Category: issues

In 2013, Google decided to test its hiring hypothesis by crunching every bit and byte of hiring, firing, and promotion data accumulated since the company’s incorporation in 1998. Project Oxygen shocked everyone by concluding that, among the eight most important qualities of Google’s top employees, STEM expertise comes in dead last. The seven top characteristics of success at Google are all soft skills: being a good coach; communicating and listening well; possessing insights into others (including others different values and points of view); having empathy toward and being supportive of one’s colleagues; being a good critical thinker and problem solver; and being able to make connections across complex ideas.

Johansson addressed Franco, and the many allegations against him, at the Women’s March in L.A. She questioned “how a person could ‘publicly stand by an organization that helps to provide support for victims of sexual assault, while privately preying on people who have no power.’ She then added, ‘I want my pin back, by the way.'”

After Monday? Probably not; and the National Zoo webcams will also close down as the Zoo closes (personnel will still care for the animals, however). “The Smithsonian announced that it has ‘funds available to keep the museums open on Monday. We will update this announcement as needed.'”

A carefully designed 10-week study found outdoor lessons “boost subsequent classroom engagement, and boost it a great deal,” writes a research team led by Ming Kuo of the University of Illinois—Urbana-Champaign. “After a lesson in nature, teachers were able to teach for almost twice as long without having to interrupt instruction to redirect students’ attention.”

“Cathedrals, which attract more than 10 million visitors a year, face spiralling costs of running, repairing and maintaining their buildings.” An investigation launched by the Church of England’s two archbishops found a “confusion of governance and management [that] has increased both operational and financial risks.”

“Jude Kelly, one of the UK’s longest-serving and highest-profile arts leaders, is stepping down from the Southbank Centre after 12 years. … Kelly said she wanted to concentrate on the WOW – Women of the World festival she founded eight years ago, seeing its future as ‘a global movement’.”

At a time when creativity, teamwork, adaptability, critical thinking, communication and innovation have been recognised by educators, employers and government as fundamental building blocks for success in society and the workplace in the 21st century, England’s education policy is poised to permit only the brightest and wealthiest to access the creative subjects that will enable them to thrive in this brave new world.

“The move towards a compulsory EBacc is likely to deepen the divide in the take-up of arts subjects between more affluent and higher achieving students and those facing more disadvantages. The Cambridge figures also reveal that drama, music, fine art and dance GCSEs are all taken up by fewer pupils from deprived areas and fewer lower attainers than others. Art and design is the only arts subject that bucks this trend.”