THE Leaving Cert Class of 2010 face packed lecture halls when they get to university, fewer tutorials, reductions in library facilities and the introduction of waiting lists for counselling services.

A confidential working paper drawn up by the Irish Universities Association warns that specific courses will have to be axed and says the Government’s national research strategy for the ‘Smart Economy’ is in danger of collapsing.

It says funding and staffing cutbacks have resulted in a reduction in tutorials and in class sizes of up to 200 students. The universities are caught between the “rock” of a surge in student numbers and the “hard place” of cutbacks in staff.

The staff-student ratios in Irish universities are much higher than in the UK.

In the limited cases where some replacement recruitment has been possible, universities are receiving negative responses to offers of employment for the top-ranked candidates.

“This is especially notable in respect of candidates from theUS, where we are completely uncompetitive in terms of securing high-quality academics and researchers,” says the paper, which will be considered by the university presidents shortly.

The paper, seen by the Irish Independent, says that in some specific instances the pernicious effects of the cutbacks and the inability to replace or secure appropriately qualified replacement staff is having a direct effect on course provision. Currently, there are reductions in module choice and it is also likely that some specific courses will have to be axed.

Critical

As well as frontline teaching, the support infrastructure for students is being seriously affected. The most critical of these is library services, as the library is the most important learning resource for students outside of direct teaching contact. The effects of the cuts so far are:

• Reductions in the Library opening hours.
• A reduction in the delivery of materials from closed bookstack areas.
• A reduction in staff levels and hours at service points.
• A reduction in the speed of the ordering and supply of books, journals and e-resources to students and academic staff.

On student counselling, it says there has been a significant increase in demand, but the number of counselling sessions has been reduced and waiting lists have to be introduced.

The paper issues strong warnings about the effects of cuts in research on government plans to market Ireland as an innovation island.

PhD training is being severely cut back and the tide of research investment has been turned. Very significant job losses among non-permanent research staff are expected.

As well as loss of expertise due to termination of contracts, there is a potential for a wider flight of talent from Ireland as leading researchers feel the need to flee a “sinking ship”. This threat is becoming a reality. In one university alone in a two-month period this year, 16 researchers resigned, it says.

The full impact of the trends now becoming evident has yet to be seen. If not arrested, they will result in increased failure rates and longer completion times; damage to student health and welfare; the exit of staff to more competitive systems; and a likely further rise in graduate unemployment, it adds.

- John Walshe Education Editor

Irish Independent

THOUSANDS of students still do not know if they will get higher education maintenance grants in the current academic year — even though some have already finished their studies.

Startling new figures show that 3,436 applicants are still awaiting decisions by vocational education committees (VEC) on their grant applications.

The figures for the VECs are on top of the 1,960 applications that local authorities were still considering at the end of March.

The figures were described last night as “astonishing” by incoming Union of Students in Ireland president Gary Redmond, who said there were “horror” stories this year of vulnerable students who were in serious hardship because of delays in getting their grants.

He said UCD lectures had already finished for most.

The Department of Education and Science said there was a 30pc increase in applications for grants this year — up from 43,267 at the end of January 2009 to 55,833 at the end of January this year.

The means-tested grants are worth up to €3,250 a year, depending on family income.

A spokesman said many of the applications awaiting decisions were late applications and documentation was pending.

Delays

However, other sources pointed out that the delays were also caused by the ban on staff recruitment and by the go-slow by the unions involved.

Education Minister Mary Coughlan, who has promised a more efficient system, said a number of improvements were being made to ensure that students get their grants on time for the coming academic year. These include:

• New more user-friendly grant application form for 2010/11.
• Downloadable student grant application form.
• New payments process, including advance payments to awarding authorities.

The Tanaiste confirmed that income limits to qualify for maintenance grants and payment of the student services charge were to remain unchanged, despite the downward trend in average earnings.

Details of the schemes and application forms will be available on www.studentfinance.ie.

- John Walshe

Irish Independent

A HERO student who was awarded for saving a drowning youth, has admitted to trashing an apartment over “grievances” a friend of his had with the landlady.

Patrick McAweeney was one of four “privileged” students who broke into and smashed up the apartment in an “act of madness” after a seven-hour drinking session.

