Digitally Literate

2026-11-13T17:28:12Z

Digitally Literate is a weekly newsletter and connected notebook for anyone trying to make sense of AI and the digital world, and keep some power over it.

Issues move across artificial intelligence, education, literacy, privacy, platforms, and the open web. I use the letter to share what I am reading, work through an argument, and connect current events to questions that deserve more time.

It has run since 2015. 450+ issues and counting.

Read it by email

Subscribe on Substack to get each issue in your inbox the week it goes out. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Follow by RSS

Point your reader at digitallyliterate.net/feed.xml. No email address required.

Read on the web

The complete archive is open without a subscription — every issue back to 2015. The web version is the fuller one: it carries the links, tags, and connections to everything else in the garden that the emailed version leaves out.

New here? Start here.

Questions or delivery problems? Email hello@digitallyliterate.net.

About Digitally Literate

2026-11-13T17:28:12Z

About Digitally Literate

Digitally Literate is Ian O'Byrne's newsletter and connected public notebook about technology, literacy, education, and the ways digital systems shape everyday life.

The newsletter began in 2015 as Too Long; Didn't Read. It has changed in name and form over the years, but the central practice has stayed the same: read widely, notice the connections, and share a useful account of what matters.

What I write about

The work often returns to artificial intelligence, digital literacy, learning, privacy, identity, platforms, and the open web. I am especially interested in what these systems ask of people: how we exercise judgment, how we care for one another, and how we retain agency inside environments designed by others.

I do not treat digital literacy as a checklist of technical skills. It is an ongoing practice of reading systems, questioning their assumptions, making informed choices, and building better alternatives together.

Why the notebook is here

A weekly issue captures a moment. Some questions stretch across many issues and need a more durable home. The public notebook gathers those threads into Evergreens, Groves, and Forests so that an idea can become clearer without losing the history of how it developed.

The notebook is curated from a larger private research vault. Only material prepared for a public reader appears here.

About Ian

Ian O’Byrne is a literacy researcher and professor exploring power, agency, and who gets to decide how technology shapes our lives. Digitally Literate is where he shares developing ideas and the weekly newsletter.

For finished essays, book notes, publications, a fuller biography, and professional contact information, visit wiobyrne.com.

Talks, workshops, and advising: Work with me →

Start here · Read the archive · Subscribe

TLDR 99

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 99

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 99

Published: 2017-05-26 • 📧 Newsletter

Welcome to issue #99 of TL;DR. Feel free to share with someone that you believe would benefit. Subscribe to this newsletter if you stumbled across this newsletter online.

This week's issue is all about life, death, and the stuff in between.

This week I posted the following:

Stop motion movie creation in early childhood education - This post shares an overview of some recent work I conducted in a kindergarten classroom. I worked with the class to make a stop motion movie version of a text they were reading. I like working with technology in early and elementary education to get a better sense of how to make it work in those placements.

Please get in touch with me at hello@wiobyrne.com. You can review archives of the newsletter or on Medium. I also share the quotes at the bottom of the newsletter on Instagram.

🔖 Key Takeaways

The Most Important Thing: The most important thing for me from this video was an insistence on the evening routine and setting up the organization and preparation for the next day.
I Need to Improve: My morning routine includes waking at 5, meditating for 20 minutes, and then working out/running for a half hour. I need to improve this routine by planning/reflecting the night before...and not looking at emails/social media first thing in the morning.
Evan Williams Indicates: Evan Williams has been one of the pioneers in helping to provide free digital tools to the citizens of the world. Williams indicates that he thinks the Internet is broken.
This Is a Frequent Concern: Algorithms and models are often imperfect, and shrouded in secrecy because it's the "secret sauce" of an organization. This is a frequent concern that I have when I examine the work behind the scenes with Facebook.
It Is Our Duty: We've discussed how net neutrality can be a difficult subject to understand. We also have discussed how paramount it is to our freedoms and use of this fundamental text. It is our duty to educate ourselves, and speak up against these false arguments.
Once Again We See: The post is a somber look at the role of these professionals that are forced to serve on the frontlines of this war. Once again we see librarians and media specialists stepping to the forefront and saving lives.
Sometimes We Forget: Sometimes we forget about the power of literacy and education. We ignore the role of the press and journalists and their roles in leveraging or promoting truth.

📺 Watch

How to create a morning routine (and stick to it long-term)

This video from Thomas Frank focuses on starting your day in the right frame of mind through the development of a morning routine. Specifically, Frank offers insight into the following:

Wake up earlier
Start small and track your progress
Building the routine
Evening routine

The most important thing for me from this video was an insistence on the evening routine and setting up the organization and preparation for the next day.

My morning routine includes waking at 5, meditating for 20 minutes, and then working out/running for a half hour. I need to improve this routine by planning/reflecting the night before...and not looking at emails/social media first thing in the morning.

📚 Read

"The Internet is Broken": @ev is trying to salvage it

Often when we think about publishing and sharing in open, online spaces, there is the altruistic belief that anyone can make their voice heard. With this great power, there is the realization that anyone, with any perspective can make their voice heard. This includes trolling behaviors, hate speech, anonymous sources, and AI bots.

Evan Williams has been one of the pioneers in helping to provide free digital tools to the citizens of the world to express and publish their ideas. In this post, Williams indicates that he thinks the Internet is broken. He discusses his work creating Twitter, Blogger, and now Medium. The piece also tries to chart out a possible way forward to help clean up the Internet.

Revealed: Facebook's internal rulebook on sex, terrorism, and violence

I'm reading Weapons of Math Destruction by Cathy O'Neil right now. The book is an excellent look at mathematical models, big data, and algorithms and the bad decisions made with this information. It is helping me conceptualize exactly what it meant by models, code, and algorithms.

One of the concepts that O'Neil discusses is that these algorithms and models are often imperfect, and shrouded in secrecy because it's the "secret sauce" of an organization. This is a frequent concern that I have when I examine the work behind the scenes with Facebook.

This week the secret rules and guidelines for deciding how to moderate issues of violence, hate speech, terrorism, pornography, racism, and self-harm were revealed.

This piece by Wired provides a good overview of the files and the potential for backlash against Facebook. Review the complete set of materials obtained by The Guardian.

These are the arguments against net neutrality - and why they're wrong

First of all, this cover image is another version of the Gadsden flag that ties in some connections to current issues of privacy and security. I think some of these would make great laptop stickers.

The content of the post focuses on some of the half-truths and misconceptions about the arguments made against net neutrality. One thing that is true is that the current leadership of the FCC, and money from lobbyists are trying to build confusion and doubt about the logic and rules behind net neutrality.

We've discussed in the past here on TL;DR how net neutrality can be a difficult subject to understand. We also have discussed how paramount it is to our freedoms and use of this fundamental text. It is our duty to educate ourselves, and speak up against these false arguments when made.

This piece provides a different look at the same argument.

For these Philly librarians, drug tourists and overdose drills are part of the job

Philadelphia has a soft spot in my heart as it was very close to where I grew up. This post from Philly.com caught my eye as it discusses the role of library media specialists and their role in combating the opioid crisis.

The post is a somber look at the role of these professionals that are forced to serve on the frontlines of this war. Once again we see librarians and media specialists stepping to the forefront and saving lives.

"To die would be to stop writing"

Throughout this week, this opinion/editorial on Javier Valdez Cárdenas has continued to speak to me. Cárdenas was a Mexican journalist and founder of Riodoce, a newspaper based in Sinaloa. He received several international awards for his writings on drug trafficking and organized crime in the Mexican drug war. Cárdenas was shot and killed by unidentified gunmen this week, blocks away from the Ríodoce offices.

Sometimes we forget about the power of literacy and education. We ignore the role of the press and journalists and their roles in leveraging or promoting truth. Stories like this, and the life of Cárdenas are good reminders of the meaning and power of making our voices heard.

🔨 Do

How to make the perfect martini

Sir Roger Moore died earlier this week at the age of 89.

This post provides guidance from Roger Moore on how to make the perfect martini. Specifically, Moore notes:

"My dry martinis taste amazing and the day they tell me I've got 24 hours to live I am going to have six. Here's how I make them."

I'm not really a martini person, but I think I'll make an exception in this case.

🤔 Consider

"If you think we can't change the world, it just means that you're not one of those that will." — Jacque Fresco

Previous: TLDR 98 • Next: TLDR 100 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Morning Routine — Thomas Frank video focuses on starting day in right frame of mind through development of morning routine, most important thing for me was insistence on evening routine and setting up organization and preparation for next day I need to improve by planning reflecting night before.
Evan Williams — One of pioneers helping provide free digital tools to citizens of world Twitter Blogger Medium, Williams indicates he thinks the Internet is broken piece tries to chart out possible way forward to help clean up Internet.
Facebook Moderation — Weapons of Math Destruction Cathy O'Neil algorithms and models often imperfect shrouded in secrecy, this is frequent concern I have when examine work behind scenes with Facebook secret rules and guidelines for moderating violence hate speech terrorism revealed.
Net Neutrality Arguments — Post focuses on half-truths and misconceptions about arguments made against net neutrality FCC leadership and lobbyists trying to build confusion, we've discussed how paramount it is to our freedoms it is our duty to educate ourselves and speak up against these false arguments.
Librarians Opioid Crisis — Philly.com role of library media specialists in combating opioid crisis, somber look at role of these professionals forced to serve on frontlines once again we see librarians and media specialists stepping to forefront and saving lives.
Javier Valdez Cárdenas — Mexican journalist founder of Riodoce received international awards for writings on drug trafficking organized crime shot and killed, sometimes we forget power of literacy and education ignore role of press and journalists stories like this good reminders of meaning and power of making our voices heard.
Roger Moore Martini — Sir Roger Moore died age 89 guidance on how to make perfect martini, my dry martinis taste amazing day they tell me I've got 24 hours to live I am going to have six I'm not martini person but I'll make exception.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 98

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 98

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 98

Published: 2017-05-19 • 📧 Newsletter

Welcome to issue #98 of TL;DR. This is a weekly synthesis of things you need to know about education, technology, and literacy. Feel free to share with someone that you believe would benefit. Subscribe to this newsletter if you stumbled across this newsletter online.

This week's issue is all about manipulation, misinformation, and radicalization.

This week I posted the following:

Digitally Literate Courses: Building buzz through freebies - I'm still continuing my work developing online courses to help people become experts in teaching and learning with tech. This latest post is all about buzz, freebies, and marketing.
Reflecting on my StrengthsQuest Report - Last week I took the StrengthsQuest assessment for a workshop at my institution. In terms of radical transparency, I am sharing my results on my blog. I've been motivated by discussions with friends online as they document "how they like to work" on their blogs. I think this is one possible step in that direction on my site.

Please get in touch with me at hello@wiobyrne.com. You can review archives of the newsletter or on Medium. I also share the quotes at the bottom of the newsletter on Instagram.

🔖 Key Takeaways

I Wonder How These Tips: One key takeaway is about eye contact. The narrator indicates that you should look long enough to identify the color of another person's eyes. I wonder how these tips might translate to digital contexts.
This Post from Zeynep Tufecki: This post from Zeynep Tufecki in the NY Times asks the broader question about why we don't do more to stop these threats from impacting our lives and data.
Most Importantly: Our dependence on media is under attack from groups and their "attention hacking" efforts to manipulate these information streams. Most importantly, media manipulation may contribute to decreased trust of mainstream media, increased misinformation, and further radicalization.
I Think the Other Challenge: Google may be gaining more from the schools than just the sale of low cost laptops. I think the other challenge is that we're giving Google access to these treasure troves of data from learners over time.
This Essay Has Me Rethinking: This essay from Molly Worthen has me rethinking my policy of allowing students to call me by my first name. This decision may lead to confusion in which some students don't know how to communicate in power structures.
Dylan Fenton Shares: Dylan Fenton shares the strategies he uses with his students to get them to revise their work and focus on audience.
Dorsey Suggests: Dorsey suggests giving each day a "theme" that guides all work for that day. That way you remain focused on general things you need to address, while not getting bogged down in the minutiae of daily events.

📺 Watch

Top 10 psychology hacks you can use to control situations

Ten quick tips on how to maximize social, professional, and academic situations. These simple hacks can be used in any situation and can help you more quickly get to "yes."

One key takeaway that I'll have is about eye contact. The narrator indicates that you should look long enough to identify the color of another person's eyes. They also describe the need to form a triangle from the person's eyes to their mouth. You should have your eyes gaze back to this triangle every 5 to 10 seconds in a discussion.

I wonder how these tips might translate to digital contexts.

📚 Read

The world is getting hacked. Why don't we do more to stop it?

This past week a major ransomware attack popped up and quickly spread across the globe. Ransomware is ransom demanding computer software that takes over your computer and blocks access to your data until the ransom is paid.

This version of ransomware was apparently a variant of a hacking tool called EternalBlue used by the National Security Agency in the U. S. To protect yourself against this threat, review this post from Alex Hern.

This post from Zeynep Tufecki in the NY Times asks the broader question about why we don't do more to stop these threats from impacting our lives and data.

Media manipulation and disinformation online

A great research report from Alice Marwick, Rebecca Lewis, and the group at Data & Society.

The report examines the subcultures and ecosystems that help to manipulate the news, media, and propaganda. Our dependence on media is under attack from groups and their "attention hacking" efforts to manipulate these information streams. Most importantly, media manipulation may contribute to decreased trust of mainstream media, increased misinformation, and further radicalization.

Read the full report here. Use this supplemental syllabus to help identify ways to connect lessons learned to the classroom.

How Google took over the classroom

A detailed analysis on how Google dethroned Microsoft and is the current king of the classroom in edtech. This piece by Natasha Singer in the NY Times shares many of the decisions, and product offerings that have helped propel Google into this position.

As the piece also posits, Google may be gaining more from the schools than just the sale of low cost laptops. They're getting future citizens that are hooked on Google products as they use them throughout their schooling.

I think the other challenge is that we're giving Google access to these treasure troves of data from learners over time. They're becoming indoctrinated into the Google ecosystem, and Google is building up a diverse profile on digital representations of their identities.

U Can't Talk to Ur Professor Like This

In my Language and Literacy class, we discuss the power of names, and the titles that we assign to individuals. I use this as a start to the new semester as I discuss my syllabus and course policies. I also give my students permission to call me by my first name. Much of this is to help my exploration of language, culture, and identity.

This essay from Molly Worthen has me rethinking my policy of allowing students to call me by my first name. This decision may lead to confusion in which some students don't know how to communicate in power structures, and should be learning during this time period. This also may lead to concerns about appropriate norms of communicating during this time period. Finally, this may also lead to larger problems for the learner later in the job force.

Why revise? Because you have an authentic audience

Post from Dylan Fenton in Edutopia sharing the strategies he uses with his students to get them to revise their work and focus on audience.

Self-publishing fiction - Have students build voice and focus on audience by writing their own fiction on spaces like Wattpad and Figment
Recording podcasts - Have students record their own work, in their voices
Blogging - Have students regularly write short posts about their interests
Writing correspondence - Write letters to real people
Making videos for YouTube - Make short, creative films about student interests, how-to videos, screencasts, or interviews

🔨 Do

Be more productive by giving your day a theme to regain focus

I've been taking handwritten notes more often as I try to move my note taking and journaling away from Evernote. I'm testing ways to improve my "to do" list for each day as well.

This time hack comes from Jack Dorsey, the founder of Twitter and Square.

Dorsey suggests giving each day a "theme" that guides all work for that day. That way you remain focused on general things you need to address, while not getting bogged down in the minutiae of daily events.

I do this somewhat as I organize my week around the days I'll teach. Certain days become writing/research days, while others are identified as teaching/grading days.

🤔 Consider

"The words you say never live up to the words in your head." — Chris Cornell

Previous: TLDR 97 • Next: TLDR 99 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Psychology Hacks — Ten quick tips maximize social professional academic situations simple hacks help more quickly get to yes, one key takeaway about eye contact look long enough to identify color of person's eyes I wonder how these tips might translate to digital contexts.
WannaCry Ransomware — Major ransomware attack spread across globe ransom demanding software takes over computer blocks access to data, variant of hacking tool called EternalBlue used by NSA Zeynep Tufecki NY Times asks broader question why we don't do more to stop these threats.
Media Manipulation — Data & Society research report Alice Marwick Rebecca Lewis examines subcultures and ecosystems manipulate news media propaganda, our dependence on media under attack from attention hacking efforts most importantly media manipulation may contribute to decreased trust increased misinformation and further radicalization.
Google Classroom Dominance — Natasha Singer NY Times detailed analysis how Google dethroned Microsoft current king of classroom edtech, I think the other challenge we're giving Google access to treasure troves of data from learners over time building up diverse profile on digital representations of identities.
Professor Titles — Molly Worthen U Can't Talk to Ur Professor Like This power of names and titles, this essay has me rethinking my policy of allowing students to call me by first name may lead to confusion students don't know how to communicate in power structures may lead to larger problems later in job force.
Authentic Audience Writing — Dylan Fenton Edutopia strategies to get students to revise work and focus on audience, self-publishing fiction recording podcasts blogging writing correspondence making videos for YouTube.
Daily Themes — Jack Dorsey productivity hack giving each day theme that guides all work, you remain focused on general things need to address while not getting bogged down in minutiae of daily events I do this organize week around days I'll teach.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 97

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 97

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 97

Published: 2017-05-12 • 📧 Newsletter

Welcome to issue #97 of TL;DR. This is a weekly synthesis of things you need to know about education, technology, and literacy. Feel free to share with someone that you believe would benefit. Subscribe to this newsletter if you haven't already.

This week's issue is all about resisting bots & weaponized disinformation.

I try to keep the information below a bit brief. This week there is far more detail, and nuance as events of the week pulled together some important themes. Please read across the links and let me know if you see the same patterns that I do.

This week I had a great chat with Peggy Semingson about teaching & learning in higher ed. You can watch the video here.

Please get in touch with me at hello@wiobyrne.com. You can review archives of the newsletter or on Medium. I also share the quotes at the bottom of the newsletter on Instagram.

🔖 Key Takeaways

I Think in Our Future: In response to John Oliver's call, a flood of bots have been leaving comments on the FCC website that run contrary to the work from this initiative. I think in our future we'll need to make plans and policy to address these swarms of bots.
I Was Paying a Lot of Attention: This past week, the French election was held and a lot of eyes were watching to see the effects of the media, spammers, bots, and hackers. I was paying a lot of attention as I've seen the effects of these forces in the Brexit vote and U.S. Presidential election.
I Think There Are Tremendous Opportunities: I think there are tremendous opportunities to develop chatbots, or ECMs for use in working with students to support them to answer basic questions. Perhaps they can also provide some praise and critique along the way.
I Think There Are Several Key Takeaways: Hacks like this will occur and will continue to occur. It's important to make sure all individuals can quickly and easily change their password or delete their account at any point.
Tufecki Notes: Without a Twitter hashtag or Excel spreadsheets to do your logistics, you really had to build a lot of organizational muscle. If you want to be a credible threat to the powers that be, you need to build those muscles.
Stewart Closes: Stewart closes the piece by indicating that this may be the lever needed to reopen the web to its participatory, democratic potential.
I Recommend Problematizing: I recommend problematizing your writing and collaboration workflow to see if there is a better system that works for you and your team.

📺 Watch

Net Neutrality II: Last Week Tonight with John Oliver

We've talked a lot about net neutrality here in TL;DR and the ultimate effects on the Internet and your freedoms. John Oliver brought this issue to the attention of many with his previous piece on the FCC. If you're trying to make sense of net neutrality, I recommend watching both of these videos. Please note that these two videos contain some language that is NSFW.

This latest video gives an update to the net neutrality debate and the current politics of the situation. In the video, Oliver instructs his viewers to flood the FCC website to urge the FCC to keep strong net neutrality rules. The caused the FCC website to crash for a period of time due to the traffic.

In response to this, a flood of bots have been leaving comments on the FCC website that run contrary to the work from this initiative started by Oliver.

I think in our future we'll need to make plans and policy to address these swarms of bots that are released to sway public opinion.

📚 Read

Why the Macron hacking attack landed with a thud in France

This past week, the French election was held and a lot of eyes were watching to see the effects of the media, spammers, bots, and hackers on the results. I was paying a lot of attention as I've seen the effects of these forces in the Brexit vote, and in the U. S. Presidential election.

I definitely recommend reading the following pieces for more background on the hacks and disinformation attacks surrounding the election:

The final verdict on the role of these forces in the French election appears to be that hacking and disinformation attempts failed to sway the election. It is still too early to fully understand the different forces and decisions that addressed these attacks. Nevertheless, we need to study these events to identify ways to address future concerns.

Human-robot interactions take step forward with "emotional" chatbot

Last year after the Facebook Developer's Conference, I spent some time thinking about the potential future uses of bots, and most specifically chatbots in educational contexts. A bot is basically a set of scripts, or a program that is taught to act in specific ways. It automates functions you would typically perform on your own.

This piece in The Guardian discusses advances in "emotional chatting machines" or ECMs that have the ability to produce factually coherent answers while also imbuing emotions into responses.

I think there are tremendous opportunities to develop chatbots, or ECMs for use in working with students to support them to answer basic questions. Perhaps they can also provide some praise and critique along the way.

My thinking on this was all thanks to this post from Terry Freedman.

Hacker steals millions of user account details from education platform Edmodo

Congrats, if you're an Edmodo user, your information (usernames, email addresses, hashed passwords) may be for sale on the dark web.

The for-profit breach notification site LeakBase shared a sample of over two-million user records for verification purposes. The passwords have been "hashed" with strong encryption. This means that hackers still have a lot of work to do to access your actual login credentials.

I think there are several key takeaways from this report. Hacks like this will occur, and will continue to occur. It's important to make sure all individuals can quickly and easily change their password, or delete their account at any point. Do not use the same password for all accounts. Use a password manager and two factor authentication for your login credentials.

Why so many web-fueled protest movements hit a wall

This post from Zyenep Tufecki in the MIT Technology Review shares some insight from her upcoming book, Twitter and Teargas: The power and fragility of networked protest. In this post, Tufecki shares the challenges that exist as we try to move online outrage and connections to the real world.

Tufecki notes:

"When you looked at the March on Washington in 1963, you were seeing the Civil Rights movement's organizational strength, the effort and discipline it took to be out in those numbers. The recent Women's March in Washington, D.C., was also very large, but it was the first step of a potential movement, not the culmination of a decade of work. Without a Twitter hashtag or Excel spreadsheets to do your logistics, you really had to build a lot of [organizational] muscle. If you want to be a credible threat to the powers that be, you need to build those muscles."

Antigonish 2.0: A way for higher ed to help save the Web

Bonnie Stewart shares a model to potentially use web tools and distributed groups to build an infrastructure to add some "gatekeepers" to the knowledge and power available online.

Stewart posits the following three layer infrastructure to galvanize collective action at global, regional, and local levels:

Layer one - A distributed international network of media and education leaders who develop, curate, and maintain a resource hub using the #Antigonish2 hashtag.
Layer two - Building institutional capacity & inclusive citizenship in classrooms from K up through higher ed to develop regional hubs of expertise, resources, and conversation.
Layer three - "Study clubs" that consist of people in their own communities focusing on needs and interests as consumers in an attention economy.

Stewart closes the piece by indicating that this may be the lever needed to reopen the web to its participatory, democratic potential.

🔨 Do

Abandoning Google Docs

Jesse Stommel shares insights as he works to abandon Google Docs in search of another writing platform. Stommel explores a variety of writing platforms and shares insight as to their value in his workflow.

As I've been leaving Evernote, I have started to use Google Docs more often. With the recent news about the Google Docs hacks, I've been thinking about running my own, open source version of Evernote.

I recommend problematizing your writing and collaboration workflow to see if there is a better system that works for you and your team.

🤔 Consider

"FEAR: False Evidence Appearing Real." — Unknown

Previous: TLDR 96 • Next: TLDR 98 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Net Neutrality Bots — John Oliver Last Week Tonight net neutrality update viewers flood FCC website crashed, in response flood of bots leaving comments on FCC website I think in our future we'll need to make plans and policy to address these swarms of bots released to sway public opinion.
French Election Hacks — French election held lot of eyes watching effects of media spammers bots hackers, I was paying attention I've seen effects in Brexit vote and U.S. Presidential election hacking and disinformation attempts failed to sway election we need to study these events.
Emotional Chatbots — Guardian emotional chatting machines ECMs ability to produce factually coherent answers while imbuing emotions, I think there are tremendous opportunities to develop chatbots or ECMs for use working with students to answer basic questions perhaps provide some praise and critique.
Edmodo Breach — Hacker steals millions of user account details from education platform usernames email addresses hashed passwords may be for sale, I think there are several key takeaways hacks like this will occur it's important all individuals can quickly change password use password manager and two factor authentication.
Zeynep Tufekci — MIT Technology Review why web-fueled protest movements hit wall Twitter and Teargas book, when you looked at March on Washington 1963 you were seeing organizational strength without Twitter hashtag or Excel spreadsheets you had to build lot of organizational muscle need to build those muscles.
Bonnie Stewart — Antigonish 2.0 way for higher ed to help save the Web model use web tools and distributed groups build infrastructure, three layer infrastructure galvanize collective action may be lever needed to reopen web to its participatory democratic potential.
Antigonish 2.0 — Jesse Stommel abandoning Google Docs in search of another writing platform, I recommend problematizing your writing and collaboration workflow to see if there is better system that works for you and your team.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 96

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 96

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 96

Published: 2017-05-06 • 📧 Newsletter

Welcome to issue #96 of TL;DR. This is a weekly synthesis of things you need to know about education, technology, and literacy. Feel free to share with someone that you believe would benefit. Subscribe to this newsletter if you haven't already.

This week's issue is all about finding your focus & control.

Please get in touch with me at hello@wiobyrne.com. You can review archives of the newsletter or on Medium. I also share the quotes at the bottom of the newsletter on Instagram.

🔖 Key Takeaways

The Resultant Video: On April 26, 2017, NASA's Cassini spacecraft made its first ever dive through the gap between Saturn and its rings.
I'm Intrigued by Watters' Desire: I've talked a lot about the use of these annotation tools in the past. I'm intrigued by Watters' desire to actively block these activities.
Finally, This Is a Good Reminder: This is a good reminder that we cannot trust every thing we click on while online. Even if it comes from a colleague or student.
The Experts Surveyed: The experts surveyed as part of this research suggest that we will be able to adjust to this disruption despite needing a broader array of education and skill-building programs.
I Routinely Dealt: I routinely dealt with students like this while teaching in middle and high school. This is a good reflective piece to identify possible next steps.
Definitely a Great Read: This goes beyond traditional efforts to help kids open up through the use of tabletop games and peer/adult mentors. Definitely a great read for those of you that love tabletop games.
I Like the Research: I like the research and process involved. Plus, fresh beer that you brewed tastes even better.

📺 Watch

NASA: Cassini's first fantastic dive past Saturn

On April 26, 2017, NASA's Cassini spacecraft made its first ever dive through the gap between Saturn and its rings. The resultant video is formed by stitching together photos from the imaging cameras on the spacecraft.

📚 Read

Unannotated

Audrey Watters this week sent out a post about her intent to block the use of web annotation tools like Hypothesis and Genius. I've talked a lot about the use of these annotation tools in the past. I also use Hypothesis in my classes to have students read and discuss texts embedded in the texts. I'm intrigued by Watters' desire to actively block these activities. The result has been a lot of discussion online for those of us that create and share content online.

I definitely recommend reviewing these responses from Kevin Hodgson, Maha Bali, and Doug Belshaw.

Someone hit the Internet with a massive Google Doc phishing attack

This week a massive phishing attack occurred online as links to a Google Doc appeared to come from someone they know. These links to a Google Doc were in fact malicious attempts to hijack your account. Because many of us use Google Mail as a key link in our online systems, this is very problematic.

Google says that they have addressed the problem and that it affected fewer than 0.1% of gMail users. If you believe you were affected, it's a good time to change your password, and turn on two-factor authentication. It's also worth reviewing the post to see what extra steps you need to follow to get rid of that Google Doc.

Finally, this is a good reminder that we cannot trust every thing we click on while online. Even if it comes from a colleague or student.

The future of jobs and job training

A report from the Pew Research Center on the future of jobs, training, and education. The future of jobs is an uncertain topic as we look to advances in automation and technologies.

The experts surveyed as part of this research suggest that we will be able to adjust to this disruption despite needing a broader array of education and skill-building programs to meet new demands.

The full report is available here. I would also suggest reviewing a group of sharable quotes pulled from the research.

You might want to also check out this piece from Fast Company on "5 things to do right now to still be employable in a decade."

A mindset shift to continue supporting the most frustrating kids

This post in MindShift examines teaching strategies that can be used to help support the most challenging students. These are the students that are the perpetual roadblock to anything you want to do in your classroom. Sometimes this is even confrontational.

The mindset focuses around several questions:

What's the actual challenge here?
What can I do to change this?
What's next?

I routinely dealt with students like this while teaching in middle and high school. I also have to guide educators as they try to connect with students that need support. This is a good reflective piece to identify possible next steps.

Therapists are using Dungeons & Dragons to get kids to open up

A post in Kotaku sharing the work of therapists and table top gaming groups like the Wheelhouse Workshop and The Bodhana Group.

This goes beyond traditional efforts to help kids open up through the use of tabletop games and peer/adult mentors. What follows is some anecdotal evidence of children with specific social or cognitive disabilities also benefitting from the experience. Definitely a great read for those of you that love tabletop games.

🔨 Do

Coffee vanilla cream ale

I brew beer. I first started during my first year teaching 8th grade. I was taught/apprenticed by a friend of mine that was also teaching 8th grade in my building. I brewed my own beer for family birthdays. I even brewed a beer to serve at my wedding.

I like the research and process involved. Plus, fresh beer that you brewed tastes even better.

I stopped brewing beer over the last six years as we've been moving and transitioning to a new institution. Last month a friend gave me this kit and asked if I knew anything about brewing beer. :)

I modified the cream ale a bit. I wanted to make a coffee vanilla cream ale like this one from Ballast Point. I added a full vanilla bean and some of the cold brew that I talk about here on TL;DR.

Last night we cracked open one of the first bottles of my own beer in a long time. The taste and carbonation are great. Good smooth vanilla flavor. Not a lot of coffee flavor at all. In future batches, I'll add more coffee in the process. The end result is great, and I'm planning on my next batch in the next week or so. I'm thinking of either a saison or belgian. Let me know if you have any suggestions. Feel free to stop by for a beer if you're nearby.

🤔 Consider

"Make sure your worst enemy doesn't live between your own ears." — Laird Hamilton

Previous: TLDR 95 • Next: TLDR 97 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Cassini Saturn — NASA Cassini spacecraft made first ever dive through gap between Saturn and its rings April 26 2017, resultant video formed by stitching together photos from imaging cameras.
Web Annotation Debate — Audrey Watters intent to block web annotation tools like Hypothesis and Genius, I'm intrigued by Watters' desire to actively block these activities result has been lot of discussion online recommend reviewing responses from Kevin Hodgson Maha Bali Doug Belshaw.
Google Phishing — Massive phishing attack links to Google Doc appeared to come from someone they know malicious attempts to hijack account, this is good reminder we cannot trust every thing we click on while online even if it comes from colleague or student.
Future of Jobs — Pew Research Center report on future of jobs training and education uncertain topic as we look to advances in automation, experts surveyed suggest we will be able to adjust to this disruption despite needing broader array of education and skill-building programs.
Challenging Students — MindShift mindset shift to continue supporting most frustrating kids perpetual roadblock to anything you want to do, I routinely dealt with students like this while teaching this is good reflective piece to identify possible next steps.
DnD Therapy — Therapists using Dungeons and Dragons to get kids to open up Kotaku Wheelhouse Workshop Bodhana Group, goes beyond traditional efforts anecdotal evidence of children with specific social or cognitive disabilities benefitting definitely great read for tabletop games lovers.
Homebrewing — Coffee vanilla cream ale I brew beer first started during first year teaching 8th grade, I like the research and process involved plus fresh beer that you brewed tastes even better modified cream ale added vanilla bean and cold brew.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 95

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 95

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 95

Published: 2017-04-29 • 📧 Newsletter

Welcome to issue #95 of TL;DR. This is a weekly synthesis of things you need to know about education, technology, and literacy. Feel free to share with someone that you believe would benefit. Subscribe to this newsletter if you haven't already.

In this week's episode we come to terms with curiosity.

This week I spent some time with my friends at the SC Virtual Charter School. I love working with this group because they're always actively trying to figure out how to engage students in digital learning spaces. I presented some of my thoughts on virtual field trips. I'll have a full post on this soon.

Please get in touch with me at hello@wiobyrne.com. You can review archives of the newsletter or on Medium. I also share the quotes at the bottom of the newsletter on Instagram.

🔖 Key Takeaways

This Short, Thoughtful Video: This short, thoughtful video is a great prompt to provoke discussion about the political and apolitical implications of science and research.
Let's Make It Simple: Net neutrality requires ISPs to treat all content equitably. Bits are bits. They should all be free and equal online.
This Piece Has Me Wondering: In this piece, the success or failure of the majority of students in the program came down to their performance in an introductory math course. This piece has me wondering about those possible keystone learning experiences.
I'm Still Trying to Unpack: Purdue University is buying Kaplan University to create a new nonprofit institution. I'm still trying to unpack this and will be interested to see how things shake out.
Something to Keep an Eye On: Students are increasingly searching out extra credentials, "lightweight" credentials to set themselves out from others in the hiring pool. Something to keep an eye on for a variety of reasons.
A Great Post from Doug: A great post from good friend Doug Belshaw in which he breaks down the possible components in becoming digitally literate.
I Wish That I Would Have: I wish that I would have seen this before I conducted the session.

📺 Watch

Can we survive curiosity?

An ode to science and curiosity from the MinutePhysics YouTube channel. This short, thoughtful video is a great prompt to provoke discussion about the political and apolitical implications of science and research.

📚 Read

The fight for net neutrality is officially back on

The fight for Internet freedoms continues. This latest threat is a retread of an issue that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and Internet service providers (ISPs) have been trying to push for years. The challenge is that the term "net neutrality" is a horrible title that is even harder to understand. Let's make it a bit simpler so you can understand what it is...and why you need to fight.

Net neutrality requires ISPs to treat all content equitably. This is the belief that bits of information online are all equal. This means that your ISP cannot decide to privilege one piece of content over another by making it free or faster online. Bits are bits. They should all be free and equal online.

Educate yourself about net neutrality. Then head over to the EFF to learn how to take action.

Will you graduate? Ask big data

An intriguing piece in the NY Times from Joseph B. Treaster that uses "big data" to examine graduate rates in Georgia State's nursing school. Big data is a term given to the large volume of structured and unstructured data that our organizations pump out on a daily basis. Recent attempts are being made in the field to analyze these data sorts to make better decisions.

In this piece, the success or failure of the majority of students in the program came down to their performance in an introductory math course.

This piece has me wondering about those possible keystone learning experiences that serve as an essential foundation for later success.

Purdue buys Kaplan University, will create new nonprofit chain

In an entrepreneurial power move, Purdue University, a public research university, is buying Kaplan University, a large for-profit chain with a mostly online base.

The plan is to create a new nonprofit institution which will offer a variety of credentials and certificates online and at campus locations.

I'm still trying to unpack this and will be interested to see how things shake out. For now, please check out some early feedback from Audrey Watters and Inside Higher Ed.

When a college degree isn't enough

This is a market that I don't think enough people are paying attention to as we look to the future of education. We see the reports that indicate that students graduate from K-12 and/or higher education and are not prepared to do much in the business or workforce. Students are increasingly searching out extra credentials, "lightweight" credentials to set themselves out from others in the hiring pool.

This could be taking coding classes at a local training center, or completing online certification courses. These courses could cost tens of thousands of dollars, or they could be free. These courses and credentialing programs also offer an expedited path to knowledge that is shorter, and more relevant than the years of instruction required in traditional programs.

Something to keep an eye on for a variety of reasons. If education, and specifically higher ed is being disrupted...I think the possible future is evident in paths like this.

Can digital literacy be deconstructed into learnable units?

A great post from good friend Doug Belshaw in which he breaks down the possible components in becoming digitally literate.

Belshaw unpacks his thinking regarding the following four prompts:

What are the biggest mistakes novices make when becoming digitally literate?
What mistakes are common at a pro level?
Can you learn the building blocks of digital literacy without access to the web? What would be the biggest misuse of time?
What are your favorite instructional books or resources on digital literacies? If people were to teach themselves what would you suggest they use?

🔨 Do

GE Teach Tour Builder - Create Google Earth Tours for the web

In the workshops I presented on virtual field trips, I spent much of my time focusing on the new Google Earth before heading into a discussion about AR/VR and Google Expeditions.

I came home from this session, and this post from Richard Byrne popped up in my feed. Byrne shares a great video overview of the new Google Earth as well as guidance on GE Teach Tour. I wish that I would have seen this before I conducted the session. :)

GE Teach Tour will allow you to create and publish tours to view in the new web version of Google Earth. This allows you to create an updated version of the Google Lit Trips that I've used a lot in the past.

🤔 Consider

"One day I will find the right words, and they will be simple." — Jack Kerouac

Previous: TLDR 94 • Next: TLDR 96 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Science Curiosity — MinutePhysics ode to science and curiosity short thoughtful video, great prompt to provoke discussion about political and apolitical implications of science and research.
Net Neutrality — Fight for Internet freedoms continues FCC and ISPs trying to push for years, net neutrality requires ISPs to treat all content equitably bits are bits should all be free and equal online educate yourself then head over to EFF.
Big Data Graduation — Joseph B. Treaster NY Times using big data to examine graduate rates Georgia State nursing school, success or failure of majority of students came down to performance in introductory math course this piece has me wondering about keystone learning experiences.
Purdue Kaplan — Purdue University buying Kaplan University large for-profit chain entrepreneurial power move, plan to create new nonprofit institution offer variety of credentials and certificates I'm still trying to unpack this.
Lightweight Credentials — Students increasingly searching out extra credentials lightweight credentials to set themselves out from hiring pool, could be coding classes or online certification courses something to keep an eye on if higher ed being disrupted I think possible future evident in paths like this.
Doug Belshaw — Great post breaks down possible components in becoming digitally literate, unpacks thinking regarding biggest mistakes novices make common at pro level can you learn building blocks without access to web.
Google Earth Tours — Richard Byrne GE Teach Tour Builder create and publish tours for new web version of Google Earth, I wish I would have seen this before I conducted session allows you to create updated version of Google Lit Trips.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 94

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 94

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 94

Published: 2017-04-21 • 📧 Newsletter

Welcome to TL;DR Newsletter #94. TL;DR is a weekly synthesis of things you need to know about the intersection between education, technology, and literacy. Feel free to share this with someone that you believe would benefit. Please subscribe to this newsletter if you haven't already.

In this week's episode we consider open tolerance of ideas.

This week I received a great note from friend, and TL;DR reader Tim Flanagan. Tim is an educator I met years ago while facilitating the IT&DML program at UNH. I recommend following his recent travels as he teaches, travels, and learns around the globe.

Please get in touch with me at hello@wiobyrne.com. You can review archives of the newsletter or on Medium. I also share the quotes at the bottom of the newsletter on Instagram.

