Gary Ackerman @garyackerman@qoto.org

The longer I work in education, the more I am convinced the "industry" is largely committed to planning and starting, but not implementing, any "thing" they agree is worthy.

“Feedback that engages rather than criticizes.” Yeah, that sounds good.

If your students leave having passed all the tests, but they aren’t curious, you have failed as a #teacher. #students #schools #highschool #elementaryschool #middleschool

A blog post, now with audio, that describes those things we do that are very important, yet have no influence of how well we accomplish our goals.
https://hackscience.education/2018/10/23/red-herrings/

A blog post on facial recognition technology and schools:
https://hackscience.education/2025/09/14/facial-recognition-technology-and-schools/

A blog post, now with audio, looking at the evolution of computers and networks and the implications for education:
https://hackscience.education/2024/01/11/on-computer-mediated-communication-in-schools/

A blog post, now with audio, on the five layers of educational technology:
https://hackscience.education/2025/02/13/five-layers-of-educational-technology/
#edtech #schools

A blog post reacting to an opinion article:
https://hackscience.education/2025/09/13/ais-role-in-education/
#AI #teaching

Many in education fail to realize the incongruity between "standardized curriculum" and "teaching for diverse futures." We hear "we value students diverse interests and skills," but that is not reflected in curriculum and instruction decisions.

If you rely on others (esp. family members) for your tech support, please keep a list of your passwords... username and password and what is gets you in to. Please don't tell my network security students I posted this, but do it anyways.

Pushing against unquestioned assumption is a worthy endeavor, but it is sometimes dangerous to your livelihood.

“Surveillance is not a neutral act.” I sure can’t argue against that.

Education striving for efficiency is probably not worth experiencing.

Personal incredulity isn’t evidence.

I’m seems you have three choices when faced with a challenging question: 1) explain it away, 2) remain uncertain until you answer it, or 3) remain uncertain until someone else answers it. Too bad we are so uncomfortable with uncertainty.

Hey teachers... can you do your job if students are indifferent to you? Whose fault is it if they are?

I’m an atheist and have been for decades. I was saddened to read the obituary of the priest who used to be walking his dog when I walked on my morning commutes. We would walk and chat for maybe half of my 1 mile walk to work.

the one rule they don’t teach you in “teacher college” is to never eat the treats/ potluck/ appreciate meals that are offered to you.

If you don’t understand and practice defining and testing null hypotheses, then you aren’t really using quantitative data.

In 40 years in education, I’ve discovered most data are quite precise. Inaccurate, but precise. #education #data