higher ed

Matthew Lynch published in Higher Education, Parenting

Why Do Parents Pick the Wrong Colleges for Their Kids?

When it’s time for high school students to select the colleges that interest them most, many parents step in to help their child choose the right school.

If parents are assisting in the selection of the right school, why do so many of them pick the wrong colleges for their kids?

Smoke and mirrors

Picking the right college and paying for it can be the most daunting of tasks; much of the reported information on colleges does not take all of the college’s characteristics into consideration. For example, universities are ranked on the earning power of their graduates rather than student satisfaction with university performance. Ranking systems can be misleading.

Parents may select schools based on name recognition alone, and their child may be attending a university that is a poor fit for the student’s needs and interests.

Worldview

Parents pick colleges based on their own outdated viewpoints. The world is not what it once was, but parents have not changed their perspectives. They select schools based on antiquated ideas and a worldview anchored in the past. Outdated advice won’t serve today’s college students.

Narcissism

Demanding parents insist on the right college for their children because they fear their child won’t make a good choice. Narcissistic parents have a history of making choices for their children, and the choices range from what designer clothing to wear to participation in extracurricular activities. They are creating frail adults unable to decide on their own.

College professors call fragile students teacups. They are brought up by their parents to be delicate, and that’s in part why parents are picking the wrong colleges for their children. Parents seek to continue to orchestrate their children’s experiences without letting the child have a say.

Living Vicariously

Some parents continue to live vicariously through their children.

The parents may have wanted to attend a particular university or earn a degree in an unusual field. If their goals were denied, the parents might assume they can resuscitate their hopes and live vicariously through their children in college.

Parents pick colleges and the degrees they would have chosen for themselves.

How do you pick the right college?

You’ve raised your child to adulthood, and now it’s time to let your kid make the choices that will affect his or her future. Here’s what experts recommend as you explore college choices together:

  • Listen more, advise less.
  • Talk honestly about financing college
  • Avoid reliving your past

You’ll be less likely to pick the wrong college for your kid.

 

 

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Matthew Lynch published in Higher Education, K-12

The A-Z of Education Blogs: Letters TH-Y

In this multi-part series, we are profiling the best of the best education blogs, in alphabetical order. In the previous article, I introduced letters TE and in this one, I will discuss letters TH-Y.

Click here to access all of the articles in this series.

The Innovative Educator

Lisa Nielsen’s daily blog posts focus on ways to make education more relevant for students by embracing technology and channeling their passions. Recent topics include how to teach students to evaluate the accuracy of the news, and how to tell if your students are digital learners.

Score: Activity 20, Originality 19.5, Helpfulness 22.5, Authority 23

Total Score: 85

Twitter: @InnovativeEdu

The Nerdy Teacher

Nicholas Provenzano shares his ideas about being a connected educator. Recent articles outline how to create a meaningful Makerspace program.

Score: Activity 25, Originality 21, Helpfulness 21.5, Authority 23

Total Score: 91.9

Twitter: @thenerdyteacher

Email: [email protected]

The Educator

This is another UK site, but it’s worth mentioning as it covers some fresh topics, such as finding out what refugee camp teachers go through, teachers’ work life balance, and what you can learn from a classroom in Singapore.

Score: Activity 17, Originality 17, Helpfulness 17, Authority 17

Total Score: 68

Twitter: @TheEducator_UK

The College Puzzle

Geared more towards students, this blog focuses on how to adapt and thrive in college. They post regularly, making it a site to bookmark for regular perusal.

Score:  Active 25, Original 19, Help 18, Authority 16

Total: 78

Twitter: @Michael_Kirst

The Cornerstone for Teachers

This blog by Angela Watson is interesting because it focuses on teachers and managing yourself, as well as your classroom. There are also plenty of resources, courses, etc. available from Angela on the page.

Score: Activity 20, Originality 21, Helpfulness 21, Authority 20

Total Score: 82

Twitter: @Angela_Watson

The Curriculum Corner

In this blog, founded by two teachers, you will find lesson plans, activities to do in the classroom, etc. targeted toward busy teachers who want to access information fast. Unlike so many other blogs these days the focus here is old fashioned games and activities. The activities are aimed to meet national state standards.

