By Dennis Hayes. The proposal for a Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) announced by universities and science minister Jo Johnson in early July that would recognise “excellent teaching” and “make good teaching better” has been met with consternation among some in the higher education sector. More...

By Jacqueline Baxter. As children head back to class this week, another school will be opening its doors for the autumn term as an academy – in spite of opposition from parents and the community. From early September the Hewett School, a secondary school in Norwich, will form part of The Inspiration Trust, a not-for-profit charity which runs a chain of academies. More...

By Anne Fishel. As a young child, I loved to imagine myself as a pioneer girl in Little House in the Big Woods, eating fresh snow drizzled with maple syrup. I even pestered my mother to make this treat with the dirty snow that fell on our Manhattan sidewalk. Not a chance. More...

By Stephen Downes - Stephen's Web. Writing
Google, 2015/09/18

Guidelines that make web writing clear. They should be posted on the wall of every design shop (including ours). More...

By Stephen Downes - Stephen's Web. The paradigm shift: Redefining education
Peter Evans-Greenwood, Kitty O’Leary, Peter Williams, Deloitte, 2015/09/18

Deloitte's Centre for the Edge in Australia has released a report arguing that "being educated" will take on a much broader definition than it has in the past. More...

By Stephen Downes - Stephen's Web. Ask Polly: Should I Just Give Up on My Writing?
Heather Havrilesky, The Cut, 2015/09/17
Good article. The musicians I admire are the ones who keep writing and playing even if they haven't become stars. The artists are the ones who draw and paint and photograph even if nobody buys their work. The ball players who work on their skills for ten years in the minors. More...

By Stephen Downes - Stephen's Web. Validating Author Services Providers: Q&A with Donald Samulack
Angela Cochran, The Scholarly Kitchen, 2015/09/16

Pubklishers are (slowly) realizing that their days as gatekeepers are over; that's why Angela Cochran writes "Offering “author services” is the name of the game right now." This has long been one of the primary rationalizations for publication or subscription fees. More...

By Stephen Downes - Stephen's Web. Is Moodle “Bigger than Martin”?
Michael Feldstein, e-Literate, 2015/09/16

Interesting posts that to me suggests that Moodle is at a turning point. Most of the post is about the Moodle community's loyalty to Moodle founder at person-in-charge, Martin Dougiamas. More...