Gary Ackerman @garyackerman@qoto.org

"The problem with ChatGPT is it has biased information."
I hate to tell you, but all sources are biased.

“Unsciency” is my new favorite word.

I’ve seen lots of suggestions from generative AI on what educators should do (education is my field). It promotes lots of red herrings.

That paper your students handed in… they own the copyright even if it isn’t registered.

Remember emerging technologies rarely live up to their hype, and become adapted for much different uses once users get their hands on them. Keep this in mind as you listen to chatter about AI.

Don’t be one of those leaders who assumes folks “understand” when they stop criticizing and questioning.

ChatGPT is not really different from any other source of informtion. We access it. We query it. We assess the quality of what we get... well... we should assess its quality before we use it.

“Research article” and “white paper” are not the same. If you are going to claim to be “research-driven,” then please know the difference.

“Unsciency” is my new favorite word.

One thing I learned during 30+ years in the classroom: What one “knows” is contingent on past experiences.

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