Gary Ackerman @garyackerman@qoto.org

Earlier in my career, I did work for free (e.g. conference presentations). As I near retirement age, I’m doing more side work, but it is paid work (e.g. course development). I didn’t plan it, but my retirement looks more promising.

If I don’t recognize your number, you will not talk with me.

A blog post on learning in the age of AI, now with audio:
https://hackscience.education/2025/08/17/avoid-black-box-learning/

“American Idiot” came on the radio this morning as I was scrolling social media. It sure was appropriate.

Is memorization the best way to learn the “basic info” one needs?

So much that we do in education has nothing to do with learning.

Searching for “what works” is always framed by unrecognized assumptions.

Assume there is a camera recording you.

Good advice.

There are precious few educators who are critical of any new initiative. We see many who jump in the bandwagon and many who immediately dismiss. Those who have the maturity to understand before doing either are dismissed by both other groups.

Look in the mirror, and don't be tempted to equate transient domination with either intrinsic superiority or prospects for extended survival. -Stepen Jay Gould

AI is all the rage right now, but responsible educators must actively participate in negotiating its role in our work. We are all trying to figure out how this technology will affect us. #EdTech #ArtificialIntelligence

“I need some help with x” is always worth saying. When leaders get advice after that ask, but don’t follow through with it, it is bad form to ask for help with it again.

Here is your regular reminder that technology rarely solves problems technology created.

It strange that leaders repeat the mistakes they made previously.

Never let your sense of morals get in the way of doing what's right. -Isaac Asimov

If you think you are the smartest person in the room, you are wrong… you are really wrong.

“There have been several studies suggesting” will be followed by… well… something that isn’t supported by any studies.

The more requirements you make, the fewer participants you will have. I’m puzzled why folks don’t understand this.

If your team isn’t diverse, then you will be unaware of the biases that doom your solution.

If it ends in a test, I’m skeptical.