🔖 Key Takeaways

The Internet Is: The Internet is the dominant text of our generation. It is a fundamental right and requirement to be literate in current and future times.
This Powerful, Open Resource: This powerful, open resource gives you the power to search and find real facts about real problems in the U.S.
These Recent Actions: Recent initiatives in Maryland and New York are attempting to curb costs by adopting open-source textbooks. These recent actions have caused many to wonder if OER are finally making a breakthrough.
The Ending of the Piece: The English language is a direct democracy, sustained by each person who uses it; the dictionary is its enduring record.
The Piece Then Shares: The paper argues that basic financial training perpetuates a false narrative that students of modest means have run up debts not because they are poor, but rather because they are irresponsible.
This Summer I'll Work: This summer I'll work with some of my undergraduate and graduate students to complete some research we've conducted over the past year.
It's Definitely on My Radar: The recipe looks so good, that it has to be bad. It's definitely on my radar for dinner one night.

📺 Watch

"Nobody's got to use the Internet"

F. James Sensenbrenner, a Republican congressman from Wisconsin was holding a townhall with his constituents when an attendee voiced concern about the recent votes to eliminate online privacy protections with our Internet service providers (ISPs).

This response is not only tone deaf, but it also an indicator of the spin that has been provided by the lobbyists for the ISPs to elected officials in the U.S. The audio is a bit hard to hear, but Sensenbrenner's response was the following:

"Nobody's got to use the Internet. … And the thing is that if you start regulating the Internet like a utility, if we did that right at the beginning, we would have no Internet. … Internet companies have invested an awful lot of money in having almost universal service now. The fact is is that, you know, I don't think it's my job to tell you that you cannot get advertising for your information being sold. My job, I think, is to tell you that you have the opportunity to do it, and then you take it upon yourself to make that choice. … That's what the law has been, and I think we ought to have more choices rather than fewer choices with the government controlling our everyday lives."

The Internet is the dominant text of our generation. It is a fundamental right and requirement to be literate in current and future times.

📚 Read

Steve Ballmer serves up a fascinating data trove

Steve Ballmer, former chief executive of Microsoft, and current owner of the Los Angeles Clippers, has been busy. Armed with a group of economists, professors, and associated professionals, they've been assembling a database in stealth over the past three years.

The resultant project, USAFacts, is a nonpartisan effort to create a fully integrated look at revenue and spending across federal, state, and local governments.

This powerful, open resource gives you the power to search and find real facts about real problems in the U.S.

States are moving to cut college costs by introducing open-source textbooks

Costs are continuing to rise in higher education. Recent initiatives in Maryland and New York are attempting to curb these costs by adopting open-source, copyright free textbooks.

Following the Higher Education Opportunity Act (HEOA) of 2008, a number of states have already started to utilize open educational resources (OER) in courses. These recent actions have caused many to wonder if OER are finally making a breakthrough in adoption and use.

America's uncivil war over words

A fascinating editorial from Kory Stamper in The New York Times. This piece begins with the recent challenges in the American social and political landscape as it relates to "facts" and definitions of words. Stamper shares how the Merriam-Webster has entered the fray by simply tweeting definitions of words that tend to be misused in the news cycle. Stamper uses this as a jumping off point to head into an examination of the work of Noah Webster and lexicography.

The ending of the piece hammers this point home:

"The English language is a direct democracy, sustained by each person who uses it; the dictionary is its enduring record. It is one of the mirrors we as Americans can look into and see who we were and who we are."

Does financial literacy betray racial bias?

A wide ranging discussion from Jack Stripling in The Chronicle of Higher Education. Striping begins with the setting in which financial literacy is based on the notion that you might be "less broke" if you understood how to better manage your money.

The piece then shares insight from a recent paper titled The Political Economy of Education, Financial Literacy, and the Racial Wealth Gap. The paper argues that basic financial training perpetuates a false narrative that students of modest means have run up debts not because they are poor, but rather because they are irresponsible.

The piece extends from this point to discuss the recent debate about free college tuition.

12 of the best research methodology textbooks for research students & educators

This summer I'll work with some of my undergraduate and graduate students to complete some research we've conducted over the past year.

As we engage in this work, there is often a steep learning curve as students make sense of research and study design. If you cannot attend a series of courses to develop your research expertise, this list of texts is an excellent place to begin and end your journey.

🔨 Do

Eggs in Purgatory

I've been catching up on some back episodes of Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown. In the recent episode, Bourdain was in London during the Brexit vote.

He was a bit hungover one morning, and this recipe was made for him by Nigella Lawson. The recipe looks so good, that it has to be bad. And, as the recipe indicates, you don't need to be hungover, or it to be breakfast to enjoy this dish. It's definitely on my radar for dinner one night.

🤔 Consider

"Tolerance of intolerance is cowardice." — Ayaan Hirisi Ali

Previous: TLDR 93 • Next: TLDR 95 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Internet as Right — Sensenbrenner "Nobody's got to use the Internet" tone deaf response indicator of spin from ISP lobbyists, Internet is dominant text of our generation fundamental right and requirement to be literate in current and future times.
USAFacts — Steve Ballmer former Microsoft CEO assembled database with economists professors over three years, nonpartisan effort to create fully integrated look at revenue and spending powerful open resource gives power to search and find real facts.
Open Textbooks — States moving to cut college costs introducing open-source textbooks Maryland and New York adopting OER, following Higher Education Opportunity Act 2008 these recent actions have caused many to wonder if OER finally making breakthrough.
Language Democracy — Kory Stamper America's uncivil war over words Merriam-Webster tweeting definitions of misused words, English language is direct democracy sustained by each person who uses it dictionary is its enduring record.
Financial Literacy Bias — Jack Stripling Chronicle Higher Ed wide ranging discussion based on notion you might be less broke, paper argues basic financial training perpetuates false narrative students of modest means run up debts because irresponsible not because poor.
Research Methodology — 12 best research methodology textbooks for students and educators, this summer I'll work with undergraduate and graduate students to complete research steep learning curve as students make sense of research and study design.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 93

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 93

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 93

Published: 2017-04-14 • 📧 Newsletter

Welcome to TL;DR Newsletter #93. TL;DR is a weekly synthesis of things you need to know about the intersection between education, technology, and literacy. Feel free to share this with someone that you believe would benefit. Please subscribe to this newsletter if you haven't already.

In this week's episode we connect with the silence within us.

This week I posted the following:

Wakefulness and digitally engaged publics - This week my publication on open scholarship and education was published at Hybrid Pedagogy. I've been getting a lot of good feedback from the piece. If you haven't already, please go take a look and let me know what you think. Several of us have started annotating the doc using Hypothesis. Come join us.

Send me feedback or questions at hello@wiobyrne.com. You can review archives of the newsletter or on Medium. I also share the quotes at the bottom of the newsletter on Instagram.

🔖 Key Takeaways

What Is Exactly: Copi is trying to teach Paste the "right way," but what exactly is the "correct path"?
The Piece Provides: The piece provides three key takeaways about edtech as potential silver bullet - rise of edtech is part of shift in political thought, technocentric view that technology can solve challenges, and unless greater collaborative efforts take place any efforts are doomed to fail.
The Thing That Has Me Worried: I indicated a couple of possible research angles on YouTube content creation, but suggested the thing that has me worried are the privacy and security concerns.
I Wish the Building: We did not hit all of the elements listed in this piece, but we were pretty close. I wish the building allowed for more natural light sources. I'm investigating some greenery.
As I Have Pointed Out: Much of the guidance Facebook provides is based on the same "checklist" methodology used in our schools. As I have pointed out in the past, these checklist systems fail for a number of reasons.
The Role Model Effect: The "role model effect" seems quite pronounced as it helps support learning and positive connections for marginalized students.
Any Aerobic Activity: Any aerobic activity, especially running, may have more pronounced effects on your well being. It may add years to your life.

📺 Watch

Alike

This animated short shares a day in the life of Copi, and his son Paste. Copi is trying to teach Paste the "right way," but what exactly is the "correct path"?

📚 Read

EdTech won't save higher ed

A piece by George Veletsianos and Rolin Moe on the shift in thinking about edtech as a potential "silver bullet" to cure all of what ails education.

Veletsianos and Moe examine trends in the field to make sense of changes in pricing, strategy, and outcomes of this area. The piece provides three key takeaways:

The rise of edtech is part of a larger shift in political thought, from favoring government oversight to asserting free-market principles, as well as a response to the increasing costs of higher education.
Technocentric view that technology can solve these challenges combines with a vision of education as a product that can be packaged, automated, and delivered to students.
Unless greater collaborative efforts take place between edtech developers and greater academic community, as well as more informed deep understandings of how learning and teaching actually occur, any efforts to make edtech education's silver bullet are doomed to fail.

EFF releases spying on students ed tech report

This week I was discussing with a colleague possible research that would examine skills and practices as youth create and share content on YouTube. I indicated a couple of possible research angles, but suggested the thing that has me worried are the privacy & security concerns.

The very next day, the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) released results from a survey that reveals gaps in protections for K-12 students as they use devices and the cloud. Specifically, they address 8 key themes:

Lack of transparency
Investigative burden
Data collection and use
Lack of standard privacy precautions
Barriers to opt-out
Shortcomings of "privacy by policy"
Inadequate technology and privacy training for teachers
Digital literacy for students

The science of effective learning spaces

This week we also finished an update for one of our "technology infused classrooms" here on campus. You can watch a brief tour I gave of the classroom using Facebook Live.

This post from Edutopia shares many of the points we tried to address in the renovation of our learning lab. We did not hit all of the elements listed in this piece, but we were pretty close. I wish the building allowed for more natural light sources. I'm investigating some greenery, even artificial plants to give the room some "life." I also wanted our learning lab to have movable tables for more interaction in the room. I guess the rolling chairs will do.

How do your learning spaces stack up?

Facebook's news literacy advice is harmful to news literacy

This week Facebook started rolling out some guidance on media literacy in people's feeds around the globe. As Mike Caulfield points out, much of the guidance they provide is just bad advice.

Much of the guidance Facebook provides is based on the same "checklist" methodology used in our schools as we ask students to evaluate online information. As I have pointed out in the past, these checklist systems fail for a number of reasons.

Caulfield indicates four reasons why this advice from Facebook fails:

It takes too long
It deals with surface features
It targets fake news but not slanted claims
It doesn't use the network

If you really want to develop media and information critical literacies, get off the page. Search the web to get more information. Develop your healthy skepticism as you read "laterally" online.

Having just one black teacher can keep black kids in school

This post from Anya Kamenetz on NPR Ed discusses the importance of role models in our classrooms. Specifically, she cites some recent research that explains some of the long term impacts of same-race teachers.

The "role model effect" seems quite pronounced as it helps support learning and positive connections for marginalized students.

🔨 Do

An hour of running may add 7 hours to your life

We have often heard about the positive physical and psychological effects of exercise in our daily routines.

Any aerobic activity, especially running, may have more pronounced effects on your well being. It may add years to your life.

🤔 Consider

"Do not go where the path may lead, go instead where there is no path and leave a trail." — Ralph Waldo Emerson

Previous: TLDR 92 • Next: TLDR 94 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Alike Short Film — Animated short day in life of Copi and son Paste, Copi trying to teach Paste right way but what exactly is the correct path.
EdTech Silver Bullet — George Veletsianos Rolin Moe shift in thinking about edtech as potential silver bullet, unless greater collaborative efforts take place between developers and academic community any efforts doomed to fail.
Student Privacy EFF — Electronic Frontier Foundation survey reveals gaps in protections for K-12 students using devices and cloud, the thing that has me worried are privacy and security concerns address 8 key themes.
Learning Spaces — Science of effective learning spaces Edutopia we finished update for technology infused classroom, we did not hit all elements but were pretty close I wish building allowed for more natural light investigating greenery.
Facebook News Literacy — Mike Caulfield Facebook's news literacy advice is harmful much of guidance is based on checklist methodology, as I have pointed out in past these checklist systems fail get off the page search web read laterally online.
Same-Race Teachers — Anya Kamenetz NPR Ed importance of role models in classrooms recent research on long term impacts, role model effect seems quite pronounced helps support learning and positive connections for marginalized students.
Running Longevity — NY Times hour of running may add 7 hours to your life, any aerobic activity especially running may have more pronounced effects on well being may add years to your life.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 92

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 92

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 92

Published: 2017-04-07 • 📧 Newsletter

Welcome to TL;DR Newsletter #92. TL;DR is a weekly synthesis of things you need to know about the intersection between education, technology, and literacy. Feel free to share this with someone that you believe would benefit. Please subscribe to this newsletter if you haven't already.

In this week's episode we connect with the silence within us.

This week I spent some time meeting with groups interested in the intersection between blockchain derivatives and health literacy. I revised the following posts and presented the materials during these meetings:

Send me feedback or questions at hello@wiobyrne.com. You can review archives of the newsletter or on Medium. I also share the quotes at the bottom of the newsletter on Instagram.

🔖 Key Takeaways

I Currently Use Signal: I currently use Signal for messaging, and will investigate WhatsApp and ProtonMail over the coming weeks.
Alas, the Deed Is Done: President Trump signed a congressional resolution to complete the overturning of internet privacy protections created by the FCC during the Obama administration.
Participants Are Less Unanimous: Participants are less unanimous about whether the US government is spying on them too much already. 37 percent said agencies are conducting too much surveillance on American citizens.
It's Interesting to See: Twitter has been referred to as the free speech wing of the free speech party. It's interesting to see how anonymity can be used for different purposes.
Open Is a Powerful Component: Open is a powerful component as we understand teaching, learning, and technology. It's important to have a more granular understanding of this construct.
Definitely a Great Resource: Unpaywall extension scours the Internet to find an accessible copy of a publication when you encounter a paywall. Definitely a great resource to have as you research online.
Meditation Is a Habit: Meditation is a habit that I started about two years ago. I value the time to start my day by resetting my brain before I get into the hustle of the day.

📺 Watch

Encrypt your family: Sending safer, smarter messages

This video from Phil Nickinson and his new venture (ModernDad) is an easy to understand primer on how to encrypt your messages and email. Nickinson explains some challenging content while explaining how and why to make this happen with family members.

I currently use Signal for messaging, and will investigate WhatsApp and ProtonMail over the coming weeks.

📚 Read

Internet privacy protections overturned

Alas, the deed is done.

This week President Trump signed a congressional resolution to complete the overturning of internet privacy protections created by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) during the Obama administration.

I've discussed this topic over the past month here on TL;DR. I recommend reading this piece by Tom Wheeler (the former chairman of the FCC), and this piece by Ajit Pai (the current chairman of the FCC) for varying perspectives on the debate.

Most Americans unwilling to give up privacy to thwart attacks

One of the interesting results of the recent news about privacy, security, & online hacks is that citizens' attitudes about these elements are changing.

In a recent IPSOS/Reuters poll, 75% of participants surveyed by IPSOS/Reuters said, "they would not let investigators tap into their Internet activity to help the U.S. combat domestic terrorism." This is up from 67% in 2013.

Participants are less unanimous about whether the US government is spying on them too much already. According to the March 11-20 survey, 32 percent said intelligence agencies such as the FBI and National Security Agency are conducting "as much surveillance as is necessary" and 7 percent said they wanted more surveillance. Another 37 percent of adults said agencies are "conducting too much surveillance on American citizens." The remaining 24 percent said they did not know.

Trump & Co. picked the wrong fight with Twitter

If you're not on Twitter recently, it's been a fascinating source of U.S. political intrigue. Depending on your political leanings, you can find a ton of interesting discussions to follow.

One of the fascinating developments is the proliferation of many so-called "Alt Twitter" accounts that have sprung up since the Trump administration took office. These Alt Twitter accounts are what Twitter refers to as "a new and innovative class of American speakers" who claim to be members of federal agencies who are opposed to current policy.

This week, Twitter filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and Customs and Border Patrol, alleging that it's illegal for the government to compel the social media company to divulge the real name of the person running the anti-Trump Twitter account @ALT_USCIS. Read the filing here.

Twitter has been referred to as the free speech wing of the free speech party. It's interesting to see how anonymity can be used for different purposes.

First of all, I love First Monday, one of the first openly accessible, peer-reviewed journals solely devoted to research about the Internet. You can always find compelling research and theory about these digital spaces in the issues. And...you can always find it because it's open and accessible. :)

This piece is especially important (IMHO) as it discusses the history, and multiple interpretations, and misunderstandings in "open." The authors use this literature review as a starting point to conceptualize openness as social praxis.

Open is a powerful component as we understand teaching, learning, and technology. It's important to have a more granular understanding of this construct.

How a browser extension could shake up academic publishing

When considering the effects of "open" as it relates to online information, open educational resources (OERs) are often valued online. Sadly, access to research and publications is often stifled (if not completely blocked) by publishers.

Open access advocates have a new tool, a Chrome & Firefox extension specifically called Unpaywall that scours the Internet to find an accessible copy of a publication when you encounter a paywall. Definitely a great resource to have as you research online.

🔨 Do

The busier you are, the more you need quiet time

Meditation is a habit that I started about two years ago. It took some time to get into the process, but I value the time to start my day by resetting my brain before I get into the hustle of the day.

For some people, meditation may seem a bit weird. In that case, you might want to examine these simple hacks to cultivate silence in your day:

Punctuate meetings with five minutes of quiet time
Take a silent afternoon in nature
Go on a media fast
Take the plunge and try a meditation retreat

🤔 Consider

"Silence is better than unmeaning words." — Pythagoras

Previous: TLDR 91 • Next: TLDR 93 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Encryption Messages — Phil Nickinson ModernDad easy to understand primer on how to encrypt messages and email, I currently use Signal for messaging will investigate WhatsApp and ProtonMail.
Internet Privacy Overturned — President Trump signed congressional resolution to complete overturning of internet privacy protections created by FCC, recommend reading Tom Wheeler former chairman and Ajit Pai current chairman for varying perspectives.
Privacy Poll — IPSOS Reuters 75% would not let investigators tap into Internet activity to help combat domestic terrorism up from 67% in 2013, 37 percent said agencies conducting too much surveillance on American citizens.
Twitter Alt Accounts — Alt Twitter accounts new and innovative class of American speakers claim to be members of federal agencies opposed to current policy, Twitter filed lawsuit alleging it's illegal for government to compel divulge real name it's interesting to see how anonymity can be used for different purposes.
Openness Social Praxis — First Monday openly accessible peer-reviewed journal piece discusses history multiple interpretations and misunderstandings in open, open is powerful component as we understand teaching learning and technology important to have more granular understanding.
Unpaywall — Chrome and Firefox extension scours Internet to find accessible copy of publication when you encounter paywall, definitely great resource to have as you research online.
Meditation Quiet Time — Meditation is habit I started about two years ago value the time to reset brain before hustle of day, simple hacks to cultivate silence punctuate meetings with five minutes quiet time take silent afternoon in nature.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 91

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 91

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 91

Published: 2017-04-01 • 📧 Newsletter

Welcome to TL;DR Newsletter #91. TL;DR is a weekly synthesis of things you need to know about the intersection between education, technology, and literacy. Feel free to share this with someone that you believe would benefit. Please subscribe to this newsletter if you haven't already.

In this week's episode...I always feel like someone is watching me... :)

This week we held our first webinar as part of The NEXT School initiative. The event was a big success and I owe it to the readers here on TL;DR. You can review the slide deck and video of the event. I did not include questions and feedback from the event in this video. I'll have more news soon about our next event.

Send me feedback or questions at hello@wiobyrne.com. You can review archives of the newsletter or on Medium. I also share the quotes at the bottom of the newsletter on Instagram.

🔖 Key Takeaways

One of the Keys: One of the keys is that you must not fool yourself in the process, and that you may be the easiest person to fool.
This Is Not Good News: Congress has passed legislation that will effectively kill privacy rules enforceable by the FCC. This is not good news for those of you in the U.S.
The Only One You Can Trust: You cannot trust device manufacturers or businesses. And you most certainly cannot trust governments to watch out for you. The only one you can really trust to protect you is you.
You Still Need to Try: Your ISPs will make it very hard to opt out, and we don't know if these techniques will change, or what they're not telling you. You still need to try and remain vigilant.
I Think VPNs Are Something: I think VPNs are something that you should check out. You may not need to use it all of the time, but it is something that you should have in your toolkit.
The Good News: You can use different birthdays and vital info for online accounts. The good news is that all of your friends on Facebook will wish you a happy birthday on whatever day you choose.
But the Real Problem: The real problem is not a surface level response to this issue. The problem is with us and normal human behaviors. The problem also needs to be addressed by education.

📺 Watch

How to learn faster with the Feynman Technique

A video from Thomas Frank explaining the Feynman Technique, a process for explaining the complex in a simple language as if you were teaching it to someone else. The technique is named after the renowned physicist Richard Feynman.

One of the keys is that you must not fool yourself in the process, and that you may be the easiest person to fool.

This provides an interesting thought experiment as we consider our own abilities to teach and learn.

📚 Read

Congress passes legislation killing privacy rules

We talked a bit about this last week, and now the U.S. Congress has passed legislation that will effectively kill privacy rules enforceable by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). This is not good news for those of you in the U.S. I think the effects will also reverberate globally as the Internet is a connected space.

This is a problem as your Internet service providers (ISPs) see everything that you do online, and they connect this to your name and billing information. This is bigger than a concern about whether or not you have something to hide in your online behaviors. This may signal an increased use of targeting advertising for a variety of uses. We see how this has been used in the recent U.S. political elections. Click here for more insight from the N. Y. Times.

How to protect your online privacy now that Congress sold you out

One of the things that we've talked a lot about in TL;DR over the past couple of months is that it is now your responsibility to maintain your own privacy and security using digital tools. You cannot trust device manufacturers or businesses. And you most certainly cannot trust governments to watch out for you. A good analogy is when you buy a house. The bank or the builder doesn't come by to make sure you have locks on the doors and windows. They don't make sure you have curtains installed on your windows as well. The only one you can really trust to protect you is you.

This post from Popular Mechanics is the best one that I have found that gives granular advice on potentially opting out of some of these data collection techniques. Keep in mind, your ISPs will make it very hard to opt out, and we don't know if these techniques will change, or what they're not telling you. You still need to try...and remain vigilant.

VPNs are for most people - Including you

As you identify and understand ways to protect yourself online, many online sources quickly shared discussion about virtual private networks (VPNs). This source from The Wirecutter gives the best overview and guidance on the subject.

Please note that this is not a perfect solution. If you're interested in taking a deeper dive, check out the following links. Motherboard also provides a guide to VPNs. Wired indicates that VPNs won't save you. Mo Bitar explains that VPNs are a solution to a policy problem.

I think VPNs are something that you should check out. You may not need to use it all of the time, but it is something that you should have in your toolkit.

Wanna protect your online privacy? Open a tab and make some noise

One final way to protect your online privacy is through obfuscation through disinformation. This means that you create a spray of misinformation to throw people and trackers off.

This could involve using different birthdays, email addresses and vital info for online accounts. The good news is that all of your friends on Facebook will wish you a happy birthday on whatever day you choose. :)

You can take this a step further by automatically having your browser spread disinformation and obfuscate your identity. This page (Internet Noise) shares some simple steps you can take to protect your privacy online. It also has the fun benefit of randomly searching for nonsense online.

Finally, you may want to use Adnauseum on Chrome, Firefox, or Opera. This plug-in automatically clicks on random ads as you search online. The end result is that you develop a profile as a voracious, omnivorous clicker of everything you see online. Don't worry, this doesn't mean that you'll have hundreds of pages opening as you read online. You should also know that this plug-in has been blocked by Google on Chrome as it most likely messes up their advertising business model.

Google and Facebook can't just make fake news disappear

A very important post from danah boyd about the recent "fake news" discussions that we've been having online...and here in TL;DR. Increasingly, we're seeing a call for tech organizations, notably Facebook and Google to identify "fake news" and stop it from spreading. This would involve modifying their algorithms and using technology as a Band-Aid to provide a solution.

But, the real problem here is not, and should not be a surface level response to this issue. The problem is with us and normal human behaviors. The problem also needs to be addressed by education.

danah's post identifies three components of the problem, and tackles them head on:

No one can even agree on a definition of "fake news," even though a ridiculous number of words are being spent trying to define it.
Folks don't seem to understand the evolving nature of the problem, the way that manipulation evolves, or how the approaches they propose can be misused by those with whom they fundamentally disagree.
No amount of "fixing" Facebook or Google will address the underlying factors shaping the culture and information wars in which America is currently enmeshed.

🔨 Do

Using art to teach critical thinking

In this issue of TL;DR we spent a lot of time identifying ways to protect yourself online. As we wrap up this issue, I wanted to back up a bit and let our brains cool off.

This post from edutopia identifies opportunities to use art to help build our critical thinking skills. You can follow the steps in your own free time. Better yet, spend some time reviewing artwork and discussing it with a child. Analyze the theme and elements of the piece(s). Create your own work or collages and build your critical thinking skills.

If you cannot get to a local museum, you might want to check out the Google Art Project.

🤔 Consider

"Until they became conscious they will never rebel, and until after they have rebelled they cannot become conscious." — George Orwell

Previous: TLDR 90 • Next: TLDR 92 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Feynman Technique — Thomas Frank video explaining process for explaining complex in simple language as if teaching someone else, one of the keys is you must not fool yourself and you may be the easiest person to fool.
Internet Privacy Rules — U.S. Congress passed legislation will effectively kill privacy rules enforceable by FCC, ISPs see everything you do online and connect this to your name and billing information.
VPN — Virtual private networks for most people including you The Wirecutter gives best overview, I think VPNs are something you should check out may not need to use all the time but should have in your toolkit.
Internet Noise — Obfuscation through disinformation create spray of misinformation to throw people and trackers off, automatically have browser spread disinformation Adnauseum plug-in clicks on random ads.
danah boyd — Google and Facebook can't just make fake news disappear, real problem is with us and normal human behaviors problem also needs to be addressed by education no amount of fixing Facebook or Google will address underlying factors.
Art Critical Thinking — Using art to teach critical thinking edutopia opportunities to help build skills, review artwork and discuss with child analyze theme and elements Google Art Project if cannot get to museum.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 90

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 90

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 90

Published: 2017-03-24 • 📧 Newsletter

Welcome to TL;DR Newsletter #90. TL;DR is a weekly synthesis of things you need to know about the intersection between education, technology, and literacy. Thanks for joining us.

This week's issue is about building awareness.

If you haven't already, please sign up for my first webinar as I continue to develop The Next School. The free webinar will be held on March 30th, 2017 at 8:00 PM (ET) and you can sign up for the webinar here. We will discuss three steps to become a digitally agile educator.

Feel free to share this with someone that you believe would benefit. Please subscribe to this newsletter if you haven't already. Thanks!!! :)

Send me feedback or questions at hello@wiobyrne.com. You can review archives of the newsletter or on Medium. I also share the quotes at the bottom of the newsletter on Instagram.

🔖 Key Takeaways

You Can Prepare: Very soon you may be able to travel to Mars, provided you've got the money in the cushions of your couch. You can prepare for this moment with the free video.
This Is Also a Sign: This is also a sign that we all need to be more informed users of the Internet and take steps to ensure our own privacy and security, and advocate for others that cannot.
For Those of Us: For those of us that see ideas for entrepreneurship in online spaces, this is good news that subscriptions are up and services like Patreon allow one-to-one monetization.
This Post Provides: Bullying is a complex problem, and the inclusion of digital spaces makes this even more problematic. This post provides some insight and resources as you build awareness.
Keep in Mind: If you're a regular reader of TL;DR, you will most likely have a good understanding of issues of privacy and security in digital spaces. As a result, you'll do well on the quiz.
As They State: It's important for kids (and adults) to see what autism can look like.
I'll Have My Students: This allows me to keep a copy of a post and then still publish online. I'll have my students start using this process immediately.

📺 Watch

A fictive flight above real Mars

A part of NASA's High Resolution Imaging Science Experiment (HiRISE), over 50,000 high resolution images have been taken of Mars over the last 12 years. NASA makes these openly available for viewing, providing you have special 3D glasses.

Finnish filmmaker Jan Fröjdman edited these photos into a short film that pans the collection together to provide a flyover of the planet.

Very soon you may be able to travel to Mars...provided you've got the money in the cushions of your couch. You can prepare for this moment with the free video above.

📚 Read

Senate votes to gut Internet privacy protections

While you were not watching, the U.S. Senate voted to gut rules protecting Internet privacy for American citizens. For our international TL;DR readers, this vote will still need to pass the House of Representatives and get President Trump's signature to take effect. There is still time to do something, but this is a sign of future trends.

Last year, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) passed a set of privacy regulations that banned your Internet service providers (ISPs) from selling your browsing data without your consent. So, if you pay Comcast or AT&T for Internet service to your house or business, these companies will be allowed to sell your browsing habits, Internet use, and personal data without your approval or even having to tell you. This would allow companies to develop sophisticated databases on you for a variety of purposes...all without you even knowing who they are, or what they're doing with it.

This recent vote from the U.S. Senate not only starts the process of rolling this back, but also includes language to block the FCC from being able to pass similar rules in the future. You can read more here at the NY Times and The Verge.

These sorts of actions have chilling effects on privacy and security online. These effects ultimately work their way around the globe as we all interact in a global marketplace. If you're in the U.S., you can get involved thanks to a tool from the EFF.

This is also a sign that we all need to be more informed users of the Internet and take steps to ensure our own privacy and security, and advocate for others that cannot.

How the Internet is saving culture, not killing it

A piece from Farhad Manjoo in The NY Times examining recent trends in culture and audience in online spaces.

Many of us originally thought that the artist and content creator would not be able to make a living due to audiences stealing their content, or distributors sucking up the majority of the profits. Manjoo paints a different picture by showing the subscriptions are up for a variety of content creators and services. Additionally, it appears that services like Patreon, which allow audiences to support content creators, allow for one-to-one monetization of artists.

For those of us that see ideas for entrepreneurship in online spaces...this is good news.

Anatomy of school bullying

Stephen Merrill in Edutopia identifying the hot spots in schools in an attempt to put an end to student bullying.

Using data from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), Merrill looks at the location data as it relates to bullying incidences. It appears that the transition spaces tend to be centers of bullying activities. The results also suggest that a lot of bullying occurs in the classroom as well.

Bullying is a complex problem, and the inclusion of digital spaces makes this even more problematic. This post from Merrill provides some insight and resources as you build awareness with colleagues, students, and children.

How much do you know about cybersecurity?

This quiz from the Pew Research Center is a good first step to gauge your own awareness of the terms and topics in this area. Keep in mind, if you're a regular reader of TL;DR, you will most likely have a good understanding of issues of privacy and security in digital spaces. As a result, you'll do well on the quiz.

After you have completed the quiz, compare your results against the results of average Americans in this recent report on What the public knows about cybersecurity.

Newest "Sesame Street" muppet has autism: Meet Julia

For many children, Sesame Street is one of the first ways in which education and literacy enters their lives. In this context, Sesame Street has not been reticent to tackle some of society's biggest challenges. They continue this trend by including a new muppet to the cast, Julia. Julia has autism and the show will use it to build awareness with their viewership.

As they state in the post linked above, it's important for kids (and adults) to see what autism can look like.

🔨 Do

WordPress releases add-on for Google Docs for Collaborative Editing

My writing process increasingly uses Google Docs. I rarely, if ever use Microsoft Office, and specifically Word for my blog posts, journal articles, and book chapters.

With the integration of Google Keep into Google Docs, and this connection with WordPress, my blogging process will most likely start with a Google Doc, and then I'll send this out to WordPress to publish. This allows me to keep a copy of a post and then still publish online. I'll have my students start using this process immediately.

🤔 Consider

"Right time, right place, right people equals success. Wrong time, wrong place, wrong people equals most of the real human history." — Idries Shah

Previous: TLDR 89 • Next: TLDR 91 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

NASA Mars — Jan Fröjdman Finnish filmmaker edited NASA HiRISE photos into short film flyover of Mars, over 50,000 high resolution images openly available you can prepare for potential travel to Mars.
Internet Privacy — U.S. Senate voted to gut rules protecting Internet privacy allow ISPs to sell browsing data without consent, this is sign we all need to be more informed users and take steps to ensure our own privacy and security.
Online Culture — Farhad Manjoo NY Times Internet is saving culture not killing it subscriptions are up, services like Patreon allow one-to-one monetization of artists for those of us that see entrepreneurship this is good news.
School Bullying — Stephen Merrill Edutopia identifying hot spots in schools using NCES data, transition spaces tend to be centers of bullying activities bullying is complex problem inclusion of digital spaces makes this even more problematic.
Cybersecurity Awareness — Pew Research Center quiz good first step to gauge awareness, if you're regular reader of TL;DR you will most likely have good understanding and do well on quiz.
Sesame Street Julia — New muppet has autism to build awareness with viewership, important for kids and adults to see what autism can look like.
WordPress Google Docs — Add-on for collaborative editing my writing process increasingly uses Google Docs, with Google Keep integration and WordPress connection I'll have my students start using this process immediately.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 9

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 9

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 9

Published: 2015-08-22 • 📧 Newsletter

Thank you once again for being one of the first to sign up for this newsletter. In this weekly email, I curate content from the past week that you should check out. My goal is to keep you informed, without you having to stay connected to the firehouse of information online.

I started up my orientation meetings at the CofC this week. I met a group of great first-year faculty that came in brimming with new ideas and research. I also started unpacking my office and had my first department meeting on Friday. I'm finding some similarities with UNH, but also many new things. If you're in the area, come and knock on my door. :)

This week I posted:

Computational Participation: Coding and Programming as Literacy Activities. This piece is the next column I'm submitting for JAAL. I worked with Quinn Burke and Yasmin Kafai to discuss opportunities for coding and programming in a literacy-based classroom. You can review and comment on the draft here.

🔖 Key Takeaways

CofC Beginnings: Orientation meetings with first-year faculty brimming with ideas, unpacking office, first department meeting.
Computational Participation: New JAAL column with Quinn Burke and Yasmin Kafai on coding and programming as literacy activities.
The Martian: Hard sci-fi Robinson Crusoe with disco—read the book before the movie, perfect for cross-curricular English/Science classes.
Horizon Reports Released: NMC's annual tech trends for K-12, Libraries, and Higher Ed—all Creative Commons licensed.
Teacher Pipeline Crisis: NPR reports on enrollment declines and teacher ed programs shutting down—larger societal issues at play.

📺 Watch

The Martian | Official Trailer [HD] | 20th Century FOX

The Martian

The trailer for the movie version of [the fantastic Andy Weir book](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Martian_(Weir_novel) was released this week. Do yourself a favor and read the book

before it comes out. The book is hard sci-fi with a Robinson Crusoe flair....and disco .

I thoroughly recommend the audiobook version . I also think this could be an awesome book to read across an English and Science class. There is also a lot of Math involved. Be forewarned..there is some language in the text.

You should read this book and read it now. :)

📚 Read

The Horizon Reports are released

Every year the New Media Consortium (NMC)releases a report on the technologies they believe will be trending over the next five years. The NMC is a community of hundreds of universities, colleges, museums, and research centers. The reports are Creative Commons (CC) licensed...meaning you can use them as you see fit.

Some of the reports that will be of high interest to you:

To learn more, this high-schooler left the classroom

From All Things Considered

on NPR , this is the first of two stories from NPR this week that shine on unflattering light on the educational system in the U.S.

This first one is a bit more uplifting as they share the life and times of "Nick" as he creates his own learning plan...and classes.

The latest research report from the Pew Research Center focusing on what we're doing with our mobile devices, and how we're connecting/using social media.

The breakdown on demographics of social media users is interesting as we see Facebook is still king while Instagram (also a Facebook product) is a relatively close second. I'm also intrigued by the table I showed up top and our relationship with messaging apps that auto-delete content.

The full report is available here .

Copyright and Creative Commons (CC) explained

I believe copyright is a moving target as information is increasingly digitized. Creative Commons (CC) licensing helps us understand the possibilities for assigning and citing permissions and attributions on digital content. The challenge is that CC licensing is often tough to understand and use. This overview of resources by Richard Byrne pulls together a series of great pieces on the topic.

I also have a collection of tutorials and guidance on CC licensing if you're interested.

Must have Chrome apps for the new school year

I just switched MacBook Pros as I moved from UNH to the CofC. In this process, the transition was relatively easy as most of what I do is baked into my Chrome browser. Once I sign into Chrome, it automatically syncs my information, apps, and extensions over to the new computer. I'm also frequently on a Chromebook, so this process is vital.

This list of Chrome apps is broken down by subject area and provides a good reference point for what you could/should be using.

Can innovation be taught?

Thought-provoking piece by Nick Donofrio at EdTech looking at opportunities to rethink classroom instruction and build up a tech-savvy workforce.

Web literacies - A part of digital literacies

Excellent overview of the intersection between digital literacies and the web literacies work I've been involved with over the last couple of years. Elena Mortensen provides a thoughtful synthesis and examination of the work that we've shared.

Teacher shortage? Or teacher pipeline problem?

This piece from Morning Edition on NPR sparked some dialogue during the week. There is a serious problem in our educational system here in the U.S. Enrollments are down in teacher ed programs. Some teacher ed programs are shutting down. :(

I think there is a larger societal issue embedded in this discussion. I also wonder about the money, government (federal, state, local) leadership, and power behind the scenes that are forcing the issue on this debate.

🔨 Do

Make your iPhone/iPad videos look like VHS

When we create video we have this belief that it needs to look crystal clear, high definition, and perfect.

VHS Camcorder (sadly only on iOs for now) distorts video in the same way we put filters on photos in Instagram. By forcing ourselves (and our students) to use media that is messy, distorted, and glitchy, we're possibly enabling them to be a bit more creative.

🤔 Consider

Starting at CofC this week brings excitement and possibility—new colleagues brimming with ideas, an office to unpack, familiar rhythms in unfamiliar spaces. Come knock on my door if you're in the area. :)

The computational participation column represents a shift in how we think about literacy. Coding isn't just a technical skill—it's a form of expression, a way of thinking, a literacy practice. When Quinn, Yasmin, and I talk about bringing programming into literacy classrooms, we're recognizing that writing code and writing text both involve composition, revision, and making meaning.

The Martian is more than a great sci-fi read—it's an example of how science, math, problem-solving, and storytelling intersect. "Read this book and read it now" isn't hyperbole. It's genuinely that good.

The teacher pipeline crisis mentioned in NPR's piece isn't just about enrollment numbers. It's about societal messages—what we value, who we support, what we're willing to invest in. When teacher ed programs shut down while the need for great teachers grows, something is deeply wrong. The money, leadership, and power dynamics behind this deserve scrutiny.

VHS Camcorder reminds us that perfection isn't always the goal. Sometimes messy, distorted, and glitchy opens creative doors that crystal-clear HD closes. Let students play with imperfection.

