Is the situation in the UK really that bad?
Oct 18th 2013, 5:27 pm
#1111
I have a comma problem
Joined: Feb 2009
Location: Fox Lake, IL (from Carrickfergus NI)
Posts: 49,598
Re: Is the situation in the UK really that bad?
When I started work, the minimum qualifications for my job were 4 'O' levels, I had 'A@ levels so got to start at a higher grade, but we had to take work related exams before being alowed to progress, and if you failed these then you were out on your ear. When I left, you were expected to start with a BSc in the specific field, honours prefered, but at least all thos who qualified through the earlier routes were not forced to study for the new qualifications, in fact the exams we pseed at the higher level were always stated to be honours degree equivalent, but they had to create jobs for the universities.
Oct 18th 2013, 6:29 pm
#1112
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 41,518
Re: Is the situation in the UK really that bad?
I hosted a visiting scholar from Portugal this week. We discussed the way academia is going in general and both agreed that universities seem to be self-perpetuating themselves both in terms of lowering of standards and offering fluff degree subjects. It seems the masters degree is becoming the new undergraduate degree, so to speak. Interesting for me to hear the same pattern is being replicated in Portugal.
I'm glad to say that I don't teach on a fluff degree course and we really try to maintain high standards - sometimes tough because of external pressures (since when did student failure rate and student survey ratings become divorced from student effort and be attributed solely to teacher effort?)
I'm glad to say that I don't teach on a fluff degree course and we really try to maintain high standards - sometimes tough because of external pressures (since when did student failure rate and student survey ratings become divorced from student effort and be attributed solely to teacher effort?)
Agreed on the teacher effort point. My husband was also telling me that giving anything less than A+ results in an angry missive from the student and a request for a meeting to address the 'problem'.
Btw, any more news on your job thoughts? (I know it's not the right place, but just being nosy).
Oct 18th 2013, 9:25 pm
#1113
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Nov 2012
Location: Back in the UK!
Posts: 2,404
Re: Is the situation in the UK really that bad?
Thanks Bud!
Already bought a one-way for the commitment and because it is way cheaper when you get it with bought discounted frequent flyer miles - flip-side is that you have to buy EARLY or availability is GONE - so we just have to get the various ducks in a row. I have to be careful to temper the euphoria as there is a lot to be accomplished before we are merrily ensconced where - I think - we want to settle in Devon.
We have accommodation for a month sorted and I have spoken to an estate agent for rentals who was helpful and reassuring regarding our surety for the prospective landlord since we have only rented before when in Bermuda up to seven years ago - having some existing moderate but stable UK income and a UK bank account counted for a lot. We will touch base with them three months ahead of time and check supply over their coverage area.
We find using Travelodge and now the increasing number of Hampton Inns (Hilton) (kids are kids up to age 17 and breakfast is included) helps a lot with the initial budget as compared with self-catering, particularly when you are in season (July/August).
Already bought a one-way for the commitment and because it is way cheaper when you get it with bought discounted frequent flyer miles - flip-side is that you have to buy EARLY or availability is GONE - so we just have to get the various ducks in a row. I have to be careful to temper the euphoria as there is a lot to be accomplished before we are merrily ensconced where - I think - we want to settle in Devon.
We have accommodation for a month sorted and I have spoken to an estate agent for rentals who was helpful and reassuring regarding our surety for the prospective landlord since we have only rented before when in Bermuda up to seven years ago - having some existing moderate but stable UK income and a UK bank account counted for a lot. We will touch base with them three months ahead of time and check supply over their coverage area.
We find using Travelodge and now the increasing number of Hampton Inns (Hilton) (kids are kids up to age 17 and breakfast is included) helps a lot with the initial budget as compared with self-catering, particularly when you are in season (July/August).
Oct 18th 2013, 10:14 pm
#1114
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Nov 2010
Location: Was Auckland-NZ, Now Wales
Posts: 685
Re: Is the situation in the UK really that bad?
Hey hey - I am a DM reader at times, I wouldn't say I am overly negative about the UK. As I said, people don't realise how lucky they are to live in the UK. The DM covers things other papers don't, especially things that sit at the back of our minds and we can't always say outloud or directly.
