Gary Ackerman @garyackerman@qoto.org

When our guiding principles are myths, data are useless.

One thing I learned during 35 years in education: what you do for short-term learning is usually wasted (a few exceptions can be justified).

Those who are governed by reason desire nothing for themselves which they do not also desire for the rest of mankind. -Spinoza

“Why don’t they just x?” is a sure sign you lack the expertise to be making recommendations.

The more accurate way to say it is “always base the opinions upon which you base your facts.”

I had some colleagues publicly criticize me recently. Those folks are now incredulous that I’m keeping my distance from them. 🤦

Don’t be confused by thinking “average” (as in mean) really tells you anything interesting.

I recently said, “if we give students projects in class, then they have something to talk about in job interviews.” The group acted like this was an innovative idea; I was sharing part of my approach to teaching that I have followed for decades.

Hey IT… you don’t know others’ tasks to the degree you think you do. If you aren’t ready to listen before you start building and then fix it later to more closely meet their needs, then your systems will be unused.

I’m always interested to speak with adults who are entering jobs in education who think they will have absolute authority. #delusions

“Success” is a meaningless goal.

It’s officially the season when faculty ask “did you have a good break?” to those of us who work year round.

Sure, money may not be the motivator within a population that we think, but I maintain it does affect the composition of the population. In my years as a STEM teacher, I often heard students making career plans, and for 35 years, potential earnings was a factor.

Being willing and able to be uncertain is a sign of a logical thinker.

Telling people about things is not the same as explaining them.

The argument that we see no evidence for advanced extraterrestrial life is because complex life becomes unstable and destroys itself is starting to seem reasonable.

One thing I learned during 35 years in education: Competent teams and individuals do more with fewer resources than others. When they push back or leave, they are demonized.

It is OK to say, “I don’t know,” when asked what do you think.

The folks who rant so about how vital basic knowledge is are the same folks who used to whine if they couldn’t bring a page of notes to the exam.

“Write 500 words a day and your book will be done in a couple of months,” says the person who doesn’t understand drafts and editing.