Score: Activity 17.6, Originality 17, Helpfulness 18, Authority 18

Total Score: 70.6

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @curriculumcornr

The Innovative Educator

Lisa Nielsen got angry because she found education boring so she decided to do something about it. On her blog she shares innovative tips for educators.

Score: Activity 23, Originality 22, Helpfulness 20, Authority 23

Total Score: 88

Twitter: @InnovativeEdu

The Learning Spy

David Didau likes exploring psychology and learning which he talks about on his blog, setting out with the idea that possibly everything you ever knew about education might be wrong. He is based in the UK, but his thoughts are as relevant for teachers in the US. If you want to find out what techniques you’re using in the classroom that have actually been examined to work and which are just presumed to work, then this blog is for you.

Score: Activity 22, Originality 23, Helpfulness 21, Authority 23

Total Score: 89

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @DavidDidau

The Jose Vilson

A math teacher turned teaching activist promoting social justice in education, Jose Vilson shares his thoughts on the latest happenings in education, offers support to minorities in teaching and talks about teaching students of low income households. The blog has been listed on several “top blog” lists.

Score: Activity 19, Originality 24, Helpfulness 18, Authority 23

Total Score: 84

Twitter: @thejlv

The Learning Network

This is the New York Times Learning Network, which is a great network to tap into if you’re looking for lesson plans centered around news stories. There are also news quizzes, a film and picture club and various contests that your students can get involved in.

Score: Activity 24, Originality 20, Helpfulness 17, Authority 19

Total Score: 80

Twitter: @nytimes

The Organized Classroom

This blog by Charity Preston mixes hands on classroom DIY with technology tips, classroom management tips, etc. There are plenty of video workshops too.

Score: Activity 17, Originality 17, Helpfulness 18, Authority 18.3

Total Score: 70.3

Twitter: @theOCblog

The PE Geek

It sounds somewhat contradictory to introduce edtech to PE, but it’s not. And here you’ll learn why. From time to time there are also other topics related to edtech and teaching covered, so even if you don’t teach PE, you might want to stop by.

Score: Activity 22, Originality 23, Helpfulness 19.5, Authority 20

Total Score: 84.5

Twitter: @mrrobbo

The Power of Educational Innovation

School administrator Liz Davis chronicles her adventures in leading technology innovation in her school and her region. Her recent posts tell a story of inspiring students to lead through an Edcamp program.

Score: Activity 18, Originality 22, Helpfulness 21, Authority 21.5

Total Score: 82

The Teaching Palette

They may not post often, but their posts related to teaching art are incredibly helpful if you are indeed teaching art!

Score: Activity 19, Originality 18, Helpfulness 18, Authority 20

Total Score: 75

Twitter: @TchingPalette

The Theory Blog

This blog looks at some of the most entrenched ideas in higher education and questions them. It is thought provoking, even if you do not always agree, making it well worth a monthly check for updates.

Score:  Active 15, Original 25, Help 18.5, Authority 19

Total: 77.5

Twitter: @BonStewart

Think Inclusive

This blog is for anyone teaching in an inclusive classroom. Here you will find tips from other educators that you can implement.

Score: Activity 17, Originality 20.5, Helpfulness 20, Authority 22

Total Score: 79.5

Twitter: @think_inclusive

Times Higher Education

A higher education blog staple, Times Higher Education takes in the news and events about and on campus on a daily basis. It is a great way to start the day catching up on events that you may have missed or to prepare for tomorrow.

Score:  Active 25, Original 18.5, Helpfulness 23, Authority 20.9

Total: 86.9

Twitter: @TimesHigherEd

Top Hat Blog

Top Hat strives to keep students and professors working together. They cover a good bit of news and assessments about higher education edtech too.

Score:  Active 23, Original 21, Helpfulness 20, Authority 22

Total: 86

Twitter: @TopHat

Top Performers

If you are interested in the policies and practices of countries that have the best educational systems, this is a blog that will give you insight. It will make you question what’s good and what’s bad in the American system and possibly leave you with ideas for how to make your personal teaching better.

Score: Activity 21, Originality 21, Helpfulness 15, Authority 23

Total Score: 80

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @educationweek

Totally Rewired

The tagline for the site says it all – “…education, technology and random stuff.” The site is a great source of information about higher education, and a bit of random news and trending topics to keep you entertained as well as informed.

