Category Archives: Education

Class size and teacher effects in higher education

Posted on June 3, 2012 by

There is a great deal of research on educational production functions in schools, that is what characteristics of schools give rise to good academic performance by young people. A major focus of this literature is class size and there is … Continue reading →

Posted in Education | Tagged , , | 3 Comments

So you want to do a PhD? A handy guide

Posted on May 21, 2012 by

Doing a PhD is a big and risky investment with a lot of unknowns (both known and unknown). Dr Anna Zimdars (Kings College London) has put together a very nice guide to many of the key issues which I wish … Continue reading →

Posted in Education | Tagged , , | 2 Comments

Choosing the right college course: a handy tool called CourseHub.ie

Posted on May 19, 2012 by

Deciding whether you want to pursue higher education is an important, life-changing decision. If you do decide to go ahead, you face the daunting task of choosing which course is right for you. In Ireland currently, there are over 1300 … Continue reading →

Posted in Education | Tagged , , | 1 Comment

The benefits of bilingualism: implications for Irish speaking schools?

Posted on May 1, 2012 by

Recently I somehow found myself part of a thread on Twitter about the benefits of being educated in Irish-speaking schools. I don’t really know too much about the subject and hence have no strong opinions. Someone suggested that it was … Continue reading →

Posted in Education | 2 Comments

Pregnant teenagers, love, school admissions and all that

Posted on May 1, 2012 by

I heard the news today, oh boy, about the distressing case of a girl denied access to a school in Ireland because she was pregnant and subsequently a single mother. This story will, I hope, run and run and raises … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, topical stuff | 3 Comments

The Ombudsman for Children’s investigation into a complaint about admissions’ policies

Posted on April 30, 2012 by

It emerged today that the office of the Ombudsman for Children has investigated a complaint against a secondary school by a girl and her mother that she (the girl) had been unfairly treated because she was pregnant and subsequently a … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, topical stuff | 1 Comment

Does financial aid help low income students go to university? Evidence for Italy

Posted on April 27, 2012 by

It is virtually a universal finding that young people from low income backgrounds are less likely to progress to higher education. It might seem therefore that low income is holding them back and the financial aid will therefore help. But … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, Policy | Tagged , | 1 Comment

The long term effects of education on health: evidence for Ireland

Posted on April 12, 2012 by

There has been a lot of research on the consequences for people’s health of their level of education. This is important not just because we want to know the determinants of morbidity and mortality but also we want to know … Continue reading →

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Hot profs and student evaluations

Posted on April 11, 2012 by

Student evaluations of their teachers are an essential part of higher education. Some academics privately regard them with disdain. Many students also see little value in them since response rates are often quite low (in UCD they are done online … Continue reading →

Posted in Education | 5 Comments

Visitor to the UCD Geary Institute: Anna Zimdars

Posted on April 2, 2012 by

The Tuesday lunchtime seminar in the Geary Institute this week will be given by Dr Anna Zimdars (Kings College London): 1-2pm, all welcome. Admission to Oxford & Admission to the Bar: what is the influence of social background? This seminar … Continue reading →

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