Sunday, 14 July 2019

Grading and the 'extra credit' device

›
The results of the semester’s third test have just been returned to the students. There are only three more lectures, a short break, and t...
Sunday, 23 June 2019

To not bell curve or to bell curve grades

›
To not bell curve or to bell curve grades In May 2019, Singapore Management University decided to review the letter grades of all 169 ...
Monday, 6 August 2018

It's how we frame the issue of euthanasia

›
As usual, and as expected, my letter to The Straits Times Forum page was not published. Fortunately, Blogger exists, so here it is. I ...
Thursday, 2 August 2018

Misunderstanding the Michelin Guide

›
The latest Michelin Guide for Singapore has added five new one-star restaurants to the list. Columnist Wong Ah Yoke ("Questions remain ...
Tuesday, 24 July 2018

Discussing how to determine the optimal subsidy for public transport

›
The commentary piece “Determining the optimal subsidy for public transport” ( The Straits Times , 20 July 2018) is a useful exercise for c...
Monday, 16 July 2018

How not to identify fake news

›
A recent news report ("Brazilian kids being schooled to fight fake news", The Straits Times , 14 July 2018) said schoolchildren in...
Wednesday, 14 February 2018

Let's think about fake news

›
What is news? News is an account of what has happened (eg. Christchurch has been struck by an earthquake), been done (eg. The result of a ...
Friday, 21 April 2017

Should schools teach philosophy?

›
On Sunday, 16 April 2017, I sent a letter to The Straits Times Forum page for hopeful publication. By Friday, 21 April 2017, the letter had...
Thursday, 26 January 2017

"Illegal immigrants" is self-contradictory, hence problematic

›
The phrase "illegal immigrants" keeps occurring in news reports about American President Donald Trump's thoughts and policies ...

Facts, actual facts, and alternative facts

›
As almost everyone knows, the phrase “alternative fact” was recently coined – and widely derided as being an attempt to legitimise a falseh...