Freeman Hunt: Education in Hong Kong
That is one freaky cool story. I could see this happening in the U.S. with ease. People complain about the poor state of education all the time, but are never willing to pony up the money or ideas that it would take to fix some of the problems. Obviously this doesn't solve all the problems, but it would certainly elevate the profile of educators in general which simply cannot be a bad thing.
Sunday, March 30, 2008
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
The purpose of education
The Other Side of Kim du Toit
Normally I wouldn't link to a highly-charged blog like the one linked here...however...the thoughts expressed are extremely thought provoking and worth considering.
I have often thought of a more or less familiar platitude: we have infinitely more knowledge at our disposal than previous generations, yet who among us would consider ourselves more wise than a Jefferson or Adams, or even a relatively uneducated Lincoln? We have information aplenty and access to more knowledge than any one person could ever use but do we use it judiciously? Do we exercise wisdom in how and what we use?
I'm not sure that I would ascribe to "education" the duty of moral compass - but certainly the thoughts expressed are worth exploring in more depth.
I often hear students complain about one course or another as being "useless" or some similar adjective decrying the course as not being applicable to their "every-day life" or career. What they don't seem to realize is that is kind of the point. It seems that both administrators and students have lost sight of the fact that we're trying to provide a well-rounded education. It might even help if students were aware of the underlying assumptions and motivations for why their educational experience is planned that way.
Normally I wouldn't link to a highly-charged blog like the one linked here...however...the thoughts expressed are extremely thought provoking and worth considering.
I have often thought of a more or less familiar platitude: we have infinitely more knowledge at our disposal than previous generations, yet who among us would consider ourselves more wise than a Jefferson or Adams, or even a relatively uneducated Lincoln? We have information aplenty and access to more knowledge than any one person could ever use but do we use it judiciously? Do we exercise wisdom in how and what we use?
I'm not sure that I would ascribe to "education" the duty of moral compass - but certainly the thoughts expressed are worth exploring in more depth.
I often hear students complain about one course or another as being "useless" or some similar adjective decrying the course as not being applicable to their "every-day life" or career. What they don't seem to realize is that is kind of the point. It seems that both administrators and students have lost sight of the fact that we're trying to provide a well-rounded education. It might even help if students were aware of the underlying assumptions and motivations for why their educational experience is planned that way.
Monday, March 10, 2008
Morality under threat as science debunks our sense of free will
BPS RESEARCH DIGEST: Morality under threat as science debunks our sense of free will
This free will thing is just getting out of control. Despite the sarcasm the post is worthwhile and a good summation of some of the arguments out there around the concept of whether or not humans actually have free will or are merely a product of our genetic nature.
This free will thing is just getting out of control. Despite the sarcasm the post is worthwhile and a good summation of some of the arguments out there around the concept of whether or not humans actually have free will or are merely a product of our genetic nature.
Baby pains
Conscious Entities » Baby pains
This is an extremely interesting debate and one that hits on many levels. Go forth and read.
This is an extremely interesting debate and one that hits on many levels. Go forth and read.
The downside of a good idea
The downside of a good idea
Group-think strikes again. There is a bit more subtlety to this article than that, but the essence is there.
Group-think strikes again. There is a bit more subtlety to this article than that, but the essence is there.
4 Unique Human Cognitive Abilities?
FuturePundit: 4 Unique Human Cognitive Abilities?
I'd be willing to bet that human cognition is unique in more than just 4 ways. But the argument being presented is interesting nevertheless.
I'd be willing to bet that human cognition is unique in more than just 4 ways. But the argument being presented is interesting nevertheless.
Has average intelligence started to decline?
BPS RESEARCH DIGEST: Has average intelligence started to decline?
One of the more interesting effects of intelligence testing over the years has been the strange increase in the average intelligence of the subjects. There have been many attempts to explain the effect and none have really been fully accepted as a consensus. This article seems to point to a leveling or reversal of that trend in recent testing.
Beyond any arguments over the validity or the appropriateness of IQ testing in truly measuring intelligence the fact that the effect existed and now seems to be ceasing to exits - that's interesting no matter how you slice it.
One of the more interesting effects of intelligence testing over the years has been the strange increase in the average intelligence of the subjects. There have been many attempts to explain the effect and none have really been fully accepted as a consensus. This article seems to point to a leveling or reversal of that trend in recent testing.
Beyond any arguments over the validity or the appropriateness of IQ testing in truly measuring intelligence the fact that the effect existed and now seems to be ceasing to exits - that's interesting no matter how you slice it.
