176: When Learning is Inert We have all experienced the change in our brains we call learning. We become capable of remembering information, performing actions, recognizing patterns, appreciating observations, asking questions, and otherwise interacting with ideas, tools, and people in a way we could not previously. Becoming aware of and evaluating our capabilities is learning Read More
162: Computers Listen and Shout Two capabilities of networked computers that can be anthropomorphized are listening and shouting. When humans listen they attend to the sounds in the air and attempt to differentiate meaningful sounds from noise. When humans speak or shout, they can communicate with those who are listening. This system requires only the Read More
20: Cheap, Fast, and Good: Choose Two Conflicting goals or purposes is a theme commonly encountered in technology planning. There is a well-established heuristic that originated in project management that is used by technology leaders to describe computer and network system design and purchase options for the organizational leaders. It is frequently with humor that Read More
Just as educators are understanding the need to update their practices to meet the needs of students whose brains and bodies have been affected by trauma, they are understanding the need to update their practices to increase the participation of populations that have been underrepresented or marginalized in schooling. Educational leaders are recognizing that some Read More
The availability of generative AI has answered a question that has been debated amongst the educators with whom I have worked for the last four decades. It has been asked in various ways, but it comes down to “What matters in learning?” The debate centers around two generally given answers: Educators believe learning can be Read More
Blog Data. Information. Knowledge. Wisdom. This is a familiar continuum. The question for those of us who value wise decisions both in our personal lives and amongst those with whom we share society and climate is “How do we promote the movement towards wisdom?” In this post, I will provide an answer. Yes, it is Read More
When we are responsible for managing information technology networks, especially those that are used by children and those that contain data that needs special security, we take steps to control the data that makes it onto and out of our systems. In general, we deploy three types of protections. While these will not prevent all Read More
125: School Leaders, Technology, and “Spin” “Spin” is a fact of life for school leaders. They are faced with uncomfortable situations, and they must describe them in a positive light. I have seen this firsthand during my entire adult life which has been spent in education. It is difficult to ascertain if leaders believe their Read More
The story is compelling; it is one of the most important and challenging questions we can face: What makes us unique? It is well told and includes sufficient detail to be informative, while written in language that general audiences will find approachable. Bennett seems to have adopted Stephen Jay Gould’s approach to never “dumb down” Read More
12: A Harsh Reality About IT and School Leaders Information technology. All schools need it. All schools have it. All schools hire individuals with expertise in managing it to… well… manage it. In this post, I describe a reality that many recognize in their schools, but they are reluctant to admit it. This post calls Read More