WHERE IS THE TRUST?

Why are so many Australian's not prepared to contribute to the government's flood relief fund? This column attempts to examine how our trust in other people has vanished.

EDUCATING PEOPLE OR SIMPLY TEACHING SKILLS

What are we attempting to do when we try to educate young Australians?

It's up to them to decide what they get out of tertiary education - but it would be nice if we had a guide as well. What sort of person is the 'ideal' Aussie?

This piece asks the question, rather than attempts to answer it:

WHO'S IN CONTROL AT UNIVERSITY

This piece was informed by a bit of research from the Melbourne Institute, a couple of years ago. This found students with an "internal locus of control" (unsurprisingly) achieved better outcomes at uni than those who were "externally directed".

When admission to courses is allocated by the universities according simply to the TER marks students achieve, it seems apparent that aspirants for places aren't starting off on the right foot. Would be students need to be more empowered, although this is simply one of many issues explored below . . .