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The Guardian - UK

National

Judy Friedberg

Cribsheet 03.11.11

John Maynard Keynes, economist — John Maynard Keynes, in pre-canine form.

The Occupy (#occupy) movement has arrived in the lecture theatre - at no less august an institution than Harvard.

In the words of Guardian social affairs editor Randeep Ramesh (@tianran):

"Students walk out on rightwing eco prof Greg Mankiw (@gregmankiwblog) - worked for Bush, advised Romney etc. #Occupy in classrooms."

College newspaper the Harvard Crimson explains that around 70 students walked out of an economics class known as Ec 10. Organiser Gabriel Bayard declared:

"Ec 10 is a symbol of the larger economic ideology that created the 2008 collapse. Professor Mankiw worked in the Bush administration, and he clearly has a conservative ideology… This easy-money focus on enriching the wealthiest Americans - he really operates with that ideology."

The students wrote an open letter to Prof Mankiw, explaining:

"Today, we are walking out of your class, Economics 10, in order to express our discontent with the bias inherent in this introductory economics course. We are deeply concerned about the way that this bias affects students, the university, and our greater society."

Mankiw responded in his blog:

"Ironically, the topic for today's lecture is the distribution of income, including the growing gap between the top 1% and the bottom 99%. I am sorry the protesters will miss it."

Not all twitterati are impressed with the Harvard students, especially the bit of their open letter that complains:

"There is no justification for presenting Adam Smith's economic theories as more fundamental or basic than, for example, Keynesian theory."

Economist Michael Clemens (@m_clem) tweets:

"Mankiw walkout students clueless. Mankiw research is Keynesian!"

And later:

"He named his first dog Keynes, for Christ's sake."

Guardian coverage of Occupy events both local and international is pulled together on this page.

Education stories from the Guardian

• The rime of the raving dotard: We've a wonderful blog by Fielding extolling the benefits of learning poems by heart at school. Tell us what you were forced to remember - and whether it's stood you in good stead in later life.

• The School Library Association (@uksla) announced its "information book" winners at a ceremony last night - and champagne corks are popping at Education Guardian this morning to celebrate the success of our brilliant education cartoonist Ros Asquith. She illustrated The Great Big Book of Families, written by Mary Hoffman, which won the under-7s category.

Ros's cartoon series, Lines, has been running in Education Guardian for years - have a browse and a giggle if you've time on this rainy day. Bottoms up!

• The TUC says pension strikes are still on, despite the government's improved offer.

• Parents should be as proud of their children for securing a top apprenticeship as for winning a place at university, says Labour's new shadow education secretary, Stephen Twigg.

• America needs to get over its problem with sex education.

Education stories from around the web

• Primary schools in England are to have a single, co-ordinated "offer day", under a revised admissions code published by the government, says the BBC. The Telegraph says the new code requires schools to prioritise adopted children and those from armed forces families.

• Babies are to be employed as tiny teachers in Scottish classrooms to reduce levels of bullying and aggression in schools, the BBC reports.

• University lecturers are facing excessive levels of stress because of their workloads, the Huffington Post reports.

• Newcastle University philosopher Thom Brooks (@thom_brooks) blogs about why academies are a bad idea:

"The push for academies is driven by ideology, not economics. It is about creating an ideological vision about education that runs counter to the goals of self-sufficiency, competition, and good economics."

• Nottingham students win China's version of University Challenge, the Independent reports.

• Francis Gilbert (@wonderfrancis) praises the "amazing extra-curricular activities" offered by state schools.

Innovation in Education conference

How can we keep creativity alive in schools in an age of austerity and traditionalism? At this one-day event for school leaders and policy-makers, to be chaired by Judy Friedberg, we'll discuss the implications of cuts and curriculum changes with speakers including Russell Hobby, Jim Knight, Graham Stuart, Mick Waters and David Puttnam. Latest info on the Innovation in Education page - and @InnovateEducate on Twitter.

Education seminars from Guardian Professional

The Guardian Teacher Network runs training sessions for teachers throughout the year in Yorkshire and London. Upcoming courses include:

Is your school thinking of becoming an academy?

This seminar will provide an independent view of the advantages and disadvantages of converting to academy status. It will look at the process of conversion, the implications of academy status, and the support and funding available. November 30, in London. February 21, 2012 in Yorkshire.

Protecting young people in a digital age

Led by school digital safety experts, this one-day course will provide safeguarding policy and Ofsted criteria updates, look at social media and offer practical advice to help your school develop its digital safety policies. February 1, 2012 in London. February 8, 2012 in Yorkshire.

For a full list visit the Guardian Teacher Network