Matt Perks
@dodiscimus.bsky.social
11-18 physics teacher, now at University of Southampton in Initial Teacher Education. School governor. Mostly edu-guessing.
By teaching, we learn!
By teaching, we learn!
Should have binned the 'exceptional hardship' get out clause years ago.
Here is another death that could have been prevented.
www.hampshirechronicle.co.uk/news/2567499...
Here is another death that could have been prevented.
www.hampshirechronicle.co.uk/news/2567499...
December 16, 2025 at 8:14 AM
Should have binned the 'exceptional hardship' get out clause years ago.
Here is another death that could have been prevented.
www.hampshirechronicle.co.uk/news/2567499...
Here is another death that could have been prevented.
www.hampshirechronicle.co.uk/news/2567499...
What on Earth is Amanda Spielman trying to say here?
The first paragraph here strikes me as obtuse, although the question itself is certainly worthy of consideration.
However, the "but" in the second paragraph is either terrible editing or an utterly bizarre non-sequitur.
The first paragraph here strikes me as obtuse, although the question itself is certainly worthy of consideration.
However, the "but" in the second paragraph is either terrible editing or an utterly bizarre non-sequitur.
December 16, 2025 at 5:56 AM
What on Earth is Amanda Spielman trying to say here?
The first paragraph here strikes me as obtuse, although the question itself is certainly worthy of consideration.
However, the "but" in the second paragraph is either terrible editing or an utterly bizarre non-sequitur.
The first paragraph here strikes me as obtuse, although the question itself is certainly worthy of consideration.
However, the "but" in the second paragraph is either terrible editing or an utterly bizarre non-sequitur.
@iop.org online information webinar about starting a career in teaching physics Tues 16th Dec at 1230.
events.teams.microsoft.com/event/fd1d1b...
Do pass on to anyone you know who might be interested.
#iTeachPhysics
events.teams.microsoft.com/event/fd1d1b...
Do pass on to anyone you know who might be interested.
#iTeachPhysics
Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams
Microsoft Virtual Events Powered by Teams
events.teams.microsoft.com
December 15, 2025 at 1:25 PM
@iop.org online information webinar about starting a career in teaching physics Tues 16th Dec at 1230.
events.teams.microsoft.com/event/fd1d1b...
Do pass on to anyone you know who might be interested.
#iTeachPhysics
events.teams.microsoft.com/event/fd1d1b...
Do pass on to anyone you know who might be interested.
#iTeachPhysics
Report on international recruitment to Initial Teacher Education from @associationscied.bsky.social
All sorts of issues. Lots of potential.
DfE need to put some proper effort into this, not just bursaries!
www.ase.org.uk/news/ase-pub...
All sorts of issues. Lots of potential.
DfE need to put some proper effort into this, not just bursaries!
www.ase.org.uk/news/ase-pub...
ASE publishes international recruitment report and responds to latest ITT census data
www.ase.org.uk
December 15, 2025 at 11:05 AM
Report on international recruitment to Initial Teacher Education from @associationscied.bsky.social
All sorts of issues. Lots of potential.
DfE need to put some proper effort into this, not just bursaries!
www.ase.org.uk/news/ase-pub...
All sorts of issues. Lots of potential.
DfE need to put some proper effort into this, not just bursaries!
www.ase.org.uk/news/ase-pub...
@tomforth.co.uk spot on as usual 👇
I went to a dinner with the AI Minister and I read a paper on Lovelace Institue --- a proposal from Tony Blair's Institute on how we could fund breakthrough science better. And I wrote that all up into one incoherent mess for you to enjoy. tomforth.co.uk/nationalpurp...
National purpose on AI.
Lovelace Institutes, why I like the idea, and how I think they could work.
tomforth.co.uk
December 14, 2025 at 7:08 AM
@tomforth.co.uk spot on as usual 👇
Dealing with a death, struggling to produce enough ID with both name and address on it.
The days of hard copy utility bills and bank statements are long gone.
Just get Digital ID done. It's the C21st for goodness sake!
The days of hard copy utility bills and bank statements are long gone.
Just get Digital ID done. It's the C21st for goodness sake!
Why is Keir Starmer so hellbent on digital ID? Two words: Tony Blair. The Nerve has tracked Blair’s influence—and his billionaire backer, Oracle/Paramount owner Larry Ellison—behind a policy that nobody asked for and almost nobody wants, but which would mean billions for Oracle.
If Keir Starmer's digital ID is the question, Tony Blair is the answer
The government's wildly unpopular new policy is backed by Britain’s wildly unpopular former PM. It’s also a techno-authoritarian’s wet dream, argues Carole Cadwalladr
www.thenerve.news
December 14, 2025 at 7:00 AM
Dealing with a death, struggling to produce enough ID with both name and address on it.