Child's play is a tough problem
Mind Hacks: Child's play is a tough problem
Probably my favorite subject in cognitive research: Play. Not just for children, but for adults as well. Play can be one of the most effective methods of learning. Even if you don't believe in evolution it's hard not to notice that play is one of the primary components of learning for most mammals. So it's one of the most pervasive and commonplace methods of learning and teaching - and yet we don't use it hardly at all in our formal educational environment.
I'd like to be able to have something to do with bringing this dynamic to the forefront of educational practice.
Probably my favorite subject in cognitive research: Play. Not just for children, but for adults as well. Play can be one of the most effective methods of learning. Even if you don't believe in evolution it's hard not to notice that play is one of the primary components of learning for most mammals. So it's one of the most pervasive and commonplace methods of learning and teaching - and yet we don't use it hardly at all in our formal educational environment.
I'd like to be able to have something to do with bringing this dynamic to the forefront of educational practice.
7 Sins of Memory: Complete Guide
PsyBlog: 7 Sins of Memory: Complete Guide
This is the capstone post for a series of very, very good posts on memory. These are all worth the read and quite worthwhile.
This is the capstone post for a series of very, very good posts on memory. These are all worth the read and quite worthwhile.
Sunday, March 09, 2008
The 2008 Progress Report on Brain Research
The Dana Foundation - The 2008 Progress Report on Brain Research : Including essays on arts and cognition by Michael S. Gazzaniga and on deep brain stimulation by Mahlon R. DeLong and Thomas
Apparently the Dana Institute sponsors an event called "Brain Awareness Week" - and this little research wrap-up is pretty solid stuff.
Apparently the Dana Institute sponsors an event called "Brain Awareness Week" - and this little research wrap-up is pretty solid stuff.
Education @ New York Times
» Education @ New York Times « Brain Fitness Revolution at SharpBrains
Some very interesting articles concerning education - particularly interesting is the article on education finance.
Some very interesting articles concerning education - particularly interesting is the article on education finance.
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Temperature Monitors Report Widescale Global Cooling
DailyTech - Temperature Monitors Report Widescale Global Cooling
It looks like my 20% probability prediction may have been rather low - and my time estimate of 12 to 15 years a bit short.
Or it could be a one-year anomaly.
Time will tell.
It looks like my 20% probability prediction may have been rather low - and my time estimate of 12 to 15 years a bit short.
Or it could be a one-year anomaly.
Time will tell.
Monday, February 25, 2008
Five great auditory illusions - being-human - 24 February 2008 - New Scientist
Music special: Five great auditory illusions - being-human - 24 February 2008 - New Scientist
I have a few more audio illusions, heck I almost bought a CD of them from a used bookstore. Wish I had now.
I have a few more audio illusions, heck I almost bought a CD of them from a used bookstore. Wish I had now.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Advertisers, neuroscientists trace source of emotions in brain
Advertisers, neuroscientists trace source of emotions in brain
If the first word of the title of this post doesn't strike fear into your heart, then you are employed in marketing.
If the first word of the title of this post doesn't strike fear into your heart, then you are employed in marketing.
Children show goal-oriented behavior by age 3
Children show goal-oriented behavior by age 3
What? Do the researchers not have any children? I've got 3 and I could have told you they engage in goal-oriented behavior much sooner than that. This needed research?
Seriously, reading that report made me scratch my head.
What? Do the researchers not have any children? I've got 3 and I could have told you they engage in goal-oriented behavior much sooner than that. This needed research?
Seriously, reading that report made me scratch my head.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
God (and Gadgets) of the Lonely?
Mixing Memory : God (and Gadgets) of the Lonely?
I find the 1st paragraph the most interesting - atheists talking to other atheists about religious beliefs.
Priceless. Apparently the non-religious viewpoint is the only valid one and anyone with a religious bent is, well, bent (illogical and therefore not worthy of contributing to the argument). Of course, I could be wrong about that assumption, but in my experience most atheists think along those lines whether they admit it or not. Atheism, to an atheist is the ONLY logical belief system and any other viewpoint isn't just illogical but wrong and even (for truly radical adherents) dangerous.
And they accuse religious believers of being zealots.
Oh, well. I left a comment on the blog - it will be interesting to see if anyone responds.
I find the 1st paragraph the most interesting - atheists talking to other atheists about religious beliefs.
Priceless. Apparently the non-religious viewpoint is the only valid one and anyone with a religious bent is, well, bent (illogical and therefore not worthy of contributing to the argument). Of course, I could be wrong about that assumption, but in my experience most atheists think along those lines whether they admit it or not. Atheism, to an atheist is the ONLY logical belief system and any other viewpoint isn't just illogical but wrong and even (for truly radical adherents) dangerous.
