatest value" to pupil performance.
The report says: "We believe that performance management systems should support and reward the strongest teachers, as well as make no excuses (or, worse, incentives to remain) for the weaker."
Christine Blower, general secretary of the National Union of Teachers (NUT), said: "Payment by results is total nonsense. Performance-related pay [PRP] is not only inappropriate but also divisive."
Divisive is good, we want to drive a post between the good and bad teachers, the ones that go the extra yard and the workshy. It's what our kids deserve.
Posted by The Englishman at 6:56 AM
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March 23, 2012
Plant Sunflowers
Turing's Sunflowers - Manchester Science Festival 2012Celebrate Alan Turing’s centenary year with an experiment!
We need you to sow sunflower seeds in April and May, nurture the plants throughout the summer and when the sunflowers are fully grown we’ll be counting the number of spirals in the seed patterns in the sunflower heads.
I've planted two rows of sunflowers in my polytunnel, in front of the other interesting plants I grow... I urge you to do the same.
A previous post on the same subject ...
The seeds of a sunflower, the spines of a cactus, and the bracts of a pine cone all grow in whirling spiral patterns. Remarkable for their complexity and beauty, they also show consistent mathematical patterns that scientists have been striving to understand.
A surprising number of plants have spiral patterns in which each leaf, seed, or other structure follows the next at a particular angle called the golden angle. The golden angle is about 137.5. Two radii of a circle C form the golden angle if they divide the circle into two areas A and B so that A/B = B/C.
The golden angle is closely related to the golden ratio, which the ancient Greeks studied extensively and some have believed to have divine, aesthetic or mystical properties.
Plants with spiral patterns related to the golden angle also display another curious mathematical property. The seeds of a flower head form interlocking spirals in both clockwise and counterclockwise directions. The number of clockwise spirals differs from the number of counterclockwise spirals, and these two numbers are called the plant's parastichy numbers (pronounced pi-RAS-tik-ee or PEHR-us-tik-ee).
These numbers have a remarkable consistency. They are almost always two consecutive Fibonacci numbers, which are another one of nature's mathematical favorites. The Fibonacci numbers form the sequence 1, 1, 2, 3, 5, 8, 13, 21 . . . , in which each number is the sum of the previous two.
The Fibonacci numbers tend to crop up wherever the golden ratio appears, because the ratio between two consecutive Fibonacci numbers happens to be close to the golden ratio. The larger the two Fibonacci numbers, the closer their ratio to the golden ratio. But this relationship doesn't fully explain why parastichy numbers end up being consecutive Fibonacci numbers.
Scientists have puzzled over this pattern of plant growth for hundreds of years....
Posted by The Englishman at 8:33 AM
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March 9, 2012
Who Needs Teacher When You Can JFGI
BBC News - Pupils ask search engines ahead of parents, survey says
Children in the UK prefer using Google to asking their parents or teachers when they have a question, a snapshot survey suggests.
Some 54% of the 500 children asked said Google and other search engines were their first port of call when seeking information, pushing parents into second place on 26%.
Only 3% would ask their teacher.
Only 3%! Kids aren't stupid. the teaching unions will try to prevent the information revolution change the way children are taught for as long as possible but the kids have twigged and eventually the adults will as well.
FJGI? Look it up.
Posted by The Englishman at 6:19 AM
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January 30, 2012
A Lesson eBay Is Teaching Everybody
Posted by The Englishman at 6:25 AM
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October 4, 2011
Students Learning Economic Lesson
University degrees 'not worth £9,000', students claim - Telegraph
Almost three-quarters of final year undergraduates at elite institutions said the new maximum tuition fee rate - being introduced next year - represented poor value for money.
It comes after research at the weekend showed a wide variation in the amount of “contact time” with academics that undergraduates will receive. In arts subjects, some undergraduates will pay the equivalent of £15 an hour for lecturers and classroom tuition in the first year compared with £50 at other institutions.
Funny how spending your own money on yourself concentrates the mind. The first reaction is, of course, that the taxpayer must be mulct to pay for these useless lecturers. I'm not sure why I should pay for something the customer thinks isn't worth it so I suggest there is an easier answer. Don't go to university unless it is worthwhile to you. Power of the market and all that.
