OLDaily

Iterate doesn’t just mean “do it again”
David Truss, Daily-Ink, 2021/08/31

In my characterization of personal learning, there's a step in the process called 'iteration'. This post offers a useful characterization of what is meant by 'interation'. Dave Truss is not talking about my theory but I would completely agree with him when he says that iteration is "not just about applying the same process over and over again, but rather it’s about recognizing what caused the failure and attempting to circumvent it, trying to achieve results by trying something untried, unique, or divergent from the failed attempt." Indeed, in an iterative process, it would be incorrect even to call most attempts 'failures' - in other disciplines, we have more accurate names for them, such as 'minimal viable product', 'pilot', 'beta version', 'trial run', and more. Or as Elon Musk might say, "the crater from the explosion was exactly where we projected it should be".

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The Future of Online Learning Is Flexible and Stackable
Rhea Kelly, Campus Technology, 2021/08/31

This is a transcript of a Campus Technology podcast, and while it doesn't get to the topic in the title until page 3, it's still pretty interesting to read Betty Vandenbosch, chief content officer at Coursera, on the state of online education. What caught my attention was this value proposition for online universities, and institutions in general, on page 4: "for most of us, we're not disciplined enough and we're not focused enough to be able to do that in a way that will build and lead us to something that is a rewarding career." That's why we need guidance. But as both agree, the traditional four year degree is a privilege, which is where they come in: "And I think it's incumbent upon us to help people who don't have that privilege, to build enough knowledge to do something that they find meaningful, that's meaningful to them, get started, and then keep going."

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What’s MINE to care about and what’s NOT mine to care about?
snerson, Metafilter, 2021/08/31

I think there's a lot of nuance in this discussion (don't just read the top, read at least some of the comments) about how we can respond to the many crises around the world. As one person wrote, "I just do not think our psyches were developed to hold, feel and respond to everything coming at them right now; every tragedy, injustice, sorrow and natural disaster happening to every human across the entire planet, in real time every minute of every day." More, many of us are working within a system that resist change, even when supported and promoted by a collective majority. I think it's fair for each of us to select one or a few areas of focus, just as I have focused on media and education, to make our impact.

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Why are hyperlinks blue?
Elise Blanchard, dist://ed, 2021/08/31

This post doesn't offer an answer to the question so much as it takes us through a fascinating look at the development of hypertext systems in the 80s and 90s. It's especially fun for me because I remember when most of these products were new and exciting. Imagine, I remember thinking, what we could do if we were able to distribute Cello to our students!

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Back From Hiatus
2021/08/31

I'm back from my hiatus! I'm all refreshed from three weeks of bikepacking through Ontario forests (see all my TikToks from my ride here) and ready to go! I've created a survey to see what you think I should focus on and how I should do it - if you haven't already submitted your responses, please click here to send me your thoughts. Thanks!

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