Gary Ackerman @garyackerman@qoto.org

I was at a meeting yesterday where the presenter said half way through their colleague was taking notes so that we “can collect data from our discussions. Maybe your quotes will show up In later presentations.” Am I over sensitive or should they have informed us first?

Some people say, “I need an example” then get stuck trying to reconcile or integrate the differences and end up doing nothing.

Once you can differentiate red herrings from meaningful practices, you will be very successful… but you will anger leaders.

If you are collecting data... get informed consent!

Retrieval practice is great, but let’s not stop when our students remember stuff.

Once you can differentiate red herrings from meaningful practices, you will be very successful… but you will anger leaders.

If your course does not include some activities in which ethics of your field and its applications are the focus, it’s time to rewrite your syllabus.

Sometimes the problem is that you get what you wanted.

Those of us who have worked in education are looking at the dumpster fires in the news and thinking, “I’ve seen worse.”

Critical ignoring is probably more important than critical thinking.

Templates are great, unless you have your own understanding of what you are doing.

It’s not the data, it’s their interpretation.

I’m always in awe of the foolishness of those “experts” who think they know other fields better than those experts.

Accessible and assistive technology. A brief blog post:
https://hackscience.education/2025/09/27/assistive-and-accessible-technology/

A blog post, now with audio, on two different models of teaching and the effects on IT of each:
https://hackscience.education/2024/02/25/it-for-teaching/

Diversity is a good thing for making decisions within organizations… well if you want your organization to be productive and successful (by traditional measures) over a long time.

One thing I learned during 35+ years in education: outsiders do really think desks belong in rows.

Don’t cancel due to “unanticipated technology issues” if it is not really related to the IT! You make your IT friends look bad… and we will remember.

Why do school leaders so often "spin" information about technology? It's frequently the area they feel least comfortable with and are least prepared to manage themselves. #EdTech #Leadership #ITManagement

A blog post, now with audio, on #edtech and leadership:
https://hackscience.education/2024/05/30/school-leaders-technology-and-spin/