Co-accused Daniel Shipley (23) was a former tenant and had issues with the landlady.

McAweeney, with an address at Mulvey Park, Dundrum, and Shipley of Market Square, Dublin 1, admitted charges of burglary at the flat at Elmwood Avenue, Ranelagh, on November 12 last.

UCD student McAweeney had been named a Rehab Person Of The Year in 2004 for rescuing a friend who nearly drowned after they were both swept out to sea off the Donegal coast.

Judge Victor Blake ordered the pair to donate €500 each to charity. Two other co-accused had already been dealt with by the court.

Dublin District Court heard the four had been out drinking at D2 club on Harcourt Street and were returning home at 3.45am when they went to the apartment, knowing it was vacant at the time.

Garda Kevin O’Keeffe said “a considerable” amount of damage was caused, including broken mirrors, doors and windows.

Barrister Keith Spencer said the accused had known that the apartment, where Shipley had once lived, would be empty that night.

“They caused the damage because there was a history with this particular landlady — there were grievances,” Mr Spencer said. “It was out of character for both men.”

The four had since paid the owner €300 each in compensation for the damage caused.

McAweeney, a second-year environmental science student, is from a well-respected Cavan farming family.

“He is well known in Cavan and this is an embarrassment to him,” Mr Spencer said.

A reference described him as a “hard-working, honest, peace-loving team player”.

He was also involved in sport, was on a GAA team in Cavan and had played for the college.

“He has good prospects and aspires to be a success in the agricultural community,” Mr Spencer said.

Gallivanting

Shipley was “probably the least culpable of the four”, Mr Spencer said, explaining that he knew what the others were going to do and did not stop them. From Monaghan, he was studying environmental management in DIT.

“I would ask the court to give them the opportunity not to see the good work they have done in their lives undone by one act of madness on a night out,” Mr Spencer said.

Judge Blake said that alcohol was no excuse for what had happened.

“These are very privileged men, being afforded an education and they are out drinking and gallivanting like this in these times”, he said.

“I understand they are young men with no previous convictions, but what they did on the night was a dreadful act.”

Judge Blake adjourned the case to October 20 for probation reports.

aphelan@herald.ie

- Andrew Phelan

TECHY-savvy Irish students are preparing to take on the world with cutting-edge ideas.

Winners of two separate competitions yesterday will now represent Ireland in global finals.

Students from Dundalk Grammar School fought off competition from 150 second-level schools to take the F1 in Schools Technology Challenge trophy.

The competition, organised by the Irish Computer Society, has this year challenged seven million students across 31 countries to design, build and race carbon dioxide -powered model F1 cars.Michael O’Neill, Niall Carroll, Jack Farrell, Steven Butterly andConor Clarke will head to the world finals this autumn.

Meanwhile, Dublin Institute of Technology students Nicola Nevin and Marco Castorina will represent Ireland at an international competition sponsored by Microsoft. Their ImagineNote game replaces a conventional games controller with soundbeam technology.

- Katherine Donnelly

Irish Independent

]]> http://www.studentsmart.ie/blog/2010/05/tech-savvy-students-are-first-on-the-grid/feed/ 0 http://www.studentsmart.ie/blog/2010/04/are-brain-boosting-pills-morally-correct/ http://www.studentsmart.ie/blog/2010/04/are-brain-boosting-pills-morally-correct/#comments Tue, 13 Apr 2010 18:07:46 +0000 admin http://www.studentsmart.ie/blog/?p=5315

Exam pressure is an attribute of college life that students – except the slackers – can relate to.

There is nothing worse than a looming deadline and an imminent exam on a subject only worthy of pure science evaluation. In pressurised situations people have a tendency to seek the “easy way out”.

And, thanks to science – or no thanks, whichever side of the debate you decide to side on – students have turned to brain-boosting pills. These particular pills are cognitive-enhancing drugs and have been bombarded with ethical issues, such issues arguing that popping pill power capsules is both immoral and a form of cheating, an argument similar to sports drinks.

Beg to differ? You are not alone. Like every argument, there are two sides, it all depends on what side you are on. Some scientists have argued that these drugs should not be widely prohibited so long as they are safe and effective.

