Social science sites of the week
This week the LibDem conference.
See our blog on useful news sites and social media resources. Including the Nick Clegg video!
Also on this theme: LSE Archives Liberal Party collection.
The LSE Library holds papers from a number of parliamentary parties including the Liberals and the Liberal Democrats. For full catalogues and a brief history of the party see the collection website. Important liberal figures who have deposited their papers include David Steel, 1938- and Paddy Ashdwon Paddy Ashdown, 1941- .The library also holds election ephemera for the party.
Richard Kimber’s magnificent Politics site also has a manifestos section which links to liberal examples from 1945 onwards.
LearnerView
Ofsted have created a new site where learners can share and express and rate further education colleges. This will be done on the basis of 10 questions. Ratings will be made publically searchable once a certain number of results have been received for the college. The website provides information on the methodology. Free registration required. This supplements the existing Parentview website which has ratings of schools. including coverage of perspectives on bullying.
Urban Gems
Is a new academic project that aims to crowd source what citizens like about cities and what makes them happy. It is being undertaken by Cambridge University’s Computing Laboratory. And will ask visitors to the site to compare views and judge which they like best. The data will then be analysed to build up a picture
See coverage. The website has categories for quiet places, happy places and beautiful places.
Other related happiness projects include the Mappiness app from LSE researchers which maps places in the UK where people are happiest.
Relaunched with expanded content Associated Press Archive.
AP Archive is the film and video archive of the Associated Press The collection includes over 1.3 million global news and entertainment stories beginning in 1895 it also includes some materials from AP partners ABC News, TVAM, British Movietone and the Press Association. The site is fully searchable and there are compilations on themed topics e.g. conflicts and terrorism . All clips have dates and copyright information. Some have storylines and transcripts.
See this collection of footage from the US presidential elections. (historic and more recent)
IPSA Gender Monitoring Report 2011
Published by the International Political Studies Association this annual report monitors female representation in political science. The survey was conducted by IPSA from August to November 2011. A total of 38 of the 50 national political science associations (PSAs) responded. It includes statistics on the status and level of women in political science in the nations and practices being implemented to increase women’s role.
Other useful resources on the ipsa website worth remembering the IPSA paper room has many examples of inline conference papers covering all sub disciplines of political science. Some materials from 1996 onwards available.
Ipsa Portal links to over 300 recommended sites from IPSA
Arranged by theme and resource type each has a written description of content.
The Australian Homelessness Clearinghouse
This site is funded by the Australian Government Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs. It is intended to be a dynamic information website that contains: news, government report, good practice research reports and statistical data covering all aspects of homelessness. Emphasis upon current news.it also includes coverage of rough sleepers and affordable housing in Australia.
Governance From Below
Personal website of lse academic author Jean-Paul Faguet JE Reader (Associate Professor) in the Political Economy of Development at the Development Studies Institute, London School of Economics. It supports the book Decentralization and popular democracy: Governance from Below in Bolivia
The University of Michigan Press (15 Jun 2012)
ISBN-13: 978-0472118199
The website has chapter summaries; it also includes additional case studies and teaching aids. Such as PowerPoint slides, data and audio files. The site is updates with twitter news feeds. Covering local development and governance
Study of Undergraduate Students and Information Technology, 2012
38 page report launched by
EDUCAUSE Center for Applied Research
National survey of students in the USA how do they use technology and what do they think of it. It includes longitudinal data on increasing ownership and use of different mobile devices over the last few years. A key finding Technology training and skill development for students is more important than new, more, or “better” technology. They want different modes of communication. One
Interesting info graphic of how students rate types of technology as their key to success.
Latest presidential election apps
To finish some light hearted fun before the start of term. Here are some games covering the 2012 presidential election.
VOTE!!!
By Chair Entertainment Group, LLC
Accessorise and dress up the candidates then let them fight it out.
Obama vs. Romney – Fight for the White House
By Top City Apps Engage in a battle for the White House.
Race for the White House. Election Game from lunagames.
Manage your own campaign