Previous: TLDR 8 • Next: TLDR 10 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Computational Participation — Coding and programming as literacy activities with Quinn Burke and Yasmin Kafai.
The Martian — Hard sci-fi for cross-curricular English/Science classes, audiobook highly recommended.
NMC Horizon Reports — Annual tech trend forecasts for K-12, Libraries, Higher Ed—all CC licensed.
Student-Directed Learning — High schooler "Nick" creating his own learning plan and classes.
Pew Research — Mobile messaging and social media demographics, auto-delete messaging apps.
Creative Commons — Richard Byrne's resource collection on copyright and CC licensing.
Chrome Apps — Cross-device syncing and subject-specific app recommendations.
Innovation in Education — Can innovation be taught? Rethinking classroom instruction.
Web Literacies — Elena Mortensen's synthesis of digital and web literacy frameworks.
Teacher Education Crisis — Pipeline problem, program closures, societal devaluation.
VHS Camcorder — Embracing messy, glitchy media to enable student creativity.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 89

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 89

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 89

Published: 2017-03-17 • 📧 Newsletter

Welcome to TL;DR Newsletter #89. Each week I identify the things you need to know about what happened in education, technology, and in-between.

This week's issue is about escaping addictions.

I'm excited to announce that I'm scheduling my first webinar as part of my development in The Next School. The free webinar will be held on March 30th, 2017 at 8:00 PM (ET). You can sign up for the webinar here. The webinar will discuss three steps to become a digitally agile educator.

This week I shared the following:

Three questions to consider as you develop an awesome newsletter - Many of you have reached out to get a better sense of how to get started in the development of a newsletter. This post shares my advice on steps as you get started.

Feel free to share this with someone that you believe would benefit. Please subscribe to this newsletter if you haven't already. Thanks!!! :)

Send me feedback or questions at hello@wiobyrne.com. You can review archives of the newsletter or on Medium. I also share the quotes at the bottom of the newsletter on Instagram.

🔖 Key Takeaways

I'm Excited to Announce: I'm excited to announce that I'm scheduling my first webinar as part of my development in The Next School on March 30th.
This Animated Short: This animated short unpacks whether or not privacy can still exist in a world where we are constantly online.
She Provides the Following Strategies: Leve provides strategies to help when "truth" may not connect with your framing of truth including remain defiant, recognize there will never be accountability, and develop healthy detachment.
A Fascinating, Haunting Read: The piece asks prescient questions about quality of life - is it better to live a minimal life and enjoy the therapy of video games or should young men get out into the grind and debt of the workforce.
I Think There Is Something: I think there is something to be said for possible overuse and possible addiction to devices. But comparing this to opiate addiction I think may be going too far.
Of Specific Interest: Of specific interest in this discussion is the reliance on printed versions of children's books and picture books as ebook sales decline.
I'm Intrigued by This: I'm intrigued by this online course to see potential for building and expanding my understanding of badges and alternative credentials.

📺 Watch

The Power of Privacy

This short film by animator Matthias Hoegg is part of the "Power of Privacy" series for The Guardian. This animated short unpacks whether or not privacy can still exist in a world where we are constantly online.

📚 Read

How to stay resilient in the face of gaslighting

Over the last couple of weeks, we've been discussing the challenges of being a healthy skeptic as we consume information online. This post from Ariel Leve in The Guardian provides strategies to stay resilient in the face of information and abuse that distorts your personal truth.

Leve uses the recent news around President Trump and supposed "gaslighting" of American citizens. She provides the following strategies to help when "truth" may not connect with your framing of truth:

Remain defiant
Recognize there will never be accountability
Let go of the wish for things to be different
Develop healthy detachment

Escape to another world

This piece by Ryan Avent in The Economist 1843 discusses the growing connections between failing job markets and video games. Specifically, Avent makes the argument that young men are dropping out of the job market, and instead are spending their time in alternate reality and games.

The piece asks prescient questions about quality of life. Is it better to live a minimal life and enjoy the therapy of video games...or should young men get out into the grind and debt of the workforce. A fascinating, haunting read.

On a related note, please read Ready Player One by Ernest Cline. You won't regret it.

Are teenagers replacing drugs with smartphones?

Matt Richtel in The New York Times asking the question about adolescents possibly being addicted to their devices. Over the past month, I've seen a lot of posts in which technology has been compared to opioids, heroin, and other drugs. In these pieces, the authors are trying to suggest that our children are addicted to technology and devices like someone addicted to heroin.

I think there is something to be said for possible overuse, over reliance, and possible addiction to devices. I'm definitely guilty of this. But, comparing this to opiate addiction and dependence I think may be going too far. This is especially true given the challenges many people around the globe have as they struggle with addiction. I also have problems with pointing the finger at children and adolescents to indicate that they have a problem.

In a related story, this piece in Scientific American discusses recent trends that identify a potential hypocrisy as adults may spend more time on digital devices than they think.

Ebook sales continue to fall as younger generations drive appetite for print

Sian Cain in The Guardian showing the continual decline of ebook sales in the UK, while printed book sales continue to climb. Of specific interest in this discussion is the reliance on printed versions of children's books and picture books. They also indicate the growing popularity of adult coloring books.

4 ways Blockchain can disrupt civic traditions

Interesting look at potentials for disruption through the integration of the blockchain, and distributed ledger technologies in non-monetary initiatives.

Specifically, Ravi Kumar in CoinDesk indicates the following spaces with potential for change:

Digital identities
Taxes
Elections
Political donations

🔨 Do

Badge Bootcamp

If you're at all interested in learning more about open badges, you need to sign up for this latest offering from the great team at the We Are Open Co-op.

I'm intrigued by this online course to see potential for building and expanding my understanding of badges and alternative credentials. I'm also interested to see how they outline and scale up this online class.

🤔 Consider

"The mind is everything. What you think you become." — Buddha

Previous: TLDR 88 • Next: TLDR 90 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Privacy Online — Matthias Hoegg animated short Power of Privacy unpacks whether privacy can still exist in world where we are constantly online.
Gaslighting — Ariel Leve Guardian strategies to stay resilient in face of information and abuse that distorts personal truth, remain defiant recognize there will never be accountability develop healthy detachment.
Video Games Job Market — Ryan Avent Economist 1843 young men dropping out of job market spending time in alternate reality and games, fascinating haunting read asks prescient questions about quality of life.
Smartphone Addiction — Matt Richtel NY Times adolescents possibly addicted to devices, I think there is something to be said for possible overuse but comparing to opiate addiction may be going too far.
Ebook Sales — Sian Cain Guardian continual decline of ebook sales while printed book sales climb, of specific interest reliance on printed versions of children's books and picture books.
Blockchain Civic — Ravi Kumar CoinDesk potentials for disruption through blockchain and distributed ledger technologies in non-monetary initiatives, digital identities taxes elections political donations.
Badge Bootcamp — We Are Open Co-op offering on open badges, I'm intrigued to see potential for building and expanding understanding of badges and alternative credentials.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 88

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 88

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 88

Published: 2017-03-10 • 📧 Newsletter

Welcome to TL;DR Newsletter #88. Each week I identify the things you need to know about what happened in education, technology, and in-between.

This week's issue is about power holders & middlemen.

This week I shared the following:

Becoming literate digitally in a digitally literate environment of their own - The commentary that I co-wrote with Kristy Pytash was finally published in JAAL. You can review the column (and annotate using Hypothesis) at the link above. This column argues that we should provide students with a domain of their own, and allow them to build, edit, revise these materials from Pre-K up through higher ed.
Moving from digital portfolios to a domain of one's own - Together with a personal learning group here on campus, I presented a workshop on our work developing a domain of one's own with students.
Digital Badges: Opportunities for learning, assessment, & empowerment - I also presented a workshop on digital and open badges this past week. I remixed some of the materials used from a workshop on digital badges that I presented last summer at ISTE with Doug Belshaw, Noah Geisel, and Bryan Mathers.

Feel free to share this with someone that you believe would benefit. Please subscribe to this newsletter if you haven't already. Thanks!!! :)

Send me feedback or questions at hello@wiobyrne.com. You can review archives of the newsletter or on Medium. I also share the quotes at the bottom of the newsletter on Instagram.

🔖 Key Takeaways

I Did Not Immediately Jump: I did not immediately jump into the fray by tweeting and sharing some of this insight. I've been waiting for a thoughtful examination by a seasoned professional to let me know what is really happening. This piece by Zeynep Tufekci is just what I needed.
I Think the Real Power: I think the real power in these technologies is to make sure we don't have one centralized locus of power on the Internet. This means that one individual, group, or country cannot change their mind and immediately change "truth" in online spaces.
Keep in Mind That I Love This Stuff: There are several other pieces that make a lot of sense from what Caulfield has shared. Keep in mind that I love this stuff as my dissertation was solely focused on critical evaluation of online information.
I Love to Cook: I love to cook. This past week we celebrated my Wife's birthday and I cooked up a couple of BBQ chicken pot pies that she requested for dinner.

📺 Watch

Do what you can't

Motivating advice from Casey Neistat for all of the bloggers and content creators out there. If you've been thinking about starting up that business, blogging, or (insert dream here)...do it.

Please note that they use the F-word twice in the video.

📚 Read

The truth about the WikiLeaks C.I.A. cache

This week WikiLeaks dumped another huge cache of documents. This pile of content is labeled as "Vault 7" and is said to include "C.I.A. hacking tools."

There are enormous questions that should be asked about the motivations of WikiLeaks and their connections to other government and corporate entities. It will be interesting to see what future news and leaks come out about WikiLeaks and their role in spreading this information.

Of more interest to me at this point is identifying potential flaws and threats to our everyday use of tech. In previous issues of TL;DR I've discussed privacy and security techniques you should start to understand and employ. As an example of this, I've started to use Signal for messaging, and I think you should as well.

As soon as news of this leak was made public, numerous reports immediately spread fear to users of these technologies. I did not immediately jump into the fray by tweeting and sharing some of this insight. I've been waiting for a thoughtful examination by a seasoned professional to let me know what is really happening. This piece by Zeynep Tufekci is just what I needed.

Tufekci indicates that we are still safe in using Signal and WhatsApp as they connect between devices. Of course, if someone gets your device, then they often can get your data. Tufekci also continues the line of questioning about WikiLeaks and their motivations. More to come...

Big data's power is terrifying. That could be good news for democracy

George Monbiot in The Guardian discussing the ramifications of big data and the ubiquity of technology in our lives. Monbiot discusses the implications of online information as it is used to manipulate us. The groups behind these initiatives are often hidden from view, and may represent big money and shadow institutions. Before these groups seize the digital commons, we need to organize and hack the system.

Monbiot closes with the following:

Either we own political technologies, or they will own us. The great potential of big data, big analysis and online forums will be used by us or against us. We must move fast to beat the billionaires.

The promise of Blockchain is a world without middlemen

Post from Vinay Gupta in the Harvard Business Review. This post describes an possible alternative future if we understand and utilize blockchain and distributed ledger technologies as part of the architecture of the Internet.

If you don't know anything about blockchain technologies, take a peek at my primer on the subject, or this earlier post from Gupta.

I think the real power in these technologies is to make sure we don't have one centralized locus of power on the Internet. This means that one individual, group, or country cannot change their mind and immediately change "truth" in online spaces.

How "news literacy" gets the Web wrong

This past week I was interviewed for a blog post on the skills needed to critically evaluate online information. I read this post by Mike Caulfield right before the interview and referenced several of the points from the post.

Specifically, I think there is a need for educators and students to recognize that the Internet is a web of information. As such, individuals need to read laterally as they consume information. It's not good enough to look at one source or page from a website and consider purpose, audience, and bias. There is a need to look across the web at other posts from the same site. There is also a need to research the author and see what other information they have shared in the past.

There are several other pieces that make a lot of sense from what Caulfield has shared. Keep in mind that I love this stuff as my dissertation was solely focused on critical evaluation of online information. As the post indicates, there is a need to think as a journalist as you read online. You may also have to "fact-check the mailman" as you do so.

Twitter's new order

Twitter is still in a precarious situation as they lose money while still looking for potential buyers. One of the challenges is that they can provide a voice for people to get their story out to the world...while still holding a spot for trolls and fear mongers. Twitter seems like they're finally taking one step to control the troll population by automatically mute eggs and other sketchy accounts.

In this post, Will Oremus in Slate details another big recent change as they've included an algorithmic timeline as they share posts. Previously, you would get a stream of tweets from everyone on your feed all lined up according to the time stamp. The new algorithmic feed will sort your incoming tweets in a manner to make it easier for you to find what Twitter and the algorithm think you'll like to see. As Oremus indicates, this will definitely reshape civil discourse online. We also need to be cautious/aware about how this affects the information we consume in digital spaces.

🔨 Do

BBQ chicken pot pie

I love to cook. This past week we celebrated my Wife's birthday and I cooked up a couple of BBQ chicken pot pies that she requested for dinner. The recipe that I use is one I've been honing over a couple of years, but it is close to the one shared above.

I cooked up some pulled BBQ chicken earlier in the week. I then caramelized some onions and mixed in our choice of vegetables with the onions and more BBQ sauce. Finally, we put all of this in a frozen pie crust and use a second frozen pie crust for the covering. I usually put some cooked sweet potatoes in the pie as well. This time we went all out for her birthday and I added a layer of tater tots. Add in a couple layers of shredded cheese in the middle if needed.

🤔 Consider

"Knowledge is power. Information is liberating. Education is the premise of progress, in every society, in every family." — Kofi Annan

Previous: TLDR 87 • Next: TLDR 89 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Casey Neistat — Do what you can't motivating advice for bloggers and content creators, if you've been thinking about starting that business or blogging do it.
WikiLeaks CIA Cache — Vault 7 dump said to include CIA hacking tools enormous questions about motivations, I did not immediately jump into fray waiting for thoughtful examination Zeynep Tufekci is just what I needed.
Zeynep Tufekci — Indicates we are still safe using Signal and WhatsApp as they connect between devices, continues line of questioning about WikiLeaks and their motivations.
Big Data Democracy — George Monbiot Guardian ramifications of big data and ubiquity of technology, groups behind initiatives often hidden from view may represent big money shadow institutions either we own political technologies or they will own us.
George Monbiot — Great potential of big data big analysis online forums will be used by us or against us, we must move fast to beat the billionaires before they seize digital commons.
Blockchain Technology — Vinay Gupta Harvard Business Review promise is world without middlemen, I think the real power is to make sure we don't have one centralized locus of power one individual group or country cannot change truth in online spaces.
Mike Caulfield — How news literacy gets the Web wrong need to read laterally as consume information, keep in mind I love this stuff my dissertation was solely focused on critical evaluation of online information think as journalist fact-check the mailman.
News Literacy — Need for educators and students to recognize Internet is web of information, not good enough to look at one source need to look across web research author see what other information they've shared.
Twitter Algorithm — Will Oremus Slate algorithmic timeline sorts incoming tweets, this will definitely reshape civil discourse online we need to be cautious aware about how this affects information we consume.
Domain of One's Own — Becoming literate digitally commentary with Kristy Pytash published in JAAL, argues we should provide students domain of their own allow them to build edit revise from Pre-K through higher ed.
Digital Badges — Workshop on opportunities for learning assessment and empowerment, remixed materials from ISTE workshop with Doug Belshaw Noah Geisel Bryan Mathers.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 87

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 87

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 87

Published: 2017-03-03 • 📧 Newsletter

Welcome to TL;DR Newsletter #87. Each week I'm identifying some of the key things to know from the past week. Thanks for joining us.

This week's issue is about test patterns.

This week I shared the following:

TEDx Charleston 2017 - This week I applied to speak at the upcoming meeting of TEDx Charleston. I applied unsuccessfully last year and this year put my hat back in the ring. I'll soon share my application materials and lessons learned in case this helps others.

Feel free to share this with someone that you believe would benefit. Please subscribe to this newsletter if you haven't already. Thanks!!! :)

Send me feedback or questions at hello@wiobyrne.com. You can review archives of the newsletter. Check out TL;DR on Medium. Connect with me on Instagram and Snapchat.

🔖 Key Takeaways

We Need to Expect: We need to expect a better understanding of privacy and security from vendors that would like to sell us devices like this.
As These Hacks Take Place: This would create a space for agreements in which governments agree to avoid cyber attacks that target the private sector or infrastructure. As these hacks take place, and governments target businesses and other countries, average citizens are often the ones that get hurt the most.
I'm Excited With: I'm excited with some of the recent reporting that Teen Vogue has been sharing. I'm also thrilled to see that they're informing readers to be more critical users of technology.
I Share Much of This Thinking: I share much of this thinking as I explore and promote open scholarship in my research. It often requires rethinking issues of privacy and security as we make sure that we protect research subjects while ensuring validity.
I Also Think It's Important: I also think it's important for researchers to make science and research a bit more understandable and open for all to interpret.
I'm Excited to See: I think this post on emoji being included in a reading test is an example of a Rorschach Test to see how individuals view these discussions and their impact on the classroom. I'm excited to see the inclusion of emoji in these assessments.

📺 Watch

Cloud Pets Commercial

As devices are increasingly connected to the Internet, we need to take some time to think about how this might open up privacy and security issues.

This week it came to light that the Cloud Pets Internet connected talking toy had serious data breaches. This means that as you are sending a voice message to your child, or your child is calling back..your Cloud Pet might also be listening in and slurping up data and discussions from your home.

We need to expect a better understanding of privacy and security from vendors that would like to sell us devices like this.

📚 Read

You are the target of of today's cyberwars

A post from Jeremy Hsu on Backchannel. The post begins with a look at a post and video from Brad Smith from Microsoft in which they posit the need for a Digital Geneva Convention.

This would create a space for agreements in which governments agree to avoid cyber attacks that target the private sector or infrastructure. This agreement would also try to protect groups that try to hack or steal intellectual property.

As these hacks take place, and governments target businesses and other countries, average citizens are often the ones that get hurt the most.

How to keep messages secure

A great post from Nicole Kobie at Teen Vogue. This post provides clear advice on keeping your messages secure. The piece begins with the premise that you might be at a protest, or concerned about the political leanings of your parents. It goes on to indicate that SMS and Snapchat aren't exactly the safest methods to use and protect your communications.

One of the key apps that they suggest is Signal, which I've discussed here in the past.

I'm excited with some of the recent reporting that Teen Vogue has been sharing. I'm also thrilled to see that they're informing readers to be more critical users of technology.

Psychology journal editor asked to resign for refusing to review papers unless he can see the data

A fascinating story that unpacks many of the challenges and opportunities involved in research and scholarship. Psychologist Gert Storms indicated that he would no longer review journal submissions for publication if the authors did not supply their data.

This is a test of the Peer Reviewers' Open Initiative (PRO Initiative). This initiative strives for openness and transparency in science and research. The hope is that through the examination of not just the manuscript, but also the data involved, the field can comprehensively review presented materials.

I share much of this thinking as I explore and promote open scholarship in my research. It often requires rethinking issues of privacy and security as we make sure that we protect research subjects while ensuring validity. I also think it's important for researchers to make science and research a bit more understandable and open for all to interpret.

Three myths about "reading levels"

A post from Paula Schwanenflugel and Nancy Knapp in Psychology Today looking at three myths about reading levels and why not to fall for them.

Schwanenflugel and Knapp indicate that we should not be fooled by the following:

Each text has a discrete, accurately measurable reading level
Each reader has a discrete, accurately measurable level of reading skill
Readers should (almost always) read texts very near their reading level

School reading tests could include emoji, says assessment chief

As we examine literacy activities, there are some times when "non-traditional" forms of reading and writing are included in instruction. This might include considerations of coding/programming when learning about the writing process. This also may include the use and/or creation of emoji as students engage with texts.

I think this post on emoji being included in a reading test is an example of a Rorschach Test to see how individuals view these discussions and their impact on the classroom. I think the earlier post on open scholarship and publishing is another example of this as it immediately stirs up a reaction to see what philosophical leanings one might have on the topic.

I'm excited to see the inclusion of emoji in these assessments. I think it provides another form of communication that students may use to extend comprehension.

🔨 Do

Google's Keep is now an excellent sidekick to its productivity apps

As I migrate away from Evernote, I've been increasingly using Google Keep to keep track of notes. I use the app on my phone to record audio notes of things that I want to remember. Keep transcribes my voice notes to make it easier to use them. I also save quick notes and ideas in Keep and treat these notes as virtual post-it notes that live in the cloud. As I use these notes, I archive them in case I need it later.

In a recent update, Keep has been added into Google Docs. This allows me to open up a sidebar in a Google Doc, and pull up all of my Keep notes. You can then drag the note over to the Google Doc and it will automatically paste the content into your Google Doc. This is a powerful tool to use in researching and writing.

🤔 Consider

"Existence is random. Has no pattern save what we imagine after staring at it for too long. No meaning save what we choose to impose." — Alan Moore

Previous: TLDR 86 • Next: TLDR 88 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

CloudPets Data Breach — Internet connected talking toy had serious data breaches Cloud Pet might be listening in and slurping up data, we need to expect better understanding of privacy and security from vendors.
Digital Geneva Convention — Jeremy Hsu Backchannel Brad Smith Microsoft call for agreements governments avoid cyber attacks targeting private sector, as these hacks take place average citizens often ones that get hurt most.
Teen Vogue — Nicole Kobie how to keep messages secure provides clear advice, I'm excited with recent reporting Teen Vogue sharing I'm also thrilled they're informing readers to be more critical users of technology.
Signal Messenger — Teen Vogue suggests Signal which I've discussed in past, SMS and Snapchat aren't exactly safest methods to protect communications.
Open Scholarship — Psychology journal editor asked to resign for refusing to review papers unless he can see data, Peer Reviewers' Open Initiative strives for openness and transparency I share much of this thinking as I explore and promote open scholarship.
Reading Levels Myths — Three myths about reading levels Paula Schwanenflugel Nancy Knapp Psychology Today, should not be fooled by discrete accurately measurable reading level readers should almost always read texts very near their reading level.
Emoji in Education — School reading tests could include emoji assessment chief, I think this post is example of Rorschach Test to see how individuals view these discussions I'm excited to see inclusion of emoji provides another form of communication students may use to extend comprehension.
Google Keep — Now excellent sidekick to productivity apps migrate away from Evernote, use app on phone to record audio notes Keep transcribes voice notes treat as virtual post-it notes added into Google Docs powerful tool for researching and writing.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 86

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 86

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 86

Published: 2017-02-24 • 📧 Newsletter

Welcome to TL;DR Newsletter #86. Each week I'm synthesizing things that happened in the worlds of education, literacy, and technology to help make sense of it for you. Thanks for joining us.

This week's issue is about opening up new perspectives.

This week I shared the following:

Four Questions For podcast - I've been compiling my catalog of interviews with experts in the field into a short form podcast series. In each episode, I drill down into a specific area in technology, education, and literacy. My graduate assistant has been tirelessly editing the audio, and we cleaned up the website and podcast feed. Listen/annotate on Soundcloud or your favorite podcast client. I'd love your feedback.

Feel free to share this with someone that you believe would benefit. Please subscribe to this newsletter if you haven't already. Thanks!!! :)

Send me feedback or questions at hello@wiobyrne.com. You can review archives of the newsletter. Check out TL;DR on Medium. Connect with me on Instagram and Snapchat.

🔖 Key Takeaways

This Is Definitely Ultra Cool: NASA announced that the Spitzer Space Telescope identified seven Earth-sized planets around a tiny, ultra-cool dwarf star called TRAPPIST-1. Three of the planets in this system are within the habitable zone from their sun. This is definitely ultra cool. :)
I Like the Ideas: I like the ideas presented here by Spector, but I think that it would take the right educator/facilitator, and the correct pedagogical opportunities to teach this class. This would be a great piece of instruction in which students and educators collectively research and examine these tools and spaces.
I Hope It Wouldn't: I hope it wouldn't just be lecturing students about Snapchat and the dangers of sharing with the world.
This Is Definitely a Resource: The book, Web Literacy for Student Fact-Checkers is focused on what web literacy for stream culture is all about. This is definitely a resource to keep on your digital bookshelf.
This Is Also Why: There are many gradations of truth, bias, and perspective involved. This is also why I do not like the "checklist" mentality of reviewing and evaluating information as we read online. I prefer to have my students think as healthy skeptics.
As I Shared This Post: As I shared this post, it was interesting to hear responses from colleagues and students that suggested they were still learning about these elements in their classes and textbooks.

📺 Watch

NASA & TRAPPIST-1: A treasure trove of planets found

This week NASA announced that the Spitzer Space Telescope identified seven Earth-sized planets around a tiny, ultra-cool dwarf star called TRAPPIST-1. Three of the planets in this system are within the habitable zone from their sun.

📚 Read

A post from Josh Spector on his Medium pub looking at the need for our schools to teach social media classes to students. He indicates that there is a need to teach students how social media works so that they can fix inherent problems as they grow up.

I like the ideas presented here by Spector, but I think that it would take the right educator/facilitator, and the correct pedagogical opportunities to teach this class. This would be a great piece of instruction in which students and educators collectively research and examine these tools and spaces. I hope it wouldn't just be lecturing students about Snapchat and the dangers of sharing with the world.

New teaching resource for digital literacy

If you're looking for a good resource to learn/teach about digital and web literacy, check out this OER (open educational resource) from Mike Caulfield. The book, Web Literacy for Student Fact-Checkers is focused on what web literacy for stream culture is all about.

You can learn more, and download the book in different formats here. This is definitely a resource to keep on your digital bookshelf.

Fake News. It's complicated.

An excellent taxonomy of the different levels of "fake news" available online from Claire Wardle. As we critically evaluate online information (or teach others), it's important to recognize that this is not a binary solution of information being "right" or "wrong." There are many gradations of truth, bias, and perspective involved.

This is also why I do not like the "checklist" mentality of reviewing and evaluating information as we read online. I prefer to have my students think as healthy skeptics. I'll have more in an upcoming post.

This post shares valuable insight as we consider different levels of mis- and disinformation in online materials. The levels are nuanced and help us think more deeply about materials read online.

Four neuromyths that are still prevalent in schools - debunked

I am an educational psychologist by trade..or at least that is what the diploma suggests. :)

As you hang out with ed psychologists, at some point the topic of "learning styles" will come up and you can watch the fireworks ensue.

This post from Bradley Busch on the Teacher Network section of The Guardian discusses a series of four of these myths that still prevail in our educational systems.

Learning styles
You only use 10% of your brain
Right brain vs. Left brain
Playing brain games makes you smarter

As I shared this post, it was interesting to hear responses from colleagues and students that suggested they were still learning about these elements in their classes and textbooks. As with anything...please use your healthy skepticism, or critical eye as you read.

Google Expeditions now offers over 400 virtual field trips

Many schools do not have the means or ability to take field trips in the local area, let alone around the globe. To help address this situation, many educators use Google Earth, or other online tools to bring learners outside of the classroom.

With the help of the Google Expeditions app, you can start taking these tours using your mobile device. Either buy Google Cardboard to hold your device, or make your own. Now you're using virtual reality (VR) to tour the globe and beyond.

🔨 Do

Use bacon instead of breading for no-carb onion rings

Looks so wrong it has to be right.

Here in the make section, we'll often discuss food as one of the first places I like to make is in the kitchen.

Wrapping bacon around onion rings has me thinking about other sorts of vegetables and use for bacon. :)

🤔 Consider

"If you look the right way, you can see that the whole world is a garden." — Frances Hodgson Burnett

Previous: TLDR 85 • Next: TLDR 87 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

TRAPPIST-1 — NASA Spitzer Space Telescope seven Earth-sized planets around tiny ultra-cool dwarf star, three planets within habitable zone this is definitely ultra cool.
Four Questions For Podcast — Compiling catalog of interviews with experts short form podcast series, drill down into specific area technology education literacy I'd love your feedback.
Josh Spector — Why every high school should teach social media class Medium, need to teach students how social media works so they can fix inherent problems as they grow up.
Social Media Class — I like ideas presented but would take right educator and correct pedagogical opportunities, great piece of instruction students and educators collectively research examine tools and spaces I hope it wouldn't just be lecturing about dangers.
Mike Caulfield — New teaching resource for digital literacy OER Web Literacy for Student Fact-Checkers, focused on what web literacy for stream culture is all about definitely resource to keep on digital bookshelf.
Web Literacy — Mike Caulfield book for student fact-checkers can download in different formats, good resource to learn teach about digital and web literacy.
Claire Wardle — Fake News It's complicated excellent taxonomy of different levels, important to recognize this is not binary solution of right or wrong many gradations of truth bias perspective.
Fake News Taxonomy — Different levels of mis- and disinformation in online materials, this is why I do not like checklist mentality I prefer students think as healthy skeptics levels are nuanced help us think more deeply.
Learning Styles Myth — Four neuromyths still prevalent in schools debunked Bradley Busch Guardian, learning styles you only use 10% of brain right brain vs left brain playing brain games makes you smarter as I shared this post interesting to hear responses suggested still learning about these in classes.
Google Expeditions — Now offers over 400 virtual field trips using mobile device, buy Google Cardboard or make your own now using virtual reality to tour globe and beyond.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 85

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 85

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 85

Published: 2017-02-17 • 📧 Newsletter

Welcome to TL;DR Newsletter #85. Each week I'm synthesizing things that happened in the worlds of education, literacy, and technology to help make sense of it for you. Thanks for joining us.

This week's issue is all about interacting with your settings.

This week I shared the following:

Building a domain of your own: Selecting a WordPress theme - I'm continuing a research project here at CofC in which I have students developing a domain of their own. I'm sharing my teaching materials on my blog to help others out. This latest post shares the steps I use to select a theme for a new WordPress website.

Feel free to share this with someone that you believe would benefit. Please subscribe to this newsletter if you haven't already. Thanks!!! :)

Send me feedback or questions at hello@wiobyrne.com. You can review archives of the newsletter. Check out TL;DR on Medium. Connect with me on Instagram and Snapchat.

🔖 Key Takeaways

I Think This Video Is Fascinating: The video reminds me of a video I created of my son a couple of years ago in which he unlocks our cell phone to look at pictures of our family. I think this video is fascinating as it shows an interaction with others through technology. I also have some melancholy as I wonder what effect this will have on children as they grow up with these connections and expectations through the use of technology.
I'm Feeling Like: I use the Horizon Report each year to identify trends and use it as a reality check to see if I'm on the right path. This year I'm feeling like it identifies that things (for the most part) are not changing...or at least not as fast as I would like them to.
I Recommend Reading: Mobile technologies, adaptive learning technologies, and the next-generation learning management system are perpetually "just about to happen." I recommend reading this post from Audrey Watters for more context on the latest report.
I Enjoyed This Post: Chromebooks have quickly worked their way into my daily workflow. I enjoyed this post in Cnet looking at the five "stages" of Chromebook acceptance. I'm wondering where you are in this sequence.
I'm Thinking That I Need: I'm all in on Chromebooks for most people and most purposes. I'm thinking that I need to write a new version of this post, but from someone that is a bit more progressive in their use of technology.
I'll Use This: Game developers spend months or years building these beautiful, immersive environments...only to have you zoom by on your horse or in your spaceship. I'll use this eye candy in full screen in my classroom in the upcoming weeks.

📺 Watch

Two babies talking to each other on FaceTime

This video popped up on my feed over the past week. The video is of two infants communicating with each other via FaceTime.

The video reminds me of a video I created of my son a couple of years ago in which he unlocks our cell phone to look at pictures of our family. I also see a lot of this sort of content in my own house as my children are frequently brought in to video chats or Snapchat feeds with my Wife as she communicates with family/friends.

I think this video is fascinating as it shows an interaction with others through technology. I also have some melancholy as I wonder what effect this will have on children as they grow up with these connections and expectations through the use of technology.

📚 Read

The 2017 NMC Horizon Report

Each year the New Media Consortium (NMC) releases the Horizon Report. This report details the trends in educational uses of technology across a number of spaces. Click here to go directly to the previous reports from different sectors (Higher Ed, K-12, Museum, Library).

One of the things you'll notice as you dive in is that many of the "trends" that they list, or elements listed as happening within a couple years, have been on their list for many years. Work with mobile technologies, adaptive learning technologies, and the next-generation learning management system are perpetually "just about to happen."

I use the Horizon Report each year to identify trends and use it as a reality check to see if I'm on the right path. This year I'm feeling like it identifies that things (for the most part) are not changing...or at least not as fast as I would like them to.

I recommend reading this post from Audrey Watters for more context on the latest report.

In an age of robots, schools are teaching our children to be redundant

Intriguing post from George Monbiot on The Guardian rehashing an argument many of us have been making for the past decade or so. Specifically, he is talking about how we are failing to use time in our schools to prepare students to think and be individuals in their future careers.

He explains that we force students to sit in rows and consume facts. We view collaboration as cheating. We have a mindset that curriculums and tests are the real centers of knowledge and understanding. Each of these beliefs runs counter to what is expected and/or needed as they enter the workforce.

Treat every lesson like an experiment

In my research, I often follow an iterative design process as I regularly and cyclically develop, test, and analyze for the purposes of refining my process or product.

This post from John Spencer shares thinking about extending this process to lessons and teaching situations. In the post, John shares the benefits he finds in the results of this process.

I have shared John's work in this newsletter many times in the past. I enjoy his work and the layout of the materials in his digital identity. Definitely check out the post.

The five stages of Chromebook acceptance

Chromebooks have quickly worked their way into my daily workflow. I carry a Chromebook with me to conferences and on the road. I use Chromebooks in my classes and with my family at home. I even bought an entire graduate program focusing on the use of a Chromebook as a text in the classroom. As such, I'm all in on Chromebooks for most people and most purposes.

I enjoyed this post in Cnet looking at the five "stages" of Chromebook acceptance. I'm wondering where you are in this sequence.

Denial
Anger
Bargaining
Depression
Acceptance

I'm thinking that I need to write a new version of this post, but from someone that is a bit more progressive in their use of technology.

These calming video game scenes make excellent ambient noise

If you're like me, you're often sitting in front of the computer working, or interacting with others while multiple screens and projectors are glowing nearby. You might also need some calming or meditative content playing in the background as you work. I'll typically play some music or white noise while I'm trying to focus.

The Sleep Ambient HD YouTube channel is a collection of backgrounds and settings used for video game environments. Game developers spend months or years building these beautiful, immersive environments...only to have you zoom by on your horse or in your spaceship.

If you're trying to relax, or you need some background noise, you could try out content from this channel. I'll use this eye candy in full screen in my classroom in the upcoming weeks.

🔨 Do

Pixar offers free online lessons in storytelling via Khan Academy

Pixar and Khan Academy have teamed up to develop some great content called Pixar in a Box.

This latest installment is titled The Art of Storytelling that is definitely worth your time. You'll have some inside guidance from members of the Pixar team that includes an introduction to storytelling, as well as creating setting, character, and theme.

Definitely worth using in your own work, or with other learners.

🤔 Consider

"You cannot change your destination overnight, but you can change your direction overnight." — Jim Rohn

Previous: TLDR 84 • Next: TLDR 86 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Babies and FaceTime — Two infants communicating via FaceTime I think this video is fascinating, also have some melancholy wonder what effect this will have on children as they grow up with these connections and expectations.
NMC Horizon Report — 2017 report many trends have been on list for many years, I use each year to identify trends and reality check this year I'm feeling things are not changing as fast as I would like.
Audrey Watters — I recommend reading this post for more context on latest Horizon Report, mobile technologies adaptive learning next-generation learning management system perpetually just about to happen.
George Monbiot — In age of robots schools teaching children to be redundant Guardian, we force students to sit in rows consume facts view collaboration as cheating runs counter to what is needed as they enter workforce.
Robots in Schools — George Monbiot how we are failing to use time in schools to prepare students to think and be individuals, mindset that curriculums and tests are real centers of knowledge and understanding.
John Spencer — Treat every lesson like an experiment iterative design process, I enjoy his work and layout of materials in his digital identity definitely check out the post.
Chromebooks — Five stages of Chromebook acceptance Cnet denial anger bargaining depression acceptance, I'm all in on Chromebooks for most people and most purposes I'm thinking I need to write new version from more progressive perspective.
Pixar Storytelling — Free online lessons via Khan Academy Pixar in a Box, Art of Storytelling definitely worth your time introduction to storytelling creating setting character and theme.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 84

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 84

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 84

Published: 2017-02-10 • 📧 Newsletter

Welcome to the 83rd issue of the TL;DR Newsletter. We dig in to the intersections between education, technology, & literacy. Thanks for joining us.

This week's issue is all about facts and emotions. Perhaps the real key is to identify ways to make me feel something if you want me to understand.

This week I shared the following:

How to register a domain and host your own website - Over the coming weeks, I will post a series of guides and tutorials to help you build up a domain of your own. This first post discusses exactly what is meant by "domains" and "hosting" as we get started.
Building a domain of your own: Installing WordPress - This post discusses some of the specifics to get you up and running as your host your own WordPress website.

Feel free to share this with someone that you believe would benefit. Please subscribe to this newsletter to make the world a better place. :)

Send me feedback or questions at hello@wiobyrne.com. You can review archives of the newsletter. Check out TL;DR on Medium. Connect with me on Instagram and Snapchat.

🔖 Key Takeaways

Sometimes We All Need Help: Every person has a wonderful narrative or story to tell. The problem is that some people have challenges with turning their real date into interest, attraction, and charisma. Sometimes we all need help in learning how to tell our story.
The Most Interesting Result to Me: On average, they provided a name 56% of the time. But...they were far more able to do so when that link came directly from a news organization. The most interesting result to me was that participants indicated that they checked and could recall a news source's name when it came directly from that organization.
We Must Consider: Complicating this is the fact that you may not even know this is happening. You will need to actively push your way out of this bubble if you hope to expand your horizons. We must consider the fact that these technologies are actively trying to limit the information we gather and what we may learn.
We're Playing Directly: Holiday indicates that what Yiannopoulos and his group are doing is straight out of the playbook that he has designed for others. As such, we're playing directly into his hands.
Perhaps We Need to Identify: With this post, I'm beginning to think that as we battle to make our points heard and possibly fight for our "facts"...we also need to identify ways to inject emotion. Perhaps we need to identify ways to tell our stories and not make them boring.
What This Requires: What most likely is happening is that technology and automation will continue to make most jobs obsolete. What this requires is someone to write the code and maintain those functions to make that technology operate.

📺 Watch

How to not be boring

Another great video from the School of Life channel.

The video makes the point that just as no flower, tree, or riverbend is boring...we must also consider that no person is really boring. Every person has a wonderful narrative or story to tell. The problem is that some people have challenges with turning their real date into interest, attraction, and charisma.

Sometimes we all need help in learning how to tell our story.

📚 Read

How Americans encounter, recall and act upon digital news

A research report from the Pew Research Center looking at the "fractured" attention spans of American adults as it relates to news gathering functions. The study followed more than 2,000 adults from Feb. 24 to March 1, 2016 to see how they gather news online. Participants were asked twice a day to indicate if and where they gathered news that day.

Not surprisingly, results suggest that social media and direct visits to news websites provide the key interactions with information sources.

The most interesting result to me was that participants indicated that they checked and could recall a news source's name. Of the individuals who said they followed a link to a news story, they were asked if they could write down the name of the news outlet they landed on. On average, they provided a name 56% of the time. But...they were far more able to do so when that link came directly from a news organization. They had challenges, or could not indicate the source when the information came through social media. They would indicate the source as "Facebook" or that a friend sent it to them.

Code-dependent: Pros and cons of the algorithm age

This report from the Pew Research Center helps explain some of the current work happening in what they identify as the "algorithm age."

They indicate:

Algorithms are aimed at optimizing everything. They can save lives, make things easier and conquer chaos. Still, experts worry they can also put too much control in the hands of corporations and governments, perpetuate bias, create filter bubbles, cut choices, creativity and serendipity, and could result in greater unemployment.