However, it is important to note that the cognitive drugs currently in use by students are drugs that are prescribed for use by elderly people suffering dementia symptoms, and people diagnosed with ADHD. Such common drugs include Adderall, Ritalin and Provigil – all are stimulants designed to keep the mind alert.

But surely there are concerns regarding healthy people pill popping, other than their ability to retain information… or lack of?

The aforementioned drugs are prescription drugs and, with prescribed drugs, arises information regarding side effects that black market users are not aware of otherwise. Overuse of these drugs without a supporting medical condition has been proven to lead to long and short-term negative effects.

Amphetamines, used incorrectly, can lead to bouts of psychosis, and problems occur due to lack of knowledge and improper research on brain-boosting drugs. These pills have also been blasted for altering brain chemistry in a less than natural purpose.

It is all too easy to pop a pill, feel the benefits short-term, and neglect the possible outcome on a long-term scale, thus proving that pressure alone should not be the driver of a spur of the moment decision, particularly since side effects have been proven to appear later in life.

So, are these drugs worth consideration for a sluggish brain, or is it time to call upon a safer alternative? At least until science can guarantee proof that these drugs are 100% harmless for healthy individuals.

In this country alone, customs officers are frequently seizing vast quantities of cognitive-enhancing drugs, which are being shipped into the country illegally every year. It was reported that in 2008, 1,250 tablets of Modafinil were seized at ports and airports. In 2009 the figures increased to 1,920.

A minority of scientists and neuropsychologists have gone as far as insisting that students be tested before sitting an exam, similar to the way sports people are tested, partly because the advent of brain-boosting pills is still uncertain.

After all, science has proven that our subconscious state is more dependable than our conscious mind, despite the capacity at which we undermine ourselves.

Our subconscious has the power to filter information when we need it, which might explain the sudden brainwave as you tap your pen against your head in an exam hall. Having read this far – if your brain hasn’t gone awry – perhaps it is better to promote natural brain boosters, at least until science is fully on our side. And, low and behold, nature has provided ‘au naturale’ alternatives.

Our brains are complex learning machines, and much like every other muscle in our body, it needs exercise. There are many simple tasks that can be performed daily to boost brain power, such as reading, learning a foreign language, arithmetic in your head, and by playing games – chess, jigsaws, cards – that involve concentration. It has even been proven that changing our routines can strengthen our brains, like brushing our teeth using our left hand as opposed to our right. These simple tasks open new neural pathways, which in turn ‘blaze a trail’ making things easier the next time round. Yes, these tasks take a little effort, but the benefits are worth it.

Have you ever had a workout and felt liberated afterwards? That’s because not only has your body released a surge of endorphins, but because our brains are processing new cells known as neurons and is working on strengthening connections between the new formations.

Researchers have discovered that exercise promotes areas of the brain that deal with memory and learning…maybe that’s why our nagging teachers constantly recommended “brisk walks” and “stretches” during study time. If only we listened.

If ever you needed an excuse for a social life, here’s one: Social interaction = good medicine. Socialising has been found to have a protective effect on the brain because, believe it or not, it is a form of mental exercise. Interaction stimulates the brain, decreases blood pressure, and reduces the risk of cardiovascular disease. Thanks to research by the boffins, this has been proven as fact. On the reverse, lack of a social life is an independent risk for cognitive decline in older people. Perhaps that’s why your jolly, sociable, bingo-loving Granny is so damn intelligent.

Sleep, o glorious sleep. Ever have a bad night sleep and feel like a zombie the next day? Science has proven that lack of sleep discourages the formation of new brain cells. Sleep is necessary for the brain to process and consolidate knowledge, which may explain why the hippocampus (where memory is stored) becomes active during wink hours. Even a simple nap can suffice as a memory booster, which may explain the siesta habits and long lunches of our European counterparts. Their lazy spells are now being hailed as a step in the right direction, with scientists arguing that the whole world should follow suit.

Ever had a thousand requests at once? Been bombarded with new information? Then totter off and forget everything or function inadequately? Well you have stress to blame, and a hormone known as cortisol. Stress damages vital areas in the brain (the hippocampus, which is susceptible to cortisol receptors), and it can impair cell communication in the brain’s learning and memory region. Unfortunately stress has become a factor of everyday life, but there are ways to beat it. It is important to view problems as opportunities, thus training the brain to approach situations under new light. Once in awhile escape the noise and seek solitude to clear your mind and regain focus, even if it is only a nip to the confines of the office toilet. Most importantly, cut out unnecessary responsibilities that are too demanding of your time.

