This was recently referenced on the PolMeth listserv; interesting read.
Yet another reason why R is the future.
How to administer course evaluations
—Hand out evaluation forms when the most irascible student in class is absent. —Be sure that the only assignment you give right before the evaluation is a low-stakes one. “Have them write an easy paper where they can talk about themselves and their journey in the class,” Ms. Wilson advises. And never give back a graded assignment on evaluation day. —Don’t leave the classroom while the evaluations...
Was the move towards inquiry-based learning a mistake?
Seventy teachers from the UK were sent to Shanghai to study classroom methods to investigate why Chinese students perform so well. Upon their return, the teachers reported that much of China’s success came from teaching methods the UK has been moving away from for the past 40 years. The Chinese favour a “chalk and talk” approach, whereas countries such as the UK, US, Australia and New Zealand...