‘Changing the mental health blame game’ (Sydney Morning Herald, 12 October 2011)

The time might not be far that instead of having a counsellor at school, we will have a neuroscientist at every school

Interesting book review of three books that are of interest to my current studies of the role of neuroscience in pedagogical development.

• BRAIN BUGS How the Brain’s Flaws Shape Our Lives
  By Dean BuonomanoI
  llustrated. 310 pp. W. W. Norton & Company.
• NOW YOU SEE IT How the Brain Science of Attention Will Transform the Way We Live, Work, and Learn
  By Cathy N. Davidson 342 pp. Viking
• THE COMPASS OF PLEASURE: How Our Brains Make Fatty Foods, Orgasm, Exercise, Marijuana, Generosity, Vodka, Learning, and Gambling Feel So Good
  By David J. Linden
  Illustrated. 230 pp. Viking.

Scientists in Australia say they are encouraged by initial results of a revolutionary “thinking cap” that aims to promote creativity by passing low levels of electricity through the brain.

The device, which consists of two conductors fastened to the head by a rubber strap, boosted results significantly in a simple arithmetic test, they said.

Three times as many people who wore the “thinking cap” were able to complete the test, compared with those who did not use the equipment. Sixty people took part.

Allan Snyder, director of the University of Sydney’s Centre for the Mind, said the device worked by suppressing the left side of the brain, associated with knowledge, and stimulating the right side, linked to creativity.

See the link to their Centre for Educational Research.

The big divide: the super rich versus struggle street (Sydney Morning Herald, 5 October 2010)

It is no secret that there is huge socio-economic disparities between different parts of Sydney.  This map from the article illustrates it.

The map does not show Sydney’s outer-west, such as the Mount Druitt area.  Nonetheless it makes the point quite clearly.  If you live in Mosman, you will be substantially wealthier than those who in Fairfield or Bankstown.  But why?

Experts say rising housing costs are pushing low-income workers out of inner-city, harbourside areas. In eight of Sydney’s 64 local areas – East Fairfield, Burwood, Strathfield, North-West Bankstown, Kogarah, South Parramatta, Inner Parramatta and South Baulkham Hills – average incomes failed to keep pace with inflation of 13.7 per cent…

”And the incomes of the bottom end haven’t risen as strongly, despite strong jobs growth for low-skilled workers over that period,” he (Peter Davidson, senior policy officer at the Australian Council of Social Service)  said…

The last point in the first paragraph excerpt is noteworthy.  Rise in the average income of the lower-end of Sydney has failed to keep pace with inflation.  But again, why?  I thought one reader’s comment is interesting.

This rising gap is the outcome of Labor government’s policy. Eventhough they always said that they’re the defender of working families, but actually the gap of rich and poor is bigger in Sydney. The housing policy leading to housing shortage and rising housing cost is the driver of the bigger gap. But federal and state governments do not or can not solve this major problem. They even can’t do anythig to increasing house supply and reducing house prices. It the time the people should justify their performance!

So is this the magic bullet?  Housing availability?  It seems to make sense in terms of explaining the income gap, though I wonder to what extent is this backed by empirical evidence.

The course offered by Monash University draws my attention.  They are offered by the Australia Centre of Jewish Civilisation.

Because of my lack of Hebrew and Arabic, I would probably confine myself to coursework.  I’m intrigued by their arrangement with the University of Haifa.  (http://arts.monash.edu.au/jewish-civilisation/graduate-school/coursework-degrees.php)  Their offer of 66% research and 24% coursework combination though might make a research degree more feasible.  (http://arts.monash.edu.au/jewish-civilisation/graduate-school/research-degrees.php)

The other option is to go through the Australian National University’s Centre for Middle East and Central Asian Studies.  In terms of master degree by coursework, they offer:

• Master of Arts specialising in Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies
• Master of Middle Eastern and Central Asian Studies

They also offer double degrees options.  Seem interesting.  They seem to have a higher entry requirement, but that should be of no concerns.  I do wonder if their courses are offered during the day or evening.

It seems one possible way of doing this probably is to go for the Master of Education at the University of Melbourne, with particular focus on social equity and low academic achievements.

Research is a priority.  I don’t want to be tied down to loads of coursework.  I want to do research.  The trouble is that the focus of my research might be on the school situation in NSW.  However, this should only be a minor obstacle.

I must say that as far options for M.Ed. are concerned, University of Melbourne appears to offer more than any other universities I have found in Australia.  None of the other universities offer a special focus study on social equity.  University of Western Sydney offers something along the line of social ecology, which is not related to my possible research interests.  Even its ICT option looks good.

