Gary Ackerman @garyackerman@qoto.org

Changes in #edtech over the decades: More systems have become digitized (student information systems, library card catalogs, and learning management systems are examples of digital systems that were non-existent).

One change in #edtech over the decades: More technology was added to the fleet (one-computer classrooms and computer labs have been replaced with one device for each user).

I observed a leader attempt to lead a discussion. He was ill-prepared, unclear, and over analyzed what was said. He was also delusional about its efficacy. I had to find a tactful way to report to others that "I have seen middle school students do a better job than he did."

I've been thinking a lot lately about what makes an effective educational leader. It seems the ability to configure it is necessary, but it is far from the most important.

On Test and Assessments… A Meandering Response to a Social Media Push https://hackscience.net/2024/01/16/on-test-and-assessments-a-meandering-response-to-a-social-media-push/

Effects of IT on Teachers and Learners: Speed and Innovation
https://hackscience.education/2019/01/02/effects-of-it-on-teachers-and-learners-speed-and-innovation/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon

@freeschool 1- Y, 2-Y, 3-Y
:)

@freeschool Thanks for the poke to get me to respond :)

I am getting older and have worked in fields where they has been "controversy." Early on, my interest as an undergraduate was science education, specifically issues like evolution/ creationism, addressing pseudoscience, etc. Later in life, I have been interested in responding to myths in education (e.g. learning styles).

What I have learned is that many ideas that are seen as "cutting edge" by a new generation were throughly debunked in earlier generations (Stephen Jay Gould's response the The Bell Curve is a favorite example).

How we respond to tired old ideas matters. I am hopeful a new generation will push back on them, because I am trying to use my time left to explore what makes me curious.

The officiating in professional sports is terrible.

What is “Good” Technology-Rich Teaching?
https://hackscience.education/2019/01/02/what-is-good-technology-rich-teaching/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon

IThe best part of buying and reading used books is the marginalia.

"Im being treated unfairly" can most often be interpreted as "people don
t believe my dumb ideas."

Technology that does something human-like is boring... we probably do it better. Technology that expandes and enhances our capabilities... that is interesting.

Unprejudiced observers don’t exist.

A Teacher’s Realization that Literacy is Changing
https://hackscience.education/2019/01/01/a-teachers-realization-that-literacy-is-changing/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon

Our schools need skilled and insightful IT leaders. Unfortunately, school leaders don’t always know how to recognize them.

@malin Yes! But let’s be careful of the folks we take as authorities.

Authority says so is the worst reason to believe anything.

If you can’t describe what is wrong with your idea, your claims of what is right with it are not worth attention.

Science is self-regulating. Science depends on logic and observation. Society has much to learn from science.