OLDaily

Structural Stupidity
Leeway, Metafilter, 2022/05/02

This Metafilter thread links to what the author says is "a solid summary of why algorithmically-driven social media is harmful to common culture and democracy itself, ending with a few ideas about what can be done to course correct." Now I'm no fan of the misuse to which the algorithm is put, as readers know, but I reject the conclusion that it is social media that is the cause of division in society. Ask yourself whether the same degree of division were it not for very well-funded traditional news sources - and in particular cable news - being used to undermine the notion of fact and evidence. I mean, think about it. When Jonathan Haidt says "it's that fake and outrage-inducing content can now attain a level of reach and influence that was not possible before 2009" I have to ask, has he not learned from the examples of Hearst, Goebbels and Rwanda? The problem isn't the media. It's the hate. And the way we allow people with enough money, whatever the media, to spread that hate.

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How to build a better journalism school
Barbara Allen, Poynter, 2022/05/02

Two parts (part one, part two) of short clips from various commentators on how journalism school could be improved. Some speak to how hard the job is ("teach self care"), some speak to how hard it is to get a job ("show the business side of freelancing"), some talk about teaching essential (and transferable) skills, some speak about the changing community ('teach diversity, equity and inclusion"), and some speak to getting the work done ("teach investigative skills"). Note: I read and wrote this post while listening to Joe Biden and Trevor Noah talking about the key role of the profession. It's worth noting that I, too, could criticize the Prime Minister of Canada, and have that voice be not only permitted, but heard, and respected.

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Analysing the pedagogical affordances of video
Tony Bates, Online learning and distance education resources, 2022/05/02

This article is mostly review, though it's useful review. Tony Bates writes, "here is now much more good quality video suitable for educational purposes freely accessible over the Internet" and so there are many more examples of good practice. That said, I wonder how true this is: "a video clip or program rarely stands on its own as a teaching resource." Bates adds, "It will usually need to be put into context and students will often need guidance on how to use the video material in their studies." Sure, perhaps in the context of a university course. But I would imagine video is used more often for learning outside the educational context. People set their own context, and if guidance is needed, it will need to be in the video.

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Wordtune- A Great Artificial Intelligence Based Writing Assistant
Med Kharbach, Educational Technology and Mobile Learning, 2022/05/02

If a student use spell-check before submitting an assignment, would that be cheating? How about if they used a grammar checker? Not a problem, right? Well, what about "an artificial intelligence-powered writing assistant that helps users improve their writing style." Still OK? But what if advanced AI services are only available to those who pay? The one discussed here costs $119.88 per year - does access to AI to get better grades become an equity issue?

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