

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.
Jingle bell, jingle bell, jingle bell rock
Jingle bells swing and jingle bells ring
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
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 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. ...
How can we, like Jupurrurla, balance our curiosity with respect for the boundaries of others and our environment, making amends when needed to strengthen our communities and honor our shared heritage? Like comment and subscribe. I read all comments
English Folk Song: The Wanderer and the Three Goannas
Lyrics (Based on the Warlpiri Story):
(Verse 1)
In the Tanami’s glow, where the spinifex sways,
Jupurrurla roamed through the desert’s warm days.
Her curious heart found a camp in the shade,
Where three goannas’ coolamons a feast had arrayed.
(Chorus)
Oh, the wanderer bold, ‘neath the starlit sky’s gleam,
Met the three goannas in the Desert’s dream.
With a heart full of truth, she learned to amend,
Wove the land and its kin in a song without end.
(Verse 2)
Father’s tomatoes sharp, Mother’s ants far too sweet,
But Little Goanna’s wattle warmed her heart’s beat.
On their mats she tried rest—too rough, then too slick—
Till the small one’s weave held her dreams soft and quick.
(Chorus)
Oh, the wanderer bold, ‘neath the starlit sky’s gleam,
Met the three goannas in the Desert’s dream.
...
I'm a little disappointed with my video. I couldn't put in the images I curated. But I stand by it. I am contributing to the debate over America Party. I'm a MAGA supporter always preferred GOP, despise RINO. I likely will never vote AP, but I welcome their existance in US Democracy, noting Dem's have utterly failed.
If the Democrat party is a corrupt, and ultimately spent force, what replaces it? Should we wait for a head to grow back? Or, should we look back to the vision of Jefferson and Adams? What is your preference for the future? I read all comments. Please like and subscribe.
Below is a prog rock song in the style of Emerson, Lake & Palmer, characterized by grandiose lyrical imagery, complex narrative structure, and a blend of theatrical pomp with driving rhythms and intricate keyboard flourishes. The song, titled "Star-Spangled Visionaries," celebrates the America Party led by Elon Musk as an alternative to a corrupt Democratic establishment, draws parallels to the Jefferson-Adams ...
Independence Day is a time for celebration. Here are some of the things this bill does. Doesnt it feel good to stop corruption and instead pay for what is needed? --- ### Ballad of the Big Beautiful Bill
Verse 1 Oh, gather 'round, ye hearts of cheer, this Independence Day, The Big Beautiful Bill has passed, and swept the rot away! No more the corrupt shall feast on bribes, their pockets lined with greed, The poor and lost now claim their due, their aid secured with speed.
Chorus Sing hallelujah, raise the flag, let freedom’s anthem soar, The truth has triumphed, justice reigns, from shore to shining shore! With open hearts and fearless dreams, we’ll build a world anew, The Bill has freed our spirits bold, and hope comes shining through!
Verse 2 The pharma lords, with wicked schemes, no longer spread their lies, Diseases sown for profit’s gain now wither 'neath our eyes. No more shall global bodies fake a warming doom’s decree, Fossil fuels, abundant, cheap, will power liberty!
...