Gary Ackerman @garyackerman@qoto.org
- On the web:
- https://hackscience.education/
Director of Teaching and Learning Innovation at a community college in New England
Retired k-12 science/ math/ technology teacher/ technology integration specialist/ coordinator
Joined Nov 2022
Narcissists flock together in groups. These groups invariably dissolve (usually quickly) and they members turn on each other. It is interesting and un to watch, unless they are in important positions that affect others' lives, then it is dangerous.
Education is a complex endeavor and initiatives, projects, and lessons fail and fail frequently. The reasons are many and diverse and in many cases unpredictable. Most educators are able to recognize those failures as a part of the process of designing and refining their practice.
Perceptions are reality. Yup, you may not like it. You may disagree. They may be ignoring what you think its important. Still, you must make decisions and take actions within this social milieu.
“You will do this because I am the boss, and I decided it.” The unspoken message is “all must defer to and recognize my greater expertise.” Teachers who adopt this stance lose credibility with students, and administrators who adopt this stance towards teachers lose credibility as well.
In my experience, folks will often comply with the use of authority to mediate conflicts, give direction to groups that need it, and maintain order; but otherwise will push back against it.
When learning is understood to be a social activity as much as it is a cognitive activity, meaningful social engagement between students and teachers and other experts and among students are purposefully designed into the learning activities.
A Brief History of Computers in Schools
https://hackscience.education/2019/11/11/a-brief-history-of-computers-in-schools/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon
"We need objective measures" is often a sign you do not understand the nature of the problem. You objective measures are likely to create many more.
Educational reform in the last several decades has been horizontal as schools commonly jump from one initiative to another with little reason.
" I con't think of a different explanation" isn't proof.
If it were not for delusion, many would not self-reflect at all.
Does my student have the habits of effective learners and workers?
"Eschew Obfuscation" is still the greatest bumper sticker I ever saw.
Root causes . They say ask "why?" fives time and that is the real cause of the problem. The recipe probably doesn't work in all cases, but it does get to the idea that problems are deeper than we admit.
When yur answer is simple, you do not understand the problem.
“Eliminate the impossible and whatever remained, however improbable, was the truth.”
― Isaac Asimov
- On the web:
- https://hackscience.education/
Director of Teaching and Learning Innovation at a community college in New England
Retired k-12 science/ math/ technology teacher/ technology integration specialist/ coordinator
Joined Nov 2022