Posted by The Englishman at 7:09 AM
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September 4, 2011
Tony Blair and The Plagiarised PhD
Blair helped Gaddafi's son with his doctorate | Arabic region | Trend
Britain's former prime minister Tony Blair helped Moamer's Gaddafi's son Saif al-Islam with his doctorate at the London School of Economics (LSE), according to a press report Sunday based on documents found at the abandoned British embassy in Tripoli.
The Sunday Times reported that a letter, signed by Blair - "Best wishes, yours sincerely, Tony Blair", addressed him as "Engineer Saif", and thanked him for outlining his proposed thesis.
It then went on to suggest examples that "might help you with your studies."
BBC News - LSE investigates Gaddafi's son plagiarism claims The London School of Economics has confirmed it is investigating allegations that Colonel Gaddafi's son plagiarised his PhD thesis.
Posted by The Englishman at 9:24 PM
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July 26, 2011
The Value Of A University Education
Bunny: Suits Of Armour Heavier Than Pin Stripes Shock!
As you know, I have sometimes wondered if our academics are fucking idiots in disguise. But this cruel and cynical jading is with me no more as my understanding of the bleeding obvious has been illuminated by geniuses of the Universities of Leeds, Oxford and Milan.
Brainboxes from these hallowed garrets of intellect today published a report which I am certain will rival Newton's and Einstein's theories of the universe. The Eureka report was summarised on the BBC News thus:
'Medieval suits of armour were so exhausting to wear that they could have have affected the outcomes of famous battles, a study suggests.'
I know what you're thinking - 'fuck me, I'd never have worked that out; thank God for science' - and I am sure that many millions share your astonishment.
Get this, it will blow your mind also. Led by chief researcher Dr. Graham Askew of the University of Leeds, the study group used high-end technology to work out that a soldier weighed down by so much armour [50 kilos] he could barely move faster than a pensioner in a post officer was not half as nimble in battle as an enemy who didn't come dressed like a shoplifter at a Le Creuset closing down sale.
Pay attention, you are spending £9,000 a year for your kids to study at these places and you might want to pull them out of their second year and send them to learn more by talking to ants instead.
Posted by The Englishman at 1:38 PM
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Guardinistas Exploding On Streaming
School colour-codes pupils by ability | Education | The Guardian
A secondary school has divided its students by ability, complete with different uniforms. Innovative way to lure the middle classes, or worrying segregation?
The Head "Mixed-ability teaching in state schools has patently been shown to have failed – our model allows all students to work at their own level and get the support they need."
Read the comments for a disturbing view and proof why Guardian readers should never be allowed to be teachers...
"Nice to see apartheid is alive and well in the UK education system"
"This headmaster needs to be sacked before he can get near another child. What a cruel bastard. Maybe it would be easier if he just tattoed their forearms: "Smart" "Medium" "Dumb"
Actually, Mr. Murphy, mixed ability and mixed age groupings are the proven route to success, but, of course, that requires actual educators, instead of a Thatcheresque marketer."
"Why not make them wear yellow stars instead? This is very Brave New World."
"The fascists aren't even trying to hide what they're doing now."
"This headmaster is ... branding pupils in a way that disgusts us all (we all remember the Nazis using this method)
The reason councils and the people quite rightly controlled the powers of head teachers was because give any one person too much power and it will corrupt.
These are children this man is branding and limiting the education of - just to suit his own ego.
Time for the council to step in and ensure that all capable pupils get the same educational opportunities at the same school."
Posted by The Englishman at 7:27 AM
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June 8, 2011
Free Speech on Education
AC Grayling forced to flee smoke bomb protest at Foyles debate on private university - Telegraph
Professor AC Grayling was forced to abandon a public talk on Tuesday night after protesters opposed to his plans to set up a private university set off a smoke bomb.
The plans have been criticised by academics as being elitist.
At the end of the heated hour-long debate, during which Prof Grayling was verbally abused by students protesting against his plans, protesters set off the device.
Despite no reported injuries, several people experienced breathing problems caused by the fumes.
Despite knowing about planned protests, organisers insisted on continuing the debate because they wanted a “free exchange of ideas”.
On several occasions, Prof Grayling was shouted down during the debate as he sought to defend the new institution.
As soon as joined in the discussion, someone from the crowd shouted: “You have no right to speak”.
