The UK school grounds charity, Learning Through Landscapes, commenting on a poll of 1,146 children sponsored by RBS, suggests children engage in bullying and negative behaviour because they are bored. Although almost all (93%) enjoyed playtimes, one in four had been bullied in the playground while one in six got bored. They suggest a solution …
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Category:Education
Japanese protest history cover-up in text book
Over 100,000 people in Okinawa, Japan protested over proposals to change the account in school text books detailing the account of Japanese army involvement in mass suicides during World War 2. The protest was against moves to modify and tone down passages that say the army ordered Okinawans to kill themselves rather than surrender. When …
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Rare 19th century books to go on-line
The British Library is digitising and putting on-line more than 100,000 old books previously unavailable to the public. The programme focuses on 19th Century books, many of which are unknown as few were reprinted after first editions. This excellent initiative will help teachers who otherwise can not get access to this literature, and it will …
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TV beats family, hands-down
Sad but unsurprising results of a UK survey show that children spend far more time watching TV than spending time with family, or anything else. A survey of of 1,800 families with primary school-age children was part of research accompanying the government-backed Booktime literacy project. The survey suggested that children were more likely to be …
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Children’s play is critical to development
In the UK a group of experts wrote an open letter to the Daily Telegraph warning that overprotection of children is injurious to their health. Signatures to the letter were gathered by Sue Palmer, author of the book Toxic Childhood, and Dr Richard House, a senior lecturer in psychotherapy at Roehampton University. 300 signatories include …
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Cronyism still (unfortunately) more important than ability
In the UK, the Sutton Trust charity analysed admissions from 2002-06, and has concluded that state school pupils are losing out. The trust found the number of pupils at the top 30 comprehensives who went to Oxbridge was just a third of what might be expected if based on ability; while at the top 30 …
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Animals can talk
Animals other than humans, that is, of course. Alex the African Grey a parrot with a vocabulary of 150 words and communicating abstract concepts with them. And all in English, not Parrot!
Ethical guide to US business school programmes available.
Net Impact released Business as UNusual: The 2007 Net Impact Guide to Graduate Business Programs. Their second annual guide, written by students at 56 business schools, it highlights programs in CSR, sustainable management, and other socially responsible practices. Download the guide here.
Enlightenment of education in France too?
Dynamic new French President Nicolas Sarkozy has added his voice to the calls for education reform. Like those of Gordon Brown and his team in the UK change is desired. Sarkozy sent a 30 page letter to teachers to catalyse change. The Economist notes his laments: not enough respect or authority in the classroom (pupils, …
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