The days of hard copy utility bills and bank statements are long gone.
Just get Digital ID done. It's the C21st for goodness sake!
The days of hard copy utility bills and bank statements are long gone.
Just get Digital ID done. It's the C21st for goodness sake!
Can the world's 6th largest economy please stop pissing around and just make basic, and relatively inexpensive, things work.
Welcome to Britain, a country so short of dentists that an MP's 87-year-old mum pulled her teeth out with pliers. Also a country with thousands of foreign-qualified dentists who can’t work until they pass an exam so oversubscribed it’s like trying to book Glasto tickets. www.ft.com/content/f4e5...
December 12, 2025 at 5:47 AM
Can the world's 6th largest economy please stop pissing around and just make basic, and relatively inexpensive, things work.
Reposted by Matt Perks
Already hearing people complain about MATs in exactly the same way they complained about LEA.
Most recently: “I wish they wouldn’t put on CPD for us. I’d rather have the money and we can pick what we want.”
Ah the smell of 2006 all over again!
Most recently: “I wish they wouldn’t put on CPD for us. I’d rather have the money and we can pick what we want.”
Ah the smell of 2006 all over again!
December 10, 2025 at 9:55 PM
Already hearing people complain about MATs in exactly the same way they complained about LEA.
Most recently: “I wish they wouldn’t put on CPD for us. I’d rather have the money and we can pick what we want.”
Ah the smell of 2006 all over again!
Most recently: “I wish they wouldn’t put on CPD for us. I’d rather have the money and we can pick what we want.”
Ah the smell of 2006 all over again!
I think these are key questions. Same for MH issues.
7. We should also look at why so many more people feel they need diagnosis. Are people coping less well than they were? Or were they always not coping and now talking about it more? Has life changed in ways that make it harder to cope?
December 10, 2025 at 10:25 PM
I think these are key questions. Same for MH issues.
Reposted by Matt Perks
Also worth noting that the current conception of autism is similar to that of Sukhareva in the 1920s.
December 5, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Also worth noting that the current conception of autism is similar to that of Sukhareva in the 1920s.
The common cormorant (or shag),
Lays eggs inside a paper bag...
Lays eggs inside a paper bag...
Which lines of poetry live rent-free in your head?
December 6, 2025 at 9:44 PM
The common cormorant (or shag),
Lays eggs inside a paper bag...
Lays eggs inside a paper bag...
Academia really can't make any claims on sustainability until we stop running conferences where most attendees will run up a carbon footprint equivalent to the per capita annual emissions of a middle-income country.
In 2026, all three of the major ML conferences will be in incredible locations:
- #ICLR2026 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- #ICML2026 in Seoul, South Korea
- #NeurIPS2026 in Sydney, Australia
Which one do you want to go to the most?
- #ICLR2026 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
- #ICML2026 in Seoul, South Korea
- #NeurIPS2026 in Sydney, Australia
Which one do you want to go to the most?
#NeurIPS2026 will be held in Sydney, Australia!
#ICML2017 was also in Sydney and was an absolute blast
#ICML2017 was also in Sydney and was an absolute blast
December 6, 2025 at 8:07 PM
Academia really can't make any claims on sustainability until we stop running conferences where most attendees will run up a carbon footprint equivalent to the per capita annual emissions of a middle-income country.
Reposted by Matt Perks
@bphillipsonmp.bsky.social talking about the difference teachers made to her life - including Mr Hurst, who told her he expected her to go to uni, and inspired her to go. Teachers are amazing 👏 @TeachingAwards
November 29, 2025 at 8:25 PM
@bphillipsonmp.bsky.social talking about the difference teachers made to her life - including Mr Hurst, who told her he expected her to go to uni, and inspired her to go. Teachers are amazing 👏 @TeachingAwards
This is not my experience, despite being an AI Officer.
Many students don't read enough. In anonymous feedback, setting one pre-reading a week (of ~4-20 pp), some students said it was too much.
But,
Just finished marking a full set of Y1 first assignments. Virtually no sign of non-human writing...
Many students don't read enough. In anonymous feedback, setting one pre-reading a week (of ~4-20 pp), some students said it was too much.
But,
Just finished marking a full set of Y1 first assignments. Virtually no sign of non-human writing...
An issue we're seeing at all levels of university is that many students are simply refusing to do *anything*. They aren't reading the syllabus, aren't following assignment guidelines, aren't engaging with material, ignoring deadlines. And this might seem like old news, but it truly has ramped up.