And they accuse religious believers of being zealots.
Oh, well. I left a comment on the blog - it will be interesting to see if anyone responds.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Will neuroscience end responsibility?
Cognition and Language Lab: Will neuroscience end responsibility?
His short answer is: no. However, the arguments in it are worth reading to view the two sides of the argument around free-will and how science views it.
His short answer is: no. However, the arguments in it are worth reading to view the two sides of the argument around free-will and how science views it.
The impostor syndrome
Cognition and Language Lab: The impostor syndrome
Great reference to an article on a very fun motivational construct.
Great reference to an article on a very fun motivational construct.
When Cognitive Dissonance Doesn't Matter
PsyBlog: When Cognitive Dissonance Doesn't Matter
Trying to pawn this off as falling strictly under "cognitive dissonance" gives the scope of the problem short shrift I think. The problem sort of spans the area between cognition, social cognition, motivation and behaviorism. If you try and refine it down to just "cognition" I think that would be a mistake.
Trying to pawn this off as falling strictly under "cognitive dissonance" gives the scope of the problem short shrift I think. The problem sort of spans the area between cognition, social cognition, motivation and behaviorism. If you try and refine it down to just "cognition" I think that would be a mistake.
The algebraic mind
Cognition and Language Lab: The algebraic mind
More interesting stuff on trying to analyze the way the mind thinks.
More interesting stuff on trying to analyze the way the mind thinks.
Friends' school achievement influences high school girls' interest in math
Friends' school achievement influences high school girls' interest in math
Lots of talk out there about how to get girls more interested in math. Turns out it's possible a few good "plants" could turn the tide.
Lots of talk out there about how to get girls more interested in math. Turns out it's possible a few good "plants" could turn the tide.
The Rat Park: Addiction and Environmental factors
The Mouse Trap: The Rat Park: Addiction and Environmental factors
This is one of the best research articles I've ever read about. This is simply fantastic stuff. Not only the results/conclusions of the study but also how it came about.
Go forth and read.
This is one of the best research articles I've ever read about. This is simply fantastic stuff. Not only the results/conclusions of the study but also how it came about.
Go forth and read.
Study finds some thoughts really do require language
Cognitive Daily: Study finds some thoughts really do require language
This is pretty cool stuff, and it follows relatively quickly on the heels of another paper that claims that memory depends on language, noting that the first real memories you have as a child are usually from about the time that you acquire a fluency in language ability.
More about specific cognitive abilities being tied to specific languages and/or cultural experiences here.
This is pretty cool stuff, and it follows relatively quickly on the heels of another paper that claims that memory depends on language, noting that the first real memories you have as a child are usually from about the time that you acquire a fluency in language ability.
More about specific cognitive abilities being tied to specific languages and/or cultural experiences here.
Implicit associations
Mind Hacks: Implicit associations
This could also be filed under "Attributions" - I really want to get my hands on the test they're talking about.
This could also be filed under "Attributions" - I really want to get my hands on the test they're talking about.
Children who have an active father figure have fewer psychological and behavioral problems
Children who have an active father figure have fewer psychological and behavioral problems
This is sure to get under the skin of a few of the more liberal-minded folks who espouse the theory that there is no difference in children from single or dual parent households.
Of course, the claim will be that the study is flawed or the statistics are wrong. The same stuff we hear from either side of a hotly contested idea.
This is sure to get under the skin of a few of the more liberal-minded folks who espouse the theory that there is no difference in children from single or dual parent households.
Of course, the claim will be that the study is flawed or the statistics are wrong. The same stuff we hear from either side of a hotly contested idea.
The Psychology of Free Will, Love, and Other Cool Stuff
Mixing Memory : The Psychology of Free Will, Love, and Other Cool Stuff
Actually some interesting takes here on the concept of free will.
Actually some interesting takes here on the concept of free will.
Implanting False Memories
PsyBlog: Implanting False Memories: Lost in the Mall & Paul Ingram
I've posted a few items similar to this recently, and it appears that there is a lot of research going into this for some reason right now.
More here.
Even more here.
I've posted a few items similar to this recently, and it appears that there is a lot of research going into this for some reason right now.
More here.
Even more here.
How Cognitive Science Can Improve Your PowerPoint Presentations
Applied Cognitive Science: How Cognitive Science Can Improve Your PowerPoint Presentations
Oh, that every engineer I've ever met could read this article.....
Oh, that every engineer I've ever met could read this article.....
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