When framing a problem, we define what we believe its cause to be along with the conditions that will indicate the problem has been solved. When attempting to solve problems, we take actions to reduce its effects and to prevent it from returning. When working with IT in schools, it becomes obvious there are differences Read More
Author: Gary Ackerman
Elevator Pitch on the Effects of Technology on Humans
Technology is a force that exerts strong influences on society and culture. For those living within a culture its effects are so familiar they are barely perceived and thought to be a natural part of every culture or society. What we expect of people (our peers, our leaders, our children, etc.) and out institutions (schools Read More
Thinking about IT Professionals and Technology in Schools
This is part of the introduction to my book Technology in Schools: It’s Not Like This in Business which was recently released under CC-BG-NC-SA. “The technology systems installed in schools support all many educational and operational functions.. These are seriously complex systems. In the vocabulary of IT professionals, they are enterprise systems (or perhaps business Read More
Looking Back on the Internet
I recently found my summary of an article that appeared in Scientific American in 2010 in which Tim Berners-Lee looks back at the world wide web 20 years after it was invented. The issues seem as relevant today as then. Universality– Because all content is based on the same protocols (hyper text markup language at Read More
Repairing Links to Older Materials
I recently discovered some materials I uploaded to MERLOT had been orphaned after I moved my web site over a year ago. I have uploaded links to: Online Course Development Embed a Twitter Timeline in Your Virtual Classroom Introduction to Derivatives for Physics Students
Schools & Social Media: A Brief Story
A fictional story based on true events: Mrs. Smith was hired as a principal in a school enrolling student in grades 5-8. She started a Facebook group for the school and encouraged parents to join in it. The principal’s time on the job was contentious and, in many cases, drama arising from the Facebook group Read More
The Realities of Teaching
It is assumed the instructional methods are known to result in the intended lessons being learned. We have all seen many teachers act with authority in the front of a classroom (or a clinic or a laboratory or shop or another place where school happens) and tell students what and how to learn the curriculum. Read More
On Supporting Teachers
Computers intruded into the world of education starting in the 1970’s. Sure, “intrusion” may not be the appropriate verb, but the arrival of the devices meant educators, administrators, staff, and students were forced into new ways of teaching and learning and managing the institution’s operations. New infrastructure was added to buildings, new personnel had to Read More
A Brief Post on Standards
In manufacturing, the expected performance of the product is well-defined; we know how to measure performance and our methods can usually be tested. We build prototype systems, compare the outcomes with the standards, then discard those systems that don’t work. The prototyping and testing can be done in highly-controlled circumstances as well. Further, manufacturers who Read More
On Nurturing Burnout
Teacher burnout is something we hear about frequently in the time since the pandemic. The problem appears to be worse than it ever has, and teachers are leaving the profession as a result. Educators are focusing on teacher burnout on social media as well. For example, this tweet: prompted my reply: I was challenged to Read More