"Welcome to EdTechAfterDark! Our community was born out of discussions for a rich EdChat type gathering for those of us who are thinking about the digital edu-landscape long after the sun has gone down. For us night owls, when the clock strikes 10PM EST, you’ll find us on Twitter over at #edtechafterdark. All are welcome! Our discussions range from our philosophies about EdTech, digital best practices, and simply sharing our stories." --www.edtechafterdark.com
I must say that the last album listened to was.... John Legend’s Love in the Future... and I am Dene from the city beautiful. Gr. 4-5 Teacher of ELA, Gifted and some Techness. #edtechafterdark
Hey I’m caitlin, a 4th grade ELA/SS teacher at a #newtechnetwork school. Last album I listened to in its entirety had to be John Mayer’s newest release. #edtechafterdark
Colleen! I'm a Secondary English Ed student at Indiana University and the last album I listened to in its entirety is Walk the Moon by Walk the Moon. #EdTechAfterDark
Listen, #edtechafterdark, I've got work I need to do tonight, but I can't *not* go to bat for my ol' friend, the humanities... I'm Brian. I teach MS students English in CO.
A1: YES! YES! YES! Humanities are essential in teaching critical thinking skills, literacy skills, etc. Plus humanities are the glue that holds the STEM/STEAM together #edtechafterdark
A1 ENG tches the skill of communication - verbal & in writing — history is the skill of reflection ... can’t do STEM/STEAM without those skills #EdTechAfterDark
YEEEESSSSS!!! I was so hoping I could convince you! #valentinessongsbydene I will have my Periscope app open and READY! #edtechafterdark T-minus 3 days! 💝💝💝
A1: To put it simply, it reminds of of the human we ALL are...and all of that within us that makes us that and how we can all relate, somewhere, somehow... #edtechafterdark
Little late to the party. Leslie from ATL. We develop edu-leaders-world-changers in GA. Last album in entirety was probably MJ/Thriller. #EdTechAfterDark
A1: The humanities are what make us human! Data is definitely important, but not everything in life can be so formulaic. The humanities allow us to make moral, spiritual, and intellectual sense of the world through the exploration of thought and creativity! #EdTechAfterDark
A1 Communication Rules! Humanities allows you to communicate in a way that all will remember and understand (and I'm a Science Teacher) #edtechafterdark
A1 first of all, those people are fools. We need to support hole brain learning. Do these people not know that students need to be able to write technically to explain stem steam projects #edtechafterdark
A1 The humanities & the arts, while not providing "correct" answers, are "true" examples of what it means to reach for the meaning of the human condition. #edtechafterdark
A1: The humanities are the underpinnings of everything else. Before the term “scientist”, those that practiced the sciences were called “natural philosophers”. This is telling. Philosophy is the glue of STEAM. #edtechafterdark
A1: Humanities are the basis for all things STEM as Ss use the skills humanities have taught them to make connections and form relationships within other subjects #edtechafterdark
A1: education would be pretty easy if we only dealt with data and equations, but we are people teaching people and so humanities is integral to help us learn where we’ve been, who we are choosing to become, & our future. #edtechafterdark
A1: The only way the humanities are dead is if communication never matters. I tell kids the most important class I took outside of math, was a world literature course. #edtechafterdark
A1. The enduring importance is found right in the name. No matter how much #AI and robots take over the world, humanities captures/celebrates/elevates what is essential about being human. I fear our culture is subverting/devaluing what makes us powerful. #edtechafterdark
A1b I love @TaikaWaititi's TED talk about simply starting to create something--anything--even if you don't know what it is yet. We don't always need a destination. Sometimes we need to start creation to find inspiration. https://t.co/BVLv9OIZbq#edtechafterdark
A1. The enduring importance is found right in the name. No matter how much #AI and robots take over the world, humanities captures/celebrates/elevates what is essential about being human. I fear our culture is subverting/devaluing what makes us powerful. #edtechafterdark