Score:  Active 12, Original 22, Help 18, Authority 16

Total: 68

Twitter: @Chri5Rowell

Udacity

The primary focus is on data and technology, but there is also a heavy emphasis in how they change higher education. It is an interesting blog to track for those who are interested in technology or who want to see where edtech could take higher education in a few years.

Score:  Active 19, Original 21, Help 18.3, Authority 20

Total: 78.3

Twitter: @Udacity

UnCollege

This is a blog aimed at a very specific niche in higher education – student taking a year off of going to school. Since the point is to take a break, the blog gives you ideas and advice about how to make that year both productive and enjoyable so that you are ready to go back and finish your degree with enthusiasm.

Score:  Active 20, Original 25, Help 15, Authority 18.6

Total: 78.6

Twitter: @UnCollege

University Business

If you are in administration, this is a must follow blog to keep you informed and help you plan for the future. With multiple blogs posted daily, there is always something new for your to learn or consider.

Score:  Active 25, Original 17, Help 20, Authority 18.5

Total: 80.5

Twitter: @UniversityBusiness

User Generated Education

If you are looking for extraordinary activities for elementary school kids, then this blog by Jackie Gerstein Ed.D is for you! Here you will find activities that far surpass the normal range and help both teachers and kids think outside the box.

Score: Activity 19, Originality 24, Helpfulness 22, Authority 20

Total Score: 85

Twitter: @jackiegerstein

Web 2.0 Classroom

Renowned for his insightful tweets and retweets, Steve Anderson blogs about powerful ways to use technology in the classroom. Most recently, he posted about the power of TED talks and how to teach kids to evaluate news sources.

Score: Activity 25, Originality 24, Helpfulness 24.5, Authority 25

Total Score: 97.5

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @web20classroom

Will Richardson

If you want a thought provoking blog that takes on random subjects, this one does not disappoint. While other blogs tend to repeat each other, this one is utterly unique and enjoyable when you want to cogitate about something different.

Score:  Active 22, Original 25, Help 17, Authority 15.5

Total: 79.5

Twitter: @WillRich45

Yes, Tech!

A technology instructional coach, Pam Shoemaker, blogs about the ways in which technology is changing the face of education. She will inspire you to take on challenges such as learning to code or becoming a Google trainer.

Score: Activity 21, Originality 19.5, Helpfulness 17, Authority 14.5

Total Score: 72

Email: [email protected]

Twitter: @shoemap

Conclusion

As you can see, there is no shortage of great education blogs to choose from! Subscribe to those that meet your needs best, and watch your knowledge of education expand in no time.

 

 

 

 

 

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Matthew Lynch published in Higher Education, International Education

What would The UK government’s plans to cut student immigration by 50% mean for education in the UK?

The UK government is planning on slashing non-EU expat student numbers almost in half from 300,000 to 170,000 under tougher student visa rules. The threat is being greeted with dismay by university heads, who have claimed that some very good overseas applicants have already been refused visas on specious grounds.

Amber Rudd, the home secretary, has pledged a crackdown on international student numbers at the Conservative party conference to include more stringent visa rules for “lower quality” universities. However, senior universities are warning that the cutbacks could be far more severe than predicted, with one route to cut the current 300,000 to 170,000 a year.

According to the vice-chancellors’ umbrella group, international students bring more than £10.7bn to the UK economy.

Judgments being made by UK Visas and Immigration have apparently altered considerably in the past few months, with Indian students, in particular, being targeted.

Heads of Universities are reportedly fearful of speaking out about these decisions in case it counts against future applicants to their institution. Below however are some examples that the Guardian online shared of expat students being denied visas:

–    One applicant was considered not to be genuine because he did not know the university library opening times.

–    One applicant was excluded for not knowing the name of the vice-chancellor of the university.

–    One applicant was denied a visa for dropping below the amount specified in a bank account by a ‘couple of pounds’ on one day out of a 90-day period, despite his parents having huge funds and their account also being submitted.

Theresa May’s government is pursuing the target of reducing net migration into the UK to the tens of thousands, which has led it to this target non-EU student numbers. However, since taking office, net immigration has seen an increase. This is chiefly because several more students from outside the EU are coming to study at universities and language schools in the UK.