Oct 18th 2013, 11:25 pm
#1116
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 862
Re: Is the situation in the UK really that bad?
Yes, the standard non-response by some people to things perceived to be negative or bad about the UK.
I've actually offered much less opinion on this thread than some posters like to suggest, and have mostly provided links to qualified stats and articles to indicate the state of the UK. Those links are probably mostly perceived to be negative because there needed to be a balance in this thread as everything is certainly not ok as some people like to think.
Where I have provided opinion, a couple of things I have said are:
A good summary of the opinions I have actually offered is something I said much earlier in this thread: "there's no definitive yes or no answer to the UK being "that bad", however there's probably more negatives than positives on the spectrum at the moment but things will get better".
I've actually offered much less opinion on this thread than some posters like to suggest, and have mostly provided links to qualified stats and articles to indicate the state of the UK. Those links are probably mostly perceived to be negative because there needed to be a balance in this thread as everything is certainly not ok as some people like to think.
Where I have provided opinion, a couple of things I have said are:
- there's no definitive yes or no answer, and is dependent on many factors.
- it should eventually be sorted out, the UK has had relatively more debt in the past - a lot more at certain points in history.
A good summary of the opinions I have actually offered is something I said much earlier in this thread: "there's no definitive yes or no answer to the UK being "that bad", however there's probably more negatives than positives on the spectrum at the moment but things will get better".
Perhaps its because of your first line? The confusion I mean. A 'non-response' is a contradiction in terms n'est pas?
Response is of course the operative word!
I have to concede it must be so vexing when posters respond to incessant negativity with another pov. It spoils the flow of things and must be so frustrating!
I quite understand.
___________________
'Fluff degrees' love that! Is the Australian terminology: 'race to the bottom' used in the UK too?
It is a working model for today.
I recall years back a colleague of mine who had three university degrees from Oxford suggesting that students today could pick up a degree if they could tie their shoe laces properly!
He was an arrogant rickp.
Oct 19th 2013, 1:54 am
#1119
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Jan 2011
Location: Tunbridge Wells KENT
Posts: 2,914
Re: Is the situation in the UK really that bad?
*, being on the edge of the RAINforest and factoring in tropical storms, and climate change so far has not seen the move towards semi-aridity on the coastal rim that certain studies foresaw 
a decade or so ago, so any move to the Exeter area where rainfall looks to be in the region of 38 ins a year, won't be a worry rain-wise, though there could still be some flooding issues at certain times of the year unless we choose extra carefully and stay away from the Exe shoreline.*When it rains, it chucks it down
Last edited by Pistolpete2; Oct 19th 2013 at 1:57 am.
Oct 21st 2013, 12:35 pm
#1120
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Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 3,396
Re: Is the situation in the UK really that bad?
It also doesn't help that power companies have been increasing their prices so much - e.g. British Gas increasing gas by 8.4% and electricity by 10.4%, and SSE announced a similarly large increase with probably more to come like that from other suppliers.
Oct 21st 2013, 10:12 pm
#1121
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 862
Re: Is the situation in the UK really that bad?
Here's another big increase announced by an energy company, this time Npower - 9.3% increase for electricity, and 11.1% increase for gas. With these big increases taking place just before winter, there will be quite a lot of people wondering how they can survive if it's a really cold winter.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=w7RIgs3eygo
Bong....bong.......bong......bong.....bong......
Oct 21st 2013, 10:16 pm
#1122
MODERATOR
Joined: Sep 2009
Location: Adelaide
Posts: 29,872
Re: Is the situation in the UK really that bad?
Oct 21st 2013, 10:23 pm
#1124
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: Jan 2006
Location: San Francisco
Posts: 12,865
Oct 21st 2013, 10:24 pm
#1125
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 862
Re: Is the situation in the UK really that bad?
If I were to criticise him directly then who knows, I might be accused of being in a playground?
.........and just so that you do not concentrate on the negative, the issue is not something to 'mock' as you will find out when you have 'lived the dream' for some time.
New post: Giantaxe nailed it.