Category Archives: Education

The generation gap

Posted on 2012-02-03 by derekp

In his recent article “Why I …”,  Ronnie Cohen looked at the present to explain why he believes the UK should complete the transition to metric units. However, some of those who commented on his article also looked back. In … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, General, History, Science, Technical | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Why I became involved with measurement matters

Posted on 2012-01-20 by ronniec

One of our readers has written to explain why he became interested in the campaign to complete Britain’s prolonged metric changeover.

Posted in Consumer affairs, Education, Health, Road signs, Science, Technical, Transport | Tagged , , | 14 Comments

Heading for the exit?

Posted on 2011-12-10 by derekp

Problems of sovereign debt in the eurozone have seen the UK side-tracked in EU decision making, and, say some commentators, headed for the exit. Is this situation likely to impact on the UK’s stalled metric changeover?

Posted in Consumer affairs, Education, General, History, Road signs | Tagged , , | 8 Comments

Remarks by Eric Schmidt throw up a paradox

Posted on 2011-08-27 by derekp

The executive chairman of Google remarked recently that Britain needs to “bring arts and science back together”. But the USA, where he is based, is the most backward country in the world for sharing of measurement units between scientists and … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, General, Science, Views from abroad | Tagged , , , , | 5 Comments

Eurocodes for structural design, and that decimal marker

Posted on 2011-07-31 by derekp

Britain is currently adopting European codes for structural design and allowing British Standard codes to lapse. This raises the issue of the preferred decimal marker – should imperial or continental practice be followed?

Posted in Education, General, Technical, Views from abroad | Tagged , , , | 10 Comments

Surprisingly balanced article in the Daily Mail

Posted on 2011-05-13 by Erithacus

An interesting article about metrication appeared in the Daily Mail Online recently, describing the current situation reasonably well – but arguing that the current British mixture of metric and imperial measurements is actually a good thing since it enables people … Continue reading →

Posted in Consumer affairs, Education, General, Media | Tagged , , , , | 22 Comments

Numeracy Counts

Posted on 2011-03-04 by Erithacus

A recent report has stressed the importance of numeracy – and of raising the level of numeracy – both for people with learning difficulties and for people who are otherwise well qualified.  In this article Martin Vlietstra suggests that fully … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, General, Media | Tagged , , | 10 Comments

Daylight saving, opting out, and a nudge from The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo

Posted on 2011-02-25 by derekp

Looking for a lead out of the UK’s measurement muddle? The last government showed no desire to become involved, and now the present government appears to be following in its footsteps. Metric Views recently came across a comment elsewhere which … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, General, Media | Tagged , , , | 16 Comments

Snow calculations made simple, or not

Posted on 2010-12-04 by derekp

One of our readers, John Frewen-Lord, has been housebound for four days by the recent heavy snow falls – about 60 cm deep in his area. This has prompted him to provide an illustration of the comparative simplicity of calculating … Continue reading →

Posted in Education, General, Technical | Tagged , | 6 Comments

10-10-10. A reason for celebration

Posted on 2010-10-06 by derekp

For many in Britain, the metric system and decimal measures are the same. Sunday’s once-in-a-century date provides an opportunity to consider the link between the two.

Posted in Education, General, History, Technical, Views from abroad | Tagged , , , , | 24 Comments