AI: Humanities are the soul in the body of ed. --esp. w/ the increased regimentation and scripted instruction, w/out humanities we might become decaying, hollowed shells..right?. #edtechafterdark
A1. The enduring importance is found right in the name. No matter how much #AI and robots take over the world, humanities captures/celebrates/elevates what is essential about being human. I fear our culture is subverting/devaluing what makes us powerful. #edtechafterdark
A1: We’ve embraced @simonsinek’s idea of “knowing your why”... the humanities offer you the reason, rationality, and reflection necessaryto come to a well-informed “why” #edtechafterdark
Love this. Nothing more human than that capacity to think, then realize that thought as a concrete thing in the world. This video about moonshot thinking is only made possible by humanities - the capacity to formulate ideas! https://t.co/NEMcUfJtMU#edtechafterdark
A2: We live in an age of too much information, data, and tech that can be used for wide and wild purposes. We need to be careful how we use these things and allow them to be used. #edtechafterdark
A2 social media can remove our human-ity if we allow it ... it’s easy to hide behind a screen ... but we must remind our sts to use their human thoughts and human etiquette online and F2F .. #EdTechAfterDark
A2 More information moving more quickly in digital age demands nimble, efficient critical thinking to navigate effectively. Thanks, humanities! #edtechafterdark
A2:In the age of tech, it's so easy to create a significant online platform without much of a second thought. Reasoning skills are key in the digital world bc they encourage tech users to stop and be thoughtful about the content they're putting onto the internet #EdTechAfterDark
A1. The enduring importance is found right in the name. No matter how much #AI and robots take over the world, humanities captures/celebrates/elevates what is essential about being human. I fear our culture is subverting/devaluing what makes us powerful. #edtechafterdark
A2: @globalearner references a study that shows that the vast majority of Stanford students are unable to differentiate fact from fiction on the internet. Being able to navigate truth is the precise business the humanities are involved in. #edtechafterdark
A2: We have to remember how to be smart about the information we have access to on a daily basis at our finger tips and have to continually analyze, process, critically think, etc about the info #edtechafterdark
Because the digital age has made us question what really drives true learning ... it is not STEM/STEAM or push buttons ... it is passion ... #edtechafterdark
A2: the world is at our fingertips...and that includes the best—and the worst—of it all. Without reason and rationality to guide us, we may find ourselves caught in “the web” rather than navigating it. #edtechafterdark
A2 being able to parse through the sea of opinions coming at us like a firehouse and objectively critique their merits...that's important. Like, really important. #edtechafterdark
A2. Hmmm. Not sure there's a shortage of focus on reason...except among certain world leaders perhaps...but a shortage of privileging/acknowledging emotional competence.#edtechafterdark
I would argue that our humanity can't be fully replicated no matter how powerful the technology is that we create. Though we might in the pursuit of that creation lose what is most essential/special/unique about our humanity. It can atrophy. #edtechafterdark
This is why I don't think we'll ever see the "singularity" so many fear and so many movies posit we'll eventually get to. AI is still pretty dumb. The more humanlike Siri sounds, the more we may expect her to know, but it's all just data we are manipulating. #edtechafterdark
In the post-modern, post-truth era, perhaps you’re right; however, I still believe there’s importance in finding solid and viable defenses of our personal truths outside of “I saw it online” #edtechafterdark
A3: I would imagine that many critics argue that the humanities aren't profitable. It's hard to draw data points from philosophy and art, which means that they're hard to market. If the humanities aren't part of the capitalist world, they have no purpose. #EdTechAfterDark