The fear that a centre of excellence in education engenders in the hearts of some academics and students tells its own story.
Posted by The Englishman at 7:00 AM
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December 28, 2010
Scholae, cui bono?
School subjects 'sidelined in drive to promote social justice' - Telegraph
Traditional subjects are being sidelined as ministers use schools to “repair social inequalities” rather than educate the next generation, according to a leading teacher.
Education - always remember who the customer is.
In State schools it is the State (or more accurately The Government and it's favoured Special Interest Groups.)
In Private schools it is the parents.
In all schools the teachers think it should be them as safe havens to keep the unemployable off the streets.
If you ever discover one where the poor bloody children are then please let me know.
Posted by The Englishman at 8:20 AM
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December 10, 2010
The Question Punk Is Do You Think Your Course Is Worth £9000?
If you answer no then there isn't a problem. Do something else.
If you answer yes there isn't one either. Grow up, invest in your future.
Posted by The Englishman at 6:30 AM
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November 2, 2010
Incentives Matter in Schools
BBC News - Schools in Wales 'perform worse' after league table ban
Secondary schools in Wales are performing worse since league tables were abolished, claims new research.
The naming and shaming that accompanied the publication of league tables led to more "effective" schools, says the research by Bristol University.
Who would have thought it?
"Few tears were shed when school league tables were abolished in Wales nine years ago.
On the whole teachers, unions and politicians were glad to see the back of them."
And why do you think teachers, unions and politicians didn't want to be held accountable?
The bloody schools aren't - sorry shouldn't - be run for their benefit and convenience.
All we need now is some research that shows that the carrot works as well as the stick.
School vouchers, anyone?
Posted by The Englishman at 11:51 AM
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October 29, 2010
Motivation of Pupils - Parents Key Factor
BBC News - Pushy parents help children make the grade at school
Pushy parents help their children do better at school, research suggests.
The effort a parent puts into ensuring their child buckles down to schoolwork has a greater impact than that put in by the child or the school, it says.
Download file - Motivation of Pupils in Compulsory Education aged 11 – 16 - Word Document 500k
Excel Spreadsheet of the data available here.
Posted by The Englishman at 6:47 AM
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October 19, 2010
Boys will be statemented
BBC News - Special needs more likely for boys, study finds
More than 41,000 primary school boys (2%) have a statement of needs and 489,250 (23.4%) have unstatemented needs.
Translation: Hundreds of thousands of primary school boys are boys and drive their female teachers mad. Why, oh why, can't they stop running around waving sticks and shouting and settle down in the tranquillity corner and read books!
Oh, and give us more cash.
Posted by The Englishman at 6:20 PM
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College Days
BBC News - Oxford University reveals interview questions
OXFORD INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
English Literature: Why do you think an English student might be interested in the fact that Coronation Street has been running for 50 years?
Music: If you could invent a new musical instrument, what kind of sound would it make?
Biological Sciences: Here's a cactus. Tell me about it.
Theology: Is someone who risks their own life (and those of others) in extreme sports or endurance activities a hero or a fool?
Psychology: What is 'normal' for humans?
Biomedical Sciences: Why do a cat's eyes appear to 'glow' in the dark?
How very different form my dear, dear days at college. At Teddy Hall I seem to remember they threw a rugby pill at you as you walked in the door, if you caught it you were in, if you passed it on to the Dean you had a scholarship.
Of course my own college was much more intellectual; I couldn't get the taste out of mouth for days after my successful interview.
Posted by The Englishman at 6:16 PM
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October 13, 2010
Customer Choice in Education
Browne review: Universities must set their own tuition fees | Education | guardian.co.uk
Lord Browne said students would dictate which universities flourished and which did not.
"The word is out - students talk to each other. I want to encourage that. This is about the student experience, and if people are pulling a fast one, it will come out very quickly."
Different courses cost different amounts, Browne said. Institutions will have to persuade students that the charges they put on their courses represent value for money. "Institutions are all different and they provide a wide range of different courses. We want this diversity to flourish," the review says.
Arts and humanities degrees could become more expensive and potentially less popular under Browne's proposals.
Under Browne's plans, popular universities would be able to expand, while others may be forced to contract.
