Papers 3 - A Change in File Structure

Aleh Cherp on trying out the Papers 3 beta:

All documents are stored together with meta-information in a bundle not accessible to other software.

Aleh did receive some clairifiaction from the developer:

If the Dropbox synchronization is not switched on there is still a possibility to control naming and storage of files, much like in Papers 2. However, the files are still kept in a bundle not accessible to Spotlight. The support staff says that Spotlight index will be added in future versions.

I am with Aleh Cherp over at Academic Workflows on Mac. I would really like to have both Dropbox sync and easily accessable/readable file structures for my PDFs in my reference software.

I know sync is not easy, but I am really looking for a great reference, storage and cite software that works across Mac OS, iOS and even windows seamlessly.[1] I have used Zotero as well for a long time, but it support on iOS is still painful and not user friendly.

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1. Ok, if you just do the first two great, you do not have to worry about windows.  ↩

Being more productive with Coffitivity

When I was writing my dissertation, I found I was most productive in turning out words during cross-country flights.[1] I also spent a great deal of time in a few coffee shops writing as well.

Coffitivity, a new website brings the sound of a coffee shop to anywhere. I doubt anyone will create this type of site that recreates airplane noise though.[2]

I have been using it as background noise in my office. Unscientifically, it sure does beat relative silence.

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1. I probably should have put a thank you in my dedication to Virgin America, but since I (or work) was paying for the flights, I think it is ok.  ↩

2. Might try combining Coffitivity with my next flight to see if there is a multiplier effect.  ↩

Study: A Revealed Preference Ranking of U.S. Colleges and Universities

A study by Avery, Glickman, Hoxby and Metrick proposes a new ranking system for U.S. colleges and universities based on student preference. They suggest in the study that their ranking system is not effected by financial aid.

Our ranking is...similar regardless of whether we control for variables, such as net cost, that vary among a college’s admits

They used Net Price of a college in order to determine if it had any impact on student decision making process. The issue with Net Price is it is an average--it does not begin to tell the story. No one has linked it to decision making of individual students. A student who goes to a school with a Net Price of $30,000 (on the very high side) and has a full ride (effective net price of $0) is making different decisions--economically.

College Net Price might get students in the door, but it does not make the sale.

For a full news article on the study see @erichoov at the Chronicle of Higher Ed.

Headed to College Board Western Regional Forum

I am headed out tomorrow to San Diego for the College Board Western Regional Forum. I will be presenting a session Friday afternoon on how the institutional financial aid process impacts student enrollment. The session is built on my doctoral dissertation work in the area of community colleges in California and expanded to apply to four-year public and private institutions as well. The session should be very interactive and I am looking forward to presenting.

If you will be in San Diego for the Forum and want to meet up, feel free to drop my a line on Twitter @scottcline or email.

Thoughts on College Board's National Forum

I am currently flying back from the College Board’s National Forum in Miami, FL.[1] I was there as part of the College Board’s ELA program.

My impression of the conference (or forum) was that there is a great deal of passion, hope, and energy in the education professionals who were gathered there. The amount of talent there makes me believe that change is possible even in the face of all of the barriers, all the way through the education pipeline. From pre-K through the highest levels of graduate education there are people working to make the world a better place.

It is great to spend a few days with people who are willing to go base-jumping to make education better for all students. I met many people who are willing to think big, execute and risk everything for students. We need more people like this who are ready to go base-jumping.

It will be very interesting to see where the College Board moves under the new leadership of David Coleman in order to support these people and the education of today’s and the future’s students.

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1. Since Hurricane Sandy did not hit Miami, I guess I can only really say that it was rather windy and rainy while I was in Miami, but not that I experienced an actual hurricane?  ↩