Gary Ackerman @garyackerman@qoto.org

I work with someone who inserts snarky criticisms into others’ presentations. I’ve started pausing until I count to 15 when she does it to me. I cool off and it adds an uncomfortable break in the flow.

Evolution gives the illusion of design. Life works that way. Much culture works that way. Humans see design where none existed.

Let’s normalize dismissing folks whose evidence they are not ready to share.

Hey IT: Don’t undertake widespread maintenance work or changes less than a week before classes start. Seriously, just don’t.

Hey faculty: Your IT requests (we get many which must be prioritized and integrated into existing systems) take time and energy to deploy and maintain. If yours doesn’t get to the top of the list you probably provided a weak case for it.

I’ve been in education long enough that the I’m seeing some “innovative new approaches” come around for the third time.

One difference between “data-driven” folks and researchers is the degree to which they question their methods and instruments.

We assume students who provide the correct answer to a question “knows” it.

That is often an invalid assumption.

Who could have predicted?

I mean other than the folks who know the scientific explanations.

“If I don’t need it, then no one does” explains much decision making.

One difference between “data-driven” folks and researchers is the degree to which they question their methods and instruments.

Hey faculty “leaders:” Don’t be that person who expresses relief that your workshop was canceled because you didn’t know what you were going to do.

I’m at that age where I can tell how long ago a school leader was a teacher by watching them lead.

Note to faculty: Publicly criticizing IT (or any other department) is not going to convince them to listen to your needs.

Hey school IT folks… students and teachers have needs that you will find unfamiliar. Listen to them.

“I’m good at multitasking.”
No. No, you are not.

Sometimes I laugh when I read politicians “hot takes” on education issues… then I realize some of them are elected.

Test scores are fine. But no one cares about them in the real world… passing scores on licensing exams excepted.

So much disinformation can be explained as tribal conspiracies.

Those faculty who are the most vehement “read the syllabus” folks are also those least likely to follow procedures for requesting support from other departments.