I seem to remember upsetting a tutor at university when I was a student by reminding him that I was employing him to teach me, and he should be grateful of that rather than me being grateful he condescended to do it.
I didn't get good grades from him, but I was right and his type, with luck, will get a reminder of this soon.
Posted by The Englishman at 6:47 AM
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October 8, 2010
Tory Teacher Too Much For St Michael and All Angels Academy in Camberwell
Cranmer: Teacher who spoke at Tory conference ‘suspended’ by Head
Well, ‘sent home’ actually, which is some clever pseudo-legal way of avoiding immediate suspension while the (Executive) Head Teacher and Governing Body of the St Michael and All Angels Academy in Camberwell decide how to deal with having a Conservative-supporting deputy headteacher in their midst.
It must be awful for them.
In a highly-unionised, Labour-dominated, Socialist-obsessed profession, having a repentant former-Marxist in the staffroom must be like marking with the enemy.
A Disgrace - They should be on their knees thanking her for being part of the team
Posted by The Englishman at 8:14 AM
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October 4, 2010
Wanted - An Education on Why Free Trade is The Answer
The youngest Englishette aged 7 has a homework project I need help on.
Harvest festival time, aren't we lucky in England to have plenty to eat. In Africa they aren't so lucky and many go hungry, what ideas have you got to help them?
I can't track down a Ladybird Book of The Advantages of Free Trade or Maisy's GM Farm. I have a feeling those creeps at Christian Aid and Fairtrade will have already filled the bookshelf.
Anyone got any ideas?
Posted by The Englishman at 8:39 PM
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September 25, 2010
Customers prevent staff running business as they want to.
Teachers don't want parents to have more say in schools, says union - Scotsman.com News
Posted by The Englishman at 7:06 AM
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August 24, 2010
Universities Discriminate Against Thickies - Shock Claim By Teachers
University candidates selected on their GCSE results - Telegraph
Pupils who fail to excel at their GCSEs are being discriminated against by universities, leading teachers have claimed.
Maybe, just maybe, Universities are looking for more rounded intelligence than is demonstrated by passing three highly coached for exams. And that is wrong?
Posted by The Englishman at 6:14 AM
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August 3, 2010
Independent Mulls How To Force People To Accept Dross
Leading article: Our education system sullies all - Leading Articles, Opinion - The Independent
How should society prevent parents cheating over school catchment areas?
The ideal solution is to improve the quality of schools across the board to a degree where wide disparities do not exist between them. That will not happen in the short term; indeed Michael Gove's proposals to allow some schools to apply for Academy status is more likely to increase the problem than ameliorate it.
Some have suggested allocating school places by lottery, to give all children an equal chance of getting into the best schools, around which houses cost on average £25,000 more than comparable homes outside the catchment areas. But that too is problematic. A school may end up rejecting a pupil who lives next door while bussing in children from the other side of the town. Social engineering by bussing does not have an attractive track record.
Still, a child who gets a place in a sought-after school as a result of parental dishonesty takes the place of a child of honest parents who haven't tried to fiddle the system. Headteachers and those who administer admissions policies must apply and invigilate them rigorously.
Of course it is unfair that some morning papers are well subscribed and some aren't. Some people cheat the Independent of its readership by nipping into the shops and buying the Sun, some even brazenly subscribe to The Telegraph. The worst case cheats buy the Independent and then read something more interesting over somebody's shoulder on the tube. Strict quotas must be established and enforced that ensure the right proportion and social mix of people have to read the Independent every day. It is too big a problem to leave to the market....
Posted by The Englishman at 7:04 AM
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July 26, 2010
A Degree that is worth the money paid for it
BBC News - First private university in decades to be created
The UK's first new private sector university college for more than 30 years is being announced by the universities minister.
David Willetts will allow London-based BPP, which has 14 regional branches, to become a university college.
"The education landscape is changing, and over the next decade we will see a different picture emerging, where both students and employers will drive demand for their preferred method of study and training," says BPP chief executive, Carl Lygo.
"We see ourselves as a pioneer in this field, and hope that our unique status and self-funding model will lead the way in which other providers will be able to operate in."
It is especially hopeful that they plan to over teaching degrees.
