I recently returned from a Hurtigruten cruise up the Norway coast, with a stay in Oslo beforehand. I was extremely lucky with the weather, about 5x as much sun as my research on climate led me to expect. It was a good experience overall. My recommendation for all first-timers is: do your research, particularly on the negatives. I found several excellent articles about how to choose the right cruise line, urging you to match what you like with the characteristics of the cruise line. What were most helpful were the videos on YouTube, and within them the "watch out" articles. I found two favorite authors, both dedicated cruise lovers. The first was Gary Beveridge. He has a whole series of "watch out" videos on different aspects of cruising, as well as his more enthusiastic videos. His warnings on Norway cruises helped me build realistic expectations for my seven nights going up the Norwegian coast. The second is Emma. She's very detailed and positive and gives a good sense of the day-to-day realities.
Let me propose that this is a subset of the larger issue, that we don't know how to asses learning in a comparative manner. Grades are an approximation within a given course section for a given term, but comparing learning even between different sections, much less different years, or between courses with the same name taught at different institutions is almost impossible. I'd argue that research spending on valid methods of assessment would be extraordinarily beneficial. What rankings depend on, to a great extent, is research prowess as exhibited by research funding, paper citations, membership in academies etc. Despite administrator protestations, these have almost nothing to do with education. If I were again making the decision about where to spend on my daughter's college education, I'd start with the College Scorecard. I'd then look at whether the institution had an honors program, and what it consisted of. I'd prowl the discussions on Redit and similar sites. Only if my offspring was headed towards an academic career would rankings mean a great deal - though I'll admit I'd look at them. I write as a tenured professor and administrator at a Research-1 institution for 32 years.
Comments
I recently returned from a Hurtigruten cruise up the Norway coast, with a stay in Oslo beforehand. I was extremely lucky with the weather, about 5x as much sun as my research on climate led me to expect. It was a good experience overall. My recommendation for all first-timers is: do your research, particularly on the negatives. I found several excellent articles about how to choose the right cruise line, urging you to match what you like with the characteristics of the cruise line. What were most helpful were the videos on YouTube, and within them the "watch out" articles. I found two favorite authors, both dedicated cruise lovers. The first was Gary Beveridge. He has a whole series of "watch out" videos on different aspects of cruising, as well as his more enthusiastic videos. His warnings on Norway cruises helped me build realistic expectations for my seven nights going up the Norwegian coast. The second is Emma. She's very detailed and positive and gives a good sense of the day-to-day realities.
Post: Not Quite Magic
Link to comment from May 31, 2023
Let me propose that this is a subset of the larger issue, that we don't know how to asses learning in a comparative manner. Grades are an approximation within a given course section for a given term, but comparing learning even between different sections, much less different years, or between courses with the same name taught at different institutions is almost impossible. I'd argue that research spending on valid methods of assessment would be extraordinarily beneficial. What rankings depend on, to a great extent, is research prowess as exhibited by research funding, paper citations, membership in academies etc. Despite administrator protestations, these have almost nothing to do with education. If I were again making the decision about where to spend on my daughter's college education, I'd start with the College Scorecard. I'd then look at whether the institution had an honors program, and what it consisted of. I'd prowl the discussions on Redit and similar sites. Only if my offspring was headed towards an academic career would rankings mean a great deal - though I'll admit I'd look at them. I write as a tenured professor and administrator at a Research-1 institution for 32 years.
Post: Games Colleges Play
Link to comment from September 13, 2022