OLDaily

Presentation
CNIE Futures Event
Stephen Downes, Dec 15, 2021,

This was a panel discussion hosted by Saul Carliner and which featured myself,

[Video]

Problem-Based Learning: Strategies for Forming Effective Learning Behaviors
Jenna Bunnell, EmergingEdTech, 2021/12/15

Whenever I see something on problem-based learning I am always reminded of Larry Laudan's groundbreaking book Progress and Its Problems (good summary here) where he argues the way we choose between competing research theories is their effectiveness in solving problems. This article isn't so influential, but it's an accessible look at problem-based learning as a pedagogical practice. Obviously I see a long term benefit to learning how to solve problems, and (contra those focused on content knowledge) it's not the particular science that's being learned that's important, it's the overall approach so solving problems and making progress. It's like The Martian's Mark Watney (Matt Damon) says: work the problem. Then the next problem. If you solve enough problems, you get to live.

Web: [Direct Link] [This Post]

EdTech As Augmentation: Building A Strong Partnership Framework Between Schools and EdTech Entrepreneurs
Getting Smart, 2021/12/15

This post argues that ed tech entrepreneurs should work hand-in-hand with schools to develop new technology. "They’re co-designing solutions with school partners. They’re running pilot programs in real classrooms to improve the usability of their product. They’re conducting ongoing research... they’re embracing the idea that edtech should augment the good work schools are doing." I must admit to being sceptical about the idea of such partnerships. Too often the schools needs are shaped by the company's needs. There's a real issue of finding school resources to help companies develop products. And there is the problem of accountability, as so many public-private partnership (PPP) debacles have proven.

Web: [Direct Link] [This Post]

Ten tech predictions for 2022: what’s next for Twitter, Uber and NFTs
James Ball, The Guardian, 2021/12/15

The topics James Ball writes about here, are relevant even if his predictions aren't. NFTs, for example, won't flame out in the way he suggests; they will meekly become obscure (in my view). Twitter won't get its act together, but social media (not just Twitter) will look for new revenue models to escape its toxic dependence on advertising. The gig companies (Uber, AirBnB, etc) will struggle to make money, because they have always struggled to make money, but with pandemic restrictions easing (vaccines make a huge difference) I expect a bit of a bounce-back.

Also, it's easy to predict things that have already happens (a common failing in these lists). It's a given that Jack Dorsey will focus on crypto because he has already started to do so (eg., changing the name of payment processing company Square to Block). The trick will be to make blockchain payments as easy as, um, tweeting. Similarly, decentralized autonomous organizations (DAO) have already had their moment, which makes the prediction that they will moot. And yes, people are trying to make VR a thing again, or should I say, meta.

Finally, why wouldn't podcasts and mailing lists continue to surge? The bottom has fallen out of the news media industry, and both podcasts and newsletters favour the low-overhead personal journalism model that allows people to make a living. What's most predictable is that traditional media or companies like Spotify will try to own it all but until they can nail down market exclusivity, they can only try.

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An Introduction to Open Education
et.al., Yvette Arts, EdTech Books, 2021/12/15

This is a textbook suitable for use to teach about open education and open education resources. It's one of a collection of books offered by EdTech Books and is (I think) in early stages of development. Hard to tell; it looks pretty good right now, though Section II appears to be missing. It has a lot of work by David Wiley, a couple pieces from me, and a number of selections from other authors.

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