Scholars who study knowledge transfer differentiate “near transfer” from “far transfer.” Near transfer describes applying knowledge in settings similar to where it was learned, and far transfer describes applying it to settings dissimilar to where it was learned. Transfer does exist along a continuum and it is difficult to measure reliably. In these ways it Read More
Students and others who need the spoken words in audio content playing in a Chrome browser tab to be presented as text can enable live captioning in the Google Chrome web browser. This can be used as a method of seeing captions when using: Video or audio in Google Drive that has no caption tracks Read More
When the curriculum is organized around problems and complex tasks, it is inevitable that students will encounter situations that challenge their current knowledge. There will be ideas they do not yet understand, tasks they cannot complete with competence, and resources they cannot comprehend, and tools they are unable to use. It can be reasoned that students who do not Read More
This question is asked by students all the time. It doesn’t matter what their age, what they are studying, who is paying the bills, or how dedicated to their long-term plans they are, students question their purpose for being in school and engaging in the curriculum and instruction. For some students, the question is answered Read More
Caine and Caine (2011) reviewed explored the cognitive engagement that has been designed into video games. They find “popular technology engages children and adults using challenging scenarios, exciting and relevant social issues, collaboration, ownership, relevant engagement, competition, and action” (p. 8); they find these features contribute to a situation in which natural learning occurs. Natural Read More
This post continues the theme developed in Cold Closure in #edtech Repairs and Another Take on Cold Closure in #edtech Repairs In the return to in-person teaching, we have discovered that IT systems have degraded. We can’t be surprised by this. IT professional have been overwhelmed with the “to do” list. Until systems are restored Read More
“Mission creep” is a familiar concept. An organization undertakes a project with an intended outcome defined–it is the value that will accrue as the project becomes complete. Over time, the project expands to include more and more outcomes. Before leaders stop to realize it, the original mission has become something far different. In schools, computers Read More
I found this when cleaning up files… in the thesis for my master of arts degree. He wrote it in 1980. I wrote my thesis in 2000. It still appears to be an accurate assessment of our situation. Twenty years ago, Papert perceived education to be on the verge of a technologydriven revolution that sounds Read More
Reviewing some notes, I found the definition of deeper learning from Buder and Hesse (2016) which comprises five characteristics: Emphasizes complex problem solving which requires learners to apply what they have learned in unfamiliar situations; Declarative knowledge is not presented and learned as isolated facts, but connected by themes and concepts; Students develop the ability for critical thinking which includes the Read More
Occasionally, we hear about a legacy computer system that is in danger of failure and the failure will be disastrous. Calls go out to long-retired programmers who had expertise in the long-abandoned language who make the necessary repairs. I imagine a time soon when similar calls will go out to teachers who remember teaching before Read More