This means that what you read and share online, may (or may not) be viewed by individuals based on rules set up by algorithms. As an example, look at the first story about news and social media. Chances are the social media feed that I read, is totally different than the social media feed that you're reading. Complicating this is the fact that you may not even know this is happening. You will need to actively push your way out of this bubble if you hope to expand your horizons.

We must consider the fact that these technologies are actively trying to limit the information we gather and what we may learn.

I helped create the Milo trolling playbook. You should stop playing right into it

Very intriguing piece from Ryan Holiday in the New York Observer. Holiday is a very intriguing person that writes about meditation, Stoicism, and media. He is very influential as a strategist, author, and director of marketing for a number of large firms.

In this piece he discusses the "playbook" for manipulating the media...and possibly manipulating you.

He discusses the current firestorm around Milo Yiannopoulos and the recent riots in Berkeley. Holiday indicates that what Yiannopoulos and his group are doing is straight out of the playbook that he has designed for others. As such, we're playing directly into his hands.

It's time to give up on facts

As of the date of publication of this week's TL:DR, we're quickly coming up on one month of the Trump Presidency. Whether you are in support, or against the policies of this administration, you have had to deal with the challenges of "alternative facts" and questions about the media.

In these discussions, we often come back to trying to combat possible fictions with the cold light of truth and fact. But, as we've discussed in plenty of issues of TL;DR, it's nearly impossible to consider facts when our brains tune in to emotion first. We've also discussed the role of emotion and feelings in teaching and learning in this newsletter. We understand that emotion many times trumps (no pun intended...I think :) ) people's sense of reality.

With this post, I'm beginning to think that as we battle to make our points heard and possibly fight for our "facts"...we also need to identify ways to inject emotion. Perhaps we need to identify ways to tell our stories and not make them boring.

The next big blue-collar job is coding

Clive Thompson in Wired Magazine positing that the next step in identifying new jobs for future workers may come in the form of cadres of coders.

We often think that jobs in each of our local area are lost to workers in other countries. What most likely is happening is that technology and automation will continue to make most jobs obsolete. What this requires is someone to write the code and maintain those functions to make that technology operate.

As indicated in the piece, coding and programming doesn't always mean that we need "superstar" heroes that will create the next great social network or hack into government databases. What we will need are legions of coders that can oversee parts of the web and simply make sure things operate as planned.

🔨 Do

Strawberry heart bark

Valentine's Day is coming up soon. Yes, this is most likely a tradition created to get us to buy more greeting cards for others. But, the world needs a little more love right now. <3

Take a little time and melt up a treat for you and those near you. Turn on some music, turn off the news and make something.

Send a bag of these to your neighbor, the mail carrier, or your local political figure. Pay it forward.

🤔 Consider

"The path of least resistance is a terrible teacher." — Ryan Holiday

Previous: TLDR 83 • Next: TLDR 85 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

How Not to be Boring — School of Life video every person has wonderful narrative, problem is some people have challenges with turning real date into interest attraction charisma sometimes we all need help telling our story.
Americans and Digital News — Pew Research Center fractured attention spans news gathering functions, most interesting result participants could recall news source name when it came directly from organization challenges when through social media.
Pew Research Center — Followed more than 2,000 adults see how they gather news online, social media and direct visits to news websites provide key interactions with information sources.
Algorithm Age — Code-dependent pros and cons algorithms aimed at optimizing everything, can save lives but also put too much control perpetuate bias create filter bubbles we must consider technologies actively trying to limit information.
Ryan Holiday — I helped create Milo trolling playbook New York Observer, writes about meditation Stoicism and media discusses playbook for manipulating media we're playing directly into his hands.
Milo Yiannopoulos — Current firestorm around recent riots in Berkeley, what Yiannopoulos and his group are doing is straight out of the playbook Holiday designed for others.
Facts vs Emotions — It's time to give up on facts emotion many times trumps people's sense of reality, I'm beginning to think we also need to identify ways to inject emotion tell our stories not make them boring.
Coding as Blue Collar Job — Clive Thompson next big blue-collar job Wired Magazine, technology and automation will make most jobs obsolete what this requires is someone to write code and maintain functions legions of coders oversee parts of web.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 83

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 83

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 83

Published: 2017-02-02 • 📧 Newsletter

Welcome to the 83rd issue of the TL;DR Newsletter. We dig in to the intersections between education, technology, & literacy. Thanks for joining us.

This week I worked on a lot of things behind the scenes. More information coming soon.

Feel free to share this with someone that you believe would benefit. Remember that sharing is caring. Please subscribe to this newsletter to make the world a better place.

Send me feedback or questions at hello@wiobyrne.com. You can review archives of the newsletter. Check out TL;DR on Medium. Connect with me on Instagram and Snapchat.

In this issue we deliberately share our needs.

🔖 Key Takeaways

What I Appreciate Most: There are numerous versions of this video online from the news agencies. These other versions include interviews and explanations of what it means to the students. What I appreciate most is the opportunity to make each student feel they are a valued member of the community.
We're Still Very Good: The report is helpful in identifying key areas where robots and automation already have us beat...and other areas in which we have an advantage....for now. We're still very good at spotting new patterns, logical reasoning, creativity, coordination between multiple agents, natural language understanding, and responding to social & emotional states.
What Strikes Me the Most: What I like the most is that Watters extends beyond that and focuses on very real series of questions and considerations that we should have. What strikes me the most from this piece is one of the closing elements about data and surveilling of students: All along the way, or perhaps somewhere along the way, we have confused surveillance for care.
I Frequently Say Too Much: One of the key elements that I picked up is the need to allow the learning to be messy and have your students or participants figure things out on their own. I frequently say too much and try to make the connections for students.
I Believe These Mindsets: The post extends this mindset by connecting it to elements of mindfulness. I believe these mindsets have specific import for students in classes, or participants in workshops.

📺 Watch

Teacher creates personalized handshakes for all his students

Barry White Jr. was all over the newscasts here in the U.S. after this video of him greeting students on the way in to class popped up online. There are numerous versions of this video online from the news agencies. These other versions include interviews and explanations of what it means to the students.

What I appreciate most is the opportunity to make each student feel they are a valued member of the community.

📚 Read

The Internet on our terms: How children and young people deliberated about their digital rights

A research report investigating the relationships with digital technologies held by young people from the ages of 12 to 17. The research is a collaboration by the University of Leeds, Horizon Digital Economy Research Institute, and the University of Nottingham. The full report (PDF) is available here.

The researchers brought the 108 young adults together to "put the Internet on trial" to unpack discussions around five fundamental digital rights:

The right to remove
The right to know
The right to safety and support
The right to informed and conscious use
The right to digital literacy

The resulting themes are very interesting and fall into three key areas:

Transcending the online-offline dichotomy - Young people want to be governed online with the same rights and responsibilities they do offline.
The role of regulation - Young people want regulation to bring some norms to online spaces to provide safe, happy experiences.
Finding efficacy - Participants indicated an attitude change in their efficacy about being able to negotiate and change their digital rights.

The skills where you still have the edge over robots

Despite what you may be told, jobs are not being lost to other countries, the real changes are due to automation and other effects of technology in our lives. This post from the World Economic Forum shares insight from a report that details the future of automation.

The report is helpful in identifying key areas where robots and automation already have us beat...and other areas in which we have an advantage....for now. :)

Specifically, we're still very good at spotting new patterns, logical reasoning, creativity, coordination between multiple agents, natural language understanding, identifying social & emotional states, responding to social & emotional states, displaying social & emotional states, and moving around diverse environments.

EdTech in a Time of Trump

The text of an address given by Audrey Watters at the University of Richmond. The slides for the talk are available here.

The address effectively describes the challenges, consternation, and despair that many of us have been feeling in education and technology during the first couple of weeks of the Trump era. What I like the most is that Watters extends beyond that and focuses on very real series of questions and considerations that we should have. Specifically...what sort of future should we expect in terms of technology and education.

What strikes me the most from this piece is one of the closing elements about data and surveilling of students:

All along the way, or perhaps somewhere along the way, we have confused surveillance for care.

And that's my takeaway for folks here today: when you work for a company or an institution that collects or trades data, you're making it easy to surveil people and the stakes are high. They're always high for the most vulnerable. By collecting so much data, you're making it easy to discipline people. You're making it easy to control people. You're putting people at risk. You're putting students at risk.

Resources to teach about the #muslimban

If you're an educator that believes in critical and/or information literacy, you may be looking for texts to foster discussion about the Muslim Ban. This post from Rusul Alrubail shares guidance on the why and how of making this happen in your classroom.

There is a wealth of content...and social media accounts available that you can follow to inform yourself and join the discussion.

Mindful Facilitation: Don't do something, just stand there

This past summer, I spent a week at a workshop focusing on Project Based Learning. Since that point, I've been folding in many of the skills and mindsets into many of my classes.

One of the key elements that I picked up is the need to allow the learning to be messy and have your students or participants figure things out on their own. I frequently say too much and try to make the connections for students.

This post extends this mindset by connecting it to elements of mindfulness. Specifically, the post points out the need to focus on these elements to be a better facilitator:

Pause - Moments taken before, in between, and after activities
Just one breath - Taking a breath before answering a question...and possibly before asking questions
Tuning into your body - Don't neglect your needs so you don't neglect the needs of others
Nonjudgmental observation - Paying attention to the moment
"Don't know" mind - The beginners mind, or a space of openness

I believe these mindsets have specific import for students in classes, or participants in workshops.

🔨 Do

Check out the Privacy Paradox podcast

From February 6th to the 10th, WNYC is putting together a mix between a podcast series, newsletter, and MOOC. Titled The Privacy Paradox, this week of challenges includes newsletters, podcasts, and a challenge for each day to have you re-examine your challenges with privacy.

🤔 Consider

"I have come to believe over and over again that what is most important to me must be spoken, made verbal and shared, even at the risk of having it bruised or misunderstood." — Audre Lorde

Previous: TLDR 82 • Next: TLDR 84 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Personalized Handshakes — Teacher Barry White Jr. all over newscasts, what I appreciate most is opportunity to make each student feel they are a valued member of the community.
Digital Rights Youth — Internet on our terms research report 108 young adults put Internet on trial, five fundamental rights transcending online-offline dichotomy finding efficacy.
Automation and Robots — Skills where you have edge over robots jobs not being lost to other countries, real changes due to automation we're still very good at spotting new patterns creativity coordination.
Audrey Watters — EdTech in a Time of Trump University of Richmond address, what strikes me most is we have confused surveillance for care putting students at risk.
EdTech Trump Era — Challenges consternation despair many feeling in education and technology, what sort of future should we expect in terms of technology and education.
Muslim Ban — Rusul Alrubail resources to teach about if you're educator believes in critical information literacy, wealth of content and social media accounts available to inform yourself join discussion.
Rusul Alrubail — Shares guidance on why and how of making this happen in your classroom, texts to foster discussion about Muslim Ban.
Mindful Facilitation — Don't do something just stand there Project Based Learning workshop, I frequently say too much try to make connections for students pause just one breath tuning into your body.
Privacy Paradox — WNYC podcast February 6-10 mix between podcast series newsletter and MOOC, challenge for each day re-examine your challenges with privacy take quiz find Privacy Personality.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 82

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 82

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 82

Published: 2017-01-27 • 📧 Newsletter

Welcome to the 82nd issue of the TL;DR Newsletter.

Each week we try to make sense of trends in education, technology, and literacy. Together we can better understand these spaces and develop expertise. Thanks again for your support.

With this in mind, I'm trying to expand my reading list to include individuals that are studying, writing, and sharing materials that look at issues of advocacy, policy, and activism in educational contexts. I'd prefer individuals from diverse perspectives and contexts. Please help out and share names and online addresses by emailing me, or leaving information on this post.

In this issue we imagine what would happen if we all trusted one another.

This week I worked on the following:

Wisdom is tolerance of cognitive dissonance - This post is a look at wisdom, and the connections to cognitive dissonance.
How to debate - This post is loosely connected to the first one I listed. In this short piece I identify the skills and mindsets required to engage in debate. I've found myself in some debates recently...and want to better understand the granular elements.
Oppositional conversational style - In a podcast that I was listening to this past week, the host discussed the need to understand when someone wants to argue for the sake of arguing. I took the root of the idea from this podcast and unpacked it to provide some guidance as we get in these situations.

Please subscribe to this newsletter. This newsletter runs on hearts, hugs, and good intent. Share this with a friend.

You can review archives of the newsletter. Check out TL;DR on Medium. Connect with me on Instagram and Snapchat.

🔖 Key Takeaways

This Is Important: What caught my attention is the indication that "trust" is in crisis around globe. This is important as we consider the experiences that we're having on a global scale. It also requires that we re-examine and problematize our own perspectives.
I Believe This Is a Result: The results are very convoluted and I believe this is a result of growing awareness of cybersecurity issues for some portions of the U.S. populace.
Thankfully, Younger Americans: Encryption continues to be a highly debated issue. Thankfully, younger Americans (18 - 49) expressed support for elevated, unbreakable encryption standards.
They Also Identify: They also identify that the lack of quality digital education for all is a global emergency.
I Believe It's Important: I believe it's important to examine the historical and political systems to ensure equity for all learners.
The Internet Is the Dominant Text: I recommend using the Wayback Machine Chrome extension to save pages as you read online. The Internet is the dominant text of our generation, and we need to protect all voices and information.

📺 Watch

The neuroscience of imagination - Andrey Vyshedskiy

A great TED-Ed video that accompanies a lesson from Vyshedskiy.

In this lesson they discuss the challenges and opportunities that occur as we look into our own psyche to imagine the impossible.

📚 Read

The results are in: Nobody trusts anyone anymore

As the World Economic Forum continues in Davos, I heard many reports from the event talking about the global shifts in power. What caught my attention is the indication that "trust" is in crisis around globe.

This post from Quartz shares insight from the 2017 Edelman Trust Barometer which details a "global implosion" in trust. Specifically, our collective trust in business, government, the media, and non-government entities is bottoming out.

This is important as we consider the experiences that we're having on a global scale. It also requires that we re-examine and problematize our own perspectives.

Americans and cybersecurity

A new research report from the Pew Research Center looking at American thoughts and behaviors as they relate to online privacy and security.

The results are very convoluted and I believe this is a result of growing awareness of cybersecurity issues for some portions of the U.S. populace.

Specifically, a majority of Americans (64%) do not trust the federal government or social media sites to protect their data. Yet, many of the participants in the study also indicated that they did little to follow digital security practices in their own personal lives.

Encryption continues to be a highly debated issue. Thankfully, younger Americans (18 - 49) expressed support for elevated, unbreakable encryption standards.

How can we help kids protect themselves online?

More information from the World Economic Forum website. This post details some specific advice for preparing and protecting children as they begin to use digital texts and tools.

The report suggests the need to start very young with children as these new technologies are ubiquitous in our current landscape. They also identify that the lack of quality digital education for all is a global emergency.

This report is focused on children in these contexts, but it comes from a larger white paper titled Valuing personal data and rebuilding trust.

The African American roots of Betsy DeVos's educational platform

This piece in The Atlantic is by colleague and friend Jon Hale. The piece discusses the challenges presented by the appointment of Betsy DeVos as Secretary of Education in the U.S.

Hale examines the historical parallels between the privatization of schools and the injection of school vouchers and charter schools into the reform process. Specifically, he makes a case for the role of race in these discussions and the need to reconsider what means are affected as we reform a public good.

I believe it's important to examine the historical and political systems to ensure equity for all learners.

Student PSAs create connections to critical issues

A post on creating public service announcements (PSAs) with students to help them understand and advocate for critical public needs.

The post identifies the need to focus on content knowledge, voice and choice in topic, as well as an understanding in the identified audience.

The post goes on to provide some examples of PSAs as well as rubrics for assessment. It concludes with the mention of Adobe Spark for use in producing these pieces.

🔨 Do

If you see something, save something - 6 ways to save pages in the Wayback Machine

As new parties come into political power, they are increasingly moving to the Internet to revise and delete prior information that was shared by the previous group.

The Internet Archive has been actively saving and archiving webpages from the U.S. government for months before our recent change in power. You can help support this process by saving pages that you value as you see them online.

I recommend using the Wayback Machine Chrome extension to save pages as you read online. The Internet is the dominant text of our generation, and we need to protect all voices and information.

🤔 Consider

"You don't understand anything until you learn it more than one way." — Marvin Minsky

Previous: TLDR 81 • Next: TLDR 83 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Neuroscience of Imagination — Andrey Vyshedskiy great TED-Ed video, challenges and opportunities as we look into our own psyche to imagine the impossible.
Edelman Trust Barometer — Global implosion in trust nobody trusts anyone anymore, collective trust in business government media non-government entities bottoming out.
Trust Crisis — World Economic Forum Davos indication that trust is in crisis around globe, important as we consider experiences on global scale re-examine our own perspectives.
Cybersecurity — Americans and cybersecurity Pew Research Center thoughts and behaviors online privacy security, results very convoluted growing awareness of issues.
Pew Research Center — 64% do not trust federal government or social media sites to protect data, many did little to follow digital security practices in own personal lives.
Digital Rights Children — How can we help kids protect themselves online start very young, lack of quality digital education for all is a global emergency.
Betsy DeVos — African American roots of educational platform Jon Hale Atlantic, challenges presented by appointment as Secretary of Education historical parallels privatization.
Jon Hale — Colleague and friend piece in Atlantic, examines historical parallels privatization schools school vouchers charter schools role of race ensure equity for all learners.
Student PSAs — Create connections to critical issues help students understand advocate, focus on content knowledge voice and choice Adobe Spark for producing.
Wayback Machine — If you see something save something Internet Archive, I recommend using Chrome extension save pages as you read the Internet is dominant text of our generation.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 81

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 81

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 81

Published: 2017-01-20 • 📧 Newsletter

Welcome to the 81st issue of the TL;DR Newsletter.

The intersection between education and technology can sometimes be hard to understand. My goal each week in TL;DR is to make it easier for you to understand the larger themes. The end result is to make you the expert.

In this issue we learn how to dream.

This week I worked on the following:

Private online research & discussion using Hypothesis - I'm using Hypothesis a lot more in my classes this semester. This post shares exactly how to set this up and allow your students to read and annotate one text together in class.
Developing & maintaining learning connections online in a networked learning project - One of the first things I do with my students as we start learning about education, literacy, and technology is to break down assumptions about learning. Many of my students believe that the learning has to come from a textbook, the answers are in the back, and the teacher or textbook always knows everything. In the networked learning project, you identify a topic of self-interest, and only use the Internet to learn a new skill or ability. Document your learning overtime...and display what you've learned at the end. Let me know if you try this project with your students.

If you haven't already, please subscribe to this newsletter. Subscribing let's me know that you care. And...caring is sharing.

You can review archives of the newsletter. Check out TL;DR on Medium. Connect with me on Instagram and Snapchat.

🔖 Key Takeaways

I'm Also Sharing This: We watched in awe as the rocket took off, deployed the upper section & satellites, and then land on a barge in the ocean. I'm also sharing this because we can learn from the professionalism and information shared in the video.
I Think Moe Is Dead On: Moe tackles the "fake news" and information literacy debates by suggesting that our larger educational systems have failed. I think Moe is dead on in this assessment.
I'm Interested and Invested: I noticed that they pulled in some of the web literacy work I helped with in the past. I am leery about the "open" nature of this work, and also wondering how long the initiative will be continued. For now...I'm interested and invested.
One Strategy That I Employ: This is one of the challenges that I've often heard from students as they read on devices of various sizes. One strategy that I employ to address this is through the use of Hypothesis.
We Need to Be Considerate: We need to be considerate of the messages and signals we're sending children, and the ultimate effect this has on their perspectives.
We Don't Need to Change Everything: We don't need to change everything now, but we do need to start forgetting the assumptions that we have made. The future is more uncertain than ever, but we need to make our kids as balanced, agile, and as self-reliant as ever.

📺 Watch

Iridium-1 Hosted Webcast

This past week, my son and I watched this YouTube broadcast from the SpaceX of the launch of the Iridium-1 rocket. We watched in awe as the rocket took off, deployed the upper section & satellites, and then land on a barge in the ocean. The entire video is 1:39:19. I cued it up to the point in the mission where the bottom portion of the rocket descends and lands on the barge. The video is available for the entire descent. It's incredible.

I'm also sharing this because we can learn from the professionalism and information shared in the video. Throughout the video the hosts are available to explain everything that is happening, and let you geek out on all of the details. They make the materials approachable for all learners. I think we all can learn a lot about making our fields and expertise more approachable to others.

Please do share this with young learners. Simply showing a child that this is possible might be the step needed to inspire future events.

📚 Read

All I know is what's on the internet

Excellent piece by Rolin Moe in the Real Life Magazine. Moe tackles the "fake news" and information literacy debates by suggesting that our larger educational systems have failed. I think Moe is dead on in this assessment.

Pointedly, he indicates the following:

Fake news is squatting in one building in an entire landscape of neglect and corruption; evicting them will make no difference to the blight.

I believe it would be easy to point at "fake news" or echo chambers and suggest that this is the reason for recent events in the U.S. presidential election. I also see this phenomenon reverberating around the globe. This is a larger systemic problem that needs to be addressed. We'll keep unpacking the layers here in TL;DR.

Calling all citizens of the Internet

Mozilla made a lot of news this past week for their update to the logo and iconography. I thought this piece, and the link to the included Internet Health Report was much more interesting.

In the post, Mark Surman details the statement of the problem in which we need to discuss and understand the "health of the Internet." To build consensus and address these concerns, they announce an open source project called the Internet Health Report. The report is an informative resource that pulls in reports from multiple sources to help us document and explain what is happening in the space.

I noticed that they pulled in some of the web literacy work I helped with in the past. I am leery about the "open" nature of this work, and also wondering how long the initiative will be continued. For now...I'm interested and invested. I'll dig in more and report on what I find. Please tell me what you think.

Strategies to help students "go deep" when reading digitally

Katrina Schwartz in MindShift sharing strategies to help students (and ourselves) dig in a bit deeper while reading on a screen. This is one of the challenges that I've often heard from students as they read on devices of various sizes. They would much rather print out texts to marking up and annotating.

Schwartz suggests using Google Docs and highlighting key words in the document. The outline tool in Google Docs is also an option to help organize thoughts as you read. My favorite suggestion was the highlight tool that can be used in the platform.

One strategy that I employ to address this is through the use of Hypothesis...as detailed earlier in this issue.

This piece from Scientific American shares insight from an upcoming paper in Psychological Science. The research observed four- and five-year-old children as they observed adults display negative nonverbal signals (scowling & using an unfriendly tone of voice) to one person. The children then watched the adults displaying positive nonverbal signals to another person. The children then showed bias in the same direction after witnessing the events. That is to say that they favored the person who received the positive nonverbal signals.

We need to be considerate of the messages and signals we're sending children, and the ultimate effect this has on their perspectives. I also recommend checking out this post from Scientific American on How to overcome unconscious bias.

We need to teach our children how to dream

Excellent post from Tom Goodwin in GQ UK about the focus of education in our current sociopolitical climate.

Goodwin indicates that we don't need to focus on teaching our students to code, or identifying one aspect of knowledge as being more "worthy" than another. Instead, we should focus on five attributes:

Relationships
Curiosity
Agility
Creativity
Empathy

Goodwin closes with the following:

We don't need to change everything now, but we do need to start forgetting the assumptions that we have made. The future is more uncertain than ever, but we need to make our kids as balanced, agile, and as self-reliant as ever in order to thrive in it.

🔨 Do

Check out this free online news literacy course

If you're trying to identify ways to build up your critical lens for online information (or bring this to others), you might want to check out this Coursera class titled Making sense of the news: News literacy lessons for digital citizens. The course was created by faculty from The University of Hong Kong and The State University of New York.

The course begins on February 6th. If you haven't dropped out of the MOOC in awhile...this could be fun for you. Better yet...you can audit the course for free, and use the materials over time as you need them.

🤔 Consider

"If you don't stand for something, you'll fall for anything." — Alexander Hamilton

Previous: TLDR 80 • Next: TLDR 82 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

SpaceX — Iridium-1 rocket launch my son and I watched in awe, I'm also sharing because we can learn from professionalism hosts make materials approachable.
Rolin Moe — Fake news Real Life Magazine larger educational systems have failed, fake news squatting in one building in entire landscape of neglect larger systemic problem.
Fake News — Rolin Moe larger educational systems have failed I think Moe is dead on, easy to point at fake news or echo chambers we'll keep unpacking layers.
Mozilla Internet Health — Calling all citizens open source project Internet Health Report, I'm interested and invested I'll dig in more and report on what I find.
Hypothesis — Private online research discussion I'm using a lot more in classes, one strategy I employ to address digital reading challenges students read annotate one text together.
Social Biases — How kids catch our social biases Scientific American research, we need to be considerate of messages and signals we're sending children ultimate effect on perspectives.
News Literacy — Free online course Coursera Making sense of the news, begins February 6th can audit for free use materials over time as you need them.
Networked Learning Project — Developing maintaining learning connections online identify topic of self-interest, only use Internet to learn new skill document your learning let me know if you try this.
Tom Goodwin — Teach our children how to dream GQ UK focus of education, relationships curiosity agility creativity empathy make kids balanced agile self-reliant.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 80

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 80

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 80

Published: 2017-01-13 • 📧 Newsletter

Welcome to the 80th issue of the TL;DR Newsletter.

In TL;DR we discuss the news and events of the week as it relates to education, technology, and literacy. This space is always changing...and we're striving to change with it.

In this issue we'll try to make learning approachable.

This week I worked on the following:

Text Disruption for Youth Disruptors: Using postmodern picture books to build healthy skepticism - This is a revision of an article I co-wrote with good friend and TL;DR reader Susanne Murphy. In this piece we discuss the opportunities to use postmodern children's books as a tool to help learners build the critical media literacies they'll need in digital spaces.
Digitally literate public intellectuals - This column shares some of my current thinking about the role of academics as public intellectuals in digital spaces. This piece is currently under review by Hybrid Pedagogy for their upcoming issue on The Scholarly & The Digital.

If you haven't already, please subscribe to this newsletter. When you subscribe, I go home and tell my Wife and kids what a wonderful person you are. We spend a moment reflecting on the power of the Internet that brought us together.

You can review archives of the newsletter. Check out TL;DR on Medium.

Connect with me on Instagram and Snapchat. We can play with digital tools as we learn.

🔖 Key Takeaways

I'm Very Interested: I'm very interested in Bowie's indication that these communication technologies have the potential to remove the barrier between audience and performer. He likens it to a concert in which the performer on the stage is more or less accompanying the audience as they connect with one another.
I Strongly Recommend: This post also directs you to page 10 of the Growing up Digital report in which Jenny Afia, a privacy law expert, provides a re-write of Instagram's 17 page, 5,000 word terms of service that is easier for adults and children to understand. I strongly recommend reading this if you, or your children/students, use Instagram.
I've Been Thinking: Following the results of the U.S. elections, I've been thinking a lot about the connections that I have with people online...as opposed to the people that live right next door to me.
It Has Me Wondering: This past week I was walking the hallways on the way in to teach a class and noticed all of the students staring at their devices as they walked and waited for class to begin. It has me wondering about the challenges that this has on our beliefs and practices.
I Most of All Enjoy: Kohn takes a look at the ways in which students respond to items, while considering what these results say about learners. I most of all enjoy this quote.
I'm in the Process: I'm in the process of working with some of my neighbors to build a makerspace in our garage to allow the local kids to tinker and build. The challenge is that it's difficult to know where to start and end in the purchases.

📺 Watch

David Bowie predicted in 1999 the impact of the Internet

Intriguing interview with David Bowie from a BBC interview in which he discusses the impact of the Internet and possibilities as a communication medium. You can read more about this in this post from Gizmodo.

I'm very interested in Bowie's indication that these communication technologies have the potential to remove the barrier between audience and performer. He likens it to a concert in which the performer on the stage is more or less accompanying the audience as they connect with one another.

Bowie ends the interview by saying:

The idea that the piece of work is not finished until the audience comes to it and add their own interpretation. And what the piece of art is about is the grey space in the middle. That grey space in the middle is what the 21st century is going to be all about.

📚 Read

In last week's issue of TL;DR I took issue with the reports on the "Growing up Digital" research that was reported by The Guardian. This post from Quartz actually shares the links to the report from the study (PDF). The post also shares research (PDF) from Ofcom suggesting that more than half of 12 to 15-year olds in Britain are on Instagram.

This post also directs you to page 10 of the Growing up Digital report in which Jenny Afia, a privacy law expert, provides a re-write of Instagram's 17 page, 5,000 word terms of service that is easier for adults and children to understand.

I strongly recommend reading this if you, or your children/students, use Instagram.

Screen time guidelines need to be built on evidence, not hype

An "open letter" signed by a group of scientists investigating the intersection between screen time and child development. In this piece the researchers urge caution as we encounter "moral panic abut the impact of new technologies on our behavior and development.

They close with a link to guidelines (PDF) for parents to help explain the evidence in the decision...not "hyperbole and opinion."

Could our faith in phones undermine our trust in humans?

Following the results of the U.S. elections, I've been thinking a lot about the connections that I have with people online...as opposed to the people that live right next door to me. Barack Obama's farewell address evidenced this point as well as he indicated the need to go talk with people in real life.

This past week I was walking the hallways on the way in to teach a class and noticed all of the students staring at their devices as they walked and waited for class to begin. It has me wondering about the challenges that this has on our beliefs and practices.

How teachers learn to discuss racism

A piece from Melinda Anderson in The Atlantic documenting work in urban ed programs as they prepare their students to deal with tough discussions they'll encounter.

The piece describes a series of perspectives that are quite nuanced as the programs try to unpack societal narratives, and create their own culture. Specifically, the representatives recognize that many people tense up, or latch on to a negative connotation when discussing race.

The key component is to disrupt and complexify...what they believe they know about race.

Whoever said there's no such thing as a stupid question never looked carefully at a standardized test

A good post from Alfie Kohn on the challenges of items on standardized tests.

Kohn takes a look at the ways in which students respond to items, while considering what these results say about learners.

I most of all enjoy this quote:

No newspaper, no politician, no parent or school administrator should ever assume that a test score is a valid and meaningful indicator without looking carefully at the questions on that test to ascertain that they're designed to measure something of importance and that they do so effectively.

🔨 Do

What should I buy for my new makerspace?

I'm in the process of working with some of my neighbors to build a makerspace in our garage to allow the local kids to tinker and build. The challenge is that it's difficult to know where to start and end in the purchases.

This post from Laura Fleming is invaluable as it details the decisions you need to make as you frame and build your space. Fleming breaks down the following framework:

Mobility - Free-range learning that increases equity & access
Allows for open-ended exploration - Maximizes inquiry opportunities
Knowledge of student needs, wants, & interests - Do your learners actually want to do this?
Empowerment & engagement - Low barrier of entry for engagement while empowering all
Relevance - Does it connect to school or global trends?

🤔 Consider

"The difficulty lies not so much in developing new ideas as in escaping from old ones." — John Maynard Keynes

Previous: TLDR 79 • Next: TLDR 81 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

David Bowie — 1999 BBC interview predicted impact of Internet, I'm very interested removes barrier between audience and performer grey space in the middle.
Instagram Privacy — Lawyer rewrote terms of service Jenny Afia easier for adults and children to understand, I strongly recommend reading this if you use Instagram.
Screen Time — Guidelines need to be built on evidence not hype open letter scientists, urge caution moral panic about impact of new technologies link to guidelines.
Racism Discussions — Teachers learn to discuss Melinda Anderson Atlantic urban ed programs, disrupt and complexify what they believe they know about race.
Makerspace — I'm in the process of working with neighbors to build in our garage local kids tinker and build, Laura Fleming framework mobility exploration empowerment.
Alfie Kohn — Standardized tests challenges of items takes a look at ways students respond, I most of all enjoy this quote no one should assume test score is valid.
Laura Fleming — What should I buy for new makerspace framework, invaluable details the decisions you need to make as you frame and build your space.
Public Intellectuals — Digitally literate role of academics in digital spaces, currently under review by Hybrid Pedagogy for upcoming issue on The Scholarly and The Digital.
Postmodern Picture Books — Text disruption for youth disruptors Susanne Murphy, opportunities to use as tool to help learners build critical media literacies they'll need in digital spaces.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 8

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 8

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 8

Published: 2015-08-15 • 📧 Newsletter

I finished up my last two classes with UNH this week. At the same time, I sent out a final note to the family and friends I met during my four years at UNH. If you're here following the TL;DR newsletter after reading that note...welcome, it's good to stay connected.

This week I got a lot of things completed behind the scenes...but didn't post a lot.

I was part of a webinar for the MVLRI with Randy LaBonte, Verena Roberts, and Lee Graham to discuss our chapter on Open Learning in K-12 Online & Blended Learning Environments. I'll post the video when it's available. In the meantime, you can read more about a similar piece (with interviews) that we published in JAAL on Teaching, Learning, and Sharing Openly Online.
I earned the Open Badge Awareness badge created by Doug Belshaw after submitting (and revising) my post on Digital Badges for our column on badges in JAAL.
I helped produce our latest episode of the LRA Research to Practice series. Episode 17 focused on Feminist Pedagogy, argumentative writing, and the CCSS. We had some tech glitches...but the end result was a thought provoking show.

🔖 Key Takeaways

UNH Farewell: Finished last two classes at UNH after four years—transitioning and staying connected.
Open Badge Awareness: Earned Doug Belshaw's badge after submitting and revising digital badges column for JAAL.
Tweens and Tech: Atlantic's "Ask a Tween" series—insightful or makes you glad you're not an adolescent anymore.
Google becomes Alphabet: Major reorganization to focus beyond search—depends on whether you trust Larry Page.
Sesame Street to HBO: Big money for children's programming, but will low-income kids lose out?

📺 Watch

Ask a Tween: Could You Live Without Your Phone?

The "Ask a Tween" series from The Atlantic

This playlist of seven short videos focuses on a tween's guide to technology, social media, and popularity. The series of videos is either very insightful, or makes you glad you're not an adolescent anymore. :)

📚 Read

Ebooks are changing the way we read, and the way novelists write

Intriguing piece from Paul Mason
in The Guardian

about our attention spans, reading on screens, and changing practices of writers. I agree & disagree with different aspects of the column. What do you think?

Facebook knows how you laugh

It shouldn't be a shocker...Facebook (and everyone else) is collecting all of our interactions online. They're tracking everything down to the specific words that you type. This bit of "research" by the Facebook research team

shows that the way that we express laughter online is evolving.

The key takeaway...stop using LOL. :)

G is for Google

This week Google made some news by reorganizing. They basically formed a parent company called Alphabet that will allow them to focus on areas other than just search . As a society, we're used to telling people to just "Google It", the truth is that there is much more to Google than just search . It will be interesting to see how this opens up room for the other spaces in Google (now Alphabet), it just depends on whether you trust Larry Page .

As "Sesame Street" heads to HBO, will low-income kids lose out?

Big news for children's programming, and the money that HBO will dump into it. What effect will it have on children from economically-challenged areas that use the show to get ready for school

How to teach students to evaluate the quality of online information

Good piece from Edudemic
on evaluation strategies for credibility and relevance of online information. The post is actually very good and contains info from Julie Coiro.

I'm usually cautious about posts like this and worry that they make it too simplistic of a process. I prefer to think more long term and build up a student's "healthy skepticism" as they read online.

Blab video chat app is like Periscope for groups of friends

For some of you, Blab.

im

may seem like a very bad idea that you will never use. :) I think it's terribly fascinating, and I'm trying to think of ways to use it in my work.

Recently, apps like Periscope and Meerkat

have made it possible to "livestream" events from mobile devices. The idea is that you can turn on your webcam, and broadcast live to the world. These apps also make it very easy to "tune in" and check out what people are broadcasting.

Blab.im takes that thinking...and makes it collaborative. Video chat, collaborate, and share with up to four people...and stream it out online. Very cool. :)

The pedagogy behind MOOCs: What eLearning professionals should know

Excellent overview of pedagogical opportunities as you teach in online, or hybrid spaces. This post is primarily focused on MOOCs (Massive Open Online Course). However, I believe the guidance is beneficial for anyone teaching or building online.

Hemingway editor updated in time for the new school year

If you write online, or at a computer, you need to check out the Hemingway Editor . If you teach writing or have your students write in class, you need to check out how it can be used to help you analyze writing .

Hemingway is a free web app...there is a desktop app , but I don't use it. Hemingway provides feedback about your writing as you write. It's definitely not foolproof...but I think it's a good step in the writing process before students send their work to others for peer-review.

🔨 Do

An ingenious trick for making perfect Nutella-stuffed pancakes

Good idea from The Kitchn
detailing a hack for filling pancakes with Nutella. Their process involves freezing disks of Nutella, and then placing them in the wet batter as you cook the pancakes.

I think this process can be repeated using other butters, jellies, and preserves. It's time to head to the kitchen and experiment. :)

🤔 Consider

Finishing up at UNH this week brings reflection on transitions—ending one chapter while beginning another. The Open Badge Awareness badge represents more than credentials; it's about practicing what we preach, submitting work for review, and learning by doing.

The "Ask a Tween" series reminds us that adolescence in the digital age is both familiar and foreign territory. They're navigating the same social pressures we did, just with smartphones instead of passed notes. The question isn't whether screens are changing how we read and write (they are), but how we thoughtfully engage with that change.

Google's transformation into Alphabet raises questions about trust and power. When one company touches search, email, maps, phones, self-driving cars, and life extension research, does reorganization matter? It depends on whether you trust Larry Page's vision—or whether any single entity should have that much reach.

Sesame Street moving to HBO feels like a test case for public goods in private hands. Can quality educational content remain accessible when profit motives enter the equation? The answer matters for kids who need it most.

Previous: TLDR 7 • Next: TLDR 9 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Open Badges — Earning Doug Belshaw's Open Badge Awareness through practice and revision.
Teen Technology Use — Atlantic's tween insights on phones, social media, and popularity.
Reading and eBooks — How screens are changing reading practices and novelists' writing.
Privacy and Security — Facebook tracking laughter patterns, evolving online expression.
Google Alphabet — Reorganization enabling focus beyond search, trust questions.
Sesame Street — HBO deal implications for educational access and equity.
Information Evaluation — Teaching healthy skepticism for online reading.
MOOCs — Pedagogical opportunities in online and hybrid learning spaces.
Writing Tools — Hemingway Editor for analyzing and improving student writing.
Livestreaming Tools — Blab.im, Periscope, Meerkat enabling collaborative broadcasting.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 79

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 79

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 79

Published: 2017-01-06 • 📧 Newsletter

Welcome to the 79th issue of the TL;DR Newsletter. There is a fair amount of "nuance" in TL;DR as we discuss events of the week in education, technology, and literacy. Please be aware that you may be asked to read between the lines.

In this issue we'll think about how much the truth hurts.

