2018-05-30 Pakistan ‘Street Schools’ Open to Poor Kids, Parents
A different kind of school in Pakistan is giving poor children, and sometimes their mothers too, a new chance to get an education. The program is called Street to School.…
2018-05-27 News Literacy Lesson 6: News and Social Media
Today anyone with a smartphone or a laptop can spread information and video around the world immediately. This new-found power can play a vital role in our understanding of events…
2018-06-27 Oxford English Dictionary Adds ‘Brencheese,’ ‘Spoiler Alert’
In June, the Oxford English Dictionary, orOED, added about 1,000 words and new definitions to its website. The changes are to help users understand a mix of terms, some dating…
2018-06-13 E-Cigarette Sellers Offer Financial Aid to Students
Some manufacturers of electronic cigarettes are offering financial aid to students who write about the possible benefits of using their products. The financial aid – worth $250 to $5,000 –…
2018-16-24 Enjoying the Familiar and Unfamiliar at Brigham Young University
It did not take long for Louise Rosa Paulsen to recognize that she needed something other than the traditional Danish higher education experience. Paulsen is from Copenhagen, Denmark. The now…
2018-06-20 Norwegian Study: IQ Scores Dropped for Decades
A major study carried out in Norway suggests IQ scores among men there have been falling since the mid-1970s. The study involved more than 700,000 men born to Norwegian couples…
2018-06-17 Adapting to Change at the University of New Mexico
Leaving one’s childhood home and moving somewhere new and unknown can be a difficult thing for people to do. No matter where you go, there are challenges that come with…
2018-05-25 News Literacy Lesson 4: Balance, Fairness
Media organizations often use words like “balance” and “fairness.” They want to say that they are reporting without showing favoritism or making judgments. Balance simply means giving equal time to…
2018-05-27 Graduation Speeches Discuss World Problems, Look for Solutions
Speeches have long been an important tradition at college and university graduation ceremonies in the United States. Every spring, schools honor students who have successfully completed their study programs. As…
2018-05-26 News Literacy Lesson 5: Quality of News Reports
In this lesson, we present seven steps to help you judge the quality of news reporting: Step One: Main Points Be able to recognize and re-state the main points of…
2018-05-24 News Literacy Lesson 3: Establishing the Truth
Let’s examine the verification process a little closer. Becoming a literate news consumer requires us to be able to identify legitimate journalism. Legitimate journalism seeks truth. But how do we…
2018-05-23 It’s Important to Know Your ‘False Friends’ in English and French
People learning a second language might have heard of the expression “false friend.” This term is used to describe words in different languages that look alike, but have different meanings.…
2018-05-23 News Literacy Lesson 2: Verification, Independence, Accountability
What is legitimate journalism? It is news that has been verified by an independent organization that is accountable for the information. Verification, independence and accountability are the characteristics of quality…
2018-05-22 News Literacy Lesson 1: Real News vs. Fake News
Information is an important part of our society. People depend on it to guide them through a complex world. The invention of movable type in 15th century Europe revolutionized the…
2018-05-20 College Admissions: Showing Your Best Side on Social Media
Social media has found its way into almost every part of everyday life. It has even affected college and university admissions. Many colleges and universities in the United States are…