If the UK really want to be open to the world and a global leader in free trade, they can only do so by welcoming the fresh talent. If international students are going to study in the UK, they need to feel welcome, and so even a hint that students are unwelcome and they will go elsewhere. This isn’t about students claiming British citizenship, it’s about them feeling welcome enough to be able to complete their studies without anti-immigrant rhetoric from sending them elsewhere.

Members of the UK’s home affairs select committee have cautioned against these measures, claiming they could be hugely harmful to what is currently thriving and successful industry. These changes could potentially not only be economically detrimental to the UK, but also vital to the UK’s international relations.

Rebecca Harper is a freelance writing living in London. She writes about law, politics and immigration. When she isn’t writing, you can find her searching the cafes of London for the perfect flat white.

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Matthew Lynch published in Education News, International Education

Prospective higher education students need better information about admissions process: Shergold report

This article was written by Michelle Grattan

More students than ever before have the opportunity for higher education but their choices are being undermined by a confusing admissions system in much need of reform.

This is the conclusion of a report to Education Minister Simon Birmingham, which points to “a paradoxical situation”.

“Entry into universities has become more equitable. Yet there is evidence that families with less experience of higher education, which are economically disadvantaged or live in regional Australia, are less able to understand how admissions processes operate.”

The report, “Improving the Transparency of Higher Education Admissions” is from the Higher Education Standards Panel, chaired by Peter Shergold, a one-time head of the Prime Minister’s department, and will be released by Birmingham on Wednesday.

It says the increasing diversity of admissions criteria for higher education is not well enough understood. Media focus is on the Australian Tertiary Admission Rank (ATAR) but in 2014 more than half the students admitted to higher education courses were admitted on other criteria. These included previous study and mature age provisions.

“Diversity is good. Varied entry standards and pathways are giving greater numbers of students the opportunity to benefit from higher education than ever before.

“More students from disadvantaged families, who in previous times would not have been able to gain entry to higher education, are now able to do so.

“However, choice is being undermined by information about the system’s operation that is confusing, ambiguous, misunderstood and unevenly distributed.”

Problems include: no common language to describe entry requirements; the ATAR calculation differing in each jurisdiction; information not being provided in a readily accessible way that facilitates comparisons; the ATAR focus leading many prospective students to assume that is the only path; and the danger that some higher education providers might make exaggerated claims about ATAR requirements, in an effort to boost their prestige.

There is consensus that the autonomy of higher education providers to set their own admission criteria should be upheld, but the panel says the emphasis should be on a student-centred approach.

The panel has produced a detailed set of recommendations to:

  • achieve more transparency by using common language and publishing consistent information about admissions processes;
  • widen the accessibility of information to prospective students;
  • improve the comparability of information from providers about admission processes and entry requirements;
  • make providers more accountable for the information they give;
  • ensure providers are subject to common reporting requirements, and
  • give students, parents, teachers and career advisers the knowledge and capacity they need to navigate admissions policies and processes.

Releasing the report at a higher education summit in Melbourne, Birmingham will support the recommendations’ intent and promise an official response within weeks. The government will get input from the sector and states and territories.

“Admission policies should not only empower students to make wise, well-informed choices but should also create levels of transparency and accountability that, coupled with optimal financial incentives, help to ensure that higher education providers make enrolment decisions that are genuinely in the best interests of students and the nation,” Birmingham will say.

“That shift towards greater transparency is why the Turnbull government has been such a strong advocate of the QILT [Quality Indicators for Learning and Teaching] website – giving students better information about institutions and course quality, as well as graduate employment outcomes.”

The site has received about 490,000 visits. Enhancements to QILT would be part of the government’s response to the report and broad higher education reform, including better information for postgraduate students and greater use of universal data sources, Birmingham will say.

“We also require better understanding of whether students are moving between sectors or institutions within sectors or moving in to work or from a bachelor course of study to a diploma or advanced diploma in the same or another institution. Those students are currently being counted as non-completions.”

The Conversation

Michelle Grattan, Professorial Fellow, University of Canberra

This article was originally published on The Conversation. Read the original article.

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