This week I worked on the following:

Three steps to identify and develop your digital identity - This post identifies a series of granular steps you might follow as you begin to build up your online identity. I'll have a webinar on the materials from this post in the coming weeks.
Develop your own personal cyberinfrastructure - This post is part two of the first post about your digital identity. In this, I discuss how to detail exactly how you'd like your identities to connect online.
Encryption - A short post to help you understand everything you'll need to know about encryption. As we discuss building up your digital identity...and teaching online...we all need to know a bit more about privacy & security online.
Information without emotion is rarely retained - I'm in the process of reading through the new Tim Ferriss book. As I do so, I'll be blogging about parts of the book that speak to me. This quote comes from Tony Robbins and (IMHO) helps us think about audience reaction as we speak/teach.

If you haven't already, please subscribe to this newsletter. You can review archives of the newsletter. Check out TL;DR on Medium. You can connect and play with me on Instagram and Snapchat.

🔖 Key Takeaways

I'll Have a Webinar: This post identifies a series of granular steps you might follow as you begin to build up your online identity. I'll have a webinar on the materials from this post in the coming weeks.
I'm in the Process: I'm in the process of reading through the new Tim Ferriss book. As I do so, I'll be blogging about parts of the book that speak to me.
It Has Stuck With Me: The video discusses how Trump uses and manipulates language through an examination of his tweets. If you spend time interacting in online spaces...you need to take the time to watch this video. It has stuck with me, and the other people I have shared it with.
I Believe That We're: This is something that I discuss regularly with colleagues and students. I believe that we're in between two models. We need more discussion.
I Look Forward: Bali is planning on a series of posts in which she digs deeper into this topic...and I look forward to learning more as we collectively unpack and address these challenges.
I Also Have Significant Questions: Although I definitely believe the "results" of the "study," I also have significant questions about credibility of this reporting. Finally, this is also a call for researchers to engage in more open scholarship and report on their own work.
I'll Start Using: This post from FastCompany shares a series of prompts that I'll start using in my first 30 day challenge of the year. Care to join me?

📺 Watch

How Donald Trump tweets

Regardless of your political affiliation, or feelings about the results of the U.S. election, I found this video by Nerdwriter1 to be fantastic.

The video discusses how Trump uses and manipulates language through an examination of his tweets. If you spend time interacting in online spaces...you need to take the time to watch this video. It has stuck with me, and the other people I have shared it with.

📚 Read

Leave your laptops at the door to my classroom

This piece from Darren Rosenblum in from The Opinion Pages at The NY Times shares the challenges as we teach in an environment full of screens. Darren makes the point that his students (in a law program) need to be able to listen and communicate. These two skills require patience, focus, eye contact, and managing moments of ennui productively. Ultimately Rosenblum believes that multitasking while mediating between screens kills empathy in the classroom.

This is something that I discuss regularly with colleagues and students. I believe that we're in between two models. I would suggest that a majority of the colleagues that I've worked with over the years would rather have students unplug as they enter the classroom. I try to organize discussions (with colleagues and students) as we debate the pros and cons of including screens in the classroom. I also allow computers, laptops, and other devices in my classes. I teach mostly educators and use it as a teaching moment when I highlight halfway through the semester that I know that they've been on Facebook and Snapchat the whole time. I want them to come to the realization...and prepare for their future learning environments.

We need more discussion.

Fake News: Not your main problem

Great post from Maha Bali on the DML Central blog in which she expands on a recent tweet in which she suggest that we don't need to focus on fake news in the classroom, but instead should identify ways to prepare youth for the real news.

Bali suggests that we should consider the challenges that exist as we take things for granted without employing any skepticism. She also expands on a point made by Britni Brown O'Donnell that we need to question our own ontological and epistemological assumptions behind "truth."

Bali is planning on a series of posts in which she digs deeper into this topic...and I look forward to learning more as we collectively unpack and address these challenges.

This post from Jessica Elgot in The Guardian documents the results from a "study" that indicates that almost half of 8 to 11 year olds have agreed to impenetrable terms and conditions to give social media giants such as Facebook and Instagram control over their data.

From the outset, this is documenting something that we already knew. In fact, if you're a regular reader of TL;DR, you know that it's not only the kids...but the adults that are regularly handing over their data to these organizations...without us fully knowing what is happening to it all. I'm also more concerned about the organizations that know a lot about each of us...but we don't even know their names.

As I began to explore the links to find the actual study...I realized that it's near impossible. The link I shared up above, links to this story...also by The Guardian. If you search online for info from both stories, you come across this link...also from The Guardian. The name of the study is indicated as the "Growing up digital study."

Although I definitely believe the "results" of the "study," I also have significant questions about credibility of this reporting. Finally, this is also a call for researchers to engage in more open scholarship and report on their own work.

They still need you: How adults help young kids still learn with technology

A post from Elissa Nadworny in MindShift sharing a discussion with Laura Zimmerman and Rachel Barr about their work investigating interactions with touchscreens by youth. In the interview, Nadworny, Zimmerman, and Barr synthesize findings from two different studies (one, two) that peer into scaffolding toddlers with tech.

What struck me the most in this is the role of the adult as a human guide in helping scaffold learners as they interact with the device. This means that there should be some shared interaction, some joint media engagement as we use these devices with young learners.

At this point, the user interface is not able to mimic this engagement to support learners...yet.

How to become a "Superager"

This op-ed from Lisa Feldman Barrett in The New York Times shares insight from research being conducted at Massachusetts General Hospital on cognition and aging. The neurologists want to know why some older people remain mentally nimble while others stay sharp. They use the term Superager, coined by neurologist Marsel Mesulam, to describe this phenomenon.

They're still unpacking the findings of their work, but you'd probably like to learn how to have a youthful brain now...and later in life.

The early takeaway is that you need to work hard at something. This work can be physical, mental, or both.

You'll also need to work hard. Subscribe to the "no pain, no gain" philosophy and work until you're uncomfortable. If you're using Sudoku, or those brain games to keep you thinking...keep doing it until it begins to hurt.

🔨 Do

10 expert tips to make 2017 your most productive year yet

It's the start of a new year, and many of us are putting together resolutions for the upcoming year. Instead of identifying these goals, think about building habits. This post from FastCompany shares a series of prompts that I'll start using in my first 30 day challenge of the year. Care to join me?

Plan tomorrow tonight
Write a one-item to-do list
Go for a stroll
Know when to quit
Do only things you love when procrastinating
Automate scheduling
Shut up and listen
Push the important stuff to the top
Set "action triggers"
Write a "stop-doing" list

🤔 Consider

"Everything we hear is an opinion, not a fact. Everything we see is a perspective, not the truth." — Marcus Aurelius

Previous: TLDR 78 • Next: TLDR 80 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Digital Identity — Three steps to identify and develop granular steps begin to build up online identity, I'll have a webinar on materials in the coming weeks.
Fake News — Maha Bali not your main problem don't need to focus but instead prepare youth for the real news, question our own assumptions behind truth.
Screens in Classroom — Darren Rosenblum laptops at door to classroom screens kills empathy, I believe we're in between two models we need more discussion.
Digital Rights — Children England sign over regularly and unknowingly Guardian study, I also have significant questions about credibility of this reporting.
Maha Bali — DML Central fake news not your main problem prepare youth for real news, planning on series of posts I look forward to learning more collectively unpack challenges.
Superager — Lisa Feldman Barrett NY Times research cognition and aging, you need to work hard at something no pain no gain philosophy until uncomfortable.
Productivity — 10 expert tips FastCompany instead of goals think about building habits, I'll start using in my first 30 day challenge care to join me.
Trump Tweets — Nerdwriter1 how uses and manipulates language fantastic video, it has stuck with me and the other people I have shared it with.
Personal Cyberinfrastructure — Develop your own part two how you'd like identities to connect online, encryption short post everything you'll need to know privacy security.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 78

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 78

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 78

Published: 2016-12-30 • 📧 Newsletter

Welcome to issue 78 of the TL;DR Newsletter. In TL;DR we typically discuss events of the week in education, technology, and literacy. In this issue we'll position ourselves to address challenges.

This week I worked on the following:

Privacy & security in digital spaces - In this quick post I provide a quick way to think about privacy and security. I believe this is important for us to think about the small things as we try to make sense of the much more difficult.
Managing your passwords - Some quick, actionable advice on cleaning up your passwords and setting up a system.
Two factor authentication - As you set up that new password management system...set up 2FA for everything. Go ahead...do it now and we'll wait here for you.

If you haven't already, please subscribe to this newsletter. You can review archives of the newsletter. Check out TL;DR on Medium. You can send me feedback and play on Instagram and Snapchat.

🔖 Key Takeaways

I Believe This Is Important: In this quick post I provide a quick way to think about privacy and security. I believe this is important for us to think about the small things as we try to make sense of the much more difficult.
Go Ahead...Do It Now: As you set up that new password management system...set up 2FA for everything. Go ahead...do it now and we'll wait here for you.
For Me, Technology: For me, technology is a literacy issue. Increasingly we read, write, socialize, and communicate in digital spaces.
I Think It's Also Important: This post from the NY Times describes some of the work behind the scenes. I think it's also important that we understand the philosophy behind their work if we are to weigh their evidence against the work of others.
I'm a Big Fan: I'm a big fan of the Tim Ferriss Podcast and routinely share tips and tricks in some of my blog posts. I'm planning on blogging about the text as I read to keep track of my thoughts.
I've Spent the Last Week: I've spent the last week researching online, watching YouTube videos, and testing the process.

📺 Watch

Edith Ackermann's pedagogical perspective on tinkering & making

Over the past week several incredible women passed. Yes, Carrie Fisher and her mother Debbie Reynolds passed within one day of each other.

Astronomer Vera Rubin transformed her field by helping to identify "dark matter" in the cosmos.

In the video above I highlight Edith Ackermann. Ackermann, a developmental psychologist and learning researcher at the MIT Media Lab, passed away this week at the age of 70. The video describes her perspectives on play, tinkering, learning, and the role of the eye. Definitely good stuff for those tinkerers and makers out there.

📚 Read

For fact-checking website Snopes, a bigger role brings more attacks

For me, technology is a literacy issue. Increasingly we read, write, socialize, and communicate in digital spaces. As such, it's important that we focus on opportunities to educate and prepare ourselves (and our children/students) for these spaces.

As we increasingly use the internet for literacy purposes, it's clear that we need to do a much better job in educating readers in online spaces. We can't trust our search engines to tell us the truth. We also see a trend in which people (Americans in particular) will believe anything...just because they found it on the internet.

One of the bastions of this fact checking online has been Snopes. This post from the NY Times describes some of the work behind the scenes. I think it's also important that we understand the philosophy behind their work if we are to weigh their evidence against the work of others.

Facebook doesn't tell users everything it really knows about them

In previous issues of TL;DR I shared insight into how to find out what Facebook knows about you. Specifically, we took a look at identifying the social and political graph that the social network has about you.

ProPublica reports that this insight doesn't share everything that Facebook knows about us. Specifically, the report suggests that Facebook is bundling a dozen different data companies to target customers. This even includes some of our offline actions.

In the report, the authors look at some of the organizations that you've never heard of that are building (and selling) databases of information about you. Definitely something to consider as you share and interact online...and off.

Is Wikipedia woke?

This post from Bloomberg Businessweek shares some of the challenges as Wikipedia tries to expand its base of volunteer editors.

Wikipedia is only as good as its community of editors. About 30,000 people contribute regularly to the English-language version of the site, an additional 45,000 to the other editions. Not surprisingly, given that the organization's earliest supporters were software geeks, its entries often reflect the concerns and biases of a group that's overwhelmingly white and, according to several surveys of Wikipedia editors, about 85 percent male.

Top issues capturing the minds of educators and parents this year

Another great post from Katrina Schwartz in MindShift. This post serves as a retrospective and perhaps "reality check" to think about the year that was in our classrooms.

Schwartz posits that the following were the big themes from 2016:

Motivation and engagement
Self-regulation and trauma
Deepening teacher practice
Can parents be too involved?

Click through the post to expand on the presented themes.

8 terrific tactics for dealing with haters, according to Tim Ferriss

I'm a big fan of the Tim Ferriss Podcast and routinely share tips and tricks in some of my blog posts. The podcast, and one of his books (The Four Hour Workweek) is one of the primary reasons why I've been a lot more entrepreneurial over the last year.

This post from Maxim shares some insight following the release of his latest book, Tools of Titans. I'm planning on blogging about the text as I read to keep track of my thoughts.

In this post, Ferriss shares the following advice for dealing with "haters" and dealing with criticism online:

It doesn't matter how many people don't get it. What matters is how many people do.
10% of people will find a way to take anything personally. Expect it and treat it as math.
When in doubt, starve it of oxygen. - This means that most time you should just ignore it.
If you respond, don't over-apologize.
You can't reason someone out of something they didn't reason themselves into.
"Trying to get everyone to like you is a sign of mediocrity. You'll avoid the tough decisions, and you'll avoid confronting the people who need to be confronted." - Colin Powell
"If you want to improve, be content to be thought foolish and stupid." - Epictetus

🔨 Do

How to brew green tea

I've shared plenty of recipes discussing the art of cold brew here in the Make section of TL;DR. I've wanted to start to drink more tea and this has been accelerated thanks to a recent gift from a friend. I was given a starter kit from Teavana that includes a ceramic mug with a lid, and a metal strainer that allows the loose tea to steep in the water.

I've spent the last week researching online, watching YouTube videos, and testing the process.

At this point I'm using a basic green tea (Bancha) that came with the kit. I have been focusing on the amount of tea (1.5 teaspoons) as well as the amount (8 ounces) & temperature (170 F) of the water. Once I have those pieces nailed down, I'm focused on taking the time to allow the tea to come together.

After this experiment, I'll share some more insight into other teas (and tea cocktails) that I'm trying. Please let me know if you can help in the process.

🤔 Consider

"Sometimes you can only find heaven by slowly backing away from hell." — Carrie Fisher

This week: position ourselves to address challenges.

Sometimes you can only find heaven by slowly backing away from hell.

Previous: TLDR 77 • Next: TLDR 79 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Privacy Security — Quick post quick way to think I believe this is important think about small things, managing passwords two factor authentication go ahead do it now we'll wait.
Fact Checking — Snopes bigger role brings more attacks for me technology is literacy issue, I think it's important we understand the philosophy behind their work weigh their evidence.
Snopes — One of the bastions of fact checking online NY Times describes work behind scenes, can't trust search engines people will believe anything found on internet.
Facebook Privacy — Doesn't tell users everything it really knows ProPublica report, bundling dozen different data companies includes offline actions definitely something to consider.
Wikipedia — Bloomberg Businessweek challenges as tries to expand base volunteer editors, only as good as community overwhelmingly white 85 percent male.
Tim Ferriss — I'm a big fan of podcast routinely share tips and tricks, Tools of Titans I'm planning on blogging about text as I read keep track of thoughts.
Edith Ackermann — MIT Media Lab developmental psychologist learning researcher passed away age 70, video describes perspectives on play tinkering learning definitely good stuff for tinkerers makers.
Carrie Fisher — Passed within one day of mother Debbie Reynolds, quote sometimes you can only find heaven by slowly backing away from hell.
Green Tea — I've wanted to start drink more tea accelerated thanks to recent gift Teavana kit, I've spent last week researching online watching YouTube videos testing the process.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 77

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 77

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 77

Published: 2016-12-23 • 📧 Newsletter

Welcome to issue 77 of the TL;DR Newsletter. In TL;DR we typically discuss events of the week in education, technology, and literacy. In this issue we take a look at process as opposed to product.

This week I worked on the following:

Signal instant messenger - I've been promising over the past month or two that I'd start documenting the steps that I'm taking to improve my privacy and security with digital tools. This post is the first in the series as I examine/install Signal. I suggest that you install and start to use Signal as well.
Text disruption for youth disruptors - This is a piece that I wrote with Susanne Murphy in which we're looking at the opportunities to use children's books as a teaching tool to discuss critical media literacies. I'm fine-tuning some of the elements of the submission and will send in for review within the next week. I'd love your comments if you've got the time.

If you haven't already, please subscribe to this newsletter. You can review archives of the newsletter. Check out TL;DR on Medium. You can connect with me on Instagram and Snapchat.

🔖 Key Takeaways

I Suggest That: I've been promising over the past month or two that I'd start documenting the steps that I'm taking to improve my privacy and security with digital tools. I suggest that you install and start to use Signal as well.
I'd Love Your Comments: I'm fine-tuning some of the elements of the submission and will send in for review within the next week. I'd love your comments if you've got the time.
I'm Intrigued By: Specifically, I'm intrigued by her focus on praise, effort, and work process (as opposed to product).
One of Anecdotes Will Guide: This post from Brown-Martin shares some insight into discussions about education, assessment, and supporting learners. One of anecdotes will guide my work over the coming year.
In My Classes and Talks: In my classes and talks I indicate that it is imperative that educators and students know how to create and use screencaptures and screencasts.
I'll Share This: I'll share this with students in my classes as they develop technology embedded lesson/unit plans.
I Love Experimenting: First, I love experimenting with dough to make great bread and even better pizza dough. Second, I enjoy the way that they organize the materials for the class. I'll be mimicking this format soon.

📺 Watch

This amazing girl mastered dubstep dancing by just using YouTube

I just came across this video of 12 year old Adilyn Malcolm thanks to the algorithms on YouTube.

The video focuses on Adilyn using the internet to stop, rewind, and watch videos of the best dubstep dancers in the world. She documents what she learned in this powerful video.

📚 Read

How praise became a consolation prize

If you hang out with educators at some point the term "grit" or "growth mindset" will come up. In this interview, Carol Dweck, the researcher that helped coin this term discusses the challenges of this perspective being "misappropriated" as we work with learners.

Specifically, I'm intrigued by her focus on praise, effort, and work process (as opposed to product):

A lot of parents or teachers say praise the effort, not the outcome. I say [that's] wrong: Praise the effort that led to the outcome or learning progress; tie the praise to it. It's not just effort, but strategy … so support the student in finding another strategy. Effective teachers who actually have classrooms full of children with a growth mindset are always supporting children's learning strategies and showing how strategies created that success.

Assessment is not a spreadsheet, it's a conversation

A post from Graham Brown-Martin in which he recounts a discussion with educator Joe Bower. Joe recently passed away at the beginning of January.

This post from Brown-Martin shares some insight into discussions about education, assessment, and supporting learners. One of anecdotes will guide my work over the coming year:

Two young goldfish are swimming in the water, and they are swimming together and the come across an older goldfish. The older goldfish says to them, "Morning boys, how's the water?" The two younger fish just keep swimming. Finally, one of the younger ones, after the old goldfish is long gone, turns to the other young one and says, "What the hell is water?" I think school is the water. We've been in it for so long, we don't see it. We don't even know it's there. We're on a form of autopilot where we just do it, but we can't even describe it, because we're so used to it.

Three ways to create image-based formative assessments

In my classes and talks I indicate that it is imperative that educators and students know how to create and use screencaptures and screencasts. This post from Richard Byrne takes this a step further and shows a couple tools that can be used to turn these images/videos into formative assessments.

Think about the possibilities as you annotate an image from your computer screen. Think about the questions you can ask students about this content. Byrne shares a couple tools (Formative, Wizer, Google Forms) that can be used to create an assessment item from this image.

The digital research process visually explained

An infographic that focused on the digital tools and process involved in conducting research online. This infographic is helpful as it details not only the steps involved in the research process, but some of the tools that can be used in this work.

I'll share this with students in my classes as they develop technology embedded lesson/unit plans.

Why time management is ruining our lives

In a lot of my work I indicate opportunities to improve productivity or integrate digitally agile perspectives into our work processes. This long reading post from The Guardian is a good reality check to ensure that we really do want to head down this path of hyper-productivity.

🔨 Do

Bread class

I'm sharing this class from Instructables for two reasons.

First, I love experimenting with dough to make great bread and even better pizza dough.

Second, I enjoy the way that they organize the materials for the class. They have you sign in to access the materials. It is also well organized into a series of modules and things that you can make in a short period of time. I'll be mimicking this format soon.

🤔 Consider

"The learning process is something you can incite, literally incite, like a riot." — Audre Lorde

This week: process as opposed to product.

Signal instant messenger I've been promising documenting steps improving privacy and security first in the series I suggest that you install and start to use Signal as well. Text disruption for youth disruptors Susanne Murphy children's books as teaching tool critical media literacies - I'm fine-tuning elements of submission I'd love your comments if you've got the time. YouTube girl mastered dubstep dancing - Adilyn Malcolm using internet to stop rewind and watch videos of best dubstep dancers she documents what she learned powerful video. Carol Dweck growth mindset how praise became consolation prize - I'm intrigued by her focus on praise effort and work process as opposed to product, praise the effort that led to outcome not just effort but strategy support student in finding another. Assessment is not a spreadsheet it's a conversation - Graham Brown-Martin recounts discussion with Joe Bower who recently passed away, one of anecdotes will guide my work over coming year what the hell is water school is the water we've been in it so long we don't see it. Image-based formative assessments - in my classes and talks I indicate it is imperative educators and students know how to create screencaptures and screencasts, Richard Byrne shows tools Formative Wizer Google Forms. Digital research process visually explained infographic - I'll share this with students in my classes as they develop technology embedded lesson unit plans. Time management ruining our lives - in my work I indicate opportunities improve productivity, good reality check do we really want to head down path of hyper-productivity. Bread class Instructables - I love experimenting with dough to make great bread and pizza, I enjoy way they organize materials I'll be mimicking this format soon.

The learning process is something you can incite, literally incite, like a riot.

Previous: TLDR 76 • Next: TLDR 78 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Process vs Product — Carol Dweck focus on praise effort and work process as opposed to product, praise the effort that led to outcome not just effort but strategy.
Growth Mindset — Carol Dweck term being misappropriated as we work with learners, effective teachers supporting children's learning strategies showing how strategies created success.
Carol Dweck — Researcher helped coin growth mindset discusses challenges of perspective, I'm intrigued by her focus on praise effort and work process.
Assessment — Not a spreadsheet it's a conversation Graham Brown-Martin, discussions about education assessment and supporting learners one of anecdotes will guide my work.
Signal Messenger — I've been promising documenting steps improving privacy and security, first in the series I suggest you install and start to use Signal as well.
Graham Brown-Martin — Post recounting discussion with educator Joe Bower, shares some insight into discussions about education assessment supporting learners.
Joe Bower — Educator recently passed away beginning of January, what the hell is water school is the water we've been in it so long we don't see it.
Formative Assessment — Image-based three ways create Richard Byrne, in my classes I indicate imperative educators students know screencaptures screencasts tools Formative Wizer Google Forms.
Bread Making — Instructables class I love experimenting with dough to make great bread and pizza, I enjoy way they organize materials I'll be mimicking this format soon.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 76

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 76

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 76

Published: 2016-12-16 • 📧 Newsletter

Welcome to issue 76 of the TL;DR Newsletter. In TL;DR we typically discuss events of the week in education, technology, and literacy. In this issue we take a look at intervening in situations.

This week I spent time closing out grades for the semester and revising a chapter on how to be a digitally agile researcher. I also published this post about focusing on the granular elements when learning something new.

If you haven't already, please subscribe to this newsletter. You can review archives of the newsletter. Check out TL;DR on Medium. You can connect with me on Instagram and Snapchat.

🔖 Key Takeaways

I Still Think: A very good reminder as we need to increasingly critical evaluate online content. I still think there is a need to make "facts louder than opinion" as we discussed last week in TL;DR.
I'm Still in the Process: I'm still in the process of digesting this plan. The website does a good job of breaking down the report into specific sections.
I'm in the Process: I'm in the process of changing my note taking system over to something new.
I Think the First Step: As with active shooters...I think the first step is being aware that these situations are a case of WHEN (not IF) they will happen. When they do occur...you can hopefully act and not freeze.
One of My Favorite Tools: One of my favorite tools to use in classes to have students read and collaborate. I'm most excited by the improvements to the profiles pages in the system. I'll be spending a lot more time with Hypothesis in the future.
I've Been Spending More Time: I've been spending more time working with my various photo and video cameras. One challenge that I've had recently is taking photos of the sky.

📺 Watch

How to fight the bad logic of the internet

This video is from a new video series from Wired called "Argument Clinic."

In this video they indicate elements from the presumption of innocence to indicate that: Proof lies on he who asserts, not he who denies.

A very good reminder as we need to increasingly critical evaluate online content. I still think there is a need to make "facts louder than opinion" as we discussed last week in TL;DR.

📚 Read

How teachers can disrupt fake news

Post from Heinemann Publishing detailing guidance for educators on teaching critical literacy in the classroom.

They indicate:

A students' ability to read critically is essential for them to write critically. If they can develop an understanding of how informational texts are constructed, those critical skills will deepen as they create their own arguments through their writing. This requires a shift from identifying elements of informational texts to building with them. Writing argument supplements students' reading of informational texts by illuminating the choices authors make surrounding audience, voice, genre, and the research used (or not used) to support their texts.

The post shares a series of three big questions originally shared by Kylene Beers and Bob Probst:

What surprised me?
What did the author think that I already knew?
What changed, challenged, or confirmed what I already knew?

The National Education Technology Plan

The U.S. Department of Education released the 2016 plan, titled, Future Ready Learning: Reimagining the role of technology in education.

The plan details a vision of "equity, active use, and collaborative leadership to make everywhere, all-the-time learning possible."

I'm still in the process of digesting this plan. The website does a good job of breaking down the report into specific sections. To access the full report (PDF) click here.

Eight things you need to do right now to protect yourself online

If you haven't seen it already, Yahoo was hacked (again). This is the second time in six months that they disclosed breaches of your data. The key thing to remember is that they knew about these hacks years ago. They only now are sharing this with the public.

In a related note, Evernote changed their terms of service and are building in opportunities for their employees to read your content (if needed). I'm in the process of changing my note taking system over to something new.

As we consider the products and platforms we use, we need to be more vigilant about our own privacy & security in online spaces. This primer from The Guardian gives a good overview of how to get started. I'll have a series of granular posts coming out as I implement these steps.

Should you intervene in a bias attack?

Increasingly we are seeing more violence in society. A lot of this violence is also happening in our schools and on college campuses.

In the past, I've discussed our need to be aware of situations in which an active shooter may be present. With this influx of "bias attacks" and "hate crimes" I think it is also important that we examine what to do when a situation like this arises. As with active shooters...I think the first step is being aware that these situations are a case of WHEN (not IF) they will happen. When they do occur...you can hopefully act and not freeze.

This post from Scientific American discusses the complex calculus that occurs as we are a bystander to these events. I recommend reading through their prompts in case they are needed.

Hypothesis introduces updated search and profiles

One of my favorite tools to use in classes to have students read and collaborate. Imagine having students collaboratively read, annotate, and discuss using text on a website as opposed to each person reading on their own. Hypothesis allows you to collaboratively create an annotated layer on the internet.

You can read more about how I use Hypothesis here.

In this latest update, Hypothesis improves the search function allowing a better look at notes, tags, usernames, etc. I'm most excited by the improvements to the profiles pages in the system. Now I can annotate and markup online content for use in later research. I can also review the individual annotations by students as they read online.

I'll be spending a lot more time with Hypothesis in the future.

🔨 Do

How to take decent pictures of the sky at night

I've been spending more time working with my various photo and video cameras. One challenge that I've had recently is taking photos of the sky. We've had two "super moons" here over the past six months. We also recently had some incredible cloud structures at dusk that I wanted to capture. As big and beautiful as these things seemed...the photos never came out.

This post from Lifehacker goes through some of the specifics of making this happen.

Start with the right equipment - An interchangeable lens camera, tripod, timer to make sure you don't rock the camera when you take the picture.
Find the best environment - Light pollution, weather, and sky conditions all impact your ability to take clear shots.
Pick the right camera settings - Select RAW images if available. Use manual settings instead of autofocus.
- Aperture: How wide your lens opens to allow light to come in. This is measured in f-stops. Use f/2.8.
- Shutter Speed: Your camera's shutter speed determines how long your camera's sensor will be open to let in the light. The faster the shutter opens and closes, the less light it allows. Use 25 seconds.
- ISO Speed: How sensitive your camera's sensor is to incoming light. The higher the ISO, the more sensitive it'll be to light. Use 1600.

The post shares a bit more info, but these elements should help us get out there and challenge ourselves to grab that great shot.

🤔 Consider

"The greatest way to live with honor in this world is to be what we pretend to be." — Socrates

This week: intervening in situations.

Closing out grades for semester revising chapter on digitally agile researcher, published post on slow is smooth smooth is fast focusing on granular elements. Wired Argument Clinic presumption of innocence proof lies on he who asserts not he who denies - I still think there is a need to make facts louder than opinion as we discussed last week. Teachers disrupt fake news Heinemann Publishing critical literacy - students' ability to read critically is essential for them to write critically, Kylene Beers Bob Probst three big questions what surprised me what did author think I knew. National Education Technology Plan 2016 Future Ready Learning - equity active use collaborative leadership everywhere all-the-time learning, I'm still in the process of digesting this plan website does good job breaking down. Yahoo hacked again second time six months they knew years ago only now sharing - Evernote changed terms of service employees can read your content, I'm in the process of changing my note taking system to something new, we need to be more vigilant about privacy and security. Should you intervene in bias attack - I think the first step is being aware these situations are a case of WHEN not IF they will happen, Scientific American complex calculus as bystander I recommend reading through their prompts. Hypothesis updated search and profiles - one of my favorite tools to use in classes students read and collaborate, I'm most excited by improvements to profiles pages I'll be spending a lot more time with Hypothesis in future. Taking pictures of sky at night - I've been spending more time working with photo and video cameras one challenge taking photos of sky, Lifehacker post on specifics right equipment best environment pick right camera settings aperture shutter speed ISO.

The greatest way to live with honor in this world is to be what we pretend to be.

Previous: TLDR 75 • Next: TLDR 77 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Critical Literacy — Heinemann Publishing teachers disrupt fake news, students' ability to read critically is essential for them to write critically.
Fake News — How teachers can disrupt through critical literacy instruction, Kylene Beers Bob Probst three big questions what surprised me.
Online Privacy — Eight things you need to do right now to protect yourself, we need to be more vigilant about our own privacy and security.
Yahoo Hack — Second time in six months they disclosed breaches of your data, they knew about hacks years ago only now sharing with public.
Bias Attacks — Should you intervene Scientific American complex calculus, I think the first step being aware WHEN not IF they will happen act not freeze.
Hypothesis — One of my favorite tools students read collaborate annotate, I'm most excited by improvements to profiles I'll be spending a lot more time.
National Education Technology Plan — 2016 Future Ready Learning equity active use collaborative leadership, I'm still in process of digesting this plan.
Kylene Beers — Three big questions with Bob Probst what surprised me, what did author think I already knew what changed challenged confirmed.
Night Photography — I've been spending more time with cameras one challenge taking photos of sky, Lifehacker post right equipment environment settings aperture shutter ISO.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 75

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 75

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 75

Published: 2016-12-10 • 📧 Newsletter

Welcome to issue 75 of the TL;DR Newsletter.

In TL;DR we typically discuss events of the week in education, technology, and literacy. In this issue we consider facts being louder than opinion.

This week I spent time getting caught up following LRA closing out the fall semester. I had the privilege of speaking with a group of awesome educators in the SC Virtual Charter School. I'm looking forward to working with them to reconsider pedagogy in online & hybrid spaces.

I also launched a t-shirt on Teespring for some of my friends in academics. You should take a peek and see if you want to purchase one for yourself...or a friend.

If you haven't already, please subscribe to this newsletter. You can review archives of the newsletter. Check out TL;DR on Medium. You can connect with me on Instagram and Snapchat.

🔖 Key Takeaways

My Favorite Line: My favorite line from the video asks scientists to make "facts louder than opinion."
I Decided to Hold On: This post came out last week as I was finalizing issue #74 of TL;DR. I decided to hold on to it for this week to think a bit more about the ideas presented.
In Years Past: In years past, we would play with Google autocomplete to create found poems...among other things. Cadwalladr revisited this tool and examined what would happen if you entered specific terms to see what the predictive algorithms would present.
You Probably Don't Know: You probably don't know about the PISA...but you should. I value the PISA results because it provides some insight into global educational trends.
Horrible Title: Horrible title from a Lifehacker post on a very important topic.
I'm Looking Forward: I'm looking forward to working with them to reconsider pedagogy in online & hybrid spaces.

📺 Watch

A message to Breitbart from Weather.com

With some of the recent discussion about whether or not climate change is real or a hoax, it was interesting to see The Weather Channel release a rebuttal to a Breitbart post indicating that global temperatures might be plummeting. The Weather Channel took issue with Breitbart "cherry picking" info from their content to "mislead Americans."

My favorite line from the video asks scientists to make "facts louder than opinion."

📚 Read

Google, democracy and the truth about internet search

This post from Carole Cadwalladr in The Guardian came out last week as I was finalizing issue #74 of TL;DR. I decided to hold on to it for this week to think a bit more about the ideas presented.

In years past, we would play with Google autocomplete to create found poems...among other things. Cadwalladr revisited this tool and examined what would happen if you entered specific terms to see what the predictive algorithms would present. These terms included "Are jews...", "Are women...", "Are muslims...", etc. You can review the post to see the full extent of the presented results.

We've talked a bit in previous issues of TL;DR about the challenges of critically evaluating what we read online and the problems with filter bubbles. This challenge of autocomplete in Google is as damaging as we routinely ask Google for answers to our queries.

One of the key takeaways from this post is a quote from Danny Sullivan of SearchEngineLand.com:

This is the equivalent of going into a library and asking a librarian about Judaism and being handed 10 books of hate.

The National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) released PISA 2015 results

This week the NCES released results from the 2015 PISA (Program for International Student Assessment). You probably don't know about the PISA...but you should. The PISA is an international assessment of 15-year olds that is given every three years. The PISA assesses science, reading, and mathematics.

I value the PISA results because it provides some insight into global educational trends. It is also helpful to see the types of items used in the assessment.

The latest results suggest that average science and reading scores for U.S. 15-year-olds in 2015 were not measurably different from any of the previous comparison years, while mathematics literacy scores declined. Results also show average science and reading scores are not measurably different from the OECD average, while the mathematics average score was below the OECD average.

Click here to view the full report. Click here to learn more about the PISA. Click here for a series of webinars about what the results mean.

Information overload? Not everybody is feeling it, Pew study says

A new report from the Pew Research Center includes findings from 1,520 U.S. adults aged 18 and older. The study suggests that generally American adults appreciate access to lots of information, and do not feel "overloaded" by this.

Other interesting trends:

80% say this statement describes them "very well" (41%) or "somewhat well" (40%): "Most of the time, it is easy for me to determine what information is trustworthy."
79% say this statement describes them "very well" (44%) or "somewhat well" (35%): "Having a lot of information makes me feel like I have more control over things in my life."

Click here for the NPR report on this study. Click here for the complete report (PDF).

This chart shows how computer literate most people are

Horrible title from a Lifehacker post on a very important topic.

The international Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) group conducted a study of 215,942 people across 33 countries from 2011 - 2015. The study tested the skills of people aged 16 - 65 to measure their basic computer literacy as it relates to job-related skills.

These results suggest a rather large divide between the broad population and the more digitally savvy. 14% of the population cannot even effectively use computers. An example of a task at this level would ask participants to delete an email. Moving up a step into "Level 1" users included another 29% of the adult population. An example of a task in this area asks participants to reply all to an email.

Common Sense Media census measures plugged-in parents

This research from Common Sense Media provides a nice counter narrative to the regular panic about the screen time of children. These results suggest that parents are accounting for more than their fair share.

The research surveyed nearly 1,800 parents of U.S. tweens and teens to find that parents indicate that they spend more than nine hours per day with screen media. Eighty-two percent of that time (almost eight hours) is devoted to personal screen media activities such as watching TV, social networking, and video gaming, with the rest used for work.

More analysis available here from KidScreen. The full report (PDF) is available here.

🔨 Do

Using brain breaks to restore students' focus

This post from Edutopia suggests integrating quick learning activities known as "brain breaks" to allow your students to keep focused.

The post suggests that:

Brain breaks are planned learning activity shifts that mobilize different networks of the brain. These shifts allow those regions that are blocked by stress or high-intensity work to revitalize. Brain breaks, by switching activity to different brain networks, allow the resting pathways to restore their calm focus and foster optimal mood, attention, and memory.

Brain breaks might provide opportunities to ensure that students remain actively engaged in class.

🤔 Consider

"I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crisis. The great point is to bring them the real facts." — Abraham Lincoln

This week: facts being louder than opinion.

SC Virtual Charter School I'm looking forward to working with them to reconsider pedagogy in online and hybrid spaces, launched t-shirt on Teespring for friends in academics. Weather.com rebuttal to Breitbart cherry picking info mislead Americans - my favorite line from video asks scientists to make facts louder than opinion. Google autocomplete and democracy - I decided to hold on to it this week to think a bit more about ideas presented, in years past we would play with Google autocomplete to create found poems, Danny Sullivan equivalent of going into library and being handed 10 books of hate. PISA 2015 results you probably don't know about but you should - I value the PISA results because provides some insight into global educational trends, U.S. mathematics literacy scores declined. Information overload Pew study - 80% say easy to determine what information is trustworthy, 79% say having lot of information makes them feel more control. Computer literacy horrible title important topic - OECD study 14% of population cannot even effectively use computers delete an email, another 29% reply all to email. Common Sense Media parents screen time - nice counter narrative to regular panic about children, parents spend more than nine hours per day with screen media. Brain breaks restore students' focus - allow regions blocked by stress to revitalize foster optimal mood attention and memory.

I am a firm believer in the people. If given the truth, they can be depended upon to meet any national crisis.

Previous: TLDR 74 • Next: TLDR 76 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Facts vs Opinion — Weather.com rebuttal to Breitbart cherry picking info, my favorite line asks scientists to make facts louder than opinion.
Google Autocomplete — I decided to hold on to think a bit more, in years past we would play with to create found poems predictive algorithms.
PISA Assessment — 2015 results you probably don't know but you should, I value the results provides insight into global educational trends.
Information Overload — Pew study 1,520 adults appreciate access to lots of information don't feel overloaded, 80% say easy to determine what is trustworthy.
Computer Literacy — Horrible title important topic OECD study, 14% of population cannot even effectively use computers 29% reply all to email.
Screen Time — Common Sense Media census nice counter narrative to panic about children, parents spend more than nine hours per day with screen media.
Brain Breaks — Edutopia restore students' focus planned learning activity shifts, allow regions blocked by stress to revitalize foster optimal mood attention memory.
Danny Sullivan — SearchEngineLand quote equivalent of going into library asking about Judaism being handed 10 books of hate.
Pew Research — Information overload study 1,520 U.S. adults, 79% say having lot of information makes them feel more control over things in life.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 74

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 74

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 74

Published: 2016-12-04 • 📧 Newsletter

Welcome to issue 74 of the TL;DR Newsletter.

In TL;DR we typically discuss events of the week in education, technology, and literacy. In this issue we discuss empathy and literacy practices.

If you haven't already, please subscribe to this newsletter. You can review archives of the newsletter. Check out TL;DR on Medium. You can connect with me on Instagram and Snapchat.

This week I was in Nashville at the annual conference of the Literacy Research Association (LRA). I'll have materials from these sessions coming out in future posts.