Posted by The Englishman at 6:54 AM
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May 7, 2010
Kids Will Pay The Price of a Lib-Con Pact
Never mind the windmills that will carpet our green and pleasant the real price of the Tory failure to secure a majority will be paid by the kids. The corduroy wearing Lib-Dims will scupper any meaningful reform of the education system to protect the teachers.
Not such a small price to pay.
Posted by The Englishman at 11:37 PM
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May 2, 2010
An Eye for the Future
Pupils lose a slice of real science as schools drop dissection - Times Online
Schools, sensitive to squeamish pupils and the risks of their misusing scalpels, have abandoned cutting up frogs or animal organs and replaced them with computer simulation or plastic replicas.
In addition to health and safety fears, schools cited changes to the curriculum which place more emphasis on issues such as the environment than on practical skills.
Helen Wright, headmistress of the private St Mary’s Calne, a girls’ school in Wiltshire, said her pupils were taught dissection once they reached the age of 15. Occasionally they worked with pickled rats or fish heads, but more often with pigs’ hearts and kidneys “usually sourced from a very nice butcher in Devizes”.
So learning about the environment trumps actually science, why am I not surprised. But at least the nice young ladies at St Mary's are being taught not to be squeamish about handling flesh, it is an important quality for a successful marriage.
Posted by The Englishman at 6:51 AM
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April 26, 2010
Tory Education Reforms - The Tory Problem
BBC News - Tories' warning on 'free schools'
Paul Carter, leader of Kent County Council, said funding parents to start their own "free schools" would threaten the budgets of other local schools.
That is a benefit, not a problem.
He said he was not against choice in education, but warned his party must guard against what he called "destructive" rather than "constructive" competition.
And he calls himself a Tory? Competition is always destructive, creative destruction is the engine of improvement...
(A) councillor who runs education services in another Conservative authority in one of England's cities, but who does not want to be named, says he "is not a fan of the free schools policy".
He points out if parents were able to set up free schools in his area - a city with a growing population - it would make strategic planning a nightmare for him.
Excellent - maybe he should get another job then, and hopefully the whole waste that is council strategic planning could wither on the vine.
Can the Tories actually deliver a badly needed radical shake-up of the education system when their own councillors are going to act as roadblocks?
Posted by The Englishman at 8:12 AM
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April 18, 2010
Education vs Training - Cameron vs Brown
First prime ministerial debate - 15 April 2010 -Transcript
What will the party leaders do to improve education?
GORDON BROWN: I want to see our education improve as it has done over the last few
years. We need teachers with better qualifications. We need young
people with the aspiration to succeed, and we need to give people
the chance to start education early, that's why nursery education
starts at three and be able to go through to 18. That's what we are
saying in our manifesto, education will be part-time or full-time till
the age of 18. As far as grades and standards are concerned, I
myself believe in the highest of standards. I believe if we don't
search for the highest of standards, then we will not in the end get
the best pupils coming out of our schools. Yes, we've got to look at
the different types of exams and we will do so. But I think it's
important to realise we're in this new world where we are competing
with Asia, as well as America and Europe and our young people
have got to have the grades, the qualifications to be able to meet
the best in the world. That's what I want to achieve and I hope I can
work with you to do so.
DAVID CAMERON: I have every sympathy with what you say because education is
important, that, as well as getting good grades that actually we're
opening young people's minds to all the best things that have been
written and all the best things that have been said and to really
excite people about education....
Note the difference - Gordon is all about training up the worker drones, whereas Cameron, surprisingly or maybe not for an Etonian, recognises that education is more than that.
Will that translate into policy? I don't know but it was the most encouraging thing I have heard for while.
Posted by The Englishman at 9:26 AM
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April 6, 2010
At the Chalkface
Teachers join civil servants in strike threat against spending cuts - Times Online
Delegates at the NUT conference chanted “the workers, united, will never be defeated”, fists raised, during a standing ovation for the call by Mark Serwotka, the left-wing general secretary of the Public and Commercial Services Union, for co-ordinated action across the public sector.
And would any of them be missed, if the next Ed Sec had any balls and took them on?
Posted by The Englishman at 7:36 AM
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Free up the schools!
'Disastrous' SNP policy blamed after 1,000 teachers head south of Border - Scotsman.com News
Reports show more than 1,000 Scottish teachers have signed up to work in England over the last four years....official statistics revealed record numbers of Scots teachers are now unemployed...