And yet we see generations of students - and teachers and everyday people - who are not skilled in emotional competence. We have to fight to teach SEL while STEM/STEAM - disciplines more steeped in "reason" - are getting lots of love by funders and politicians. #edtechafterdark
A3 I wonder what that percentage looks like ... maybe most CEOs and the others have excellent work ethic too ... can we truly attribute their success to 1 factor? (Says the ENG major) 🤗 #EdTechAfterDark
A3: While I do not have the answer to this, is it possible that knowledge/background of the humanities can be used for reasons other than good? #edtechafterdark
It is History ... remember Christians were told using scriptures that Slavery was right ... it was Gods Will to take the land from the Native Americans ... anything is factual if you believe it. May be irrational but no less real #edtechafterdark
A3: It has less to do with the destination and more the journey. The path is more ambiguous than with a STEM major. Ambiguity always leads to fear! #EdTechAfterDark
A3: because we don’t often connect stem to humanities, we believe humanities is a dead end because we can’t fathom it affecting the world of data & equations—yet it is the brilliance behind it! #edtechafterdark
A3. And our governor wants to drop alot of those major because they dont produce revenue. He should probably hangout in Silicon Valley for awhile. #edtechafterdark
Though we need stem/steam to technically find solutions to our problems, the very nature of finding solutions or the desire to solve a problem is humanities-based. #edtechafterdark
A3: As a philosophy major, I know firsthand the impact that learning how to think has had on my life. Being able to analyze, deconstruct an argument, and put theory into practice are all skill sets I attribute to my major. #EdTechAfterDark
A3: The implication that Liberal Studies or the humanities is just "fluff" or something one chooses when "undecided" in college. Isn't college where we go to find out what we love? #edtechafterdark
I think that people look at something they can't quantify and have a hard time seeing worth but you're right- the humanities are behind all of that data! #edtechafterdark
A3b also this mindset perpetuates the notion that we need to feverishly compete to get to the "top" of the STEM job "ladder" (mostly with China or other countries). Collaboration > competition (@SirKenRobinson) #edtechafterdark
It is important to remember that deception and ignorance are timeless. Our job is to equip our Ss with tools to take on both the snake-oil salesman, the grifter and the con artist! #edtechafterdark
It is History ... remember Christians were told using scriptures that Slavery was right ... it was Gods Will to take the land from the Native Americans ... anything is factual if you believe it. May be irrational but no less real #edtechafterdark
I love the way you delineated that. I absolutely agree that the terms are interconnected. bringing forward this connection, even in the way in which I approach teaching and learning makes a huge difference! #edtechafterdark
Though we need stem/steam to technically find solutions to our problems, the very nature of finding solutions or the desire to solve a problem is humanities-based. #edtechafterdark
A3b: The ability to think outside the box, to be creative, to communicate, to see patterns and connections, ability to analyze and share data is key and where the humanities come into play #edtechafterdark
I don’t have time during this chat to dive headfirst into Kierkegaard’s concept of a “leap of faith”, but know that you’re right in saying that such a leap is necessary to believe in anything that adds meaning to our lives... #edtechafterdark
Isn’t high school a place where we can discover our "find out what you love?" A pathway to passion. I want that so college is a continuum of learning. #edtechafterdark
A3: The implication that Liberal Studies or the humanities is just "fluff" or something one chooses when "undecided" in college. Isn't college where we go to find out what we love? #edtechafterdark
Though we need stem/steam to technically find solutions to our problems, the very nature of finding solutions or the desire to solve a problem is humanities-based. #edtechafterdark
A3: Just goes to show that ‘soft-skills’ harnessed in a liberal arts program is less impt compared w/ stem skills (when it shouldn’t be).
