I have a stack of books about artificial intelligence waiting to be read. The field is emerging quickly, so my reading focuses on how AI has and can affect work, life, and society. Madhumita Murgia’s 2024 book Code Dependent: Living in the Shadow of AI was the most recent book of this genre I have Read More
Author: Gary Ackerman
Incident Response
A post for students in my network security course To IT leaders in educational institutions, the threat landscape is not theoretical—it is an existential reality. Cyberattacks today are relentless. According to one report, four out of every five organizations experienced at least one successful cyberattack in 2019. For schools, where sensitive student and staff data Read More
Assistive and Accessible Technology
In today’s digital schools, providing students with technology is about more than just giving them laptops or internet access. It’s about ensuring every single student has the tools they need to participate, learn, and succeed. This is where two critical concepts come into play: assistive technology and accessibility. While related, they address the goal of Read More
Planning Versus Design
These two terms are often used interchangeably, but they describe very different activities. In the world of education, technology, and creative production, the terms planning and designing often intermingle—but they serve distinct purposes and require different mindsets. Whether you’re developing a course module, building a website, or crafting a podcast series, understanding the difference between Read More
The Linux Operating System
An introduction for students in my operating systems course for community college students As a Computer Information Systems (CIS) major, you’re already familiar with operating systems like Windows and macOS. They’re great for desktops, but when you look behind the curtain of the world’s digital infrastructure—from massive cloud data centers to the smartphone in your Read More
Cloud Computing
A post for my students preparing for the AWS Cloud Practitioner exam 129: Cloud Computing Learning about cloud computing can feel like learning a new language. You’re bombarded with acronyms (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS, VPC, EC2… what?!), abstract concepts, and a whole new way of thinking about technology. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But here’s the Read More
Facial Recognition Technology and Schools
AI was recently asked about the potential of using facial recognition technology on campus. That caused me to return to my folder of “old stuff” I maintain and to revise a blog post I had abandoned almost 5 years ago when the pandemic caused the issue to be forgotten by those who had me thinking Read More
AI’s Role in Education
This post originally began with discussions of an article in Frontiers in Artificial Intelligence with my colleagues. We were talking about AI an teaching, and the article “Shaping integrity: why generative artificial intelligence does not have to undermine education” by Tan and Maravilla which was published in 2024 ( https://doi.org/10.3389/frai.2024.1471224) captured much of my thinking. Read More
An Introduction to IT Networks
While you might often think of large corporations or government agencies when considering network security, the truth is, some of the most critical and challenging networks to secure are right under our noses: school IT networks. These networks are essential infrastructure, connecting students and teachers to data, information, and interactions locally and across the Internet. Read More
The Enduring Mismeasure: Why IQ Tests Fall Short
As school returns, I am hearing comments about “intelligence” return to my media feeds and in chatter amongst people who purport knowledge of teaching and learning. This seems a good opportunity to post again on the dubious evidence if IQ as it is commonly understood. For decades, IQ tests have shaped perceptions of intelligence, often Read More