"Given the severe financial constraints on local authorities, we need far more emphasis on removing the rigidities within the labour market for teachers, most especially the geographical immobility which reduces the numbers of teachers willing to work outside the main cities and Central Belt area, and the inflexibilities which headteachers face when they want to advertise for new jobs."
Allowing headteachers to offer greater pay for teachers in hard-to-fill jobs such as those in rural areas and deprived communities could encourage teachers to take up jobs in Scotland rather than move to cities in England.
Posted by The Englishman at 7:33 AM
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April 3, 2010
Shedding The Blood of The Lamb Forgiven
Teacher who resigned over slaughtered lamb is reinstated - Times Online
A headteacher who resigned amid controversy over a decision to send a lamb reared by her pupils to slaughter has been reinstated.
Andrea Charman stepped down from her post at Lydd Primary School in Romney Marsh, Kent, in February for “personal reasons”, Kent County Council said.
She is returning after being shown overwhelming support from the local community, the council said today.
Excellent news, and vindicates a belief in parents whose children actually go to a school having a say.
Posted by The Englishman at 7:00 AM
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March 31, 2010
Simple Answer to Improve Schools
Should businesses operate in state schools? They already can, and do - Times Online
Debate on opening the door to new providers to run schools has focused on parents, charities and teachers, conjuring images of volunteers running a school in their community.
The more significant development in recent years has been the emergence of chains of schools, run by a single operator, with a common vision, sharing back-office functions and sometimes swapping staff.
These chains — multi-academy sponsors — are the very opposite of groups of passionate amateurs seeking to open schools. They are highly professional, relentlessly focused on achievement, with sophisticated data systems to track their students’ and schools’ progress.....
Should businesses operate in state schools? They already can, and do — intervening, in their role as school improvement partners, or managing the whole show, as EdisonLearning does at Turin Grove School, North London.
The only question is whether they should be allowed to be the legal entity operating a school, rather than a contractor providing services.
The answer is "Yes, of course", but even the Tories are frit of the teaching unions and are cowardly ruling it out.
Posted by The Englishman at 7:18 AM
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March 18, 2010
Web Content Management Fail
WEB CONTENT MANAGER
(required immediately)
Closing date for applications is 3rd October 2008
As the latest news on the Dauntsey's School site is also September 2008 I guess they didn't recruit anyone, who could put a redirect on to their newer site which Google doesn't really know about.
Posted by The Englishman at 11:18 PM
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March 10, 2010
Freedom for Scottish Schools Inches Nearer
Scottish Tory proposals aim for less state control of education - Times Online
Scotland’s Education Secretary last night gave a guarded welcome to Conservative proposals for new schools funded by the taxpayer but run by independent charities or trusts. Such schools would be free to set their own priorities but could not seek private funding or operate a selective admissions policy.
In a surprising a response to the policy announcement, Michael Russell said he was open to “interesting proposals” and wanted debate on diverse forms of education delivery. He is to travel to Sweden — which operates a scheme like the one Conservatives want to import — on a fact-finding mission this weekend.
Another step closer to a better system, and refreshing it is across party boundaries. If only the Tories weren't so scared of, and Labour so in the pay of, the Education Establishment in England...
Posted by The Englishman at 6:38 AM
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February 25, 2010
A Tory Policy on Education to Support
Tories would scrap new duty for parents that educate children at home - Times Online
The Tories would scrap a new duty that requires parents who educate their children at home to be registered with councils.
Michael Gove, the Shadow Schools Secretary, said that he would block plans which “stigmatise” home educators.
Under the Children, Schools and Families Bill, which has almost finished going through Parliament, local authorities will setup databases of home-educating families and visit them to ensure that standards are met.
Excellent - a clear positive commitment to freedom. In other areas Gove is less sure
Posted by The Englishman at 6:33 AM
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January 9, 2010
Do they also do a course in selling bridges?
The workings of a BSc in homeopathy – Telegraph Blogs
Excellent Freedom of Information work from Prof David Colquhoun of University College London, who has obtained the course materials of the now-defunct BSc in homeopathy that was for a short while offered by the University of Central Lancashire, and is reviewing them on his blog.
