OLDaily

Discover2Learn
Jane Hart, Helen Blunden, Discover2Learn, 2020/03/26

This is a bit like the Daily Create, but with fewer contributors and a wider scope. Jane Hart and Helen Blunden are offering daily ideas of things that you can do for free online. Somne recent examples include: write a nature journal, learn to hula-hoop, cut your own hair, learn a film industry skill. Each idea is associated with an online resource that will help you along. It's a great idea, though I think they should think of a way to allow others to contribute.

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Curriculum forum members step up
Doug Peterson, doug — off the record, 2020/03/26

I haven't extended the Quick Tech Guide to subject-specific and grade-specific resources because of the likelihood that bad or even harmful resources would be listed, and because of my inability to curate them (I have been curating the Tech Guide submissions). But as Doug Peterson says, "Who better to provide appropriate Ontario resources than associations that support the regular classroom teacher?  To find resources, just head to the big listing of Curriculum Forum members here, find the desired subject area and look for a Resources section on their website." So this is just what was needed. If I get a chance (I'm pretty busy these days) I'll look at a way to present the information in a more user-friendly way. In the meantime, it's a start.

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The coronavirus exposes America’s misplaced educational values
Michael B. Horn, Christensen Institute, 2020/03/26

This story is built around the idea that the system of regulating 'unexcused absences' is unnecessary because parents can determine what's best for their child. It misrepresents the original purpose of such regulations, which was to prevent parents from using children as free labour instead of sending them to school. Now, in general, it may be that there are many unneeded regulations. But many of those are designed to protect the rights and interests of children, and cannot be willed away by a pollyannish disposition or competency-based schooling. Without strong and enforceable regulations to protect children, any move away from the current system must be looked at with necessary scepticism.

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‘Zoombombing’ Attacks Disrupt Classes
Elizabeth Redden, Inside Higher Ed, 2020/03/26

Today's new word is 'Zoombombing'. This happens when an uninvited person shares their screen to an unsuspecting meeting. The content of the shared screen is typically offensive (though I suppose sharing cat photos would still count as Zoombombing). It exists because Zoom meetings are open by default, and because screeen-sharing is turned on for everyone by default. To prevent it, turn off screen sharing. And if you're worried about random people dropping in on your Zoom meeting, add a password requirement. Finally, as with other events of this type, I would imagine that the hysterical reporting is all out of proportion to the actual rate of incidence.

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eLife Latest: The costs of publishing
Jennifer Gibson, Damian Pattinson, eLife, 2020/03/26

The objective of this article is "to promote awareness among authors of the basis for the fees they and their institutions are asked to pay for open-access publishing." Also, "initiatives such as Plan S are pressing for transparency around prices for open-access publishing," so they're forced to do it. So openness about publishing costs is a good idea. But when this is done without an actual spreadsheet, I get suspicious. In fact, we learn remarkably little by reading this article; mostly, that they've saved money by lowering payments to editors. We learn nothing about actual expenses - what are the details of the 'staff costs', for example? What are the 'technology costs' that they are paying? Transparency should mean transparency, not a mish-mash of vaguely defined categories and uninformative bar charts.

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The Hitch-hiker's Guide to Alternative Assessment
Damian T. Gordon, 2020/03/26

This is a longish guide (34 page PDF) on how to reconfigure student assessment for digital learning. Obviously, you can't just have them sit at their desk and take a test any more. So what do you do? Before considering these options the author spends several pages on accessible learning resources. Then the main section on alternative assessment begins, providing examples of things like case studies, essay assignments, interviews, etc. I'm looking forward to seeing what Dave Cormier can do by way of remixing it.

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Remote Learning on the Fly: Notes from China
Tamara Kaup, Campus Technology, 2020/03/26

If the experience in China can guide us, learning online may take some adapting, but it will work. This article contains a number of examples and lessons. For example: "I don't use the virtual classroom to deliver content, I use it to discuss content," Roberto Donà said. "The students are obliged to study to prepare themselves and we have the entire virtual class period to discuss. By combining synchronous and asynchronous classes, I am not just replacing the physical class, I can enhance the course."

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