Nan Bahr, September 8, 2020 Warning: this blog will be confronting for those who like setting exams or who believe examinations are an unavoidable necessity, I have come to the belief that examinations are an incredibly flawed approach to assessment. I can use my own experience as evidence. I call it the “cram and dump”... Continue Reading →
Pandemic pandemonium
Nan Bahr, September 1, 2020 Twenty two weeks have now passed since I have spent more than a few hours at farther than 5 minutes from home. Twenty two weeks, or 154 days, edging up to half a year. Rather than dwell on the potential mental health crisis that may be looming for me, in... Continue Reading →
How do the students deal with the shift from face to face to full online learning?
Nan Bahr, June 9, 2020 To be direct, generally not well. This is not because they are not familiar with online environments. Nor is it because they are necessarily uncomfortable with a sudden shift in mode for learning. It is because the quick turnaround has put the content presentation ahead of the design for learning.... Continue Reading →
“Oh kids are mean, aren’t they?”
Nan Bahr, June 8, 2020 This phrase, "Oh kids are mean, aren't they?" is common enough, usually said by an adult in response to a story of some unkindness sprayed at one child from others. It is often followed up with a comment to diminish the significance of the meanness, something like “Kids always find... Continue Reading →
“What does success look like?” The vital question for higher education
Nan Bahr, June 1, 2020 The elusive goal for every institution is to be the organisation of choice. That is, it is the organisation that students flock to, where graduands are hunted by employers, where research is world leading, where teaching is research led, and where people love to come to work. And then thrown... Continue Reading →
Emperor’s new clothes: Speaking out about uses for predictive learning analytics
Nan Bahr, May 23, 2020 Here is another pre-print article for your enjoyment. We hope to find a publisher soon, but if you would like to cite this unpublished version, please contact me. emperorsnewclothes_learninganalytics_nbDownload
Building quality in teacher education
Nan Bahr, May 19, 2020 1st International Conference on Innovation in Learning Instruction and Teacher Education, Hanoi National University of Education Here is a transcript of my opening address for this conference. 1st-international-conference-on-innovation-in-learning-instruction-and-teacher-educationDownload
PFHEA
Nan Bahr, May 19, 2020 I'm delighted to have been recognized as a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (PFHEA). Thank you to all who have supported me, but most of all, thank you to my students! This has been an excellent process for reflection on personal teaching and learning values and the importance... Continue Reading →
Transitioning into higher education: Ditching the institutional focus on risk-analysis
Bahr, N. & Cook, P.J. (May 10, 2020). This article has not yet been submitted for publishing. If you wish to cite it or comment please contact me. Abstract This paper reflects on the efficacy of approaches to learning support for commencing university students that rely on risk markers to identify those who might benefit... Continue Reading →
Screen time = scream time?
Nan Bahr, April 6, 2020 Whatever has happened to the plaintiff cry of parents, teachers, and vigilantes calling out against the devil of screen time? Only weeks ago, a young person who spent hours online was described as bound for delinquency (Hawi & Rupert, 2015), a lifelong snoozer, typically unhealthy (Sigman, 2012), devoid of learning... Continue Reading →