Teaching is often assumed to be a simple system: The curriculum is assumed to be well-know and clearly defined (it isn’t–unless one accepts textbook publishers’ profit-driven judgments). Instruction is assumed to be reliable (it isn’t—at least when we really look and ask). Assessment is assumed to be valid (it isn’t—really, we have no tests measure Read More
Author: Gary Ackerman
Buzz-word Driven Education: A Brief Rant
One of the defining characteristics of “buzz-word-driven” teaching is its advocates’ insistence that its universal applicability. Those advocating the approach will maintain the methods work for all students in all classes in all circumstances. This is supported with dubious evidence at best, and often there is no evidence that the methods will actually produce the Read More
Public Users of School Technology
Schools are places where the public is occasionally invited. Some events that find the public on campus place no demands on IT systems. Audiences at athletics events, concerts, and other performances do not expect to have access to wireless networks, for example. Other events may find individuals or groups from outside the school community that Read More
Project-Based Learning
For many faculty (and students) anything that is not a test or a worksheet that is homework. As digital technologies have become more widely available, projects have included presentations and similar work. In the education literature, however, project-based learning has a very specific meaning. Project-based learning typically begins with a question that is defined by Read More
Elevator Pitch on Adults Working in Schools
If you are reading this post, it is likely you attended elementary, middle, and high school as a child. You may have some experience in higher education or professional training. In addition, you may have experience as a parent or caregiver who has interacted with schools. One of the most striking realizations for many who Read More
Triaging #edtech
IT systems fail. All IT professionals (and all IT users) know this. The reality is that the “to do” list for IT professionals in schools is often too long to allow immediate resolution of failed system. Further adding to the reality is that not all failed systems can or even should be resolved. IT professionals Read More
Yet Another Digital Divide
Digital divides in educational technology have been recognized for decades. While the details have changed, the reality that not all populations have the same technology tools has been a consistent characteristic of information technology. We were first aware that some schools did not have access to enough desktop computers. We have become aware that not Read More
Locking Your Computer
One of the most basic things we can do to protect our data when we are using computers is to make sure no one else can use your computer after you have logged on. To this end, get into the habit of locking your screen whenever you leave a computer. The process is simple: On Read More
On Customer Service and IT
“Difficult” interactions between IT users and IT professionals are not unique to schools. The difficulties can arise from users’ frustrations that IT is interfering with their abilities to do their work, the perceptions that their priorities are not receiving proper attention, and other factors. In many cases, the IT professionals contribute to the difficulties by Read More
On Problem-Based Learning
Most scholars and practitioners trace the origins of problem-based learning to changes in medical school teaching in the 1960’s. At the time, traditional lecture was deemed insufficient to prepare physicians for the field which was characterized by rapidly expanding field of knowledge and the emergence of new medical technologies. It was reasoned physicians’ capacity to Read More