Blurts

Ed Tech types learn to make statements such as “it is not about the tools, it is about the learning”. Part of this was so we did not scare off teachers who focus on helping learners and give the impression we are wrapped up in our preoccupation with the latest technology. We learned to avoid implying that we were about “computer literacy” and began to use phrases such as “technology integration” (I take some credit for this).

I wonder if we have been too defensive. I am not proposing that we go full bore on expecting educators to always use the newest thing, but I think a good case can be made for expecting students to learn to use specific technology tools and perhaps even of greater important learn how to learn about new technologies on their own (my grad students – pay attention).

I have been reading about the history of the controversy between those advocating for work on artificial intelligence and those advocating augmented intelligence. I would describe some of my research (when I was involved in research as falling within the augmented intelligence camp).

Perhaps the new “computer literacy” is about learning the technology tools and tactics that allow the application of augmented intelligence to whatever area of endeavor we find necessary. For learners (or educators), does this argument suggest a different emphasis?

I suggest this post by Heather McGowan which makes what I think is a similar argument.

One last post from FETC.

3d printers have become popular. One of the issues for classroom applications is generating the data representing the object to be printed. The approach followed likely depends on what educators expect students to learn from the experience. A 3D scanner is likely most appropriate when the product is the goal and not the process of generating the representation that will eventually be printed.

We saw an inexpensive 3d scanner from Structure.io at FETC. The device is attached to the back of an iPad (the weird pink thing is an iPad stand and not part of the scanner). It appears you can purchase the device alone, but the sales rep suggested that you purchase a combination on an iPad with the device installed because calibration takes some time and it makes most sense to have this task completed by the company. You would then use this iPad just for 3d scanning and pass it from classroom to classroom.

Here is a quick scan the rep generated of me. It looks great with the exception of the weird hair it attached to the top of my head (it was a quick scan). The rep tried to send me the raw file, but it did not show up. It sometimes difficult to get a good cell signal from the exhibit hall floor so I had to resort to this photo.

So, I guess there will be no printing of mini-me.