After years of wrangling, 13kg of paper fell through Prof Colquhoun’s letterbox on Christmas Eve. The lecture notes and their relationship with the Society of Homeopath’s code of conduct are, in places, staggering. Even considering that this is a course built entirely on quackery it’s surprising to see so much internal contradiction and spurious claims of evidence and health benefits.
Part 1 - I look forward to the follow up.
Posted by The Englishman at 6:35 AM
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January 4, 2010
Bashing Celebrity Bogusmongers
Celebrities and Science Review 2009
Overall, the main message from scientists to celebrities this year is nutrition is neither the cure nor cause of everything. We have seen a flurry of comments about diet and nutrition, such as Roger Moore’s claim that foie gras is causing Alzheimer’s disease and Heather Mills’ claim that meat gives you “the illness you die of”.
In the 2008 Celebrities and Science review, we were tentatively optimistic that celebrities had dropped their enthusiasm for ‘chemical free’ products and lifestyles. Sadly, like shoulder pads and mini-skirts, ‘chemical free’ claims never really go away and in 2009 we have seen renewed calls to avoid deodorants and the pill because they ‘contain chemicals’. Once again this year, scientists are stressing that nothing is chemical free and the effect of specific chemicals depends on the dose.
Full Report pdf
Posted by The Englishman at 6:30 AM
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December 2, 2009
Grasp the Thistle on School Vouchers.
SNP's Mike Russell championed Tory-style voucher system for Scots education - Scotsman.com News
After Mr Russell lost his seat at the 2003 Scottish election, he argued for a Swedish-style voucher system promoted by those in favour of more private sector involvement and decried the "ideological prejudice" that prevented such ideas being discussed.
He also said children and parents needed to be treated like customers and that there had to be greater choice. His opinions came out in a 2006 book, Grasping the Thistle, which he co-authored with Dennis MacLeod and which attempted to provide a new, more centre-right, dynamic vision of Nationalism in Scotland.
The opinions have been welcomed by business leaders, think tank Reform Scotland and the Tories – who have also backed a voucher system – and they called on Mr Russell to push the book's agenda in his new post.
The book was serialised in The Scotsman and in a piece also co-authored with Mr MacLeod in September 2006, seven months before becoming a minister in the SNP government, Mr Russell wrote: "Some competition is essential to get the best out of our young people and to get the best out of our tax revenues.
"The consumer – the child along with his or her parents, the young person seeking to go to college or university and the mature student – would be able to choose the best facilities for their particular needs, and be able to force new provision on to the market by means of their purchasing power, provided by the state."
Of course now he is back in Government he is not allowed to say such things as the SNP turns increasingly left-wing. And the Tories in England aren't allowed to say such things either.
What a great chance Scotland has to reverse the decline in its education system and yet again lead the Kingdom in provision of high quality education through choice.
Posted by The Englishman at 6:43 AM
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November 12, 2009
This is the sort of English up with which I will not put
A-level computerised exam markers give Churchill a fail - Times Online
They are some of the most memorable and stirring words of the 20th century, but Churchill’s speech exhorting the British to “fight on the beaches” would fail if submitted as a school essay and subjected to a proposed computerised marking system.
The wartime leader had a style that was too repetitive, according to the computer being tested for the online marking of school qualifications. It rated Churchill as below average in the equivalent of an A level English exam.
I thought they just weighed the papers now to judge them, if you want to give prizes to all then of course we can't afford to actually read and understand them.
And no, Churchill probably didn't write the headline...
Posted by The Englishman at 6:39 AM
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November 6, 2009
Sex with Ed Balls
Forced sex education by Ed Balls; I suppose Gordon Brown could teach Personal Hygiene alongside him with the fragrant Yvette demonstrating....
Whoops I have just lost my breakfast.....
Posted by The Englishman at 7:32 AM
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November 4, 2009
School Place Cheats
Tough on education, tough on the causes of education
Instead of castigating parents for wanting a better education for their children, those in power should be asking themselves why parents are prepared to make so much effort to get their children into a good school. They should also look at how the schooling system needs to be reformed to allow this competition for places to engender the opportunities of excellence in education for all, rather than trying to cut it off at root.
School Vouchers Now - Simples
Posted by The Englishman at 7:10 AM
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