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The Guardian - UK

National

Frederika Whitehead

Cribsheet: 06.09.11

To be seen talking to a police officer risks being labelled a “grass”, texting is safe and private — Poet laureate Carol Ann Duffy has praised the creativity of texting, saying that poetry is the original form of texting. Photograph: Linda Nylind for the Guardian

Stories from today's EducationGuardian pages

School transport spending cuts mean that from this week many pupils will be walking to school along unlit 60mph roads without pavements

Shll i compare thee 2 an iPad 2? Poet laureate praises the creativity that goes into texting and says it is turning children into poets.

"The poem is a form of texting" says Carol Ann Duffy. "It's a perfecting of a feeling in language – it's a way of saying more with less, just as texting is.

With the rise in tuition fees looming on the horizon, Anna Bawden takes a look at high ranking universities overseas that charge low, or even no, fees.

Peter Scott says the HE white paper will strike a fatal blow against research. While David Colquhoun is worried that pressure on scientists to publish has led to a situation where any paper, however bad, can now be printed in a journal that claims to be peer-reviewed

Alan Smith describes the frustrations of watching an unwilling prisoner being taught to use a hoover, and argues that prisoners need real education that changes the way that they think and opens up new possibilities for them - and not just lessons in cleaning.

Improbable research

• Researchers at the Office for National Statistics have examined results from the last census to see what the correlation between our month of birth and future career is. Apparently, if you were born in March you're more likely to be a pilot, but if you were born in November, you probably don't want to read this article.

• Despite its reputation for sporting nearly-identical conservative haircuts, the FBI – the Federal Bureau of Investigation, America's government gumshoes – assembled and published an all-inclusive guide to hair. And despite its reputation for tight-lippedness, it made its guide available to anyone who might have a use or desire for it.

Cutswatch

The Guardian's Cutswatch map and blog allows readers to report public sector cuts in their local area via an online form. A few days ago a reader reported that the number of careers advisers working in Sheffield schools and colleges has been reduced from 25 FTE to seven FTE. Guardian researchers will verify this and update the map with any further details that we find. You can report cuts here. And Cribsheet's authors are always happy to receive emails about changes to education provision.

How to teach the riots

The Guardian's teacher network is packed with lesson plans and teaching resources, a number of which have been specially designed to develop critical thinking and positive action in response to the riots. For primary children, the story of The Broom will take them on a journey through the riots, focusing on the aftermath and positive outcomes of the conflict symbolised by an ordinary object, the broom. The Red Cross education team have also written a lesson in which children get to analyse crowd behaviour and hear the moving words of Tariq Jahan, who lost his son Haroon aged 21 when he was hit by a car during the riots in Birmingham alongside brothers Shahzad Ali and Abdul Musavir.

On the Guardian's Higher Education Network

The Guardian's Higher Education Network has the full rundown on the world university rankings. So if you want to see the top 200 worldwide, or the find out which UK universities are in the top 600, or if you want to find out the best place to study your chosen subject you will find it here.

Event: How will the tuition fees increase affect part-time students?

Students are invited to quiz personal finance journalist Martin Lewis about part-time student finance. Lewis runs the website moneysavingexpert.com. He will be visiting Birkbeck, University of London to record a video on fees and funding for part-time students, in front of a live audience of Birkbeck and Open University staff, and to take questions afterwards.

The event is being held on Wednesday 7 September, in Birkbeck's main building on Torrington Square at 3pm. If you would like to attend, please email Nicola Gambrill via n.gambrill@bbk.ac.uk or phone 020 7380 3118.

Education seminars from Guardian Professional

Thinking about doing a PhD?

This seminar will provide independent advice and information on framing a research proposal, the process and pitfalls of a research degree and career prospects. 9 September, London

Making the most of media opportunities to enhance your school's profile

Whether it's sharing good news or handling a crisis, headteachers and school management teams need to be able to handle the media in all of its forms. This one-day seminar in association with the NAHT is essential for new and aspiring heads as well as established school leaders who wish to update their knowledge. It includes a session on social media. 20 September, London

Using social media to enhance the student experience

As tuition fees rise, so too do student expectations. Social media is an effective, low-cost way to manage this challenge. This seminar will explore newly conceived best practice, techniques and strategy for all higher education staff: academic, communications, recruitment, marketing and strategy. 22 September, London

Life after a PhD

Whether it's getting published, convincing an employer that you have transferable skills, or securing an academic post, you need to be fully prepared to achieve your goals. This course will help you identify career opportunities for those with research skills and specialist knowledge.

28 September, London.