November 29, 2025 at 8:09 AM
This is not my experience, despite being an AI Officer.
Many students don't read enough. In anonymous feedback, setting one pre-reading a week (of ~4-20 pp), some students said it was too much.
But,
Just finished marking a full set of Y1 first assignments. Virtually no sign of non-human writing...
Many students don't read enough. In anonymous feedback, setting one pre-reading a week (of ~4-20 pp), some students said it was too much.
But,
Just finished marking a full set of Y1 first assignments. Virtually no sign of non-human writing...
In education research, I'd say "doing fewer things, better" is the right strategy. My impression is it's all very piecemeal, chasing around after funding pots.
Not in any way a criticism of research colleagues, but "doing fewer things, properly" might be nearer to it.
Not in any way a criticism of research colleagues, but "doing fewer things, properly" might be nearer to it.
This week on Wonkhe: A new dawn has broken has it not? James Coe looks at the politics of the government’s new approach to research and a change of direction for UKRI
A change in approach means research may never be the same again
A new dawn has broken has it not? James Coe looks at the politics of the government’s new approach to research and a change of direction for UKRI
buff.ly
November 29, 2025 at 7:14 AM
In education research, I'd say "doing fewer things, better" is the right strategy. My impression is it's all very piecemeal, chasing around after funding pots.
Not in any way a criticism of research colleagues, but "doing fewer things, properly" might be nearer to it.
Not in any way a criticism of research colleagues, but "doing fewer things, properly" might be nearer to it.
Reposted by Matt Perks
This is pretty massive.
There is scant detail so far but they say "solar radiation" has caused problems for some aircraft.
This *could* be related to single-event upsets, where cosmic rays trigger computer errors. I've asked Airbus if they can share more detail.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cv...
There is scant detail so far but they say "solar radiation" has caused problems for some aircraft.
This *could* be related to single-event upsets, where cosmic rays trigger computer errors. I've asked Airbus if they can share more detail.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cv...
Flight disruption warning as Airbus requests modifications to 6,000 planes
The European aerospace giant said it had found that intense radiation from the Sun could corrupt data crucial to flight controls.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 28, 2025 at 8:48 PM
This is pretty massive.
There is scant detail so far but they say "solar radiation" has caused problems for some aircraft.
This *could* be related to single-event upsets, where cosmic rays trigger computer errors. I've asked Airbus if they can share more detail.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cv...
There is scant detail so far but they say "solar radiation" has caused problems for some aircraft.
This *could* be related to single-event upsets, where cosmic rays trigger computer errors. I've asked Airbus if they can share more detail.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cv...
I'm wondering how this gets counted in the productivity stats.
Probably twice!
Probably twice!
ChatGPT fake citations in a 1.6M$ report! Absurdly unprofessional by Deloitte, NL gov't should sue for a full refund. I expect in a few years this too may be seen as 'normal'. www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
N.L. asks Deloitte to carry out review after 'incorrect' citations found in $1.6M provincial health plan | CBC News
The Newfoundland and Labrador government says it's been in contact with the private company responsible for a new report meant to guide the province into the future, which was found to contain fake ci...
www.cbc.ca
November 24, 2025 at 9:09 PM
I'm wondering how this gets counted in the productivity stats.
Probably twice!
Probably twice!
Interesting wee film about landscape woodland regeneration in Scotland.
Applies to upland areas of Wales and England as well, of course.
Another issue where land tax with variable rates could be an effective policy.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuTV...
Applies to upland areas of Wales and England as well, of course.
Another issue where land tax with variable rates could be an effective policy.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuTV...
Scotland's Missing Forests: The Great Eco-Conspiracy
YouTube video by Lesley Riddoch
www.youtube.com
November 23, 2025 at 7:38 AM
Interesting wee film about landscape woodland regeneration in Scotland.
Applies to upland areas of Wales and England as well, of course.
Another issue where land tax with variable rates could be an effective policy.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuTV...
Applies to upland areas of Wales and England as well, of course.
Another issue where land tax with variable rates could be an effective policy.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=MuTV...
Being intelligent is primarily a matter of genetics and luck.
There's no doubt good thinking habits make a difference to how you handle information but only within those contraints.
There's no doubt good thinking habits make a difference to how you handle information but only within those contraints.
This is I think an underrated truth: being intelligent is I think primarily a matter of habit. Do you actually listen and try and take on board what you've heard or read before responding? Do you go 'okay, is that true?' about your own thoughts and prejudices? These are learnt, not innate.
and ultimately I think if you’re constantly saying stupid stuff then it just makes you stupid.
November 13, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Being intelligent is primarily a matter of genetics and luck.