Btw, hate the term ‘soft ‘. #edtechafterdark
A3) Comparisons of global competitiveness have led to a focus on STEM. We’re also still wedded to the idea that you get a degree in the job you’re going to do. It’s still supposed to be about getting an education. #EdTechAfterDark
So does having more access to information make use more likely or less likely to be ignorant? ... or biased based on our belief structure? #EdTechAfterDark
But for practical matters like whether a scientist “implanted” an ear or “grew” an ear on the back of a mouse, certain strategies should be implemented by academics to determine which is a more accurate portrayal of what the scientist actually did. #edtechafterdark
@danvkoch I love this too! The problems are HUMAN problems and we have to help kids see beyond the worksheet and look toward how their academic studies are related to human needs. #edtechafterdark
Though we need stem/steam to technically find solutions to our problems, the very nature of finding solutions or the desire to solve a problem is humanities-based. #edtechafterdark
A4 IMO hyperbole ... as long as there are humans, we will have humanities ... relationships first means having the ability to communicate effectively & efficiently ... humans have unharnessed passion that must be explored through writing & reading #EdTechAfterDark
A3: It has less to do with the destination and more the journey. The path is more ambiguous than with a STEM major. Ambiguity always leads to fear! #EdTechAfterDark
This is about how you use that information. You can easily create your own walled garden of belief by literally subscribing to only those news/media outlets that adhere to your bias already and simply think everyone agrees with you. Or not. #edtechafterdark
A4: Reagan said "Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. .... or one day we will spend our sunset years telling our children ... what it was once like in the US where men were free." #edtechafterdark
A3: It has less to do with the destination and more the journey. The path is more ambiguous than with a STEM major. Ambiguity always leads to fear! #EdTechAfterDark
(1) Fantastic question! I believe education is the answer to ignorance and diminishes our susceptibility to deception. However, we must intentionally teach critical thinking skills. #edtechafterdark
A4. Its a little of both. Go back and watch Bernsteins Young People Concerts from the 60's. Listen to how he talks to his audience (kids and adults). Maybe we are dumbing down the generations. Which could lead to, well..... #edtechafterdark
A4: “Demos” - people. No humanities seems to suggest misalignment of the purpose for democracy. If we have people, we need the humanities. #edtechafterdark
A4: I think that the death of the humanities would make it even harder than it already is to see the other side of any kind of argument. #EdTechAfterDark
(2) I think if you have been given access to f2f education, there is less excuse for ignorance and being deceived. We need teachers to guide our learning and our problem solving. #edtechafterdark
A4 It's a real cause for concern. I envision test silos that only concern themselves with racing to the top via test scores and slowly taking the "humanity" out of learning. Oh wait...#edtechafterdark
This insight is so deep and explains so much about the political and cultural leaning toward STEAM/STEM. Yes, a tidy five step scientific method is so comforting! Humanities: it's so messy and...human! #edtechafterdark
Facts are in the eye of the beholder ... is Climate Change Real? Are humans causing it or is it a natural occurrence ... #EdTechAfterDark wonder how much you believe to be fact is based on your Faith?
A4: I believe there is some truth to this concept, because without reason and rationale, we wouldn’t be capable of functioning in a democratic society. #edtechafterdark
So true! My history students get frustrated when we are analyzing docs and often will be like "why don't you just tell us the answers?" but the process is of thinking critically and analyzing is key #edtechafterdark
But what is happening that instead of access to information giving us expanded knowledge and diversity it has done the exact opposite ... made us less diverse in our thinking #EdTechAfterDark
A5 for many, the humanities provide students/teachers/parents/people something interesting to learn about ... even STEM requires interesting reading ... as story tellers, though, people learn best through those associations ... #EdTechAfterDark
Once again, I’m happy that you have discovered Post-Modernism, existentialism, and relativism. However, within these systems even the most anti-absolutists agree that we must have a viable system to construct our truths with the phenomena we come in contact with #edtechafterdark
I think that @mexusmx insight about ambiguity applies here. We default to the less ambiguous. We fear the less certain. When given a choice, we choose to use info access to build our like-minded tribe - it's safer. Not better, mind you. #EdTechAfterDark
In reply to
@DennisDill, @danvkoch, @mexusmx, @mexusmx
Legit question ... deep thought ... seeing a lot of people believing a certain way ... regardless of fact ... based on their religious Faith. #edtechafterdark that is another convo ... when Faith and Facts collide