Irish people, in light of recent governmental upheavals, are looking as gloomy as ever, failing to laugh in the face of change, when in fact laughter is one of the best medicines – off the market. Laughter produces a feel good hormone called dopamine, which reduces stress levels and improves memory.

The right foods promote good health, but the right foods can also stimulate and boost brainpower. Omega-3 fatty acids have been given much publicity and rightly so. Theses fatty acids are essential for brain health, promoting everything from cell-to-cell communication to nerve growth, and even preventing the onset of dementia and Alzheimer’s disease in elderly people. Other brain boosting foods include bananas, Broccoli, brown rice, Brussels sprouts, cantaloupe, chicken and collard greens. The list of brain boosting foods is endless, but notice how most are natural earthly produce.

The true effects of cognitive-enhancing drugs are still unknown and the long-term effects haven’t been fully acknowledged. Dependency is likely to become a prime issue courtesy of this illegal phenomenon. Our brains are delicate, and like every other muscle, it deserves nurture. The effort will pay off…or have you forgotten that already?

Martin Flanagan

Demand for higher education remains very strong with a record 71,843 people applying for third-level places this year, according to analysis of CAO applications.

A study carried out by Head of Statistics at the Higher Education Authority Dr Vivienne Patterson will be presented to the Authority today and will also be published on its website.

The analysis found the total number of applicants reached a record high of 71,843 this year, increasing 6.2% from 2009 in addition to a 6% increase in the previous year.

There continues to be a decline in applications for construction-related courses, but an increased interest in science and computing.

Almost 16,000 students have put arts/humanities degree courses as their first choice, which represents over a quarter of all students seeking to pursue a level eight degree programme.

First preference applications for medicine and other healthcare programmes are up while there has been a slight fall in the demand for law and business courses.

The HEA says the figures show the demand for higher education in Ireland remains very strong and anticipates that more third level places than ever before will be offered this autumn.

More than two out of three 18-year-olds in Ireland now go on to higher education compared to one in five 30 years ago, according to the HEA.

see more: http://www.rte.ie/news/2010/0330/education.html

THOUSANDS of students are being denied access to Post Leaving Certificate (PLC) courses because of where they live.

And the most deprived of all live in Taoiseach Brian Cowen’s native Co Offaly, which has only 50 PLC places compared with 1,216 in Co Cavan, which has a smaller population.

The uneven distribution of places was disclosed at an Oireachtas Education Committee meeting yesterday which heard calls to lift the ‘cap’ on PLC numbers to cope with rising demand. At present there is official sanction from theDepartment of Education and Science for 31,688 places nationally but a number of counties are not getting their fair share.

This is mainly because the cap was imposed a number of years ago before some areas developed their programmes and built up their student numbers.

The ‘Stand Up for Education’ group said PLCs provided students with specific vocational skills which improved their chances of work or progress to further studies.

The best-known courses are in the Ballyfermot College of Further Education where graduates of its animation course have been nominated for Oscar success.

The group’s spokeswoman Jackie O’Callaghan said the current restriction on places made no economic, social or educational sense.

Resources

In economic terms, the cost of the extra resources necessary to take on new students would be greatly offset by savings otherwise payable in the form of Jobseeker’s Allowance, she said.

Research carried out by the Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) found that at the start of the current academic year there were, on average, two applicants for every PLC place.

General secretary Peter MacMenamin said the trends were the same in every province and in every town and city.

Figures given by Education Committee member Mary Wallaceshowed huge variations from county to county.

She said that Co Meath, with a population of 162,831 people, had only 328 places, while Co Louth, with a population of 111,267 had 1,100 places. Co Donegal, with a population of 147,264 had only 205 places.

Co Waterford with a population of 107,961 had approval for 1,023 places, whereas Co Wexford, with a bigger population of 131,749, had 904 in all.

Yesterday’s meeting also supported the group’s campaign for a targeted investment of 7pc of GDP for education by 2016 and it called for an easing of the moratorium on filling middle management positions in schools.

