Gary Ackerman @garyackerman@qoto.org

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

I have low enrollment in my courses this term (I adjunct in a department in transition). Rather than canceling the course, I’m going to review each assignment to see how I can update it for a “post AI” world. I’m curious about what I’ll learn.

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 to us or to other who can advocate for it.

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

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.

Debunking Learning Styles
https://hackscience.net/2018/02/01/debunking-learning-styles/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon

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.

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 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.

Learners: Past and Future
https://hackscience.net/2018/01/30/learners-past-and-future/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon

Theory and Practice in Education
https://hackscience.net/2018/01/29/theory-and-practice-in-education/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon

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.

So much disinformation can be explained as tribal conspiracies.