In Twitter and Tear Gas: The Power and Fragility of Networked Protest, sociologist Zeynep Tufekci examines the intricate relationship between social media and social movements. This timely book provides important insights into how modern protest unfolds with the rise of networked technologies. The book in three sentences: The book examines how social media has changed…
I’m presenting a keynote at the Fostering Creativity and Innovation with Technology in K-12 Education Symposium at The Ohio State Center for Digital Learning and Innovation. You can access my slides here, or embedded in the post below. The outline of this keynote is as follows: Where we’re headed We need to reimagine education to…
Meet John, a high school student graduating this year. They’re a decent student who works hard and gets by. They can solve for x and summarize the main events of the Civil War. With some help from their parents, they wrote an essay and filled out applications to the local state college. This all seems…
The principles of minimal computing encourage us to carefully consider our technology choices and usage. Minimal computing advocates doing the most with the least, prioritizing sustainability, equity, and empowerment. To put these principles into practice, I’ve drafted some questions to critically examine our own technology use. I would greatly appreciate any feedback on these questions…
In recent years, “minimal computing” has emerged as an approach to digital humanities scholarship that favors simplicity, sustainability, and accessibility. Minimal computing encourages asking key questions like “What do we need?” and “What can we do with what we have?” rather than getting caught up in the latest trends or tools. At its core, minimal…
In her insightful book Weapons of Math Destruction, mathematician and data scientist Cathy O’Neil exposes how algorithms and big data can perpetuate inequality and erode democracy. As algorithms increasingly run our lives, this is an important book for understanding their unintended consequences. Weapons of Math Destruction explores how algorithms are being used to make important…
Educational technology continues to advance at a rapid pace, bringing exciting new possibilities into the classroom. Chatbots, virtual reality, and AI-powered tutors promise to revolutionize learning. But, in our eagerness to embrace the latest innovations, are we approaching them with a critical eye? As educators, we must carefully consider not only what we could do…
In my recent review of Noah Hawley’s novel Anthem, I touched on some powerful themes that the book explores, including mental health issues in youth, trauma’s lingering impacts, and the importance of human connection in healing societal rifts. These themes all relate to the vital quality of empathy. As Hawley’s dystopian tale suggests, practicing empathy…
The commonplace book, a collection of passages and quotations organized by theme or topic, has long been a key tool for scholars and thinkers. From the Renaissance through the 19th century, learned figures kept these books to store bits of knowledge, apt quotes, or observations for later retrieval and use. The art of selecting and…
Quick Summary Noah Hawley’s latest novel Anthem offers a disturbing yet captivating vision of a near-future America plagued by political strife, climate disaster, and teenage suicide. Published in January 2022, the book has garnered attention for its timely themes and fast-paced, cinematic storytelling. In this review, I will give a quick plot overview, an extended…