Fine Gael education spokesman Brian Hayes challenged the TUI over its decision to ban all duties undertaken by assistant principals and special needs teachers who are not replaced.

And Labour’s education spokesman Ruairi Quinn called for the transfer of much of the FAStraining budget to the Department of Education in the forthcoming shake-up of departments.

- John Walshe Education Editor

Irish Independent

The mock Junior and Leaving Cert exams are already over in many schools. Over the past few weeks, thousands of pupils have had their first nerve-jangling experience of severe exam stress.

Butterflies in the stomach may benefit many candidates, but, in some cases, they are paralysed by anxiety, according to consultant psychiatrist Pat Devitt.

“Some candidates are frozen with anxiety like a rabbit caught in the headlights,” says the psychiatrist, who offers advice on exam stress on the website examsupport.ie.

Even the brightest students can blow it on the day. Winston Churchill only managed to write his name when he was doing an entrance exam for Harrow School, while Albert Einstein failed his entrance exams for a polytechnic.

A debilitating exam fever is not just an issue for school pupils contemplating public exams for the first time.

Recent research released by the Samaritans suggests that exam stress and the pressure to achieve high marks were one of the biggest causes of worry for young people in Ireland.

Some 52pc of Irish young people, aged between 18 and 24, listed exam stress and the pressure to achieve high marks as one of their biggest worries. This compares with a figure of only 30pc in Britain.

Suzanne Costello, the Samaritans’ Irish director, says: “People are feeling more worried about exams now than before, because they feel that their options are more limited in a recession.”

Prof Fiona McNicholas, child and adolescent psychiatrist at the Lucena Clinic in Dublin, says: “A little bit of stress is good as it sharpens our focus, keeps us alert and in a prepared state. Too much stress is very bad, however, and leads to all sorts of physical side effects.”

Prof McNicholas says parents should not go too far in sheltering their children from stressful situations like exams.

“What we want is our kids to experience many stresses mastered and coped with. That builds resilience. The stress will become less if a student has plenty of experience of exams.”

Exam stress-busters offer some pointers to alleviating anxiety:

• Parents and children should keep things in perspective. Failing is not the end of the world.
• Think positively. See the glass as half full rather than half empty. Students need to receive support from parents, but not of the nagging variety.
• Take a problem-solving approach to exam difficulties. Draw up revision plans and study charts. Set some realistic goals.
• Don’t overdo it with caffeine, late nights, alcohol or cigarettes.
• Students who panic in an exam should take deep breaths. If a question causes them to freeze, then they should move on to an easier question. Come back to the difficult question later. If everything goes wrong in the exam hall, students should follow the teaching of Samuel Beckett: “Ever tried. Ever failed. No matter. Try Again. Fail again. Fail better.”

Prof Fiona McNicholas, consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist, will be speaking on Coping With Exam Stress at the Lucena Clinic, Orwell Road, Dublin, on March 9

- Kim Bielenberg

Irish Independent

A UCD student and a group of his friends caused thousands of euro worth of damage to holiday homes in a drunken rampage at a seaside resort.

Alex O’Connor (20) and other students were staying in one of the holiday homes at Brittas Bay when they caused the damage after having “far too much to drink”.

Judge Murrough Connellan adjourned the case and told O’Connor to bring a €500 charity donation to court.

The judge made the order after hearing compensation had already been paid.

O’Connor, of Sandycove East, admitted five counts of criminal damage at Brittas Bay in an incident on April 5, 2009.

Wicklow District Court heard the accused was one of seven men staying in a holiday home at the site.

During the night, several of the homes were damaged and the following morning, gardai took statements from the victims and spoke to the accused.

He was one of three who admitted causing more than €2,000 worth of damage.

Compensation was paid to the owners and the accused had apologised.

O’Connor’s lawyer said one of the youths responsible for the damage had received a warning through the juvenile liaison programme.

HONOURS

The other co-accused had pleaded guilty on a previous court date and the judge had asked him to bring €500 to court as a charity donation.

O’Connor was an “honours student” in UCD and was “thoroughly ashamed of what had happened”, when he woke up the next day, his lawyer said.

