Learning analytics and magic beans
Colin Beer, Col's Weblog, 2018/03/01
Colin Beer describes "two broad trajectories that universities tend to take when implementing learning analytics." The first is "focused on measurement and broader performativity precepts and retention interventions." The second, which he says is at odds with the first, emphasizes learning, and recognizes "that retention is consequential to broader teaching, learning and engagement experiences for students." This is brought into focus by looking at the problem of student attrition. More...

The European Approach to Protecting Your Data
Tim Stahmer, Assorted Stuff, 2018/03/01
The the General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR) takes effect in May and online services are scrambling to prepare. The GDPR changes the game, requiring that services protect user privacy. More...

How ants build bridges using very simple rules
Jason Kottke, kottke.org, 2018/03/01
I love ants precisely because they are very simple things that can behave in very complex ways. And so I like this video. But I want to ask whether it's accurate to say "ants follow rules". More...

Social Media Use in 2018
Aaron Smith, Monica Anderson, Pew, 2018/03/01
Facebook and YouTube dominate, while younger users are embracing a wide range of platforms. Other services making the headlines: Pinterest, Twitter, WhatsApp, Instagramm, LinkedIn. More...

Why the web has challenged scientists’ authority – and why they need to adapt
Andrew J. Hoffman, The Conversation, 2018/03/01
I'm not sure I agree with the premise of this article. Andrew J. Hoffman suggests that " Many Americans are ignoring the conclusions of scientists on a variety of issues including climate change and natural selection." The suggestion is based on a Pew study arguing that while Americans value scientific research, they often disagree on politicized issues such as evolution or climate change. More...

Instagram is killing the way we experience art
Anne Quito, Quartzy, 2018/02/27
This article isn't recommending that you leave your phone behind, but it does say you should leave it in your pocket and look at the art for a while before pulling it out to take a photo. Maybe for all of 17 seconds. More...

Smart Makerspace: A Web Platform Implementation
Gabriel Licks, Adriano Teixeira, Kris Luyten, International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning, 2018/02/27
The idea of a 'smart makerspace' is that it is a space for making things (software, designs, products, whatever) supported with a type of web assistant or guide to help people get past the initial challenge of making things with new technology. This was the idea behind AutoDesk's Smart Makerspace (more) and also Harvard's Guerilla Makerspace. More...

A Systematic Review of Second Language Learning with Mobile Technologies
Veronica Persson, Jalal Nouri, International Journal of Emerging Technologies in Learning, 2018/02/27
This article (23 page PDF) is "a systematic literature review of the research done in mobile assisted second language learning (MASLL) published since 2010." 54 articles were selected for review. The review breaks down the studies by type of review, technologies used, mobile applications used, hardware, pedagogical practices, and learning impact. More...

Exploring the Benefit Mindset
Robert Ward, Edutopia, 2018/02/28
I wouldn't say I buy into the Benefit Mindset as branded here but I learned a lot about managing to benefits while I was a program manager a few years ago and appeciate several aspects of the concept. The core idea is to examine a product or service from the perspective of the benefits it produces (as opposed to its function or output). More...

How To Beat Procrastination (backed by science)
Darius Foroux, 2018/02/28

I'm just adding this link here so I remember to get around to reading this article later. More...