Australia’s education system is of a high standard. She has deserved her reputation for academic excellence. And she is flawed and needs reform. Both statements are true. But the case for effective reform is stymied by misrepresentations of issues. Cheating by students is a problem everywhere in the world. And new technology is making it very challenging for universities to preserve free and open inquiry while maintaining rigorous standards. Yet, without strong evidence to the contrary, that is being done. Also, it is historical and legendary that students are not competent but prone to alcoholic indulgence and partying. It is hardly likely that Chinese Students are alone in this. Also, the issue of assignments and group work is misunderstood by participants and sometimes the educators themselves. No student graduates based on group work.
Australia has a growth industry with international students which is independent of the mining boom or internal economic cycle. Their fees help subsidise Australians in higher education. Not all international students are wealthy. Some third world nations send their students to Australia to be educated, but leave it to the students to work and find accommodation, while the government denies those students basic amenities and tax relief. Many turn a blind eye as students are exploited. Maybe some turn to prostitution to fund their studies. Many also work above hours for cash in hand. Many international students can’t party and fraternise with local students, and that could fuel envy on both sides.
Australia’s higher education system needs reform. She is not biased, but partisan with the left, with senior academic boards over run with ALP favouring appointments that vote in blocks against independent academics. Which is partly why there are so few conservative think tanks in Australia, or conservative media journalists. Students are overly subsidised. No one seriously suggests not subsidising students, but the current levels are unsustainable. So that our children will not be able to enjoy a fair education our students do. Upper tier universities like UNSW, Sydney, Melbourne and a few others would like to do postgraduate duties which they do very well. While universities like UWS and Newcastle could do much better focusing on undergraduates. But the government won’t let them for equity reasons irrelevant to excellence in education.
Stories of students cheating dates back to the formation of schools in ancient Greece and Ancient China. But universities are resilient to cheating practice and there is no evidence of widespread rooting as is claimed by some. But there is evidence that universities aren’t producing students satisfactory to business. But the international students, anecdotally, are superior to local students in all areas except language. And sometimes they exceed there too. But group work is hell even where there is none of the celebrated diversity. When Joan Kirner was lauded for her second rate secondary education reforms, group work was all the rage. It took reforms introduced by my father, the late Professor Samuel Ball to address those issues, and I’m confident universities employ those techniques today. So that group work assignments get followed by related tests. And students who did not do the assignments would not know how to excel at those tests. The students are not aware of all the things universities do to spot cheating, nor should they know. It is their job to learn their courses, not how to cheat.
There is no history of most students satisfying with their skills gained through studies. The highest achieving students, however, are a good group to focus on student achievement over time. International students bring Australia credit.
Turnbull won't push for reform in this election cycle.
Canada has lost an extremely good PM for the son of an inept one.
For some, at the moment, the Sex Party has more credibility.
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Snowin' and blowin' up bushels of fun
Now the jingle hop has begun
Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock
Jingle bells chime in jingle bell time
Dancin' and prancin' in Jingle Bell Square
In the frosty air
What a bright time, it's the right time
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Jingle bell time is a swell time
To go glidin' in a one-horse sleigh
Giddy-up jingle horse, pick up your feet
Jingle around the clock
Mix and a-mingle in the jinglin' feet
That's the jingle bell rock
Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock
Jingle bell chime in jingle bell time
Dancin' and prancin' in Jingle Bell Square
In the frosty air
What a bright time, it's the right time
To rock the night away
Jingle bell time is a swell time
To go glidin' in a one-horse sleigh
Giddy-up jingle horse, pick up your feet
Jingle around the clock
Mix and a-mingle in the jinglin' feet
That's the jingle bell
That's the jingle bell
That's the jingle...
David Daniel Ball calls himself the Conservative Voice.
I'm a teacher with three decades experience teaching math to high school kids.I also work with first graders and kids in between first grade and high school. I know the legends of why Hypatia's dad is remembered through his contribution to Math theory. And I know the legend of why followers of Godel had thought he had disproved God's existence.
I'm not a preacher, but I am a Christian who has written over 28 books all of which include some reference to my faith. Twelve blog books on world history and current affairs, detailing world events , births and marriages on each day of the year, organised by month. Twelve books on the background to and history of Bible Quotes. One Bible quote per day for a year. An intro to a science fiction series I'm planning, post apocalyptic cyber punk. An autobiography with short story collections.
I'm known in Australia for my failure as a whistleblower over the negligence death of a school boy. ...
My name is David Daniel Ball
Here's a summary of today's news from around the world:
Natural Disasters:
Fierce wildfires are raging in the Los Angeles area, exacerbated by powerful Santa Ana winds. This has led to evacuations as thousands of firefighters battle at least three separate blazes. A result of poor policy regarding land management.
A powerful earthquake in China's Tibet region has resulted in dozens of deaths, with urgency mounting in the search for survivors.
Political Developments:
President Joe Biden has expressed doubts about whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is holding up a peace deal to influence the U.S. election. How might Israel deal with terrorists? Compromise?
In Canada, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced his resignation, prompting questions about what happens next. Maybe commentators want to examine how bad it had been?
The impeachment and arrest warrant situation for South Korea's President Yoon Suk Yeol continues to unfold, with thousands ...
My name is David Daniel Ball
Here's a summary of key news events from around the world for today, January 8, 2025:
Earthquake in Tibet: A significant earthquake, with its epicenter approximately 80 km north of Mount Everest, has caused dozens of deaths in Tibet. The quake has also rattled neighboring Nepal, leading to concerns about further damage and loss.
Canadian Political Shift: Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced his resignation amid party infighting, leaving his position open until a new leader is elected. This development marks a significant shift in Canadian politics. Some are calling for elections to allow a new leadership.
Health and Environment: The Carter Center has reported a dramatic decline in Guinea worm disease, with only 11 cases recorded this year, showcasing a major victory in global health efforts. It showcases their work is not solely election interference
Middle Eastern Developments: In Mexico, newly elected President Claudia Sheinbaum has moved away ...
The useful idiot that is RINO Romney is wrong about the mother of our child, USA. She is not virginal. When the patriot Ashli Babbitt was killed during a largely peaceful demonstration at the Capitol, she was not killed because President Trump incited violence or lied about election fraud. She was there because she was standing up for an opportunity the founding fathers promised was her free right. And she was killed because a Cabal has stolen the 2020 election and Georgia senate run offs and that Cabal desperately needs to protect itself. And by killing her, the Cabal has prevented President Trump from presenting his case before the legislature, as he had been allowed by constitution. Biden is now President Elect. But Biden did not get the votes he claims, and will not have the support such a turnout would endow.
The awful situation of President Elect Biden for USA, with senate in tow, cannot be understated. Just as with 911, terrorists around the world are cheering. It is trite to say there will be no justice, as there has been ...