He had fully co-operated with the garda investigation and paid compensation for all the damage he caused.

“In relation to some of the damage that was caused, they had to make enquiries to find out who owned the property,” the defence lawyer said.

O’Connor was aged 19 at the time of the incident.

“These were students who had far too much to drink and didn’t mean to cause harm,” his lawyer said.

He added that his client had not even asked to see the prosecution’s statements before entering a guilty plea.

He had no previous convictions and his mother was in court with him.

The lawyer asked Judge Connellan to deal with O’Connor in the same way that he had dealt with his co-accused.

Judge Connellan adjourned both cases to April 13.

aphelan@herald.ie

- Andrew Phelan

Education Minister Batt O'Keeffe dons a lab coat as he's shown round the newly renovated laboratories in the Kane Science building at University College Cork , by Professor Anita Maguire and President of UCC Dr Michael Murphy

SECONDARY schools face the prospect of being forced to close as unions block teachers from covering for key staff who can’t be replaced.

In a major escalation of action, unions yesterday – for the first time – directed members not to undertake any duties that are carried out by teachers in middle-management positions who are not replaced when they retire.

Around 900 assistant principals and hundreds of specialduties teachers have already retired this school year and have not been replaced.

Even greater numbers are expected to go in the summer.

The Government introduced the ban on replacements in order to save money – an assistant principal gets an additional €8,520 a year and a special-duties teacher gets €3,769 on top of their normal teaching salary.

A new directive issued yesterday will hit a variety of duties in different schools. These include:

Arranging exams. Setting timetables. Organising extra-curricular activities such as games.

Taking responsibility for pastoral care teams to look after the welfare of students.

Co-ordinating Transition Year or Leaving Certificate Applied issues.

When the embargo on filling the posts was introduced, the unions agreed to allow school management to re-prioritise those duties and share them among the remaining holders of promotion posts.

But from March 8, ASTI and TUI members will refuse to carry out any duties of a vacated post.

They will not agree to alter existing post duties in any way and will refuse to engage in reviews of the posts.

The INTO will consider a similar directive at its next executive meeting.

The three secondary management bodies warned last night that the unions’ new directive, combined with an expected surge in retirements this summer, would make many schools “inoperable” from September onwards.

Ciaran Flynn, from the Association of Community and Comprehensive Schools, said some intervention was needed “before the chaos arising out of such a directive is foisted on our schools”.

He said the contents of the directive had been described to him by one principal as: “Shocking – it flies in the face of all that we have done in the school by way of professional development for our teachers and postholders.

“The professional approach to teaching and managing which we have operated over the years is now being taken away and the individual teacher’s professionalism and flexibility to operate removed by diktat.”

Cuts

The directive is part of the teachers’ industrial action in protest against the public sector pay cut and the ban on filling vacant promotion posts. It tells members “lest there be any confusion, this directive means that the duties of a vacated post will no longer be carried out by any member. The facility whereby a school can reorganise posts of responsibility is also being suspended.”

It is the first significant escalation by a public sector union in its campaign against the 5pc pay cut. The number of retirements this year is expected to be far higher than last year due to changes to how teachers get lump sums and pension entitlements.

A survey by the Joint Managerial Body shows that secondary schools are losing an average of 3.25 assistant principal posts between this year and last year. General secretary Ferdia Kelly said the retirements were spread unevenly and some were affected worse than others.

Both he and Michael Moriarty, from the Irish Vocational Education Association, said schools that lost a significant number of assistant principals would become “inoperable” in the autumn.

They also warned that a crisis could flare up before then if a school lost assistant principals due to maternity leave or illness or for some other reasons before then.

Clive Byrne, national director of the National Association of Principals and Deputies, described the directive as a serious escalation which would have cumulative effects on the operation of schools.

Row

He noted that the unions’ row was with the Government but its action was not affecting theDepartment of Education and Science – rather it was having a direct effect on those principals and deputy principals who were members of the unions.

A spokesperson for Education Minister Batt O’Keeffe said he would regret if any industrial action impinged on the orderly running of the schools.

The threat or reality of action would do nothing to advance the interests of the country at a time of serious economic difficulty, he said.

He added that there were no plans to end the moratorium at this stage.

- John Walshe