• Together educates in style

  It was the most empowering experience I ever had: taking control and opening a school p
  

• Violence thrives in social isolation: US study

  Violence inflicted on male children and adolescents by each other begins with parenting, may be evident in junior infants and is most common among children living in socially isolated housing estates. Those are the conclusions of extensive research at the University of Colorado into children and violence. For younger children, healthy "`rough and tumble" play has a value in the development of friendship, fighting skills and the establishment of one's position in a dominance hierarchy. When rough and tumble play persists in pursuit of domination, it becomes bullying, which is a precursor to antisocial and aggressive behaviour and is evident in four- and five-year-olds. p
  

• Breastfeeding has health benefits for mother too

  Getting Irish mothers to breastfeed at all is still a problem, but for a growing minority the breastfeeding relationship is so successful that they continue past the child's first birthday. Contrary to the old wives' tale, breastmilk doesn't turn to water after the first year. Nor does it deplete the mother's own resources. In fact, the longer a mother breastfeeds, the greater the benefits for her. Several medical studies support the argument that the longer a mother nurses, the greater her immunity becomes to osteoporosis, breast cancer and a host of other illnesses. The advantages for the child's immune system and overall health are scientifically proven. The American Academy of Pediatrics, which previously suggested mothers breastfeed for six months, revised its recommendation to "at least one year" in 1997. The World Health Organisation recommends breastfeeding for two years and according to La Leche League International, the average age of weaning worldwide is 4.2 years. p
  

• IQ tests are of very limited use

  Too often children are told they are "stupid", "slow", "lazy", "average", "bright", "very intelligent". None of these labels is correct. Science has demonstrated that human beings only use 1 or 2 per cent of their brain cells and that they have limitless capability. Parents, teachers and children tend to confuse knowledge with intelligence. Furthermore there is no undisputed evidence that differences in intelligence are genetically determined. p
  

• Without resources, glossy reforms are just burdens

  The issue of suspension and expulsion from school can be and often is a traumatic event for all of those concerned - pupils, parents, teachers and school management. The current draft plans of the Department of Education and Science with regard to an appeals mechanism for such events might first glance make it appear that no mechanism to appeal such decisions existed heretofore. p
  

• Your web questions answered

  I've been hearing that something called "cookies" can be used to trace you on the Internet. What are cookies? - Brian O'Keeffe, Co Kerry p
  

• More sites to see:

  www.classicbookshelf.com p
  

• Irish ITs come late to the web

  Irish colleges were not, in general, quick off the mark when it came to the Internet revolution. It may simply a case of moving with the times - or perhaps it is due to recognising the reality of now having to, at least sometimes, compete with each other for students - but the situation is changing. p
  

• Site of the week: www.dit.ie

  Send your WebWorld queries to pcollins@irishtimes.com or by post to Padraig Collins, The Irish Times, D'Olier Street, Dublin 2. p
  

• `I'll command my own vessel some day'

  Despite a passion to follow a career at sea, 19-year-old Karen Ryan had anticipated her fresher year at the Cork Institute of Technology with some apprehension. p
  

• `The road to Dublin is my daily grind'

  After all the waiting, it's time to start college. It's time to tour Trinity and be bombarded with leaflets, pamphlets and sometimes substantial magazines, all asking for one thing: my membership in their society. p
  

• `Yes, it is a whole new environment'

  `One BIG holiday" is how Ronan Kelly from Letterkenny, Co Donegal, described freshers' week at NUI Galway last Friday, as he prepared to head home for the weekend. p
  

• Course Profile: Graduate diploma in information technology

  Institution: DCU p
  

• Tallaght: at the forefront of education with a career focus

  For a man who loves the outdoors, Dr Columb Collins spends an awful lot of time inside. "Interests, interests. What interests?" he counters, when asked. "I don't have time for any interests." That's not entirely true, of course - he keeps fit for a start - by walking, jogging and swimming. He likes music, too. He's been spotted on Friday nights at the National Concert Hall, for which he and his wife have season tickets. p
  

• FACTFILE

  Education: Belvedere College, Dublin p
  

• Disadvantaged need alternative ways to get into university

  A strategy to encourage more students from disadvantaged backgrounds to access third-level is recommended in a recent HEA report. It suggests intensive summer schools for this group of students and alternative progression routes to university. p
  

• New teleservices products offer endless challenges

  Lee-Anne Burke believes in following her heart. After finishing the Leaving Cert, her love of the French language took her away from home to work as an au pair in Brussels. Now, her fluency in French has led her into a career in the teleservices area. She believes being Irish does help in the teleservices business. "I think that we're a lot more friendly. We ask the callers questions and people in general respond to questions; they are nicer, and they are friendly to us." p
  

• Career Focus/International teleservices

  Employment: more than 60 companies employing more than 6,000 people. p
  

• Surprising courses on offer in Britain

  The range of courses on offer in Britain and Northern Ireland, through the UCAS, the central applications body, is mind-boggling. Strolling around the Higher Options conference, organised by The Irish Times and the Institute of Guidance Counsellors, it's difficult not to be enthused by the glossy brochures and enthusiastic staff. p
  

• Tips for mature students

  Being a mature student is neither easier nor harder than being a youthful one. It's just different. Doubts about being able to understand lectures, write essays and make friends are common to all students, but matures tend to be more open about their insecurities. p
  

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