Gary Ackerman @garyackerman@qoto.org

There is a situation more common in schools (all schools, including higher ed) that leaders are willing to admit (at least publicly): the IT systems are too difficult to use, and they do not provide the capacity that teachers and students need, but they are unwilling to confront the existing IT folks about it.

On Facts
https://hackscience.education/2019/07/15/on-facts/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon

If it wasn't for cherry-picking, some would have to data at all.

Are you interested in an individual? a cohort? a population? What data you gather and how you interpret it isn't the same.

"What works" depends on what you mean, how you measure , how you analyze the data you collect.

The curriculum is assumed to be well-know and clearly defined (it isn’t–unless one accepts textbook publishers’ profit-driven judgments).

Great intervention... you realize it was developed for a very specific subpopulation and never intended for general instruction, right?

ePortfolios: What? Why?
https://hackscience.education/2019/07/15/eportfolios-what-why/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon

Instruction is assumed to be reliable (it isn’t—at least when we really look and ask).

Assessment is assumed to be valid (it isn’t—really, we have no tests measure or what students will be able to do once they leave school).

Hey IT users... it's been 30 years... ya gotta start taking some responsibility for helping yourself.

Paradigms
https://hackscience.education/2019/07/11/paradigms/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon

“It is always advisable to perceive clearly our ignorance.”
― Charles Darwin

“Great is the power of steady misrepresentation”
― Charles Darwin

Just because your experience was one way does not mean that is the “right” way for teaching, learning, or schooling to occur.

In multiple interviews for technology coordinator positions at schools, I have made it clear that my priorities are resolving IT issues for students first, and I have seen the school administrators react negatively to that answer. If I notice that reaction, I will usually withdraw from consideration.

IT professionals must develop skill in triaging calls for IT support to decide what gets immediate attention and what waits until later. Unfortunately, there are no rules that guarantee the correct triage decisions will be made.

Hey students... the existence of a paper to hand in does not matter if you didn't write it then the grade is irrelevant.

Types of Data
https://hackscience.education/2019/07/11/types-of-data/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon

One things I learned during 30 years as a teacher: A well-crafted question leads to more learning than a well-crafted learning outcome.