On Becoming a University (Part I)

Approximate Reading Time: 2 minutesI’ve had an interest in Mount Royal for some years. When I was teaching at the U of Calgary I found MRU’s transfer students to be hard-working and quite capable. Last year I even taught there as a ‘temp’ (I … Continue reading

Classroom Tips, Part 1

Approximate Reading Time: 3 minutesAfter 30 years of teaching, I have found a number of things that work well, most of the time. Of course, I also keep trying new things and every now and then I come across something new that has potential. … Continue reading

What’s the Difference between a College and A University? (Part 2)

Approximate Reading Time: 2 minutesSome time ago I did a bit on the differences (or some of them) between colleges and universities. I also did a comparison between them and high school. Somehow it disappeared, so here it is again. What are some of … Continue reading

Are students LESS tech savvy than they were 5 years ago?

Approximate Reading Time: 3 minutesI am teaching a first year communications course for engineers. Most of the students seem to be making some real progress. As always, a few need very little guidance from me and others won’t listen to what I say no … Continue reading

Fail: How NOT to do user experience design (II)

Approximate Reading Time: 4 minutesPerhaps I should be more forgiving of people who really don’t know how to use “technology” yet. I try very hard to do that – when it is someone like my mother who’s never really had any need or use … Continue reading

Students fail at writing.

Approximate Reading Time: 2 minutesStudents failing because of Twitter, texting – Canada – Canoe.ca “Thirty per cent of students who are admitted are not able to pass at a minimum level,” says Ann Barrett, managing director of the English language proficiency exam at Waterloo … Continue reading

Fun with Google Docs (Part 1)

Approximate Reading Time: 4 minutesOK, this is just too much fun. It also has the potential to shift how we work together in some interesting and fundamental ways. This is the first of a multi-part post outlining my experiences with Google Docs in the … Continue reading

My old alma mater confirms its rightful membership among the ranks of the despicable.

Approximate Reading Time: < 1 minuteIt’s thoroughly disgusting when a University fires someone who has worked for them for more than 35 years. Their ‘crime’? Getting sick as a result of being abused at work. Despicable! (note: I am NOT talking about Mount Royal). What … Continue reading