Just another voice on the Internet
@lclkrist.bsky.social
Some art mostly about being a woman in engineering. Born at 357 ppm. Defended PhD on Alkali-Aggregate Reaction in Nov. 2025
And to link back into OP's thread, more than ever it's very clear that students aren't prepared. It could be because of when they experienced covid lockdowns, it could be financial uncertainties, social media, chatGPT etc. but the work getting handed in dropped in quality seemingly overnight.
November 30, 2025 at 3:59 AM
And to link back into OP's thread, more than ever it's very clear that students aren't prepared. It could be because of when they experienced covid lockdowns, it could be financial uncertainties, social media, chatGPT etc. but the work getting handed in dropped in quality seemingly overnight.
What I have heard profs and TA's encountering in the last ~1.5 yrs or so is a spike in the percent of students just not reaching the minimum. In engineering (my field of study) [in Canada] due to accreditation there are limits on how accommodating profs can be and imo it's been really demoralizing.
November 30, 2025 at 3:51 AM
What I have heard profs and TA's encountering in the last ~1.5 yrs or so is a spike in the percent of students just not reaching the minimum. In engineering (my field of study) [in Canada] due to accreditation there are limits on how accommodating profs can be and imo it's been really demoralizing.
I think reading less for fun would be a normal response on some level after an undergrad degree where you are school required a lot of readings.
November 30, 2025 at 3:51 AM
I think reading less for fun would be a normal response on some level after an undergrad degree where you are school required a lot of readings.
Absolutely agree, lots of contributing factors.
November 30, 2025 at 2:16 AM
Absolutely agree, lots of contributing factors.
I imagine kids also get a certain amount of support learning to read from parents who would take a variety of approaches.
E.g. my sister had dyslexia so there was a lot of supplemental teaching by my parents.
E.g. my sister had dyslexia so there was a lot of supplemental teaching by my parents.
November 29, 2025 at 11:02 PM
I imagine kids also get a certain amount of support learning to read from parents who would take a variety of approaches.
E.g. my sister had dyslexia so there was a lot of supplemental teaching by my parents.
E.g. my sister had dyslexia so there was a lot of supplemental teaching by my parents.
You definitely know more than me! I shouldn't be trying to expand on the thread I linked, all I really understand is that a shift in how reading is being taught may contribute to difficulty engaging with reading-heavy activities.
That plus AI and burnout from lockdowns may be other contributors.
That plus AI and burnout from lockdowns may be other contributors.
November 29, 2025 at 3:06 AM
You definitely know more than me! I shouldn't be trying to expand on the thread I linked, all I really understand is that a shift in how reading is being taught may contribute to difficulty engaging with reading-heavy activities.
That plus AI and burnout from lockdowns may be other contributors.
That plus AI and burnout from lockdowns may be other contributors.
I guess it's coupled with the reduction in things they actually need to read because the social media youths consume is more video based? I suppose also things like podcasts and audiobooks (although obviously talk radio is not a new thing).
Idk, I get grumpy if I need info and only videos show up.
Idk, I get grumpy if I need info and only videos show up.
November 29, 2025 at 2:27 AM
I guess it's coupled with the reduction in things they actually need to read because the social media youths consume is more video based? I suppose also things like podcasts and audiobooks (although obviously talk radio is not a new thing).
Idk, I get grumpy if I need info and only videos show up.
Idk, I get grumpy if I need info and only videos show up.
I think it's that the focus has recently* been more on the figuring out the word from context and has been very light on trying to figure out words by sounding them out?
*I guess ~15 years ago such that those kids are undergrads now. Plus lockdowns when they were in late elementary school...
*I guess ~15 years ago such that those kids are undergrads now. Plus lockdowns when they were in late elementary school...
November 29, 2025 at 1:50 AM
I think it's that the focus has recently* been more on the figuring out the word from context and has been very light on trying to figure out words by sounding them out?
*I guess ~15 years ago such that those kids are undergrads now. Plus lockdowns when they were in late elementary school...
*I guess ~15 years ago such that those kids are undergrads now. Plus lockdowns when they were in late elementary school...
Maybe we just need better heavy metal music scenes? If only...
November 29, 2025 at 12:48 AM
Maybe we just need better heavy metal music scenes? If only...
My hot take on AI as an engineering graduate student is that students feed everything into ChatGPT (even coding assignments) and now simply don't know how to start things.
Ironically, in a survey I did fall terms 2022 and 2024 students hated report writing a lot less after ChatGPT.
Ironically, in a survey I did fall terms 2022 and 2024 students hated report writing a lot less after ChatGPT.
November 29, 2025 at 12:41 AM
My hot take on AI as an engineering graduate student is that students feed everything into ChatGPT (even coding assignments) and now simply don't know how to start things.
Ironically, in a survey I did fall terms 2022 and 2024 students hated report writing a lot less after ChatGPT.
Ironically, in a survey I did fall terms 2022 and 2024 students hated report writing a lot less after ChatGPT.
I am reminded of this thread I read recently:
bsky.app/profile/sara...
