Complaining always seems so easy – most of us tend to speak up when we don’t like something, and at times it’s very important that we do so. Some people take this to extremes and seem to do nothing but complain. Fortunately, most of us complain only when necessary, using the process in a constructive… Read more »
The last decade has seen a sharp increase in the number of television ads for prescription drugs. They have become so common that we might assume that these commercials are legal in Canada. In fact, Canada prohibits direct-to-consumer drug advertising but because so many of our available television stations are based in the US we… Read more »
The other day someone asked me to recall the most embarrassing moment in my life. Instantly, two episodes leapt to my mind and they still make me blush when I think of them. The first occurred when I was about eight years old and my mother had taken my siblings and I to swim in… Read more »
Perception is its own form of reality, and the public’s perceptions concerning the postsecondary system and the K-12 system are quite different. A report from America’s “National Centre for Public Policy and Higher Education” explains why. The report, “Doing Comparatively Well: Why the Public Loves Higher Education and Criticizes K-12” by John Immerwahr came out… Read more »
In the light of the pending teacher strike, former Athabasca University student Mark Gueffroy is advocating for a strike of post-secondary students demanding that institutes of higher learning lower tuition fees. Mr. Gueffroy says, “The price of a post-secondary education has become ridiculous, while a degree is becoming mandatory to obtain a position that is… Read more »
READER FEEDBACK NEEDED! IS THERE A WRITER IN YOU? Our writers work hard to bring you information, news, opinions, social information and to share their experiences with you each week. This is a difficult job, particularly for those who strive to contribute to The Voice every week. They struggle through mental blocks, research, and spend… Read more »
Much has been written over the past week about Peter Gzowski, “CBC Institution and Canadian Icon” who passed away at age 67 on January 25, 2002 of emphysema. Although I never listened to his CBC radio show, Morningside, I have read many of his articles, and respected his talent as both a writer and broadcaster…. Read more »
We’ve all been there. We’re tired, busy, or eating dinner and the phone rings and we rush to get it. Only about half of the time is the person on the other end someone we want to talk to. We know this before we get the phone, but rarely does this stop us. We might… Read more »
The summer following the boat launch escapade on the banks of the Frazer River (see last week’s the Voice), I was once again working for the BC Forest Service at NIFAC. From the beginning of May through the end of August I, along with around twenty coworkers, lived in and worked out of a camp… Read more »
Ratings, rankings, and test results are all part of the education accountability frenzy that is sweeping Canada and the United States. Governments, NGO’s, and the media all try to excite voters, sell copy, and enrich the economy by assessing quality in education. But does the publishing of these rankings, ratings and test results really accomplish… Read more »