🔖 Key Takeaways

I've Often Said: I've often said that "I'm a visual learner," but research suggests that learning styles like visual and auditory learning are inherent traits. This doesn't entirely mean that learners don't have preferences, but we must begin to question whether people actually learned better when information was presented in a preferred style. Instead, it seems that most people learn the best when information is presented in multiple ways, especially when one of them is visual.
One of My Favorite Lines: What literature does is incorporate the other in all its quirks and peculiarities into the social body. It allows for difference, and often even proclaims it to be genius. It considers difference a sign of courage: the hero is who he chooses to be.
I've Had Some Deep Thinking: Over the past week I've had some deep thinking about my own perspectives, voice, and right to speak my mind about some of the events I see unfolding. If you spent any time with me while at LRA, I shared some of these thoughts in varied discussions. I had hoped that we could unpack some of these challenges in larger group activities to understand and celebrate one another. I'm still looking for actionable guidance as to how we can build these connections.
I Think These Perspectives: I think these perspectives have tremendous value for educators from Pre-K up through higher ed. Specifically, I think the internet and other communication technologies present opportunities for individuals to think about new opportunities to read, write, and communicate with others.
I've Spent a Lot of Time: I've spent a lot of time teaching students about the challenges of developing maps. This video makes it very easy to understand by cutting up a giant beach ball map.

📺 Watch

Am I really a visual learner?

I've often said that "I'm a visual learner," but research suggests that learning styles like visual and auditory learning are inherent traits.

This doesn't entirely mean that learners don't have preferences, but we must begin to question whether people actually learned better when information was presented in a preferred style. Instead, it seems that most people learn the best when information is presented in multiple ways, especially when one of them is visual.

Learn more about all of this in this SciShow episode.

📚 Read

The need to read

Great post from Will Schwalbe in the Wall Street Journal. This article focuses on the specific needs for reading. These include opportunities for individuals to engage with the world, become a better reader, and make sense of challenges in life.

Schwalbe indicates the need for reading in our current times:

We overschedule our days and complain constantly about being too busy. We shop endlessly for stuff we don't need and then feel oppressed by the clutter that surrounds us. We rarely sleep well or enough. We compare our bodies to the artificial ones we see in magazines and our lives to the exaggerated ones we see on television. We watch cooking shows and then eat fast food. We worry ourselves sick and join gyms we don't visit. We keep up with hundreds of acquaintances but rarely see our best friends. We bombard ourselves with video clips and emails and instant messages. We even interrupt our interruptions.

Divided times: How literature teaches us to understand the other

A post from Amanda Michalopoulou examining the possible role of literature, and more specifically drama in helping help us develop empathy.

One of my favorite lines from the post:

What literature does is incorporate the other in all its quirks and peculiarities into the social body. It allows for difference, and often even proclaims it to be genius. It considers difference a sign of courage: the hero is who he chooses to be.

Donald Trump, the first President of our post-literate age

A thoughtful, nuanced post from Joe Weisenthal examining the literacy practices that exist as we focus on medium and not message in our current times. Weisenthal posits that may people would rather act on emotion and resonate with the short form immediate communication bursts that Trump effectively utilized.

The closing paragraph:

Furthermore, the world is still an extremely long way from eliminating classical, written literacy. We can still look up something in a dictionary or Wikipedia. You can still experience solitude, getting lost in the deep stacks of a library, meticulously poring over authoritative documents word for word. But as information gets more social -- taking on the immediate, short-form characteristics of Facebook and Twitter -- it acquires more qualities of the oral world.

Now is the time to talk about what we are actually talking about

Powerful piece from Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie highlighting the need for honest talk about perspectives, empathy, and humanity.

Over the past week I've had some deep thinking about my own perspectives, voice, and right to speak my mind about some of the events I see unfolding. If you spent any time with me while at LRA, I shared some of these thoughts in varied discussions. I had hoped that we could unpack some of these challenges in larger group activities to understand and celebrate one another. I'm still looking for actionable guidance as to how we can build these connections.

5 ways to think, and act, like a digital technology leader

Joe McKendrick in Forbes identifying a series of perspectives as you think and act more like a leader in technology. He presents five perspectives:

Think like a chief executive officer
Think like a journalist
Think like an educator
Think like an entrepreneur
Think like a radical

I think these perspectives have tremendous value for educators from Pre-K up through higher ed. Specifically, I think the internet and other communication technologies present opportunities for individuals to think about new opportunities to read, write, and communicate with others.

🔨 Do

Why all world maps are wrong

A great video from the Vox YouTube channel examining the challenges that exist as we create maps of the globe. I've spent a lot of time teaching students about the challenges of developing maps. This video makes it very easy to understand by cutting up a giant beach ball map.

You should also play with the links they share in the description:

🤔 Consider

"Empathy is about standing in someone else's shoes, feeling with his or her heart, seeing with his or her eyes. Not only is empathy hard to outsource and automate, but it makes the world a better place." — Daniel H. Pink

This week: empathy and literacy practices.

Nashville LRA conference I'll have materials from sessions in future posts. Visual learner I've often said that but research suggests people learn best when information presented in multiple ways especially visual. Will Schwalbe the need to read - engage with world become better reader make sense of challenges, we overschedule bombard ourselves with interruptions we even interrupt our interruptions. Literature teaches us to understand the other - one of my favorite lines incorporates the other allows for difference considers it courage. Post-literate age focus on medium not message - people would rather act on emotion resonate with short form immediate bursts. Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie honest talk about perspectives empathy humanity - I've had some deep thinking about my own voice and right to speak my mind, I'm still looking for actionable guidance to build these connections. Digital technology leadership think like CEO journalist educator entrepreneur radical - I think these perspectives have tremendous value for educators opportunities to read write communicate. Why world maps are wrong - I've spent a lot of time teaching students about challenges of developing maps this video makes it very easy to understand.

Empathy is about standing in someone else's shoes, feeling with his or her heart, seeing with his or her eyes.

Previous: TLDR 73 • Next: TLDR 75 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Empathy — Daniel Pink quote standing in someone else's shoes, literature teaches us to understand the other allows for difference.
Literacy Practices — Will Schwalbe the need to read engage with world, post-literate age focus on medium not message short form bursts.
Visual Learning — I've often said I'm a visual learner but research suggests otherwise, people learn best when information presented in multiple ways.
Will Schwalbe — Wall Street Journal the need to read, we overschedule bombard ourselves with interruptions even interrupt our interruptions.
Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie — Powerful piece highlighting honest talk about perspectives empathy humanity, I'm still looking for actionable guidance to build connections.
Post-Literate Age — Joe Weisenthal on literacy practices focus on medium not message, people act on emotion resonate with short form communication.
Digital Leadership — Joe McKendrick five perspectives think like CEO journalist educator entrepreneur radical, tremendous value for educators from Pre-K to higher ed.
Map Projections — Vox video why all world maps are wrong, I've spent a lot of time teaching students about challenges makes it very easy to understand.
LRA Conference — Nashville Literacy Research Association annual conference, I'll have materials from these sessions coming out in future posts.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 73

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 73

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 73

Published: 2016-11-25 • 📧 Newsletter

Welcome to issue 73 of the TL;DR Newsletter.

In TL;DR we typically discuss events of the week in education, technology, and literacy. In this issue we take a look at critical examination of online information.

If you haven't already, please subscribe to this newsletter. You can review archives of the newsletter. Check out TL;DR on Medium. You can connect with me on Instagram and Snapchat.

This week I spent some time relaxing with family and working on some materials for upcoming presentations.

🔖 Key Takeaways

I'll Often Play These: I love the videos from Ok Go. The music is catchy, but their videos are amazing mixtures of physics, technology, and expression. I'll often play these as we come back from a break in class, or a workshop.
IMHO, the Biggest Challenge: These results are by no means new or startling. In my dissertation I studied critical evaluation of online information. Adults rarely critically interrogate what they read online as well. IMHO, the biggest challenge comes in health care as individuals have been shown to "just Google it" and use that information to deal with health maladies as opposed to consulting a physician.
Little Did I Know: In my dissertation, I had students create fake websites with the thinking that this would be a way for them to examine the strategies used in developing online materials. Little did I know this could be a lucrative endeavor. ;)
If I Were to Do My Dissertation: As a researcher that studies literacies in new and digital spaces, this is fascinating. If I were to do my dissertation all over again, I'd have students study and recreate misinformation in the classroom. This in turn would be used to fuel discussions about how "useful" and "truthful" is the information that we read online.
This Is Something for Us All: Along with this our notions of privacy and security as we read, write, and participate online quickly vanish. Furthermore, this should not be viewed as a case of "you shouldn't worry if you have nothing to hide." It should also not be viewed as only an event in other countries. This is something for us all to discuss as the web is a networked space in which we all coexist.

📺 Watch

The One Moment - by Ok Go

I love the videos from Ok Go. The music is catchy, but their videos are amazing mixtures of physics, technology, and expression. I'll often play these as we come back from a break in class, or a workshop.

This latest video is from the song The One Moment. You can see the "behind the scenes" video here.

Thanks to Kevin Hodgson for pointing this video out.

📚 Read

Most students don't know when news is fake, Stanford study finds

This piece reports on results from a study conducted by the History Education Group at Stanford. This work examined 7,804 responses from students across various levels (middle/high/higher ed) on 56 tasks across 12 states in the U.S. The results describe young people's ability to reason about the information on the internet as being "bleak."

These results are by no means new or startling. In my dissertation I studied critical evaluation of online information. In the theory section you can read up on how students do not critically evaluate the materials they read online. Adults rarely critically interrogate what they read online as well. IMHO, the biggest challenge comes in health care as individuals have been shown to "just Google it" and use that information to deal with health maladies as opposed to consulting a physician.

My focus has been on (as I detailed in last week's TL;DR) developing our health skepticism as we consume all media...especially as we read online.

We tracked down a fake-news creator in the suburbs. Here's what we learned.

A post from All Tech Considered on NPR in which they investigate and track down one of these supposed producers of "fake news" online. What follows is an interesting look at the digital bread crumbs that you leave behind even when you don't want to be found online.

What strikes me about this is the large audience and amount of money that can be gained by targeting specific groups.

In my dissertation, I had students create fake websites with the thinking that this would be a way for them to examine the strategies used in developing online materials. Little did I know this could be a lucrative endeavor. ;)

Russian propaganda effort helped spread 'fake news' during election, experts say

Post from The Washington Post trying to connect the dots between the massive amount of fake news available online during the U.S. election and possible Russian connections. The article discusses an "increasingly sophisticated propaganda machinery" consisting of botnets, paid human "trolls" and social media accounts. The article continues as they detail the origins and possible motivations of this work.

As a researcher that studies literacies in new and digital spaces, this is fascinating. If I were to do my dissertation all over again, I'd have students study and recreate misinformation in the classroom. This in turn would be used to fuel discussions about how "useful" and "truthful" is the information that we read online.

As a web literate individual that seeks to empower and advocate for others, I think this spells out a very real future in which we'll need propaganda created and disseminated on all sides. Depending on your perspectives, if you do not agree with some of this news and label it as "fake," perhaps there is a need to have groups creating an equal and opposite news stream on the other side of the spectrum.

New report shows the reach of online harassment, digital abuse, and cyberstalking

A new report from the Data & Society Research Institute and the Center for Innovative Public Health Research. The report, titled Online Harassment, Digital Abuse, and Cyberstalking presents a look into the unwanted contact that is often used to intimidate, annoy, and frighten individuals using digital tools.

Some of the findings include:

47% of internet users have personally experienced online harassment or abuse.
More than a quarter of Americans (27%) have refrained from posting or saying something online out of fear of harassment.
Men and women equally likely to face harassment, but women experience a wider variety of online abuse, including more serious violations.

I recommend reviewing the full report to understand the complexity of these findings.

Snooper's Charter is set to become law: how the Investigatory Powers Bill will affect you

We have a good number of TL;DR readers from around the globe, and I'd be remiss if I didn't include the recent news of the Investigatory Powers Bill, or as it is sometimes called, the Snooper's Charter. This sweeping legislation calls for internet service providers (ISPs) to keep a full record of every site that customers have visited. This information is then made available to a wide range of government bodies if asked.

We see a growing trend of these battles between privacy and surveillance springing up around the globe. Along with this our notions of privacy and security as we read, write, and participate online quickly vanish. Furthermore, this should not be viewed as a case of "you shouldn't worry if you have nothing to hide." It should also not be viewed as only an event in other countries. This is something for us all to discuss as the web is a networked space in which we all coexist.

🔨 Do

Inspiring young writers with Minecraft

A great piece by Matthew Farber on Edutopia discussing possibilities for Minecraft and building literacy skills and practices.

Specifically, Matthew looks at the use of Minecraft themed books to build independence in interest-driven reading. He also looks at the potential as a toolkit for aspiring authors and making writing relevant.

Check out the teaching materials submitted by Mark Cheverton and most of all the guide on writing Minecraft stories for kids.

🤔 Consider

"Responsibility to yourself means refusing to let others do your thinking, talking, and naming for you; it means learning to respect and use your own brains and instincts; hence, grappling with hard work." — Adrienne Rich

This week: critical examination of online information.

Spent time relaxing with family working on materials for presentations. Ok Go The One Moment - I love the videos amazing mixtures physics technology expression, I'll often play these as we come back from break in class or workshop. Stanford study most students don't know when news is fake results bleak - IMHO biggest challenge comes in health care just Google it instead of consulting physician, my focus developing health skepticism as we consume all media especially read online. NPR tracked down fake-news creator in suburbs - what strikes me is large audience and money gained by targeting specific groups, in my dissertation students create fake websites little did I know this could be lucrative endeavor. Russian propaganda spread fake news during election - if I were to do my dissertation all over again recreate misinformation in classroom fuel discussions about useful and truthful information, perhaps need groups creating equal and opposite news stream. Online harassment 47% personally experienced - more than quarter refrained from posting out of fear, recommend reviewing full report to understand complexity. Snooper's Charter Investigatory Powers Bill ISPs keep full record - notions of privacy and security quickly vanish, not you shouldn't worry if nothing to hide, this is something for us all to discuss as web is networked space we all coexist. Minecraft inspiring young writers - themed books build independence interest-driven reading toolkit for aspiring authors making writing relevant.

Responsibility to yourself means refusing to let others do your thinking, talking, and naming for you.

Previous: TLDR 72 • Next: TLDR 74 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Fake News — Stanford study students don't know when news is fake results bleak, NPR tracked down creator digital bread crumbs left behind.
Critical Evaluation — In my dissertation studied critical evaluation online information, adults rarely critically interrogate what they read online.
Online Harassment — 47% internet users personally experienced, more than quarter refrained from posting out of fear harassment.
Privacy — Snooper's Charter Investigatory Powers Bill ISPs keep full record, notions quickly vanish as we read write participate online.
Investigatory Powers Bill — Sweeping legislation ISPs keep full record every site customers visited, this is something for us all to discuss networked space.
Minecraft — Matthew Farber inspiring young writers building literacy skills, themed books toolkit for aspiring authors making writing relevant.
Kevin Hodgson — Thanks for pointing out Ok Go The One Moment video, amazing mixtures of physics technology expression.
Stanford Study — 7,804 responses students across levels 56 tasks 12 states, results describe ability to reason information as bleak.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 72

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 72

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 72

Published: 2016-11-19 • 📧 Newsletter

Welcome to issue 72 of the TL;DR Newsletter.

In TL;DR we typically discuss events of the week in education, technology, and literacy. In this specific episode, we discuss the development of healthy skepticism.

You can also follow along on Instagram and Snapchat. I'm continuing to share video on my Facebook page and Instagram to test alternative publishing models.

This week I worked on the following:

Don't click here: Facebook, algorithms, and articles you won't be shown - This post is my latest for the Literacy Daily Blog from the ILA. In the post I discuss the "filter bubble" and how to possibly pop that bubble.
Developing a domain of one's own for pre-service educators - I've been working on a bit of research and development in digital portfolios and "a domain of one's own." In this post I outline what this work might look like as we scale up in the spring.

🔖 Key Takeaways

I Think the Video Is: This week I have students completing video case studies of individuals or groups they studied over the semester. This video provides a possible exemplar for those that want to produce something a bit outside of the norm. I think the video is also a conversation starter for students in secondary/higher ed classrooms.
From My Perspective the Challenge: From my perspective the challenge in this is that we focus on modifying code and changing algorithms as opposed to building the "healthy skepticism" of individuals as they read, write, and communicate. Now we have programmers at Facebook (and many other platforms) that are revising code and the platform to add some serendipity to the model...but still keep you hooked on your feed.
I Typically Do Not Like: I should note that I typically do not like "checklist approaches" used for critically evaluating websites. I think that it leads to many errors of oversimplification. I prefer to build up the healthy skepticism in learners as they read, write, and communicate. Of course, this can be a challenge as we identify ways to make this happen. I'll share more in an upcoming post.
We All Need to Do: This need for digital security hit home yesterday as a student in my class all of a sudden realized that she didn't have her cell phone. Under my direction she went to the Android device manager, saw her phone moving on a map, wiped it, and called the police. We all need to do a better job maintaining our privacy and security with these technologies.

📺 Watch

Ambition

A poignant video from the Domics YouTube channel discussing ambition, education, immigration, and points in between. The video (7:40) serves as a modified case study as the illustrator discusses his challenges as he was asked the age old question "what do you want to be when you grow up?"

This week I have students completing video case studies of individuals or groups they studied over the semester. This video provides a possible exemplar for those that want to produce something a bit outside of the norm. I think the video is also a conversation starter for students in secondary/higher ed classrooms.

📚 Read

As we move on from the election results in the U.S., one of the heavy debates online is about the filter bubble and the amount of serendipity we find in online spaces. You can read more about the filter bubble in the post I shared above and in this piece from Molly McHugh.

In these discussions the technology sector is debating how to open up communication lines, and revise algorithms to add more serendipity to the model. This is a delicate balancing act as Facebook and Twitter most of all need you to use their platforms. As a result, they show you things you like to see. If they modify this and show you posts and information that you don't agree with...you'll likely move on.

Molly indicates that "echo chambers" existed long before online social networks and the 2016 election. These could include discussions within your local community, school, playground, water cooler, or the dinner table.

From my perspective the challenge in this is that we focus on modifying code and changing algorithms as opposed to building the "healthy skepticism" of individuals as they read, write, and communicate. In many ways, I saw this happen in prior research on teaching internet comprehension to adolescents. In this work, we found that students would just type a search term into the address bar on the browser. Programmers recognized this was a problem, so they adapted the tool/interface to better suit the user. Now we have programmers at Facebook (and many other platforms) that are revising code and the platform to add some serendipity to the model...but still keep you hooked on your feed.

To wrap up, be aware. Don't believe everything that you read...whether it is online or off. Practice some healthy skepticism as you read, write, and communicate with others.

Meet the professor who's trying to help you steer clear of clickbait

A post from The Chronicle of Higher Ed sharing guidance on media literacy from Melissa Zimdars, an assistant professor of communication at Merrimack College. Melissa shared a list of guidance for critiquing and analyzing online informational texts. Along with the filter bubble and echo chamber that I discussed above, the viral spread of fake news online was viewed as a problem in the recent election.

I should note that I typically do not like "checklist approaches" used for critically evaluating websites. I think that it leads to many errors of oversimplification. I prefer to build up the healthy skepticism in learners as they read, write, and communicate. Of course, this can be a challenge as we identify ways to make this happen. I'll share more in an upcoming post.

Finally, to provide a balanced perspective of the information that I'm presenting, I will also share this post titled "Meet leftist prof who wrote 'hit list' of 'fake' news sites" that I located while researching for this story. Let's see how you develop your healthy skepticism as you read online.

Protecting your digital life in 7 easy steps

This post from the NY Times discusses some "easy" steps to protect your personal information online. The need for this hit home yesterday as a student in my class all of a sudden realized that she didn't have her cell phone. Under my direction she went to the Android device manager, saw her phone moving on a map, wiped it, and called the police. We all need to do a better job maintaining our privacy and security with these technologies.

The guidance they provide includes:

Download Signal or use WhatsApp to send text messages
Protect your computer's hard drive using FileVault or BitLocker
The way you handle your passwords is probably "wrong" and "bad"
Protect your email and other accounts with two-factor authentication
Use a browser plug-in called HTTPS Everywhere
Remember that incognito mode isn't always private
Do sensitive searches in DuckDuckGo
Cover your webcam with tape

Please note that some of these steps are a bit challenging, while others take some time. I prefer the post that was shared in the beginning of the NY Times post titled How to encrypt your entire life in less than an hour. I'll have a series of posts over the coming weeks providing more granular advice on how to secure your digital spaces.

Building a tinkering mindset in young students through making

An excerpt from The Invent to Learn Guide to Making in the K-3 Classroom: Why, How, and How! by Alice Baggett.

This piece discusses developing the mental dispositions needed as young makers thinker, think, and play. The key is in fostering an active state of mind primed for discovering and not afraid of failures or mistakes. Some of the guidance provided:

Read stories about mistakes
Actually make mistakes in front of kids
Use visual reminders (about the power of making mistakes)
Highlight both epic fails and spectacular discoveries
Emphasize that a mistake is not the end
Talk about the process

Check out this guide of 28 days of hands-on STEM activities for possible projects to tackle with your learners.

African-American teens missing out on digital innovation

Fascinating research examining more than 1,000 pairs of African-American teens and their parents to understand young people's use of computers and the internet out of school. This research was organized by a team that included partnerships between George Mason University and Arizona State University. You can review the full report here.

Interesting trends from the research include:

Young African-Americans frequently use technology to learn and create content, but far fewer write their own code.
Young people have a passion for their phones.
Vast majority of young African/Americans prefer computers to mobile devices for tasks related to school and career preparation.
African-American parents are substantially more likely to restrict girls in computer and internet use as opposed to boys.

🔨 Do

Google Quick Draw

A fun game built with machine learning from Google. Basically, you draw, and a neural network tries to guess what you're drawing as you add elements. Please note that as you add elements, the machine is learning all of the time.

This has tremendous possibilities as you have learners quickly sketch out ideas and try to express themselves visually. It also presents opportunities to play with machine learning and have discussions about what is happening as the artificial intelligence (AI) learns from you.

Click here for more AI experiments from Google.

🤔 Consider

"We can talk, and we can listen, if we only give each other a chance." — Gwen Ifill

This week: developing healthy skepticism.

Filter bubble post ILA Literacy Daily how to pop bubble, domain of one's own for pre-service educators research and development digital portfolios. Ambition video Domics illustrator case study - I think the video is also a conversation starter for students in secondary higher ed classrooms. Filter bubble echo chambers existed long before social networks - from my perspective the challenge is we focus on modifying code and algorithms as opposed to building healthy skepticism, practice some healthy skepticism as you read write and communicate. Melissa Zimdars list guidance critiquing online texts fake news - I typically do not like checklist approaches leads to errors of oversimplification, I prefer to build up healthy skepticism, I'll share more in upcoming post. Protecting digital life cover webcam with tape - student realized didn't have cell phone saw phone moving on map wiped it called police, we all need to do better job maintaining privacy and security. Tinkering mindset through making - fostering active state of mind primed for discovering not afraid of failures or mistakes, read stories about mistakes actually make mistakes in front of kids. African-American teens missing out digital innovation fascinating research - use technology to learn create content but far fewer write own code, passion for phones prefer computers for school career. Google Quick Draw neural network - machine is learning all of time, tremendous possibilities sketch out ideas discuss what is happening as AI learns from you.

We can talk, and we can listen, if we only give each other a chance.

Previous: TLDR 71 • Next: TLDR 73 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Filter Bubble — Echo chambers existed before social networks, challenge is we focus on algorithms not healthy skepticism practice some.
Healthy Skepticism — I prefer to build up in learners as they read write communicate, don't believe everything you read online or off.
Fake News — Viral spread online viewed as problem recent election, Melissa Zimdars list guidance critiquing analyzing online texts.
Digital Security — Student phone moving on map wiped it called police, we all need better job maintaining privacy security with technologies.
Melissa Zimdars — Assistant professor communication Merrimack College, I typically do not like checklist approaches leads to oversimplification.
Machine Learning — Google Quick Draw neural network tries to guess what you're drawing, tremendous possibilities as AI learns from you.
Tinkering Mindset — Fostering active state of mind primed for discovering not afraid of failures mistakes, make mistakes in front of kids.
Domain of One's Own — Developing for pre-service educators research and development digital portfolios, outline what work might look like as we scale.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 71

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 71

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 71

Published: 2016-11-12 • 📧 Newsletter

Welcome to issue 71 of the TL;DR Newsletter.

In TL;DR we typically discuss events of the week in education, technology, and literacy. This issue will examine a lot of the lessons I believe we're learning from the recent U.S. election. If you've had enough of this topic, you're free to exit out now and we'll see you next week.

Please note that in TL;DR there is a fair amount of "nuance" in the links and commentary below. I'm hoping that you read and think between the lines. I also want you to search, sift, & synthesize to figure out what you've learned from what I shared.

One of the lessons I've learned from the results of the U.S. election is that we need to listen to each other a bit more often. We also need to reach out to try and understand each other and their perspectives. I'm also reinvigorated about the need and power of education.

With that, the focus of TL;DR, and all of my work going forward will focus on three concepts that I used to frame my 8th grade classroom many years ago. These three tenets are educate, empower, advocate. I'll have a post on this framing coming out soon, but for now, let's get to this week's events.

You can also follow along on Instagram and Snapchat. I'm continuing to play with Instagram and Facebook Live as part of this work...and testing some things I'm learning from this week's issue.

This week I worked on the following:

Four Questions For (4Q4) podcast - I'm rebooting my podcast series on education, technology, and literacy. You can subscribe on Soundcloud, iTunes, Google Play Music, or your favorite podcast client.
Control your controllables - My Wife deserves all of the credit for this statement. She repeatedly would state it to colleagues, and when I would discuss work issues with her. I took some time to think through what this might mean...and weave in some Stoic philosophy.

🔖 Key Takeaways

You Have a Decision to Make: This video serves as a good reset button for each of us as we move forward. Suffering, challenge, and choice are present in each day of our lives. You have a decision to make as you start each day anew.
I Do Hope: Much of this is very unclear. We really have no way of knowing what direction a Trump leadership will head as he vacillated between multiple perspectives and platforms throughout the election cycle. I do hope that his administration will rise to the occasion as I believe education is one of the key ways to break ourselves of this cycle.
I Think Education Is Key: One of the things (I think) I have learned this week is that education is key in this. But, for the most part we have failed to develop critically aware, sympathetic learners that can read, write, and communicate across texts. I don't think this is solely a problem in America. I think we see (or soon will) this spreading across the globe in our networked system.
We're Being Spoon-Fed: The post from Tristan Harris shows how this goes a bit deeper into the design and user interface of apps and the web. In many ways, we're being spoon-fed as technology is "hijacking our psychological vulnerabilities."
This Result Is in Our Terrain: Kate Bowles writes, "This result is in our terrain. If we now think we can fix any of this without human listening, we have no business in education."

📺 Watch

Resilience in hard times

A thoughtful video from the School of Life YouTube channel this week. This video serves as a good reset button for each of us as we move forward. Suffering, challenge, and choice are present in each day of our lives.

You have a decision to make as you start each day anew.

📚 Read

Donald Trump and the future of education

There is no other way to start this week's issue that with this post. This post from Emily DeRuy in The Atlantic discusses the future of education under a Trump presidency.

As Emily notes, much of this is very unclear. We really have no way of knowing what direction a Trump leadership will head as he vacillated between multiple perspectives and platforms throughout the election cycle. I do hope that his administration will rise to the occasion as I believe education is one of the key ways to break ourselves of this cycle.

The hyper-polarization of America

Post from Alexander George Theodoris, an Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of California, Merced. In this piece, Alexander details what he identifies as the "Intensity Gap" in which we (Americans) are less and less likely to be able to understand or empathize with each other.

One of the things (I think) I have learned this week is that education is key in this. But, for the most part we have failed to develop critically aware, sympathetic learners that can read, write, and communicate across texts. I don't think this is solely a problem in America. I think we see (or soon will) this spreading across the globe in our networked system.

This is evidenced in Alexander's piece...and please try to remove politics from this selected quote:

They identify more strongly with their party. They show more bias in interpreting new information. They engage in more boosting of their party (and derogation of the other). And, they are more likely to select out of receiving messages from the other side.

How technology hijacks people's minds - from a Magician and Google's design ethicist

This week I think we also saw the effects of the "filter bubble" rear its ugly head. Yes, there are major divisions across race, gender, and education. Yes, we need to really examine the role of education and higher ed specifically. We also cannot discount how big data failed us, and the increasing challenges of global hackers. Given all of these challenges, as we grow increasingly polarized, we need to consider what options our digital texts are providing us.

The filter bubble was coined by Eli Pariser and details how our internet searches, or content displayed in our social networks & newsfeeds may be customized to only show us what we want to see. This is all determined by algorithms and many times you don't know that it is even happening. In plain english, Facebook (and others) are showing you what you want to see.

The post I shared at the top of this section from Tristan Harris shows how this goes a bit deeper into the design and user interface of apps and the web. In many ways, we're being spoon-fed as technology is "hijacking our psychological vulnerabilities."

After this week's election results, Facebook and Twitter indicate that they are "grappling with their role as news filters." Facebook admitted that it must do more to stop possible misinformation on its platform, even though you may not have even seen it.

One thing that you can do to avoid this in the short-term is to possibly follow people outside of your beliefs and perspectives on social networks. I'd also recommend bookmarking Mediagazer and reading it as you consume political news. It takes news streams from everywhere and pulls it into one "text" for you to consume. It's not perfect...but it's a start.

What do we tell the children?

Many of us spent time this week with children as we moved on from the election. This may be in our role as a parent, or as an educator. In my classes this week I could see the emotions writ plainly on the faces of my students who are all undergraduates in college.

My strategy was to provide a "safe space" for students to open up and express themselves. I didn't inject my own perspectives into the discussion. I also did not express some of the guidance shared in this post. My goal was to get them talking and listening with one another.

Listening

Post from Kate Bowles documenting the subtle art and elegance of "listening." In this "case study" she recounts and reflects on the roles and outcomes for educators in higher ed.

So those of us who work in college education anywhere in the world have woken up to work to do. We have the expertise to do it. We need to think very hard about who comes to us, how we treat them, how much attention we pay to what they're saying and what they believe; and we need to think every day about who is not in the room with us, and why. Computational analysis can't do this as well as we can; data isn't dead, but our faith in data has been naive. Dazzled by the bigness of analytics, we benched ourselves and our insights, because data promised to take on this shadow work for us. We outsourced our own capacity to think.

I think her words also provide guidance for all of us involved in education, or learning from others.

So let's summon the confidence to return to work slowly, to recalibrate what we understand education to mean, to show up, and to attend at the level of human insight. The behavioural patterns computation delivers to us in relation to what students want, and what they do when they show up, can suggest where to start. But it's absolutely time to put aside the fantasy that higher education can engage with the fear and frustration, the complex refusals, that this election represents with some kind of snappy tech-led solutions: analytics, automation and low-waged casual hiring.

This result is in our terrain. If we now think we can fix any of this without human listening, we have no business in education.

🔨 Do

How cross-cultural dialogue builds critical thinking and empathy

As the world becomes increasingly connected due to the internet and other communication technologies, we have a limitless amount of information at our fingertips. With this influx of information and the ability to communicate, many communities have become more "polarized and entrenched in a particular worldview."

Katrina Schwartz details a series of initiatives designed for students and educators to "make the exotic familiar." In this we have the opportunity to help students develop positive habits around interactions online.

🤔 Consider

"There is a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in." — Leonard Cohen

This week: lessons from US election.

Four Questions For podcast rebooting series subscribe Soundcloud iTunes Google Play, control your controllables my Wife deserves credit weave in Stoic philosophy. Focus TL;DR educate empower advocate three tenets from 8th grade classroom. School of Life resilience hard times - you have decision to make as you start each day anew. Trump future of education - I do hope his administration will rise to occasion, education one key way to break ourselves of this cycle. Hyper-polarization intensity gap - I think education is key, we failed to develop critically aware sympathetic learners, spreading across globe in networked system. Filter bubble technology hijacking minds - we're being spoon-fed psychological vulnerabilities, Facebook grappling with role as news filters, follow people outside your beliefs bookmark Mediagazer. What do we tell children - my strategy was provide safe space for students to express themselves, goal get them talking and listening. Kate Bowles listening - this result is in our terrain, if we think we can fix without human listening we have no business in education. Cross-cultural dialogue builds critical thinking - make the exotic familiar develop positive habits around interactions online.

There is a crack in everything, that's how the light gets in.

Previous: TLDR 70 • Next: TLDR 72 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

School of Life — Resilience in hard times video reset button, suffering challenge choice you have decision to make each day anew.
US Election 2016 — Trump future of education unclear, I hope administration rises to occasion education key way to break cycle.
Polarization — Hyper-polarization intensity gap less likely to understand empathize, identify strongly with party bias interpreting information.
Filter Bubble — Eli Pariser coined term showing you what you want to see, we're being spoon-fed hijacking psychological vulnerabilities.
Listening — Kate Bowles on subtle art and elegance, this result is in our terrain without human listening no business in education.
Kate Bowles — Educators woken up to work, computational analysis can't do as well naive faith in data outsourced capacity to think.
Eli Pariser — Filter bubble internet searches newsfeeds customized to only show what you want, determined by algorithms don't know happening.
Four Questions For Podcast — Rebooting podcast series education technology literacy, subscribe on Soundcloud iTunes Google Play Music.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 70

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 70

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 70

Published: 2016-11-04 • 📧 Newsletter

Welcome to issue 70 of the TL;DR Newsletter. In TL;DR I'm synthesizing what I read and learned this week in literacy, technology, and education. Ciao.

This week we think through the basics of communication.

Please subscribe to make sure you don't miss out on the upcoming goodness. You can review archives of the newsletter. Check out TL;DR on Medium & LinkedIn.

You can also follow along on Instagram and Snapchat. I added my Snapcode to the footer of this newsletter. Send me your responses and questions there if you'd like to continue the dialogue.

This week I worked on the following:

Becoming digitally literate in a domain of one's own - This post is a continuation of my thinking/discussion about a domain of one's own (#DoOO). It also contains the latest working draft of our column for JAAL that should be out soon. I wanted to share it now to continue the discussion.
A grant proposal for the ELATED Project - I applied for an "Improving Teacher Quality" grant here in SC with a group of colleagues. In order to strive for transparency in my work I'm sharing most of our proposal materials.
Three steps to move students from readers to writers of digital content - This week a column I wrote for Literacy Today was published. In this I extend my earlier thinking about digitally agile educators to the student level.

Finally, if you're interested in some new art for your laptop, support Bryan Mathers on Indiegogo to lock up some tattoos for your machines. I backed his campaign this week as Bryan is a good friend and mentor for me in these spaces.

🔖 Key Takeaways

I've Been Having Discussions: This video relates to recent political events here in the U.S. It also connects with our recent discussions here in TL;DR about online trolling and (conversely) stoicism. More importantly, I've been having discussions with my son about bullying and temper tantrums that he is seeing from other kids in his circles.
The Sci-Fi Fan in Me: Alice and Bob were able to invent their own encryption scheme that Eve wasn't able to figure out. Even better...the Google Brain team is still trying to figure out exactly what Alice and Bob created. Some will suggest this is an important event in which "the machines are talking and we cannot figure it out." The sci-fi fan in me would love this logic.
I'm Thinking Twice About: Plain black text on bright white pages is really hard to read. Additionally, mixing in shades of grey for text on primarily white pages is equally as tough. I'm beginning to think about this as I choose fonts, themes, and backgrounds for my websites. I'm thinking twice about my recent trend toward minimalism.
This Is Why I Blog: Bonnie notes, "Blogging is a choral act. Posts are commented on; ties are formed. Stories and backstories become known." This is why I blog. This is also why I need to reach out and respond to others via my blog to make these connections.

📺 Watch

Why are people so nasty?

A great video from the School of Life YouTube channel this week. This video relates to recent political events here in the U.S. It also connects with our recent discussions here in TL;DR about online trolling and (conversely) stoicism. More importantly, I've been having discussions with my son about bullying and temper tantrums that he is seeing from other kids in his circles.

📚 Read

Google AI invents its own cryptographic algorithm; no one knows how it works

This post came up last week, but it's been reverberating online in my social circles and I wanted to make sure you saw it.

The Google Brain team created three neural networks (connected networks of computer nodes that simulate the brain) named Alice, Bob, and Eve. The individual networks were not taught how to encrypt their networks. Alice was instructed to send a message to Bob; Bob had to decrypt it; Eve had to eavesdrop and decode the message. The only other major variable is that Alice and Bob shared a secret key needed to decrypt the message.

In short, Alice and Bob were able to invent their own encryption scheme that Eve wasn't able to figure out. Even better...the Google Brain team is still trying to figure out exactly what Alice and Bob created. They don't understand the system.

Some will suggest this is an important event in which "the machines are talking and we cannot figure it out." The sci-fi fan in me would love this logic. I also see the counter argument that there are many times that our computers talk and we (human ears) cannot understand it. Take for example the hiss and crackle of a modem or fax machine.

An interesting event to keep an eye on.

How the web became unreadable

Post from Kevin Marks documenting how typography is increasingly becoming more and more difficult to read. He begins the post with the documentation of how Google App Engine has moved from legible to illegible typography. He continues on with an examination of contrast ratios as detailed in the image above, and the prevalence of these ratios across the web.

In short, plain black text on bright white pages is really hard to read. Additionally, mixing in shades of grey for text on primarily white pages is equally as tough. I'm beginning to think about this as I choose fonts, themes, and backgrounds for my websites. I'm thinking twice about my recent trend toward minimalism.

On another note...turn down the brightness of your screens. You should install f.lux on your devices as well.

Blogging is a choral act

Post from Bonnie Stewart republished as part of Digital Writing Month. This post focuses on the connections, art, and social practices involved in blogging.

Bonnie notes:

Blogging is a choral act. Posts are commented on; ties are formed. Stories and backstories become known. As I connected with other bloggers and found community first with other parents and then with those whose writing, like my own, unpacked identities in various forms, I stumbled into something extraordinary: a space wherein I was able, in small ways, to publicly mother a child who was not here.

This is why I blog. This is also why I need to reach out and respond to others via my blog to make these connections.

Web pioneer tries to incubate a second digital revolution

In my work with BadgeChain, I've been researching blockchain and distributed ledger technologies for about a year now. In this I had the opportunity to speak a bit with Brian Behlendorf about the future of the internet. These ideas are now fleshing out in the Hyperledger Project. I'll reshare the interview I conducted with Brian soon as I relaunch my podcast.

In the work with Hyperledger, they're currently moving in on health care by striving to become the "plumbing" in the system through the use of the blockchain.

The piece defines the blockchain as:

A blockchain is a digital ledger that records transactions or other data over time. But records in a blockchain can be made effectively indelible using cryptography, and a blockchain can be designed to be operated by a group of companies or individuals together such that no single entity controls the system or its data.

What Works Clearinghouse from the Institute of Educational Sciences

The Institute of Educational Sciences (IES) is a leading source for rigorous, independent research, evaluation and statistics. They have been retooling their What Works Clearinghouse and you should spend some time playing in the search tool.

You'll find a series of intervention reports and practice guides for educators to help you consider pedagogical opportunities.