Basically how reading is being taught has shifted from phonetics based to context based and it is not setting folks up for success.
bsky.app/profile/sara...
Basically how reading is being taught has shifted from phonetics based to context based and it is not setting folks up for success.
ever since I learned about three-cueing I've developed infinitely more patience for replies on social media. mfers literally do not know how to read. people are walking around conjuring random meanings into words they don't know, and they don't know a lot of words. it's crazy
November 29, 2025 at 12:13 AM
I am reminded of this thread I read recently:
bsky.app/profile/sara...
Basically how reading is being taught has shifted from phonetics based to context based and it is not setting folks up for success.
bsky.app/profile/sara...
Basically how reading is being taught has shifted from phonetics based to context based and it is not setting folks up for success.
Introduce yourself with 5 animals you’ve seen in the wild:
Moose
Fox
Grizzly Bear
Otter
Deer
Moose
Fox
Grizzly Bear
Otter
Deer
November 28, 2025 at 11:59 PM
Introduce yourself with 5 animals you’ve seen in the wild:
Moose
Fox
Grizzly Bear
Otter
Deer
Moose
Fox
Grizzly Bear
Otter
Deer
That was what I was thinking, I imagine the soon to retire cohort would have the most white men, but it would be interesting to see the group 10 ish years in the professional roles.
November 28, 2025 at 10:10 PM
That was what I was thinking, I imagine the soon to retire cohort would have the most white men, but it would be interesting to see the group 10 ish years in the professional roles.
TBF though, the double decker and articulated buses get stuck on tiny hills every big snowfall without fail as well.
November 28, 2025 at 7:40 PM
TBF though, the double decker and articulated buses get stuck on tiny hills every big snowfall without fail as well.
Always good to see increasing representation of women and BIPOC! I may have missed it, but did you consider further dividing the professional category into early and later career to better visualize shifting demographics? (E.g. the statement about BIPOC reducing in professional vs. student roles).
November 28, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Always good to see increasing representation of women and BIPOC! I may have missed it, but did you consider further dividing the professional category into early and later career to better visualize shifting demographics? (E.g. the statement about BIPOC reducing in professional vs. student roles).
But definitely really sad, the piping plovers have been nesting there since 2007. The land was handed over this year after nesting season so hard to say what will happen next year.
November 28, 2025 at 1:44 AM
But definitely really sad, the piping plovers have been nesting there since 2007. The land was handed over this year after nesting season so hard to say what will happen next year.
I looked into it more after my reply, as I understand it, Doug Ford the premier of Ontario is corrupt and has decided to hand the part of Wasaga Beach provincial park where the Plovers nest over to the town and there's a good chance it will be used for real estate as part of a gentrification thing.
November 28, 2025 at 1:39 AM
I looked into it more after my reply, as I understand it, Doug Ford the premier of Ontario is corrupt and has decided to hand the part of Wasaga Beach provincial park where the Plovers nest over to the town and there's a good chance it will be used for real estate as part of a gentrification thing.
I used to work at a provincial park in Canada where piping plovers nested, for a couple weeks a stretch of beach would get roped off and the park sold piping plover themed post cards and plushies!
Sadly I believe the protection of this nesting area has recently been reduced due to politics. :s
Sadly I believe the protection of this nesting area has recently been reduced due to politics. :s
November 28, 2025 at 1:25 AM
I used to work at a provincial park in Canada where piping plovers nested, for a couple weeks a stretch of beach would get roped off and the park sold piping plover themed post cards and plushies!
Sadly I believe the protection of this nesting area has recently been reduced due to politics. :s
Sadly I believe the protection of this nesting area has recently been reduced due to politics. :s
Amazing, I will check it out thank you!
November 28, 2025 at 12:45 AM
Amazing, I will check it out thank you!
I think he has dry eye syndrome where the tear ducts don't work properly any more. Sorry for prying, sounded similar to what you were describing and we've been frustrated about his limited treatment options. Anyways, eye problems can be so horrible I hope your new treatments help!
November 28, 2025 at 12:22 AM
I think he has dry eye syndrome where the tear ducts don't work properly any more. Sorry for prying, sounded similar to what you were describing and we've been frustrated about his limited treatment options. Anyways, eye problems can be so horrible I hope your new treatments help!
Oh whoops, definitely seeing that now.
November 27, 2025 at 11:56 PM
Oh whoops, definitely seeing that now.
Is this 'dry eye'? My dad has had dry eye for awhile (among other eye issues) but the doctor's take was basically '*shrug* nothing we can do' which made my mom super mad and so as far as I know he just heats his eyes for 10 min twice a day and is perpetually uncomfortable.
November 27, 2025 at 11:54 PM
Is this 'dry eye'? My dad has had dry eye for awhile (among other eye issues) but the doctor's take was basically '*shrug* nothing we can do' which made my mom super mad and so as far as I know he just heats his eyes for 10 min twice a day and is perpetually uncomfortable.
Over the counter
November 27, 2025 at 11:49 PM
Over the counter