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It is an Honour to be Nominated…
as one of the Bellringer’s 12 Favourite Bloggers! Go check it out, and drop in on some of the other bloggers she likes. Thanks Carol! Continue reading
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More Ways To Cheat (Because Where’s the Fun in Doing the Work?)
This week, The Tenured Radical has an imaginary conversation with her imaginary college-age progeny in which she explains why he/she should not cheat in order to get through the hellish last weeks of the semester. In the process, she directs us to some more online cheating resources (see one of my earlier posts for an… Continue reading
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How To Use Quotations
I gave a lesson on integrating and formatting quotations on Tuesday, and – serendipity! – Carol Saller at the Chronicle of Higher Ed published about correct use of quotations the next day, right AFTER it would have been of some use to me. It doesn’t really matter; I’m unlikely to pass on any advice containing… Continue reading
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When In Doubt, Make a Plan
On Monday, I posted a letter I received from a reader, asking advice about whether he should stay in college. I promised you I would post my reply today, and here it is. I sent this response before posting his letter here, and before reading your thoughts on his situation, but some commenters will notice… Continue reading
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Three Things That Are Driving Me Crazy This Week
1. Plagiarism In my remedial class, we have been talking for two weeks about paraphrasing, integrating quotations, citing sources and so forth. Nevertheless, three students have received zeroes on the first version of their final paper because of incorrect use of source material. There are a few mitigating factors here. First, I don’t believe that… Continue reading
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What Will Happen If I Leave College?
Last week, I received this query from N, a college sophomore. I will publish my reply on Thursday, but for now, I’d like to know what you think. What should he do? Dear Auntie Siobhan: My senior year of high school I found myself going from a good student in AP classes to having no… Continue reading
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When to be Nice
Three weeks left in the semester. I am trying not to drown. I can’t write much today, but please read this and tell me what you think: is there such a thing as too nice, especially where female academics are concerned? Image by Chris Bowers, from the Images from #Occupy Facebook album Continue reading
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Five Purposes of Higher Education
What do you think higher education is for? Back in September, Richard Kahlenberg gave a convocation speech in which he outlined five “Purposes of Higher Education.” I don’t entirely buy them. Kahlenberg, in his speech, is critical of the extent to which higher education has accomplished these things; I wonder whether they should be our… Continue reading
About Me
My job is to teach people to read and write; aside from that, I like to learn things.
Classroom as Microcosm 