My recent downloads include the following:

🔨 Do

Create MadLibs through Google Sheets

Richard Byrne shares the possible use of one of my favorite tools (Google Sheets) and templates from Flippity. Within Flippity, you can review a series of templates for a variety of tasks, ranging from flashcards to quiz shows, and badge trackers. The MadLibs template looks like a lot of fun that I'll fold in to an upcoming class.

🤔 Consider

"Don't watch the clock; do what it does. Keep going." — Sam Levenson

Don't watch the clock; do what it does. Keep going.

Previous: TLDR 69 • Next: TLDR 71 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

School of Life — Why people nasty video bullying temper tantrums, I've been having discussions with my son about this.
Google AI — Alice Bob Eve neural networks inventing encryption scheme, sci-fi fan in me would love this logic machines talking.
Encryption — Neural networks created own cryptographic algorithm no one knows how it works, interesting event to keep eye on.
Typography — Kevin Marks web became unreadable legible to illegible, I'm thinking twice about minimalism install f.lux on devices.
Blogging — Bonnie Stewart choral act posts commented ties formed stories backstories, this is why I blog need to make connections.
Bonnie Stewart — Digital Writing Month blogging as space to publicly mother child, community connections art social practices.
Blockchain — BadgeChain researching distributed ledger technologies, Hyperledger Project as plumbing in healthcare blockchain defined.
Brian Behlendorf — Spoke with about future of internet, I'll reshare interview when I relaunch podcast Hyperledger work.
What Works Clearinghouse — IES retooling search tool intervention reports practice guides, teaching elementary and secondary students to write effectively.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 7

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 7

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 7

Published: 2015-08-07 • 📧 Newsletter

Thank you once again for being one of the first to sign up for this newsletter. In this weekly email, I'll pull together some of the content that I shared out throughout the week. It contains elements from the past week that you should things that you should know & discuss. Please feel free to respond back, and share out with others.

This week I shared a post detailing my workflow as I create, post, and share content online. In the upcoming week, I'll share a new post detailing how I use and share Creative Commons (CC) licensing and the use of open educational resources (OER). This work has parallels to some of the stories I'll share below.

Creating and sharing ideas online

🔖 Key Takeaways

Maria Popova on Brain Pickings: Tim Ferriss podcast exploring how to start a successful blog and create more time in a day.
Teens and Digital Friendships: Pew research reveals video games, social media, and mobile devices as key friendship spaces.
Privacy Badger 1.0: EFF launches major new release preventing pervasive web tracking.
OER Policy Coalition: Open letter to President Obama calling for strong OER policy on federally funded educational materials.
Badge Visual Hierarchy: Doug Belshaw's thinking on scaling badge systems—best learned by earning, building, and awarding.

🎧 Listen

The Tim Ferriss Show Maria Popova

Maria Popova on Being Interesting, Creating More Time in a Day, And How to Start A Successful Blog

Maria Popova has written for amazing outlets like The Atlantic and The New York Times, and her own blog BrainPickings.org . In this half-hour audio clip from the Tim Ferriss podcast, she answers questions from the audience.

I embedded the YouTube version above to make it easier to access the clip. I skipped forward a bit in the YouTube clip to skip the opening ads. You can also directly access the podcast, and the archive of shared links by clicking here .

📚 Read

Latest Pew research on teens, technology, and friendships

This report explores the new contours of friendship in the digital age to gain insight into how teens meet and interact with friends. Video games, social media, and mobile devices play a key role.

View the complete report here .

Reconnecting young people with a bright future, by Arne Duncan

A call to action from U. S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan asking for an "all-hands-on-deck" effort to re-engage youth.

It's interesting that he posted this to Medium .

Explaining graphic design to four-year-olds

Excellent primer from Dean Vipond
on basics of graphic design. This information is important as we (and our students) continue to write digitally.

EFF ships major new Privacy Badger release

The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) launched version 1.0 of Privacy Badger, an extension designed to prevent trackers from accessing unique info about you and your browsing.

Install Privacy Badger to browse the web free of pervasive tracking.

Coalition letter to President Obama calling for OER policy

An open letter to President Obama to issue a strong Administration policy to ensure that they are made available to the public as Open Educational Resources (OER) to freely use, share, and build upon.

View the letter here . Sign the letter here . I signed as an individual.

A Year of Racial Tumult Brings Potent Lessons — and Risks — to the Classroom

Recent events provide pedagogical opportunities to discuss real world issues. The challenge is that we need to find the entry point in the discussions for students and provide opportunities for them to decompress after the ensuing dialogue.

Towards a visual hierarchy of Open Badges

I learned everything I know about badges by working with and learning from people that actually know these things. One of those people is Doug Belshaw .

In this post, Doug outlines his thinking as he scales up a new visual hierarchy for a badge system. I recommend reading the links he shares in the opening paragraph and then review his post. Let it sink in for a couple of days and then re-read.

The best way to learn about badge (IMHO) is to earn, build, and award them.

Is Your Child a "Group Problem Solver?" The PISA Test Will Decide

The Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) examination is coordinated by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The assessment system examines reading, math, & science. You may not have heard about the PISA tests...but you should care a lot about these assessments and scores.

The latest version of the 15-year-old exam will include modified instant messaging to encourage/test collaboration. This is some of the work we built into the ORCA assessments while I was at the New Lit Research Lab.

🔨 Do

Larger than life mixtape

Very cool art project that provides a nice connection between the multitude of spaces to make and share playlists online.

This is a project that will take some time, but could be a powerful opportunity to have students create and think about text and meaning.

🤔 Consider

Maria Popova's Brain Pickings reminds us that being interesting requires deep curiosity and sustained attention—qualities increasingly challenged in our fragmented digital world. This week's focus on teens building friendships through games and social media shows technology isn't replacing connection, just reshaping it.

The OER coalition letter and Privacy Badger 1.0 release both point toward a common thread: we can build a more open, privacy-respecting internet, but it requires deliberate action. Whether signing petitions, installing browser extensions, or learning badge systems, each small step matters.

As educators navigate racial tumult in classrooms, the challenge isn't whether to engage but how to create entry points for dialogue while providing space to decompress. These conversations matter.

Previous: TLDR 6 • Next: TLDR 8 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Maria Popova — Brain Pickings creator on building successful blogs and creating time.
Teen Technology Use — Pew research on digital friendships through games, social media, and mobile.
Privacy and Security — Privacy Badger 1.0 preventing pervasive web tracking.
Open Educational Resources — Coalition letter calling for strong federal OER policy.
Open Badges — Doug Belshaw's visual hierarchy thinking, learning by doing.
Graphic Design — Dean Vipond's primer for four-year-olds and digital writers.
PISA Assessments — International testing adding collaborative problem-solving via instant messaging.
Racial Justice in Education — Creating classroom entry points for difficult dialogues.
ORCA Project — New Literacies Research Lab work on collaborative online assessments.
Mixtape Culture — Physical art connecting digital playlist spaces.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 69

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 69

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 69

Published: 2016-10-28 • 📧 Newsletter

Welcome to issue 69 of the TL;DR Newsletter. In TL;DR I'm synthesizing what I read and learned this week in literacy, technology, and education. Hallo!!!

This week we consider that, for better or worse....the internet isn't trying to kill you.

You can review archives of the newsletter. Alternatively you can also check out TL;DR on Medium. I'm also testing the reposting of these issues after a short delay on LinkedIn to see what happens.

This week I worked on the following:

Moving from digital portfolios to a domain of one's own - This post shares some of my recent thinking about a "domain of one's own." This is connected to my posts about eportfolios, BadgeChain, and digital identity. More to come.
Digital portfolios - This post provides a comprehensive overview of what you'll need to know as you start thinking/working with digital portfolios.
Negotiating the positive and negative as a citizen of the world - On the fifth day of StoicWeek 2016 I wrote this about considering how we fit into the larger picture.
Resilience and preparation for adversity - On the sixth day of StoicWeek 2016 I shared this post about how to prepare for when the times get tough.
Exercise on learning from the view from above - On the seventh day of StoicWeek 2016 I shared this post about a guided meditation strategy to help you remain focused on the task at hand...and not get overwhelmed by the world.

🔖 Key Takeaways

I'm Really Concerned: This latest DDoS is said to be organized around IoT devices. This means that internet connected televisions, thermostats, routers...any thing that is online potentially could be used as a bot in these attacks and you would never even know it. If your device is connected to the internet, and you cannot change a password to control it...you have to wonder what it is doing when you're not looking. I'm really concerned about the potential ramifications.
I've Recently Been Thinking About: Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and FBI Director James Comey have been seen to cover up their webcams when not in use. I also regularly see my students come into class with tape over their webcam. I've recently been thinking about covering up as well.
I'm Definitely Interested: I'm a big fan of Tim Ferriss, his 4-Hour Workweek book, his podcast, and his new book based on what he learned during the podcasts. His guidance is one of the main reasons why I've decided to start branching out into other domains in my work. Because of these reasons, I'm definitely interested in this post by Bradford Wolf.
I Was Most Intrigued By: The NMC Horizon Report indicates several recommendations for improving digital literacy, but I was most intrigued by their framing of "three models of digital literacy" - universal literacy, creative literacy, and literacy across disciplines.

📺 Watch

What does A.I. have to do with this selfie?

Awesome video detailing how artificial intelligence (AI) is used in the process of "style transfer" as we turn our photos and videos into new works of art. The computer science is fascinating as they look at deep neural nets used to identify patterns, layers, and styles in your photo and other exemplars.

📚 Read

The FCC just passed sweeping new rules to protect your online privacy

Late last night the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) delivered a landmark ruling in favor of online privacy here in the U.S. The FCC approved new rules to ensure that your internet service provider (ISP) is not abusing their use of your app usage and browsing history to sell to others. This is a big step forward in building a future in which citizens of the web have an opportunity to control their private data.

What remains to be seen is what happens when the government requests your information, or your communication company (AT&T) creates a business providing it to them. We also need to be concerned about how other businesses (Google) may be tracking us online as well.

The internet of things isn't trying to kill you

Last week you may or may not have noticed that the internet was broken for a short period of time. In short, this was a DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) Attack. This is a cyber attack in which a malicious entity organizes a massive amount of bots, computers, or internet connected machines to all target and load one website. Think about millions and millions of these attackers all knocking on the door of the Target.com website. When you type in the web address and try to load the page...nothing will happen. This is because the website is being overrun with millions of others all trying to get in.

This latest DDoS is said to be organized around IoT (Internet of Things) devices. This means that internet connected televisions, thermostats, routers...any thing that is online potentially could be used as a bot in these attacks and you would never even know it. If your device is connected to the internet, and you cannot change a password to control it...you have to wonder what it is doing when you're not looking. I'm really concerned about the potential ramifications.

This post from Stacy Higginbotham sets the record straight about where our concerns should be directed. She indicates that we should be a bit more concerned about security when we plug in our devices. We also need a much more granular understanding of what we mean by "security."

Should you cover your webcam?

As noted in this post from the Mozilla blog, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg and FBI Director James Comey have been seen to cover up their webcams when not in use. I also regularly see my students come into class with tape over their webcam. I've recently been thinking about covering up as well.

Marshall Erwin, Head of Trust and Privacy at Mozilla indicates this isn't a perfect solution as your microphone could also be hacked. If you cover up the camera and don't see an indicator light, you'll never know if someone is listening in.

The post provides the following guidance:

Set strong passwords from your home's wifi router to your devices to your social media accounts
Be skeptical about links. Be a healthy skeptic as you search and sift online texts.
Install a security system. Use anti-virus and conduct regular scans to make sure everything is protected.
Call an expert if you think you've been compromised. Get in touch with an IT professional to try and root out the problem.

The 4 hour work-week student edition

I'm a big fan of Tim Ferriss, his 4-Hour Workweek book, his podcast, and his new book based on what he learned during the podcasts. His guidance is one of the main reasons why I've decided to start branching out into other domains in my work. I was first introduced to Ferriss by good friend Doug Belshaw.

Because of these reasons, I'm definitely interested in this post by Bradford Wolf, a student of Don Wettrick's unlearning class.

I think this post is an interesting piece to share with students in high school or early in their post-secondary work. Please do share, have them complete a quick write to capture their feelings...and then let the discussion begin.

New Media Consortium releases Digital Literacy: An NMC Horizon Project Strategic Brief

This new Horizon Report from NMC focuses on digital literacy in classroom instruction. Specifically the report explores the advancement of these new and digital literacies and how best to prepare students for the demands of a global, technological economy.

The report indicates several recommendations for improving digital literacy, but I was most intrigued by their framing of "three models of digital literacy":

Universal literacy - familiarity with digital texts and tools in office productivity, media manipulation, and content authoring.
Creative literacy - Includes Universal literacy, but also adds in more challenging skills in video and audio production, website design, and coding/programming.
Literacy across disciplines - Literacy learning across the disciplines that includes hybrid/blended learning as well as networking/participating in digital spaces.

🔨 Do

Prisma adds art filtered video, GIFs coming next

If you checked out the video up at the beginning of TL;DR, you're probably interested in playing with apps that will transfer styles in your photos. I've been playing with the Prisma app for iOS and Android and it is definitely a lot of fun.

I recommend taking a photo that you really like, and then spending about 10 minutes and applying the different filters. I quickly ended up with 10 modified versions of the original that I liked. I then showcased these with my Wife and kids to see what they liked the best.

I'm interested in testing out video soon to see how it all works.

🤔 Consider

"Come forth into the light of things, let nature be your teacher." — William Wordsworth

This week: the internet isn't trying to kill you.

Digital portfolios domain of one's own eportfolios BadgeChain digital identity, StoicWeek 2016 on negotiating positive negative resilience preparation adversity view from above meditation. AI style transfer selfies deep neural nets patterns layers - awesome video computer science is fascinating. FCC privacy rules landmark ruling ISPs not abusing browsing history - big step forward citizens control private data, what happens when government requests or AT&T provides or Google tracking. DDoS attack internet was broken IoT devices - I'm really concerned about potential ramifications, wonder what devices doing when you're not looking, need granular understanding of security. Should you cover webcam - Zuckerberg and Comey do, I also see my students with tape, I've recently been thinking about covering up as well, microphone could also be hacked. Tim Ferriss 4 hour work week student edition - I'm definitely interested, his guidance one main reason I've decided to branch out, introduced by Doug Belshaw, interesting piece for high school students. NMC Horizon Report digital literacy - I was most intrigued by three models universal creative and literacy across disciplines. Prisma app art filtered video - I've been playing with it definitely a lot of fun, I'm interested in testing out video soon.

Come forth into the light of things, let nature be your teacher.

Previous: TLDR 68 • Next: TLDR 70 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Internet Privacy — FCC landmark ruling ISPs not abusing browsing history, big step citizens control private data tracking concerns.
FCC — Approved new rules ensure ISPs not selling app usage browsing history, what happens when government requests information.
DDoS Attack — Internet was broken Distributed Denial of Service, millions of attackers knocking on door website overrun.
Internet of Things — IoT devices TVs thermostats routers used as bots, I'm really concerned about potential ramifications security.
Digital portfolios — Moving to domain of one's own eportfolios BadgeChain digital identity, comprehensive overview what you need to know.
Tim Ferriss — 4 Hour Workweek podcast Tools of Titans, guidance one main reason I've decided to branch out introduced by Doug Belshaw.
Horizon Report — NMC digital literacy strategic brief three models, universal creative and literacy across disciplines most intriguing.
Prisma — AI art filtered photos video, I've been playing with it definitely lot of fun interested in testing video soon.
Stoicism — Week 2016 negotiating positive negative, resilience preparation adversity, view from above meditation strategy remain focused.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 68

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 68

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 68

Published: 2016-10-21 • 📧 Newsletter

Welcome to issue 68 of the TL;DR Newsletter. In TL;DR I'm synthesizing what I read and learned this week in literacy, technology, and education. Bonjour.

This week we discuss possibilities for opening up your practice.

You can review archives of the newsletter. Alternatively you can also check out TL;DR on Medium. I'm also testing the reposting of these issues after a short delay on LinkedIn to see what happens.

This week I worked on a post for BadgeChain, guidance for online researchers, as well as a series of posts for Stoic Week 2016:

Vertical teams and the open organizational structure of BadgeChain - This post discusses some of our planning on opening up the organization a bit more as we plan for the next year of BadgeChain.
Protecting yourself from online harassment while conducting risky research online - This post is very important for my friends and colleagues that conduct research openly online, or use social networks. The link shares materials from the Data and Society project that include guidance for the researcher...as well as information for your administrators.
Stoic reflections on life as a project and role models
Seneca on practicing what you preach
Epictetus on what we can control in our own lives
Marcus Aurelius on what we can control in our own lives
Examining your impressions
How to have a good life and be happy
Living in agreement with your personal nature

🔖 Key Takeaways

The End Result Is: The end result is a series of photos, and one exciting video that documents the possibilities that exist as you play with digital media.
My Creative Commons License of Choice: My Creative Commons license of choice is CC BY-SA 4.0. This means that I don't care if you use my work, even for commercial purposes...please just give appropriate credit...let people know where you got the ideas from. I also ask that you also share what you create from my work. I do this primarily to share the idea of CC-licensing online, and push the idea of copyright online with my colleagues and students. I will consider moving my license to a CC0 in the future.
Open Is Not an On/Off Switch: Open is not an on/off switch. It can be viewed as a series of levels of open that progress from closed to open to "shout it from the rooftops."
Terribly Exciting Stuff: A Domain of One's Own is another topic that we talk a lot about here on TL;DR. I'll soon have a column on this topic coming out in JAAL, and with this I'll add a series of interviews to my podcast. This research from Lee Skallerup Bessette is terribly exciting stuff.

📺 Watch

This is how much I love airports

Incredible video documenting the Airportraits project, a photo series from Mike Kelley. In this project he shot thousands of photos of aircraft taking off and stitched them together to create one composite image. He also used light painting to blend natural and artificial light to create the composite image.

The end result is a series of photos, and one exciting video that documents the possibilities that exist as you play with digital media.

📚 Read

Open puts the public in public education

We talk a bit about open and open education here in TL;DR. It can sometimes be a challenge to unpack all of the strands of open and identify how they may work for us.

In this video, Robin DeRosa details everything you'll need to know about open education, open access, open educational resources, and open pedagogy.

This video provides a good primer as you (and your students) move toward open as an attitude.

Going to Flickr Zero, CC0

This post from Alan Levine documents his thought process as he considers, and then starts moving his flickr images to CC0. This is a Creative Commons Zero License, or indicating that your materials are in the public domain. I also recommend reading the responses to Alan's piece from Doug Belshaw and Maha Bali.

I have a series of posts on Creative Commons if you're looking for more guidance on the subject.

My Creative Commons license of choice is CC BY-SA 4.0. This means that I don't care if you use my work, even for commercial purposes...please just give appropriate credit...let people know where you got the ideas from. I also ask that you also share what you create from my work. I do this primarily to share the idea of CC-licensing online, and push the idea of copyright online with my colleagues and students. I will consider moving my license to a CC0 in the future.

How to work open

Great post from Matt Thompson providing some granular advice about why and how to work in the open. He also recounts some of the challenges involved in the process.

I will take away several key points from Matt's piece.

First, there are several possible goals for open:

participation. rocket fuel for smart collaboration.
agility. speed. flexibility. getting stuff done.
momentum. communities want to push boulders that are already rolling.
testing and rapid prototyping. iterating and refining as we go.
leverage. getting greater bang from limited resources. punching above our weight.

Second, there are many "gears" for open. Open is not an on/off switch. It can be viewed as a series of levels of open that progress from closed to open to "shout it from the rooftops."

10 essential characteristics of a 21st century educator

Post from George Couros identifying and defining ten characteristics he views as crucial for educators now and in the future.

Relationship builder
Learner/adapter
Inclusive
Reflective
Networked/Collaborative
Innovator
Leader
Storyteller
Designer
Artist

You can read the full definitions for each characteristic on George's post. I think this is important as a heuristic as we consider our own qualities as an educator. It is (perhaps) even more important as we consider how we prepare, develop, and evaluate educators.

Assembling resources on Domain of One's Own

A Domain of One's Own (DoOO) is another topic that we talk a lot about here on TL;DR. I'll soon have a column on this topic coming out in JAAL, and with this I'll add a series of interviews to my podcast.

This post by Lee Skallerup Bessette shares a collection of resources and articles on DoOO as well as a list of schools currently experimenting with DoOO. This research informed their earlier post on a brief history of DoOO and an infographic.

Terribly exciting stuff.

🔨 Do

DIY Midori Style Traveler's Notebook

I've recently started using handwritten notes as I journal in a Moleskine for meetings, research, and general ramblings. One of the challenges is that I have a series of notebooks for different purposes. As you search for the "perfect" journal, you'll realize that it doesn't exist. If it does, the price is usually exorbitant for something that you'll (hopefully) fill up in a couple of months.

My current system uses this version of Moleskine, either lined or plain version. I can make my own midori notebook as detailed here and use that to hold everything together. When I'm finished with a journal, I draw something on the cover to remind me of the contents...and then add a new notebook.

By spending the time to create something nice for you to use...I think you'll value it, and your note-taking time even more.

🤔 Consider

"It is a rough road that leads to the heights of greatness." — Seneca

This week: possibilities for opening up your practice.

BadgeChain vertical teams open organizational structure, protecting from online harassment Data and Society guidance for researchers, Stoic Week 2016 posts on Seneca Epictetus Marcus Aurelius impressions good life. Airportraits Mike Kelley composite photos - the end result documents possibilities that exist as you play with digital media. Robin DeRosa on open education good primer for moving toward open as attitude. Alan Levine CC0 flickr images - my Creative Commons license of choice is CC BY-SA give appropriate credit share what you create, I will consider moving to CC0 in future. Matt Thompson on how to work open - open is not an on/off switch, viewed as series of levels gears from closed to shout from rooftops. George Couros ten essential educator characteristics relationship builder learner inclusive reflective networked innovator leader storyteller designer artist. Lee Skallerup Bessette DoOO resources and schools experimenting - I'll have column in JAAL and interviews for podcast, terribly exciting stuff. DIY Midori notebook draw something on cover when finished, value note-taking time even more.

It is a rough road that leads to the heights of greatness.

Previous: TLDR 67 • Next: TLDR 69 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Open Education — Robin DeRosa on open access resources and pedagogy, good primer for open as attitude unpacking strands.
Creative Commons — Alan Levine CC0 flickr images, my license of choice CC BY-SA give credit share what you create.
Domain of One's Own — Lee Skallerup Bessette resources and schools experimenting, I'll have column in JAAL interviews for podcast terribly exciting.
Stoicism — Week 2016 posts on Seneca practicing what you preach, Epictetus and Marcus Aurelius on control, examining impressions.
BadgeChain — Vertical teams open organizational structure, planning to open up organization bit more for next year.
Alan Levine — Moving flickr images to CC0 public domain, responses from Doug Belshaw and Maha Bali on attribution privilege.
Robin DeRosa — Video on open education access resources pedagogy, everything you need to know about open.
George Couros — Ten essential characteristics for educators, important heuristic for how we prepare develop evaluate educators.
Lee Skallerup Bessette — Assembled DoOO resources articles schools experimenting, brief history and infographic terribly exciting stuff.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 67

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 67

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 67

Published: 2016-10-14 • 📧 Newsletter

Welcome to issue 67 of the TL;DR Newsletter. In TL;DR I'm synthesizing what I read and learned this week in literacy, technology, and education. こんにちは.

This week we discuss how our brains adjust to technology.

You can review archives of the newsletter. Alternatively you can also check out TL;DR on Medium. I'm also testing the reposting of these issues after a short delay on LinkedIn to see what happens.

Also, my IMHO site is becoming a space that allows me to quickly share notes and short posts that I want to archive and share materials with others. I'm viewing it as the "B-side" of my main website. I plan on posting and sharing from there 2 to 3 times per week.

This week I worked on the following:

BadgeChain Annual report (2015-2016) - This post is a review of the work that we've conducted over the past year as part of the BadgeChain initiative. The past year has been a blast as we examine potentials for blockchain and distributed ledger technologies in education. The upcoming year should be even more exciting. Big things on the horizon.
Tony Robbins guided meditation on resolving internal conflict - As noted in the post, I meditate every morning. It helps me scrub (or at least try to) my brain each morning. This is an attempt to start the day fresh and not let self-doubt agonize and deflate my. Even then, we sometimes allow these thoughts to remain. This short audio piece from Tony Robbins is the perfect "pick me up" for certain days.
Is Yahoo really advising me to secure my account?!?! - This past week I was directed to reset and secure my account by Yahoo. I thought it was funny given their recent turmoil that I detailed in last week's TL;DR.

🔖 Key Takeaways

I'm Terribly Fascinated: I'm terribly fascinated by whales and the ocean. I wanted to pursue a career in oceanography and work at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute as I was leaving high school and entering college. The closest that I've ever come to something like this is when I went kayaking with orca whales off of the San Juan Islands near Seattle, WA. A trip that I plan on taking my kids on as soon as they're old enough.
We Really Won't Know Until Decades From Now: My own opinion on the "is Google making us dumber" debate is that we really won't know until decades from now. But, looking historically, I think we won't see that much of a difference from the ways in which we adapted to other technologies. What do you think?
They Can Play a Part in Making the Magic Happen: I want my children and students to know that there is something that is making all of these devices and services run...and they can play a part in making the magic happen.
Immediately Bookmark This Site: While paying attention to the never-ending coverage of Hurricane Matthew, I came across earth.nullschool.net. Immediately bookmark this site. It is an incredible resource for weather nerds.

📺 Watch

Diver catches once in a lifetime closeup footage of a whale breach

Australian photographer Beau Pilgrim caught this incredible breach of a humpback whale. For this, and many more photos from Beau, follow him on Instagram.

I'm terribly fascinated by whales and the ocean. I wanted to pursue a career in oceanography and work at the Woods Hole Oceanographic Institute as I was leaving high school and entering college. The closest that I've ever come to something like this is when I went kayaking with orca whales off of the San Juan Islands near Seattle, WA. A trip that I plan on taking my kids on as soon as they're old enough.

📚 Read

Is the internet killing our brains?

In most of my technology classes there is a week set aside for the "is Google making us dumber" debate. This debate takes many forms, but it tends to be a hot button for many individuals. In these debates, I provide students with a variety of readings and YouTube videos to consume, have a quick-write, and then discuss. For the most part, I tend to stay out of the ensuing argument and see what my students come up with.

This post by Dean Burnett is a comprehensive overview the current context. Dean covers the territory from information overload, to the need (or lack thereof) for fact memorization. He ends with a look at our love for likes in social media contexts. If you're interested, you might want to check out his first book, The Idiot Brain.

My own opinion on the "is Google making us dumber" debate is that we really won't know until decades from now. But, looking historically, I think we won't see that much of a difference from the ways in which we adapted to other technologies. What do you think?

Stretch your mind: Code

A great post by John Jones on DML Central if you're concerned that the internet may be making us all a bit dumber.

John makes points that I've been making over the last couple of years. First, I think we all need to be not only readers, but also writers of digital media. Second, I think that we should focus on coding, computational thinking, and computational participation in our schools. Third, we don't need all students to grow up to be coders/programmers. But..I want my children and students to know that there is something that is making all of these devices and services run...and they can play a part in making the magic happen.

John concludes his piece with the statement:

If everyone learns to code, they won't necessarily all become rich, but they might all begin to see the world in different, beneficial ways.

Trace the remarkable history of the humble pencil

Post from Elissa Nadworny on nprEd detailing the history of another technology that we've adjusted successfully to over time.

In this post Elissa mixes images, video, and GIFs to tell the history of the remarkable technology that we often ignore as we pick it up and twirl in the air while writing a manifesto. A great read that is informative, while providing a great guide as to how multimodal writing can effectively tell a story across multiple modes.

Barack Obama, neural nets, self-driving cars, and the future of the world

With a title like that...you can't stop yourself from reading it. :)

This piece from Wired details a discussion between Barack Obama, Joi Ito, and Scott Dadich on August 24th, 2016. The wide-ranging discussion focuses on technology trends and where we see ourselves in the next decade or so. Most of the focus is on artificial intelligence or machine learning...but this acts as a trojan horse for other topics.

Earth.nullschool.net

As I indicated last week, we were right in the crosshairs of Hurricane Matthew as it made landfall on U.S. soil. We were lucky to only lose our power for a day, and no damage to our property. There are many others in the hemisphere that were far worse off than my family. I'm very thankful that nothing really happened to us. My thoughts go out to those that suffered, or are still suffering.

While paying attention to the never-ending coverage of the approaching storm, I came across this site. Immediately bookmark this site.

If you click on the word "earth" in the bottom left corner, you can change the focus, data, and information you receive on the globe. You can also zoom in, out, focus on specific locations on the planet. It is an incredible resource for weather nerds from Cameron Beccario.

If you really want to geek out...check out all of Cameron's work on GitHub...even the one shared above.

🔨 Do

Applying lessons from Sun Tzu and The Art of War to everyday life

I regularly look for opportunities to hack my own work and life processes. Part of this involves modifying, making, or breaking new habits, routines, or rituals.

This post whittles down some of the wisdom from The Art of War and provides guidance for fighting battles that you are prepared to win.

Specifically, he adapts three of Sun Tzu's teachings that can help build better habits:

You can be sure in succeeding in your habits if you only build habits which are easy to maintain.
He will improve his behavior who knows which habits to start with and which ones to leave for later.
A clever person, therefore, avoids the areas where bad habits are strongest, but attacks them where they are weak and easy to change.

🤔 Consider

"A mistake is to commit a misunderstanding." — Bob Dylan

Previous: TLDR 66 • Next: TLDR 68 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Brain and Technology — Is Google making us dumber debate, we really won't know until decades from now, adapted to other technologies.
Coding — John Jones on computational thinking, I want children and students to know they can make the magic happen.
Computational Thinking — We should focus on coding and computational participation in schools, readers and writers of digital media.
BadgeChain — Annual report blockchain and distributed ledger technologies in education, big things on horizon past year blast.
Meditation — Tony Robbins guided meditation resolving internal conflict, I meditate every morning scrub brain fresh start.
Hurricane Matthew — We were in crosshairs lucky only lost power for a day, thoughts to those suffered or still suffering.
Data Visualization — Earth.nullschool.net immediately bookmark incredible weather resource, Cameron Beccario GitHub work geek out.
Barack Obama — Neural nets self-driving cars future with Joi Ito and Scott Dadich, AI as trojan horse for other topics.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 66

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 66

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 66

Published: 2016-10-07 • 📧 Newsletter

Welcome to issue 66 of the TL;DR Newsletter. In TL;DR I'm synthesizing what I read and learned this week in literacy, technology, and education. If this is your first time here...Dugo se nismo vidjeli.

This week we consider that I always feel like someone is watching me.

As I write this, I'm hunkered down with my family as we await Hurricane Matthew. The storm is currently in the middle of Florida and should be here late tonight. We'll see how things progress. :)

You can review archives of the newsletter. Alternatively you can also check out TL;DR on Medium.

This week I worked on the following:

Using online resources & Google Scholar to conduct research in the classroom - This post is a revision of a post I shared earlier that documents my use of various tools as I research for projects.
Four steps to conducting action research in the classroom - This post shares guidance on conducting action research in the classroom.
Simple steps to writing good research questions - Another post written this week examining some simple steps to consider as you write and refine research questions.

🔖 Key Takeaways

It's a Challenging, Chilling, and Nuanced Space: This week I watched with rapt attention as Google held a press conference announcing new phones and devices. I'm really interested in Google Home and ordered one to test out in the home. Given what I shared about Yahoo, it might seem curious that I would be this interested. I'm definitely concerned and will keep an eye out as I explore. It's a challenging, chilling, and nuanced space to study and challenge.
They Don't Deserve My Trust: Yahoo has been secretly scanning users' emails and handing these results over to U.S. intelligence officials. I'm deleting my Yahoo account. They don't deserve my (or your) trust.
Where Is the Human Response: I wondered, where is the human response in all of this? My professor had left me some comments, but these comments seemed only to be explaining why she rated my work as she did. This was in contrast to the feedback that left comments that were funny and observant and showed that a thinking, caring person had engaged with my ideas.
This Looks Like Another Great Read: I first came into contact with James Gleick years ago when I devoured his book The Information. This post is an overview of work from Gleick's new book on Time Travel. This looks like another great read.

📺 Watch

A very different world - HITRECORD x ACLU (2:19)

This video is a joint production between HitRecord and the ACLU. HitRecord is a cool online community of content creators that work together to produce content. The ACLU is a nonpartisan, non-profit organization whose mission is to defend and preserve the individual rights and liberties guaranteed to all U.S. citizens.

The video is a commentary from a series of individuals, most notably Ben Wizner, Director of ACLU speech. The video discusses the future and challenges of our growing surveillance society.

📚 Read

Delete your Yahoo account

Two weeks ago, Yahoo (in the middle of their pending sale) made big news as it came to light that they had a massive security breach as millions of user passwords and account data was hacked in 2014. This by itself would not be a call to alarm. Security breaches can and will occur in our current times. What scares me is that they decided to do nothing, and not tell members that their materials were compromised.

This latest news from a Reuters report suggests that Yahoo has been secretly scanning users' emails and handing these results over to U.S. intelligence officials. Yahoo responded with a non-denial denial. Microsoft, Twitter, Google, Facebook, and Apple all looked the other way and said (in my words), "we would never do that to you.."

I think news of this sort will continue to somehow, someway, continue to leak out. For me it comes down to two things. First, I'm deleting my Yahoo account. They don't deserve my (or your) trust. Second, this points to the need to host my own email account and finally migrate away from my use of gMail for most communications. I'll assume no sense of privacy or security in any/all communications in online spaces.

All that new Google hardware? It's a trojan horse for AI

This week I watched with rapt attention as Google held a press conference announcing the new phones and devices that all connect your information to the search giant. The phones are very intriguing as I look for my next upgrade. Google also launched Google Home (an Amazon Echo competitor) as well as various wifi routers and a virtual reality competitor.

I'm really interested in Google Home and ordered one to test out in the home, and see what possibilities there are for the classroom.

Google's spin on this was that all of these tools are pumping your information into their machine learning engines to better serve you and others. Understandably, many are concerned that Google is slurping up our data and playing fast and loose with user data. Given what I shared in the post up above about Yahoo, it might seem curious that I would be this interested in these products/services from Google. I'm definitely concerned and will keep an eye out as I explore. It's a challenging, chilling, and nuanced space to study and challenge.

Blogfolios: The glue that can hold it all together in learning

Post from Silvia Tolisano examining digital portfolios and the opportunities to support students as they build their digital identity and their metacognitive skills.

Within this she focuses on literacy, heutagogy, documenting learning, reflection and metacognition, student (and teacher) led conferences, assessment, differentiation, project/inquiry/problem based learning, digital identity, and accessibility.

Why I threw away my rubrics

A great post by Jennifer Hurley looking at her use and recent rejection of rubrics to assess student work.

I've recently thought about the use of rubrics and what I lose as I assess student work. This is especially problematic as my students create websites and multimodal case studies for class assignments.

What resonated most for me:

It was only when I was on the receiving end of a rubric, while taking a graduate-level education class, that I had my first critical thought about rubrics. After looking at the rubric the professor had completed for me, I wondered, where is the human response in all of this? My professor had left me some comments, but these comments seemed only to be explaining why she rated my work as she did. This was in contrast to the feedback from my Russian literature professor at Stanford Extension. This professor provided no rubric but left comments that were funny and observant and showed that a thinking, caring person had engaged with my ideas.

A nonlinear history of time travel

I first came into contact with James Gleick years ago when I devoured his book The Information. Great read...and a definite recommendation if you're interested in the intersection between technology, information, and communication.

This post from Nautilus is an overview of work from Gleick's new book on Time Travel. The book mixes literature, science fiction, and technological advances. This looks like another great read.

🔨 Do

Laugh lots, live longer

With all of this information about privacy and security challenges online, perhaps it's time to make yourself just laugh. Who knows, it might help us all live a bit longer.

Women with a strong sense of humor were found to live longer in spite of illness, especially cardiovascular disease and infection. Mirthful men seem to be protected against infection.

🤔 Consider

"Openness and participation are antidotes to surveillance and control." — Howard Rheingold

This week: I always feel like someone is watching me.

Google Scholar research tools, action research guidance, writing good research questions. Hunkered down with family awaiting Hurricane Matthew late tonight. ACLU HITRECORD video on surveillance society future and challenges. Yahoo scanning emails for intelligence officials - I'm deleting my Yahoo account, they don't deserve my trust, need to host own email. Google hardware as trojan horse for AI - I'm really interested in Google Home ordered one to test, it's challenging chilling and nuanced space to study. Silvia Tolisano on blogfolios digital identity and metacognitive skills. Jennifer Hurley threw away rubrics - where is the human response in all of this, comments funny and observant showing thinking caring person engaged with ideas. James Gleick Time Travel nonlinear history - I devoured The Information years ago, this looks like another great read. Laugh lots live longer with humor in spite of illness.

Openness and participation are antidotes to surveillance and control.

Previous: TLDR 65 • Next: TLDR 67 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Surveillance — ACLU HITRECORD video on future and challenges of our growing surveillance society, watching me theme.
Privacy — Yahoo scanning emails for intelligence officials, I'll assume no sense of privacy in online communications.
Yahoo — Security breach didn't tell members, secretly scanning emails, I'm deleting account they don't deserve trust.
Google Home — Ordered one to test in home and classroom, trojan horse for AI pumping information to machine learning.
Digital portfolios — Silvia Tolisano blogfolios as glue holding together digital identity metacognitive skills reflection and assessment.
Rubrics — Jennifer Hurley threw away rubrics, where is human response, prefer funny observant comments from thinking caring person.
James Gleick — I devoured The Information years ago, Time Travel mixes literature science fiction technology, looks like great read.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 65

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 65

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 65

Published: 2016-09-30 • 📧 Newsletter

Welcome to issue 65 of the TL;DR Newsletter. In TL;DR I'm synthesizing what I read and learned this week in literacy, technology, and education. If this is your first time here...स्वागत हे

This week is all about the gateways to healing when it hurts.

You can review archives of the newsletter. Alternatively you can also check out TL;DR on Medium.

This week I worked on the following:

Develop good advertising like Google Scholar does - In this latest post I try to deconstruct my recent experience with advertising from Google Scholar. I write a ton of manuscripts, proposals, and other work throughout the year. This requires me to search extensively on Google Scholar. Along the way, Google Scholar has made some interesting suggestions to me as I search for materials. These suggestions are very good. So good that I'm not sure you can call them advertising. :)
Using clear goals and strategies in grant proposals - I spent my early part of this week writing a couple of grant proposals. In the process, I began to debate the role of goals, objectives, and strategies in these proposals. In this post I attempt to clarify goals and objectives, and suggest how best to use each in grant proposals.
Project ELATED Grant Proposal Overview - I did a lot of work this week to submit a grant proposal to the National Leadership Grants for Libraries program through the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS). I'm excited (and nervous) to share that we submitted our proposal on Sept. 30 (today). The proposal is titled Project ELATED and is investigating Extended Literacies Acquisition and Technology Enhanced Development. I'll be presenting a webinar in an upcoming week to share more information about the proposal, its design, and its ultimate goals.

