Gary Ackerman @garyackerman@qoto.org

Schools are not just physical spaces anymore! The rise of virtual classrooms and learning management systems (LMS) is transforming education... well it can if we design them wisely.

Algorithms are applied based on the assumption that all cases align with the assumptions that went into the assumption. That's fine if the algorithm recommends movies, but when used for, lets' say. hiring, it is much more consequential..

Misleading AI claims can have serious consequences.

Long lists of “great tools” are useless. Give me the 1 or 2 you have completely vetted and I’ll pay attention.

My take on AI Snake Oil and its importance for educators:
https://buff.ly/4eZWKhP
#education #AI #edtech #edAI #AIinEducation #teaching

Everything is predictable, unless it is random.

Predictive AI is great... unless yiu want to predict something based in fact.

Command lines... I rejected them when I first started using computers. Now, I am a fan. I'm fan too poor a typist to use them effectively, but I am a fan nonetheless.

There is something satisfying about getting computers to do what you want them to do.

The ski trails I pass when I drive home are white.

Make a decision and live with it... including the consequences.

"Free" and "freemium" are different.

Can one be a leader in higher education, but not a "revolutionary ?"

No

to be an academic leader, one must challenge "what is known."

“This is not relevant.”

-Almost all students, almost everywhere

I asked AI to write some tweets on visualizations for my data analysis students. Here is one:

Want impactful data visualizations? Start by understanding your audience! A CEO and a custodial supervisor need different data, so tailor reports and dashboards to their specific requirements.

Not bad.

A post from 2017 refreshed with an AI-generated podcast based on it.
https://hackscience.education/2017/12/27/natural-technology/

In the world of data, quality trumps quantity. Ensure your data is accurate, complete, and reliable to unlock its true potential.

Insisting on teaching older technologies prepares students for the past, not the future, potentially leaving them ill-equipped to navigate the evolving technological landscape. Sure, but I think teaching them through and by writing... with pen and paper is an ignored technology in the classroom.

Individuals tend to view the technological advancements they experienced during their youth as the pinnacle of progress. Everything leading up to that point is seen as a progression towards their "natural" technology, while subsequent innovations might be perceived as unnecessary or even detrimental.

Natural Technology refers to the technologies that were prevalent and dominant during an individual's formative years. These technologies become deeply ingrained in their understanding of the world and influence their expectations of what constitutes valuable or essential tools.