Gary Ackerman @garyackerman@qoto.org

#edtech for #edleaders: Some IT Network Vocabulary
https://hackscience.education/2019/05/17/edtech-for-edleaders-some-it-network-vocabulary/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon

Technology leaders must recognize that the problems they solve, the methods they use, and even the language they use to describe problems are different from those encountered by educators.

"The first principle is that you must not fool yourself and you are the easiest person to fool."
-Richard P. Feynman

Regardless of how easy IT professionals think their systems are to use, it is the opinion of users that determine ease of use.

A fundamental characteristic of all systems (IT included) is degradation.

It Really is Different Now: A Teacher’s Story of Leaving
https://hackscience.education/2019/05/16/it-really-is-different-now-a-teachers-story-of-leaving/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon

The result is almost every school IT system is unique; it is customized to reflect the state of the system when first adopted and the changes that have been made since.

Existing systems affect decisions, security, stability.

Leaders who don't realize this make bad decisions.

Watching folks rationalize bad decisions is something you get to do a lot when you work in education.

One thing I learned during 35 years in education: If the highest leaders in the organization don't enjoy spending time with students, they are ineffective.

Emerging Digital Literacy
https://hackscience.education/2019/05/16/emerging-digital-literacy/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon

Digtital detritus is real Avoid it.

Schooling is based on the assumption that all students in a cohort learn all topics at the same rate and that the rate can be controlled by the teacher. This is false.

Shared Computing Resources in Schools
https://hackscience.education/2019/05/14/shared-computing-resources-in-schools/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon

Unpredictability and variability are two of characteristics of our world. Schools that reflect that reality will look much different than they do today.

Hey school leader... K-12, higher ed, whatever... that great new trend... maybe you understand it before blindly adopting it.

I have a colleague who reads many books. We talk about them... a lot. Everyone should have such a colleague... and be one.

The resident "know it all" who had to comment on everything at every meeting recently retired. The competition to replace them is fierce.

Learning. Learning that folks can use. Its much more worthwhile than your data,

I started reading books by listening to them a few years ago. It is different than reading print. Is is worth doing. Those who want to argue about it demonstrate their ignorance.