There's no doubt good thinking habits make a difference to how you handle information but only within those contraints.
There's no doubt good thinking habits make a difference to how you handle information but only within those contraints.
Now this👇IS rocket science.
I don't have a useful answer, do you?
I don't have a useful answer, do you?
1: Toward the central body
2: Perpendicular to that
3: Toward the local center of curvature
4: Perpendicular to that
I feel like people call both 1 and 3 centripetal/radial, but obviously they're different. One can cause speed changes and the other can't! #ITeachPhysics #AstroEdu
2: Perpendicular to that
3: Toward the local center of curvature
4: Perpendicular to that
I feel like people call both 1 and 3 centripetal/radial, but obviously they're different. One can cause speed changes and the other can't! #ITeachPhysics #AstroEdu
November 11, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Now this👇IS rocket science.
I don't have a useful answer, do you?
I don't have a useful answer, do you?
Remarkable, the way some on the left are leaning into this as an opportunity to destroy the BBC.
Excellent perspective from @iandunt.bsky.social
I genuinely think if the BBC is lost, we're all lost. Just have to look west to see that.
Excellent perspective from @iandunt.bsky.social
I genuinely think if the BBC is lost, we're all lost. Just have to look west to see that.
What you’re witnessing is a populist assault on the BBC.
This is not an institutional scandal in any meaningful sense of the word. It is an attack on public service broadcasting.
iandunt.substack.com/p/extra-edit...
This is not an institutional scandal in any meaningful sense of the word. It is an attack on public service broadcasting.
iandunt.substack.com/p/extra-edit...
November 11, 2025 at 8:11 AM
Remarkable, the way some on the left are leaning into this as an opportunity to destroy the BBC.
Excellent perspective from @iandunt.bsky.social
I genuinely think if the BBC is lost, we're all lost. Just have to look west to see that.
Excellent perspective from @iandunt.bsky.social
I genuinely think if the BBC is lost, we're all lost. Just have to look west to see that.
Haven't read the report, yet, from Peter Hyman and Shuab Gamote, but one thing I'm sure of: if we're worried about young people being influenced by SM, we should be 💩-ing ourselves about older people getting sucked in by FB algorithms and Daily Mail Online.
peterhyman21.substack.com/p/its-time-t...
peterhyman21.substack.com/p/its-time-t...
It's time to end the moral panic and start listening properly to young people
This week we launch 'Inside the Mind of a 16-Year-old,' a year-long listening project with young people across the country
peterhyman21.substack.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:53 AM
Haven't read the report, yet, from Peter Hyman and Shuab Gamote, but one thing I'm sure of: if we're worried about young people being influenced by SM, we should be 💩-ing ourselves about older people getting sucked in by FB algorithms and Daily Mail Online.
peterhyman21.substack.com/p/its-time-t...
peterhyman21.substack.com/p/its-time-t...
For as long as both the hard left and hard right continue to disparage the BBC as irretrievably biased, I'm going to think they're about as good as it gets.
Quick thread on the BBC and the political and societal significance of recent developments:
One of the main reasons the UK has historically been so much less polarised than the US, is that Britain has a shared source of information, consumed and trusted by most people regardless of their politics.
One of the main reasons the UK has historically been so much less polarised than the US, is that Britain has a shared source of information, consumed and trusted by most people regardless of their politics.
November 10, 2025 at 10:03 PM
For as long as both the hard left and hard right continue to disparage the BBC as irretrievably biased, I'm going to think they're about as good as it gets.
Found Slaughterhouse Five a bit meh, tbh. But definitely an interesting human.
Kurt Vonnegut is the subject of Tuesday's TGT. Discuss his experience as a soldier or his satirical novels. But I think it's worth discussing his view that there is joy to be had in walking to the local shop for a single envelope. We are dancing animals born to fart around.
bit.ly/TutorGroupThink
bit.ly/TutorGroupThink
November 10, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Found Slaughterhouse Five a bit meh, tbh. But definitely an interesting human.
I appreciate it's possible to be a specialist without much in the way of common sense but I wouldn't let this guy anywhere near my prostate, that's for sure.
Does the word "insurance" not give the game away?
Relates to my earlier post, ofc.
Does the word "insurance" not give the game away?
Relates to my earlier post, ofc.
Tell me you don’t understand risk pools without telling me you don’t understand risk pools
November 10, 2025 at 7:46 PM
I appreciate it's possible to be a specialist without much in the way of common sense but I wouldn't let this guy anywhere near my prostate, that's for sure.
Does the word "insurance" not give the game away?
Relates to my earlier post, ofc.
Does the word "insurance" not give the game away?
Relates to my earlier post, ofc.