Category Archives: research topics

How not to write about higher education, STEM eats literature edition

I was going to write up the first post for our Infomocracy reading, but people keep sharing this Washington Post article with me.  “Meet the parents who won’t let their children study literature” has a lot of appeal for some … Continue reading →

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One week of bad stories about higher education financing, and I feel fine

Somedays it’s hard to discern signals about an emerging topic.  Other times they just fight with each other to leap across the transom. Today the subject is higher education finances in crisis.  One of the datapoints is personal, while the … Continue reading →

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Two new signs of educational inequality

How does growing income inequality impact American education and culture?  To what extent does our education system mitigate or construct that economic divide?  I’ve been tracking this for several years, and wanted to share two recent stories.  Both are about … Continue reading →

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Why do people still disdain science fiction and fantasy?

In 2016, why do so many people disdain the science fiction and fantasy genres*? This is a question my daughter often asks me.  She’s 21 now (a fact which feel like both science fiction and fantasy, some days) and has … Continue reading →

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American TV news is making you much more afraid than you should be

I’ve been slamming American tv “news” for a while.  Today I’d like to focus on the way CNN, Fox, et al portray crime.  Because their coverage is worse than it was just a few years ago.  And while they’ve been doing … Continue reading →

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Which near future science fiction book should we read? A blog book club query.

What’s a good near-future science fiction book to read, and would you like to read it together? (EDITED: the list has grown, thanks to suggestions in comments, on Facebook, Twitter, and via email.  An initial tally of your preferences appears … Continue reading →

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The vileness of American tv news: a new datapoint

I’ve been criticizing American tv “news” for a while.  Sometimes I think I can avoid the topic… buy eriacta online buy eriacta no prescription generic and then more examples just keep pouring in. Today’s story is a good one.  It’s about … Continue reading →

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What is digital literacy in 2016? A research inquiry

What does digital literacy mean in 2016? I’m currently working with the New Media Consortium (NMC) on a research project (supported by Adobe) aimed at answering that question, and you can play a part. We’re surveying people to see what … Continue reading →

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Clinton campaign calls for mostly tuition-free public higher education: first analysis

In a major campaign move with powerful implications for higher education, Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton offered a new plan for college and university finance.   According to Inside Higher Ed, this includes several major proposals. Tuition at public colleges and … Continue reading →

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Major faculty and staff cuts at Plymouth State University

In one more story about an American campus wielding the ax, Plymouth State University announced staff and faculty cuts as part of a departmental reorganization. More than 10% of faculty and staff met the ax: Administrators have approved the departure … Continue reading →

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