960BA (960BA) Master of Education (Stream 150) Major Thesis

Students are required to undertake 2 core subjects (25 points) 2 x 12.5 point subjects (25 points) and 20,000 word thesis including specialist research methods (100 points)

A student enrolled in this research stream would need to achieve an H2A average in the fifty points of coursework to proceed to the thesis. The coursework matches the first fifty points of the Coursework program, and so if a student commences the coursework Masters and achieves an H2A average, she/he would be able to transfer into the research stream.

Area Option: Education and Social Equity

• EDUC90640 (460-792) Diversity, Inclusion and Practice
• EDUC90641 (460-793) Identity, Equity and Change
• EDUC90634 (460-786) Success and Failure at School
• EDUC90635 (460-787) How Countries Tackle Low Achievement

Mental note:

• Melbourne Graduate School of Education Information Evening
  • Date: 26th Oct 2010
  • Time: 5.30pm-7pm
  • Venue:  Executive Lounge, The Alan Gilbert Building
  • Explore your opportunities to becoming and educational professional.  The Information Evening is an excellent opportunity to map your professional development and future career path in consultation with experts in your area of interest.  Discuss your options with an academic or chat to one of our friendly student advisers.

My rationale is this:

• There is increasing emphasis on the use of ICT in classrooms.
• There appears to be huge fear of it among the older generation of teachers.
• There appears to be a lack of wisdom in how to implement it, thus turning it into a giant toy for students, especially those of lower academic abilities.
• I am convinced this is the future policy focus in the coming decade.  It is unavoidable.

My options at the moment are:

• Macquarie University:
  • Master of Education (ICT major)
  • George Cooney Scholarship (http://www.educ.mq.edu.au/future/coursework.htm)
  • This course caught my first attention.
• Sydney University:
  • Surprisingly, they don’t seem to have a major or an elective on ICT in classroom.  However, their educational psychology major seems interesting enough.
  • Master of Education
• University of Technology, Sydney
  • MA in e-Learning (http://www.handbook.uts.edu.au/courses/c04231.html)
  • Seems more focussed on adult learning.
• Australian Catholic University
  • MEd in Information and Communication Technology
  • Rather disappointed that they only offer this course online.
• University of Melbourne
  • Master of Information Technology in Education
  • What is interesting is that this is offered as a research degree. (http://www.edfac.unimelb.edu.au/research/degrees/resdegrees_fees.html)

‘Beating the Odds’, a news special from ABC Investigative Unit

I am particular struck by the comment of one interviewee that ‘we are very good at creating jobs, but not jobs at the entry point for these people.’  Might this be an argument for state intervention where market forces have failed to deliver?

‘Critic of Rwandan government hacked to death as election looms‘ (Sydney Morning Herald, 16 July 2010)

A SENIOR member of a Rwandan political party has been murdered in the third attack on a critic of the government within a month.

Andre Kagwa Rwisereka, vice-president of the Democratic Green party, which was unable to gain registration to contest next month’s presidential election, was found near a river close to Butare, in southern Rwanda. ”His head was almost completely removed from his body,” said the party president, Frank Habineza. ”His brother, Antoine Haguma, confirms seeing the dead body.”

Police confirmed the death and said a machete was found near the victim, who had also suffered chest wounds. He had been reported missing on Tuesday.

Eric Kayiranga, a police spokesman, said Mr Rwisereka had reportedly been carrying a lot of money and robbery may have been the motive.

But Mr Habineza said his colleague’s wallet, keys and car had not been taken and that he had been assassinated.

”We call for the police and government of Rwanda to help,” Mr Habineza said, adding that both he and Mr Rwisereka had received anonymous death threats. ”It is very scary now,” he said. ”This is very bad for the political climate.”

As Rwanda prepares for presidential elections on August 9, analysts say there is evidence of a deepening rift within both the military and President Paul Kagame’s governing party, which were formed from the rebel group that took over the country and ended the genocide in 1994.

My main image of Rwanda has been formed from books such as Shaking Hands with the Devil – Failure of Humanity in Rwanda by former Lt-Gen. Roméo Dallaire, as well as movies such as ‘Hotel Rwanda’ (2004) and ‘Shaking Hands with the Devil’ (2007).  My image of the current President Paul Kagame from books and films is that of a political leader who stopped the genocide of Tutsi people in Rwanda while the world did nothing, as well as a leader who has tried to reunite the country through local war crimes courts.  It is very hard to reconcile this heroic image of Kagame with what the recent news of political persecution by the Kagame government, as well as its participation in crimes against humanity in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Maybe there are real saints, real heroes.  But I for one will be skeptical.