Computer use. A report recently released by the OECD under the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) finds that Australian students are amongst the leading users of computing in the world. The report found that 94% of students had access to computers at home, and 100% of students had access to computers at school. The report also found that 74% of students make regular use of the internet to look up information. (ACER press release; OECD Pisa report.)

Purpose of high school. Neil Hooley examines the purpose of secondary schools. He does so in the context of the proposals for a nation-wide Year 12 certificate and a more unified curriculum across the states and territories. He suggests that these proposals may not be the solution to providing young people the knowledge that will be useful to them, and outlines his own ideas that blend 'school-based' and 'student-based' education. (Engaging minds.)

AWAs. 700 academics from the University of Ballarat are launching a class action lawsuit against their university. They have suggested that the university provided false and misleading information about Australian Workplace Agreements (AWAs). The lawsuit is possible because of provisions in the Workplace Relations Act that prevents employers giving misleading information about agreements to their employees. (Staff lodge $7m claim; Class action launched against Ballarat University; Staff sue uni over AWAs.)