On How Technology Made Us What We Are
This chat between Tom Chatfield and and Tom Hodgkinson was interesting, I thought. I’d no idea that when the Incans – and, from some quick browsing, other Mesomerican peoples – invented the wheel, they saw it as something for children. It stayed a plaything because their lives were dominated by mountainous slopes.
Putting my money where someone’s voice isn’t
Here’s a short story.I had a paid subscription to OpenAI’s ChatGPT.I had it because I liked the technology and wanted to support it.I’ve read recently about ethics concerns that have caused employees and film stars to complain.So I’ve cancelled my subscription and have signed up to Claude instead. It’s...
Wayfinders, Navigation and Progress
Wayfinders are extraordinary – highly trained, technology free and remarkably successful navigators. I’ve been wondering quite a bit recently about data, measuring progress and all that sort of thing, especially given complexity, and these Polynesian navigators provide some rich lessons, I think. They’re not operating...
Some edtech maths
Have been doodling on the back of a napkin this evening about edtech and its cost-benefit. Let’s say a new technology is being introduced into your school, with the promise of “50% better learning for all”. Let’s assume the following: After 1 year, by the end of the pre-Tech course, your class will have generated...
The Dynamo and the Social
Thought this was an interesting piece at Slate based on Paul David’s paper. There are some obvious parallels with personal or mobile computing and education and the difficulties we have with using it well. “Electric light bulbs were available by 1879, and there were generating stations in New York and London by 1881. Yet a...
Rembrandt – created not discovered
This video is almost worth it just to hear the comment about using technology for something more than just improving businesses.
MIST – Educational Videos for Maths and Science
Outside the day job, I’ve been working away trying to repurpose an old project called MIST (Mentored Investigations into Science and Technology) and is essentially a set of videos and lesson ideas for maths and science at the primary level. I’ve also put up a number of “cheat sheets” for those teaching science...
Chatbots arguing
Artificial Intelligence: Childish, silly, and quite like an old couple. Looking forward to them introducing this sort of technology to local council switchboards. via russell davies