In reply to
@danvkoch, @alexstubenbort, @globalearner
I don’t know if that has been my experience, but I work with a very specific group of kids that have grown up all over the world. I wholeheartedly agree that there is an almost criminal complacency that access to information guarantees learning will occur. #edtechafterdark
A5: The humanities give students the tools to shape and layer ideas by giving the student differing perspectives on a plethora of subjects, which leads to literacy in more than one realm of thought. #EdTechAfterDark
A5: Pivotal in helping in the creativity, communication, collaboration, & critical thinking, but being able to articulate it and understand various POVs. Essential to the learning process #edtechafterdark
A5 Being aware of of the world around you - it's very nature malleable and ever changing - is paramount to increasing digital/traditional "literacies." For example, what would you define "research" as? Has this changed over the past 10 years? #edtechafterdark
A4) The forces that would eliminate Humanities are comparable to those that would destroy democracy. We aren’t willing to eliminate Humanities. #EdTechAfterDark
As a history teacher, I love the storytelling and being that "sage on the stage" but it's just as important to be that "guide from the side" and help the students see those connections in the stories for themselves #edtechafterdark
as someone who is still in undergrad I base most of my learning off of my humanities classes... they're super insightful and definitely give me a different perspective on everything #edtechafterdark
A5: I tell my students that everytime they read, it’s a dialogue. Our students frame this discussion via their own ideas, experiences, and beliefs. Humanities supply these students with better frames. #EdTechAfterDark
A5: The humanities are how we connect with others from the most superficial level to the deepest recesses of our capacity to feel and to reason. #edtechafterdark
My favorite part of the most recent conference I went to was when I was walking the expo floor and a colleague of mine was stopped by a vendor who asked her “do you want to learn more about raising test scores?” Her reply: “No.” 😂 #edtechafterdark
Hey, #edtechafterdark. I had to skip this one tonight. I had to disconnect and reconnect. I’ll catch you next week! Looks like there was some #edtechafterdark fire on the timeline though! Deuces!
Each discipline supplies its particular frames. Equip learners with as many as possible, along with judgment to recognize strengths/frailties of each. #edtechafterdark
A5: Pivotal in helping in the creativity, communication, collaboration, & critical thinking, but being able to articulate it and understand various POVs. Essential to the learning process #edtechafterdark
A6 @gcouros recommended @Inoreader as a way of subscribing to blogs, capturing webpages, and connecting to podcasts ... does not bog down email and always assessable 💜 #EdTechAfterDark
LOVE IT! My students are more than a number. And I have to constantly remind them of that before any major standardized test they take. #edtechafterdark
My favorite part of the most recent conference I went to was when I was walking the expo floor and a colleague of mine was stopped by a vendor who asked her “do you want to learn more about raising test scores?” Her reply: “No.” 😂 #edtechafterdark
What you condescendingly call Post-Modernism Existentialism... I like to call a perpetual state of questioning everything , which is what I thought we were trying to teach our kids ... why do we believe the way we do. #edtechafterdark
A6: CrashCourse on YouTube gives in depth, interesting lessons on subjects within a number of disciplines which are accessible and fun to watch! https://t.co/6uMCfaEP6T#EdTechAfterDark
A5: We have “quote of the day” in class where we draw on various perspectives and together S’s arrive at conclusions that apply the new knowledge to life. Great example I think. #edtechafterdark
(Typing before taggin! I keep forgetting the hashtag!) #edtechafterdark A5: I am wondering whether we can spell "Humanities" as C-o-m-m-o-n C-o-r-e Maybe I'm too nostalgic for Socratic questioning...
A6 For the record, I'm pretty sure the Humanities have been here throughout the 21st century. Just sometimes hard to hear them over notifications pinging on countless devices ;) #edtechafterdark
A6: Here’s an online course on how to search with @Google... sounds easy, right? You’d be amazed how poorly we do it and the biases fed to us via our favorite search engine as a result. Every educator should complete this course!
https://t.co/mXNDcV9Vwc#edtechafterdark
A6: I will suggest a resource/book @rjpalacio 365 Days of Wonder. It’s been a great tool in my grade 4-5 classroom as it draws on various individuals’ thoughts for discussion and application. #edtechafterdark
Haha! The desire to escape the challenges of the real world, lots of caffeine and some healthy provocation from one of my #eduheroes@DennisDill is pretty much all I need to roll up my proverbial sleeves! #edtechafterdark
A6: Copying everyone a's here and, for me: The Gutenberg Elegies by Sven Birkerts, The Book Whisperer by Donalyn Miller and you know, Freire and Nouwen #edtechafterdark (remembered it!)