🔖 Key Takeaways

This Past Week I've Been Watching: Elon Musk recently outlined his vision for a manned mission to Mars. This past week I've been watching a series of news reports, interviews, and discussions. It's so refreshing to see someone talking about vision and hope amidst all the negativity we're surrounded by.
My Sons Often Come to Me: This is a great resource. As I'm writing this, my sons often come to me to share stories about things they've seen or heard online. In this, they need help making sense of what they're experiencing.
How Do I Talk: How do I talk to my kids about these very adult concepts and situations?
These Results Are Scary: These results are scary. Unfortunately I do not think this is isolated to the preschools in this study. We need the discussion. We need the research.
This Is Really Cool: This is really cool. Yet another example of ways that neural mapping is helping us understand how we think, create, and connect.

📺 Watch

Making humans a multiplanetary species - Elon Musk (10:31)

Elon Musk recently outlined his vision for a manned mission to Mars. As he's detailed previously, he's not taking out a government contract to get us there. Elon and SpaceX intend to build a colony on Mars.

This past week I've been watching a series of news reports, interviews, and discussions covering his presentation to the 67th International Astronautical Congress in Guadalajara, Mexico. It's so refreshing to see someone talking about vision and hope amidst all the negativity we're surrounded by. What really fascinates me is the engineering feat that this represents. Moving large amounts of people off the planet...putting them on another planet...and having them thrive. My students ask me all the time what career they should get into. This seems like a good one.

📚 Read

Mindfulness and storytelling can help kids heal from trauma

This is a great resource. As I'm writing this, my sons often come to me to share stories about things they've seen or heard online. In this, they need help making sense of what they're experiencing. This piece from Katrina Schwartz in MindShift discusses the ways in which mindfulness and storytelling can help kids process trauma and difficulty.

The piece discusses the work happening at Turnaround for Children in New York as they teach kids to identify and name their emotions. They blend this work with mindfulness practices and opportunities for kids to tell their stories. The resource also includes an embedded video and additional resources for educators and parents.

Talking to your kids about what they see in the news

Another really interesting resource dealing with kids and ways to talk with them about things happening in the world. I'm writing this as my community (Charlotte, NC) tries to make sense of protests that have occurred over the last week as a response to a police shooting in the city.

How do I talk to my kids about these very adult concepts and situations? This post from Cory Turner and Eric Westervelt at NPR Ed provides some good suggestions and insight.

Implicit bias may help explain high preschool expulsion rates for black children

Important new research from Yale documenting the extent to which bias may be influencing the way educators interact with young children. The results are extremely disconcerting as we see that educators demonstrate implicit bias when observing young black children.

In the study, preschool teachers were asked to view videos of children in classrooms and then identify challenging behaviors. Researchers tracked the educators' eye movements as they watched the videos. Results indicate that teachers spent significantly more time watching black children, and especially black boys, when they expected to see challenging behaviors.

These results are scary. Unfortunately I do not think this is isolated to the preschools in this study. We need the discussion. We need the research. You can read the study here (PDF).

How the brain builds a sense of self from the people around us

I'm a huge fan of The Moth Radio Hour. A few weeks ago I listened to an episode in which one of the storytellers was a neuroscientist documenting research investigating the ways that our brain builds meaning as we listen to stories.

I found the story, and then followed it up with this post on Nautilus. The basic gist is that as a storyteller builds a narrative, a listener builds a representation of that story in their brain. Furthermore, the research team was able to identify a "semantic space" or "meaning map" in the cortex of the brain.

This is really cool. Yet another example of ways that neural mapping is helping us understand how we think, create, and connect.

Seven tips for supporting successful global collaboration

I've discussed John Spencer's work multiple times here on TL;DR. In addition to being a talented designer and teacher, John is also a skilled blogger and writer. I really enjoy his work as he documents his thinking and learning.

This latest piece discusses some practical tips that John has picked up from working with educators and students from around the world on collaborative projects. His suggestions focus on the need for a flexible culture, a shared vision, a willingness to take risks, trust, clarity, patience, and a sense of celebration built into the process.

🔨 Do

An insider look at my (super low-tech) creative process

You may have noticed that I'm sharing two pieces this week from John Spencer. This latest post discusses the way that John goes about creating some of his sketchy videos and sketchy comics. If you've spent any time on his blog, you'll notice that John makes extensive use of his own sketches as he makes sense of ideas, and communicates them to others.

I loved this post because it provides a good walkthrough of the creative process that John uses. I enjoy connecting the ways in which he thinks through an idea, builds it out, and publishes...and I appreciate the honesty that is embedded in the process.

You can see some of the sketchy videos here and here.

🤔 Consider

"The wound is the place where the light enters you." — Rumi

This week: gateways to healing when it hurts.

Google Scholar advertising so good not sure you can call it advertising, goals and strategies in grant proposals, Project ELATED submitted to IMLS. SpaceX Mars colonization - Elon Musk vision and hope amidst negativity, engineering feat moving people off planet. Mindfulness and storytelling - my sons come to me to make sense of what they experience online, Turnaround for Children teaching kids to identify emotions. Talking to kids about protests in Charlotte - how do I talk about these very adult concepts. Yale study implicit bias in preschool - these results are scary, we need the discussion and research. Brain's meaning map from Moth Radio Hour - this is really cool, neural mapping helping understand how we think and connect. John Spencer on global collaboration tips flexible culture shared vision trust clarity patience celebration, and sketchy video creative process honesty embedded.

The wound is the place where the light enters you.

Previous: TLDR 64 • Next: TLDR 66 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

SpaceX — Elon Musk Mars colonization vision and hope, refreshing amidst negativity, engineering feat moving people off planet.
Mindfulness — Turnaround for Children teaching kids to identify emotions, storytelling can help kids heal from trauma.
Protest Education — Charlotte NC protests, how do I talk to my kids about these very adult concepts and situations.
Implicit Bias — Yale study preschool teachers watching black children more, these results are scary, we need the discussion.
Brain Research — Moth Radio Hour semantic space meaning map in cortex, neural mapping helping understand how we think.
John Spencer — Global collaboration tips flexible culture shared vision, sketchy video creative process honesty embedded.
Global Collaboration — Seven tips flexible culture shared vision risk-taking trust clarity patience celebration built into process.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 64

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 64

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 64

Published: 2016-09-22 • 📧 Newsletter

Welcome to issue 64 of the TL;DR Newsletter. In TL;DR I'm synthesizing what I read and learned this week in literacy, technology, and education. If this is your first time here...សូមស្វាគមន៍

This week we consider whether it is your duty to be digitally ready.

You can review archives of the newsletter. Alternatively you can also check out TL;DR on Medium.

This week I worked on the following:

Using a daily gratitude journal to start your day - In this post I share the template I use for my daily journaling. Part to-do list...part reflection of the positives in life...this is a good way to start off your day by writing.
Using logic models to organize grant proposals - I'm working on a grant proposal that is due next week. In this process, I've been working with an outside evaluator that has helped me think about new ways to organize and structure your funding requests. Hopefully this helps you as well.

🔖 Key Takeaways

No Wonder We Cannot Think: From 5 or 6 years of age, we start indoctrinating children with our conceptions about what they're supposed to do with their lives. No wonder we cannot think about what we actually want to do.
Put Simply: If we believe we're digitally ready, we're more likely to use and expand on our digital readiness. If we don't believe that we're digitally ready...
What Is Most Exciting to Me: I've been trying to make the case that educators and students need to move from creation of online content, to curation, to finally construction/creation. What is most exciting to me is that this latest report started to make the shift.
My Family Regularly Learns: I've changed the water heater in my house, changed the water pump on our car, rooted and hacked several dozen phones/tablets/computers. My family regularly learns through YouTube every day.
This Link Spread Like Wildfire: Zero correlation between evaluations and learning. This link spread like wildfire this soon after I shared it out.

📺 Watch

The dangers of being dutiful (5:12)

Another great video from The School of Life YouTube Channel.

From 5 or 6 years of age, we start indoctrinating children with our conceptions about what they're supposed to do with their lives, and the sense of "duty." In this, we create this dichotomy between pleasure and pain, and how this intersects with work.

No wonder we cannot think about what we actually want to do with our lives because we spend so much time thinking about "duty" and what we're "supposed" to do.

📚 Read

Pew Research Report on "digital readiness" gaps

Important new research from the Pew Research Center. This latest report focuses on digital literacy and learning in the U. S. In the report they frame most of their thinking by operationalizing a new term, "digital readiness". This is defined as digital skills, trust, and use.

The findings are very interesting, and a bit disconcerting. They identify two major sections, with five groups across the population. The "relatively hesitant" group is comprised of "the unprepared", the "traditional learner: and "the reluctant." The "relatively more prepared" group is comprised of the "cautious clickers" and then the "digitally ready."

What is interesting is that individuals that identify as more "digitally ready" tend to use and build these skills for personal learning in online spaces. Furthermore, greater digital readiness translates to higher level of use of technology in learning.

Put simply, if we believe we're digitally ready, we're more likely to use and expand on our digital readiness and use these tools and spaces for learning. If we don't believe that we're digitally ready...

The 2016 Horizon K-12 report emphasizes kids as creators

There are a few reports that I wait each year to review as I make sense of what is happening in literacy, technology, and education. Anything from Pew obviously pops up on my radar. The internet trends report from Mary Meeker is another. Finally, the yearly Horizon report is a telling sign of where we've been...and where we're (possibly) headed.

The 2016 K-12 edition (PDF here) surveys a global population to identify six key trends, six significant challenges, and six important developments.

What is most exciting to me is that this latest report started to make the shift from students as consumers, to students as creators of content. I've been trying to make the case that educators and students need to move from creation of online content, to curation, to finally construction/creation of content. I'm hoping that this trend does pick up speed as kids code, make, and remix as they learn.

If you're interested...please use Hypothes.is with me to annotate and mark up the report here.

Is YouTube the innovative engine our education system is not?

Great post from Kevin Hodgson looking at the changes we'd like see in our educational system...and perhaps it's been there all along in the form of YouTube. Kevin's account begins by chronicling recent events in which he listens to George Couros talk about how discussed with a student their ability to learn how to build a car from YouTube. This extends to a series of moments in which Kevin realizes that all along he (and his students) have been learning from YouTube all along.

As I shared this link it was interesting to see the responses from colleagues and friends as we all documented things that we've learned over the years all thanks to YouTube.

I've changed the water heater in my house, changed the water pump on our car, rooted and hacked several dozen phones/tablets/computers, learned how to build in WordPress. My son watches YouTube to watch dance moves from Missy Elliot videos, walkthroughs from video games, and Minecraft mods. My Wife pays attention to makeup videos and pop culture before/after playing Sesame Street videos on YouTube for our daughter. My family regularly learns through YouTube every day.

How the brain decodes sentences

A great guest post on the Scientific American blog looking at new research into neuroscientists' understanding of the complexities of language processing.

Of interest to me is that the researchers aren't using fMRI (functional Magnetic Resonance Imaging) to identify what areas of the brain light up during specific cognitive activities. Instead what they're examining is what they're labeling "neural decoding." They are seeing a pattern of brain activation that occurs across the brain and try to understand what gave rise to it.

The analogy they provide is very interesting:

As an analogy, consider walking through a forest and seeing an animal footprint in the mud. By looking at the pattern in the mud, i.e. the shape of the footprint, we might be able to figure out which animal made it. But in order to do that, we first need to learn what the footprints of different animals tend to look like, and, harder still, learn how to decode these footprints even when the mud is smudged or the imprint is faint.

In this, the animal footprints refer to stimuli the brain receives in the forms of word and sentences. It's intriguing to consider how this might shed light on other aspects of cognition.

Zero correlation between evaluations and learning

This link spread like wildfire this soon after I shared it out. It was usually followed with a series of comments, affirmations, and "I told you so..."

The post from Inside Higher Ed shares results from a meta-analysis of faculty's teaching effectiveness.

The abstract of the study indicates:

Student evaluation of teaching (SET) ratings are used to evaluate faculty's teaching effectiveness based on a widespread belief that students learn more from highly rated professors. The key evidence cited in support of this belief are meta-analyses of multisection studies showing small-to-moderate correlations between SET ratings and student achievement (e.g., 0095 and 0100; Feldman, 1989). We re-analyzed previously published meta-analyses of the multisection studies and found that their findings were an artifact of small sample sized studies and publication bias. Whereas the small sample sized studies showed large and moderate correlation, the large sample sized studies showed no or only minimal correlation between SET ratings and learning. Our up-to-date meta-analysis of all multisection studies revealed no significant correlations between the SET ratings and learning. These findings suggest that institutions focused on student learning and career success may want to abandon SET ratings as a measure of faculty's teaching effectiveness.

It will be interesting to see if this has any impact on evaluations of educators.

🔨 Do

I made my first game, by Keegan Long-Walker

Post by Keegan Long-Walker detailing his attempts to create a game using Twine, an open-source tool for developing text-based games.

You can learn how to use Twine at the following YouTube playlist. You can also follow along at the professional development activity set up by Keegan and John Stewart.

Finally, you can play the game, Healing Words, that Keegan details in his post.

🤔 Consider

"Love is a better teacher than duty." — Albert Einstein

This week: your duty to be digitally ready.

Daily gratitude journal template part to-do list part reflection, logic models for grant proposals. School of Life on dangers of being dutiful - no wonder we cannot think about what we actually want to do with our lives. Pew Research digital readiness five groups unprepared to digitally ready - put simply, if we believe we're ready we expand our readiness. Horizon K-12 report - what is most exciting to me is shift from consumers to creators, annotate with Hypothes.is. Kevin Hodgson on YouTube as innovative engine - my family regularly learns through YouTube every day, I've changed water heater and car water pump. Brain neural decoding footprints analogy intriguing for other cognition aspects. Student evaluations zero correlation with learning - this link spread like wildfire with I told you so responses. Keegan Long-Walker first Twine game Healing Words.

Love is a better teacher than duty.

Previous: TLDR 63 • Next: TLDR 65 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

School of Life — Dangers of being dutiful indoctrinating children, no wonder we cannot think about what we actually want.
Digital Readiness — Pew Research five groups unprepared to digitally ready, put simply belief drives expansion of skills.
Pew Research — Digital readiness defined as digital skills trust and use, greater readiness translates to higher learning.
Horizon Report — K-12 2016 shift from consumers to creators, what is most exciting to me is this trend.
YouTube — Kevin Hodgson innovative engine, my family regularly learns every day, I've changed water heater and car pump.
Kevin Hodgson — George Couros student learning to build car, all along been learning from YouTube.
Student Evaluations — Zero correlation with learning, this link spread like wildfire with I told you so comments.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 63

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 63

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 63

Published: 2016-09-16 • 📧 Newsletter

Welcome to issue 63 of the TL;DR Newsletter. In TL;DR I'm synthesizing what I read and learned this week in literacy, technology, and education. If this is your first time here...welcome. :)

Last week I sent out a Twitter poll to see if I should change the name of this newsletter. Thank you to everyone that submitted responses. It seems like...for the most part...TL;DR is a good title. One thing that I might work in to the title is my name and a bit more "branding." I didn't see this...but many of you brought it up...and you may be correct. Thanks again.

This week is all about nature and nurture.

You can review archives of the newsletter. Alternatively you can also check out TL;DR on Medium.

This week I worked on the following:

Digitally Literate Courses: Considerations about launches, leaks, and tribes - I'm continuing to work on my one side project for the year as I develop and launch a series of online courses and modules. In this latest post I discuss building an audience or tribe...and possibly writing a book. :)

🔖 Key Takeaways

For Me, This Video Hits Multiple Points: I love cooking, and improving that skillset. I love stop-motion...and there is a ton embedded in these videos.
As a Parent, This Is a Bit Disconcerting and Reassuring: Parents really don't matter as much as they think they do. As a parent, this is a bit disconcerting and reassuring.
I'll Have Many More Posts: We've talked a great deal recently here on TL;DR about developing a domain of your own. I'll have many more posts and hopefully some interviews over the coming months.
I'm a Big Believer in Open: Through most my work processes, and most of my product...I'm a big believer in "open."
I Think All Educators Should Have: I think all educators should have these tools and skills in their tool belt.

📺 Watch

Breakfast Burrito - You Suck at Cooking (6:32)

We added the Nvidia Shield TV to our living room and as a result we watch a lot more YouTube (along with listening to music and gaming) as a family. One of the nice things is that YouTube will suggest videos that I might like based on my watching history...and hot new channels online.

This video was submitted to me this past week and I subscribed to the You Suck at Cooking channel.

For me, this video hits multiple points. I love cooking, and improving that skillset. I love stop-motion...and there is a ton embedded in these videos. Finally, there is a good sense of humor across the videos.

Enjoy...and let's see what you cook up. :)

📚 Read

How much do parents matter?

Insight shared from a new book titled Do Parents Matter? from Robert LeVine, an anthropologist and professor at Harvard University and his wife Sarah. The subtitle of the book is Why Japanese Babies Sleep Soundly, Mexican Siblings Don't Fight, and American Families Should Just Relax.

The basic morale of the story...Parents really don't matter as much as they think they do. As a parent, this is a bit disconcerting and reassuring. As a teacher of teachers...it is also a bit disconcerting. In my current class on language and literacy, we're discussing the role of parents, and the need for interaction with children as they develop their literacy practices. Perhaps we need to re-investigate or question who provides that interaction.

Digital Literacy, Identity, and a Domain of One's Own

We've talked a great deal recently here on TL;DR about developing a domain of your own. This is increasingly a big topic in the blogosphere, and for good reason. I'll have many more posts and hopefully some interviews over the coming months.

This post by Doug Belshaw details much of his thinking about the intersection of these topics, and his reflections about the recent discussions. The post provides a comprehensive overview of the future direction that I see as we we identify the future of ePortoflios, digital identity, and the ways in which we prepare learners for the future.

The key challenge, as Doug states:

We already know that this is reason enough to curate our own sources of information, but it's actually more important than that: our identities are at stake.

Sustainability of Open

Through most my work processes, and most of my product...I'm a big believer in "open." I have several blog posts, chapters, and interviews where I (try to) make sense of what open means to me.

This post by Maha Bali is a response to a series of other posts currently online discussing the role and availability of open in scholarship, funding, and research. She begins the post by indicating that this post is a result of several other posts that she cannot help but think about...and now I'm bitten by the post that she has shared.

There are several points that will stick with me over the coming months and I'll leave them here without any commentary to see how they resonate with you.

Do we forget that open pedagogy and OERs are already funded by institutions? Which adjunct faculty member member unaffiliated person has resources to give away their labor for free to others? (Alan Levine notwithstanding). Which overworked teacher has time to create materials and share them in ways that are particularly remixable?

A quote from Sava Singh:

open is not good for everyone, and tends to bias those in already privileged positions — race, class, gender. The hype around open, while well-intentioned, is also unintentionally putting many people in harm's way and they in turn end up having to endure so much. The people calling for open are often in positions of privilege, or have reaped the benefits of being open early on — when the platform wasn't as easily used for abuse, and when we were privileged to create the kinds of networks that included others like us.

7 mental benefits of reading most people don't know

A post form the PsyBlog detailing some of the psychological and physical benefits of reading. In each of the benefits, the post links off to research illustrating the points made.

The proposed benefits are:

Increased empathy
Greater mental flexibility
Higher rationality and creativity
Brain connectivity and function
Lower prejudice
Stave off dementia
Extend life

A handy chart featuring some of the best tools and apps for creating educational screencasts

In each of my classes...especially the tech classes...I teach my students how to create screencaptures and screencasts. I think all educators should have these tools and skills in their tool belt. In just the same way that we can start up a word doc, or a powerpoint deck...we should all be able to create and utilize screencaptures and screencasts.

This post provides a good series of tools to use across the web, Chromebooks, iPad, and Android. I typically use Screencast-o-matic, Skitch, Explain Everything...but I'm always looking for new tools.

🔨 Do

Tired of cold brew? Start treating your coffee like a cocktail

Cold brewing of drinks...most of all coffee...comes up regularly here in TL;DR. I always have a mason jar of cold brew coffee and tea in my fridge at home.

If you grow tired of the regular iced coffee, or want to switch things up...perhaps you can put together some drinks using the cold brewed coffee as a mixer.

I'm intrigued by the modified Arnold Palmer (lemonade and tea) using coffee that they mention in the post. At first it sounded disgusting...but this is the third post I've seen over the last month indicating that it might not be that weird to mix some lemonade or citrus in with the cold brew coffee.

🤔 Consider

"It is time for parents to teach young people early on that in diversity there is beauty and strength." — Maya Angelou

This week: nature and nurture.

Digitally Literate Courses launches leaks and tribes, possibly writing a book. You Suck at Cooking breakfast burrito - for me this video hits multiple points, love cooking and stop-motion. Robert LeVine on do parents matter - as a parent this is bit disconcerting and reassuring, perhaps question who provides interaction. Doug Belshaw domain of one's own - I'll have many more posts and interviews, our identities are at stake. Maha Bali sustainability of open - I'm a big believer in open, Sava Singh on privilege bias race class gender. Seven mental benefits of reading empathy flexibility creativity. Screencasts tools - I think all educators should have these skills in their tool belt. Cold brew coffee cocktails - I'm intrigued by modified Arnold Palmer with lemonade.

In diversity there is beauty and strength.

Previous: TLDR 62 • Next: TLDR 64 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Parenting — Robert LeVine do parents matter, as parent this is disconcerting and reassuring, question who provides interaction.
Doug Belshaw — Domain of one's own digital identity, I'll have many more posts and interviews, identities at stake.
Maha Bali — Sustainability of open, I'm big believer in open but bias toward privileged positions race class gender.
Open Pedagogy — Sava Singh on hype unintentionally putting people in harm's way, platforms used for abuse.
Reading Benefits — Seven mental benefits increased empathy flexibility creativity, brain connectivity lower prejudice extend life.
Screencasts — I think all educators should have these tools and skills in their tool belt like word docs.
Cold Brew — I always have mason jar in fridge, I'm intrigued by modified Arnold Palmer with lemonade and coffee.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 62

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 62

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 62

Published: 2016-09-09 • 📧 Newsletter

Welcome to issue 62 of the TL;DR Newsletter. In TL;DR I'm synthesizing what I read and learned this week in literacy, technology, and education. If this is your first time here...welcome. :)

I've been thinking about possibly changing the name of this newsletter from TL;DR to "The Weekly Packet." Please let me know what you think at this Twitter Poll...or send me an email.

This week is all about the little things that add up.

You can review archives of the newsletter. Alternatively you can also check out TL;DR on Medium.

This week I worked on the following:

Module One on Multimodal Tutorials - Over the past couple of months I've been researching and building mockups for a series of classes I'm developing to coach educators as they build their digital literacies. As part of this work, I've been revising a series of modules I've developed to teach web literacies to educators. Module One is complete and accessible up above. I'll soon move this format over to a WordPress installation and a new domain...and series of digital badges. Please let me know if you like (or dislike) the structure.
Episode Two of the Three Obnoxious Academics chat - This week we held the second episode of our informal...irreverent show. This week we were talking about multimodal literacies and their place in education.

🔖 Key Takeaways

I Cannot Wait: I frequently create stop-motion animation movies with my son, or with students in classes and workshops. I cannot wait for their next movie.
I Found These Perspectives Helpful: The post details different contexts to examine the potential integration of reading and texts into the classroom. I found these perspectives helpful as I reevaluate readings.
I'm Surprised: I'm surprised when I see the reaction that certain posts receive when I share them online.
I Think One of the Key Threads: I help develop and facilitate a lot of professional development opportunities, and I think one of the key threads in Jackie's post is the willingness of the group to work from a place of honesty.
I Have Thought About: I like this strategy because it makes learning and personal work strategies granular. I have thought about putting a post like this up on my website.

📺 Watch

Behind the scenes of Kubo and the Two Strings (16:58)

I frequently create stop-motion animation movies with my son, or with students in classes and workshops. Much of this work is simple and relatively basic.

Because of this work, I enjoy movies like The Boxtrolls and all of the creations from the Laika studios. I cannot wait for their next movie. The video is a bit long, but well worth the time witnessing the magic they create. There's also tons of ideas as you create your own movies.

📚 Read

Pew Research Report on Libraries in 2016

Very interesting report from the Pew Research Center released just as TL;DR was being finalized this week.

I'm always interested in the great work that Pew compiles in their reports. Most specifically, I believe the reports on libraries provide insight into our relationships with literacy and technology.

Several interesting themes:

Young adults are more likely to have visited a library in the past 12 months than those ages 65 and older.
24% of US adults back idea of moving books to make way for more community & tech-oriented spaces; 31% oppose
Library users still use library to get online. 29% do, mostly young (45%), African American (42%)

How to create empowered readers - A beginning

Great post from Pernille Ripp on ways to help your students connect and fully experience content as they read. I came across this post (and Pernille's blog) while skimming online...and added it to my Feedly subscriptions.

The post details different contexts to examine the potential integration of reading and texts into the classroom. She highlights book choice, book truths, book tasks, book selection, book access, and book time. I found these perspectives helpful as I reevaluate readings, and my expectations of readings as I start up a new school year.

Meet the parents who won't let their children study literature

I'm surprised when I see the reaction that certain posts receive when I share them online. As an example, I shared this piece from Steven Pearlstein in The Washington Post about the possible intersection between student debt and choice of professional studies. I believed the subject matter to be relatively tame, but was interested to watch the responses from others online.

As an educator, and as an individual that prepares future educators, I have a special place in my heart for the field. As an English teacher, I also have a belief in the need to give learners opportunities to explore the humanities, literature, and all spaces in between. Not all of the people that responded to my initial share agreed with me. This was especially true for the people in education.

Perhaps we're headed for a time when budgets and issues of student debt will indeed modify people's decisions to head to these fields. It will be interesting to watch these possible trends.

A model for teacher development: Precursors to change

A post from Jackie Gerstein identifying seven precursors for change that could/should be folded into professional development opportunities. She modified this from a series of seven tips provided to guide experiences with counselors.

A sense of necessity
A willingness or readiness to experience anxiety or difficulty
Awareness
Looking directly at the problem
Effort towards change
Hope for change
Social support for change

I help develop and facilitate a lot of professional development opportunities, and I think one of the key threads in Jackie's post is the willingness of the group and individual participants to work from a place of honesty in the process.

This is how you revolutionize the way your team works together...and all it takes is 15 minutes

A post from David Politis shared on LinkedIN Pulse. The gist of the post is about detailing the ways in which you prefer to work and collaborate. In effect you would create a user manual that could be shared with potential colleagues, employers and clients.

I like this strategy because it makes learning, and personal work strategies granular. I have thought about putting a post like this up on my website to detail my expectations in terms of my own work process. I think it's also important to spend time documenting what each one of us holds to be important in our philosophies on work. I could see this being a good activity in K-12 as well to help students develop their own metacognitive skills and as they collaborate with others.

Thanks to Stephen Downes for the share and the exemplar.

🔨 Do

This fan-made Daft Punk helmet outdoes the real thing

Whether or not you're a fan of Daft Punk, you have to respect the art, creativity, and skill put into this piece. More to the point, I'm amazed at the extent to which fan art can create some amazing things...primarily out of adoration by the masses.

Check out the full video of the making of the helmet.

🤔 Consider

"There is no substitute for hard work." — Thomas Edison

This week: little things that add up.

Module One multimodal tutorials for coaching educators digital literacies, Three Obnoxious Academics episode two on multimodal literacies. Kubo Two Strings stop-motion - I cannot wait for their next movie, tons of ideas for creating own. Pew Research libraries 2016 - young adults visiting more, 24% back moving books for community tech spaces. Pernille Ripp empowered readers - I found these perspectives helpful reevaluating readings and expectations. Student debt and literature - I'm surprised when I see reactions, perhaps budgets will modify decisions to head to these fields. Jackie Gerstein seven precursors for change - I think one key thread is willingness to work from place of honesty. David Politis work manual - I have thought about putting this up on my website, good K-12 activity for metacognitive skills. Thanks to Stephen Downes for share and exemplar. Daft Punk helmet fan art adoration by masses.

There is no substitute for hard work.

Previous: TLDR 61 • Next: TLDR 63 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Stop-Motion Animation — Kubo Two Strings behind scenes, I cannot wait for next Laika movie, tons of ideas creating own.
Libraries — Pew Research 2016 young adults visiting more, 24% back moving books for community tech-oriented spaces.
Empowered Readers — Pernille Ripp on book choice truths tasks selection access time, I found helpful reevaluating expectations.
Student Debt — I'm surprised when I see reactions, budgets may modify decisions to head to humanities fields.
Professional Development — Jackie Gerstein seven precursors, I think key thread is willingness to work from honesty.
Collaboration — David Politis work manual detailing how you prefer to work, I have thought about putting on website.
Stephen Downes — Thanks for the share and exemplar on work strategies granular documentation.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 61

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 61

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 61

Published: 2016-09-02 • 📧 Newsletter

Welcome to issue 61 of the TL;DR Newsletter. In TL;DR I'm synthesizing what I read and learned this week in literacy, technology, and education. If this is your first time here...welcome. :)

This week is all about getting to know you.

You can review archives of the newsletter. Alternatively you can also check out TL;DR on Medium.

This week I spent a lot of time pulling together grant proposals, starting up classes, and prepping for the incoming hurricane.

🔖 Key Takeaways

I Know That It Makes Me: I'm sharing this out with my students as en exemplar for what they could create. I know that it makes me want to create an autotuned version of my own video.
What I Find Most Intriguing: College graduates are roughly four times as likely to read e-books and about twice as likely to read print books and audio books – compared with those who have not graduated high school. What I find most intriguing.
This Is Not Good: Facebook recommended that this psychiatrist's patients friend each other. This is not good.
One Piece That Will Stick: One piece that will stick to me from this post, "In the US, some 72% of CVs are never seen by human eyes. Computer programs flip through them."
I May Join You: Chances are, if you're a regular reader of TL;DR, you're also a big fan of Google. I may join you in the process. :)

📺 Watch

Welcome to the fourth grade - Dwayne Reed

In my technology class I have students create a one minute video about themselves to use on their YouTube channel. This video is usually embedded on the websites they create for the class and program.

In years past, we have a steady stream of students lining up in front of the camera and speed reading a script. Most times the students dread the project and the results show. :)

This video was brought to my attention by a colleague that indicated that it was going viral as the new school year started. I'm sharing this out with my students as en exemplar for what they could create. We'll see if this inspires...or deflates their excitement. I know that it makes me want to create an autotuned version of my own video.

📚 Read

Pew Research Report: Book reading 2016

Good news for those of you that fear that the book will die off with the influx of new and digital literacies. Results from recent research from the Pew Research Center indicate that when Americans reach for a book, they predominantly select a print book as opposed to e-books or audiobooks.

While print remains at the center of book-reading landscape, habits in ebook consumption is drastically shifting. Ebook consumption has more than tripled since 2011. Readers that do select ebook texts are increasingly selecting multipurpose devices (phones, tablets) rather than primarily using dedicated e-readers.

What I find most intriguing:

College graduates are roughly four times as likely to read e-books and about twice as likely to read print books and audio books – compared with those who have not graduated high school.

Facebook recommended that this psychiatrist's patients friend each other

This is not good.

We've seen Facebook play it fast and loose with user privacy and security in the past. Most recently, Facebook and WhatsApp have been under fire after they announced that they will indeed reverse course and share user info across the two spaces.

In this particular story, "Lisa" (a psychiatrist) noticed that Facebook started suggesting some of her clients as friends on the social network. Things got weirder when one of her patients (a 30 year old snowboarder) indicated that he was strangely receiving friend suggestions from Facebook for 70 and 80 year old citizens in the area. Upon reviewing this, Lisa recognized that all of these new suggested friends were patients of hers.

This is a gigantic privacy violation. This is especially problematic given HIPAA information regulations here in the U.S. I can see problematic situations also arising with FERPA and anonymity requests made in research and reporting.

Facebook has not commented, but Kashmir Hill (the author of the post) tries to identify possible reasons the algorithm picked up these connections. It could be a new feature on Facebook and mobile in which the app is looking at cell phone data, location, and trying to connect people at the local level. It could also be Facebook connecting similar phone numbers across users. As an example, if I have my doctor's phone number saved to my device, I might not be friends with the other individuals that visit my doctor, but Facebook might try to connect the dots and suggest that we become friends.

Once again, in some situations, these connections do not need to be made overt on the social network.

How algorithms rule our working lives

Great long form post from Cathy O'Neil in The Guardian. After reading this post, I subscribed to Cathy's blog MathBabe in my Feedly reader.

The post suggests that employers are routinely using mathematics and algorithms to weed through submitted job applications to automatically sift through the materials. There are few opportunities to know, or understand the process, or the mechanisms operating behind the scenes. Furthermore, Cathy posits that the system and math involved may be punishing the poor.

One piece that will stick to me from this post, "In the US, some 72% of CVs are never seen by human eyes. Computer programs flip through them." A CV is a curriculum vitae, or resume in academics.

What kids wish their teachers knew

A poignant collection of images shared to the hashtag #iwishmyteacherknew on Twitter. These images are shared by teachers that have their students respond to the prompt "I wish my teacher knew..."

The collection is equal parts heartbreaking and uplifting. It provides a good reality check for each of us.

Click on the link above to view some of the shared pieces...or search (and join in) on your own.

The new Google for Education Certified Teacher Program

Chances are, if you're a regular reader of TL;DR, you're also a big fan of Google, Google Apps, and some of the cool tools sprinkled across these spaces. If so, you might be interested in joining in the new opportunity to train to be a Google for Education Certified Trainer.

If this seems exciting, please check out the curriculum, requirements, and sign up. I may join you in the process. :)

🔨 Do

Can you solve five of the internet's hardest logic puzzles?

A fun set of challenges, puzzles, and games available online.

I love adding links to individual games at the end of online quizzes or activities for students that complete their work quickly. I add them to the link that is shared in Google Forms after a student completes the quiz. This provides a sort of "easter egg" or surprise reward following competition. In a recent quiz, I shared the fantastic Erase All Kittens game for my current students to complete.

These games also provide opportunities for students to play and explore new thinking puzzles during free time in the classroom.

🤔 Consider

"Be the person your dog thinks you are." — J. W. Stephens

This week: getting to know you.

Grant proposals starting classes and prepping for incoming hurricane. Dwayne Reed fourth grade autotuned video - I know that it makes me want to create my own version. Pew Research on book reading - ebook consumption tripled since 2011, what I find most intriguing is college graduates four times as likely. Facebook psychiatrist privacy violation - this is not good, HIPAA and FERPA concerns, connections do not need to be made overt. Cathy O'Neil on algorithms ruling working lives - one piece that will stick is 72% of CVs never seen by human eyes, subscribed to MathBabe. #iwishmyteacherknew heartbreaking and uplifting reality check. Google for Education Certified Trainer - I may join you in the process. Logic puzzles easter eggs for students completing quizzes quickly.

Be the person your dog thinks you are.

Previous: TLDR 60 • Next: TLDR 62 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Book Reading — Pew Research print remains center, ebook consumption tripled since 2011, multipurpose devices over e-readers.
E-books — What I find most intriguing college graduates four times as likely to read ebooks versus non-graduates.
Facebook Privacy — Psychiatrist patients friend suggestions, this is not good, gigantic HIPAA FERPA privacy violation.
Algorithms — Cathy O'Neil on ruling working lives, 72% of CVs never seen by human eyes, may be punishing poor.
Cathy O'Neil — MathBabe subscribed after reading, employers using math to weed applications automatically.
I Wish My Teacher Knew — Heartbreaking and uplifting collection, good reality check for each of us.
Google for Education — Certified Trainer program, I may join you in the process, curriculum and requirements.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 60

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 60

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 60

Published: 2016-08-26 • 📧 Newsletter

Welcome to issue 60 of the TL;DR Newsletter. In TL;DR I'm synthesizing what I read and learned this week in literacy, technology, and education. If this is your first time here...welcome. :)

This week we discuss the challenges and opportunities in creating your own narrative.

You can review archives of the newsletter. Alternatively you can also check out TL;DR on Medium.

This week I did a lot of work behind the scenes as classes and the new semester started up. Most of my new work is living in various syllabi. No worries...I'll share more of this in upcoming posts.

Teaching literacies with technology survey - If you haven't already, I'd suggest taking the TLT survey as part of our work with The Digitally Literate Research Project. We'll soon send the survey out for translation into (most likely) Spanish and Mandarin. We'll also start up interviews within the next two weeks. Let me know if you're interested in getting involved.

🔖 Key Takeaways

Definitely Will Fold These In: I started up a playlist of these videos here. Definitely will fold these into upcoming discussions and lectures about culture, identity, and diversity.
I Often Provide Time for Play: I often provide time for play to alleviate some of the anxiety as students explore new content, spaces, and tools.
I've Often Had These Struggles: I've often had these struggles as I build and break things online. I strive (and teach others) to build up your own personal cyberinfrastructure that you own.
I Love That Maha: I appreciate how they both took the time to blog and respond to each other. Finally, I love that Maha used hypothes.is to provide additionally commentary to Audrey's post. Great stuff!!!
I Wasn't Accepted: Last spring I applied to speak at the upcoming TEDx Charleston event. I wasn't accepted. :(

📺 Watch

A working day - Dressmaker, Ghana

I've shared a lot of videos here on TL;DR from Alain de Botton and The School of Life. Apparently through their website, and their YouTube channel, the collective is now focusing on developing emotional intelligence.

This week I noticed that they started sharing a series titled "A Working Day." These videos follow people from around the world during a normal day. I started up a playlist of these videos here. Definitely will fold these into upcoming discussions and lectures about culture, identity, and diversity.

📚 Read

Mary H. K. Choi in Wired documents some of the behaviors used by teens in their social media practices. In the piece, she meets with five teens to have them deconstruct their own behaviors.

Mary tries to capture the strange and mystical world of the socially media savvy teen:

Teens, though, are remarkably elusive. You could follow one on Twitter (although the majority avoid the platform) or chat with them during gameplay on Xbox Live, but for the most part it's very weird for everyone. Besides, ask any teen how to use social media—what those rules are—and they won't be able to tell you a thing. But ask them targeted questions and they'll break down a palimpsest of etiquette in rote, exhaustive detail: the moon emoji (indicates awkwardness), screengrabbing Snapchat messages (don't do it), and Instagram selfie saturation points (no back-to-backs). To them the rules are a birthright. To most of us adults, they're as mysterious as the flight patterns of bees.

In defense of play

Post by Alison Gopnik, professor of psychology and philosophy at UC Berkeley in The Atlantic. The post discusses the need and importance of play in learning.

In many of my classes I indicate that play is usually one of the most important elements of learning and cognition. This is especially true in the technology classes and programs that I have taught/developed. I often provide time for play to alleviate some of the anxiety as students explore new content, spaces, and tools.

As Alison notes in this piece, even though everyone (humans, chimps, wolves, dolphins, rats, crows, and even octopuses) plays, the role role of play in the classroom is under fire.

What is play? Gopnik details the varying elements of play in cognition and provides examples of these different areas.

Noam Chomsky defines what is means to be a truly educated person

Some perspectives on what it means to be "truly educated" and "creative" from video interviews of Noam Chomsky. These are pulled together on the Open Culture website.

Specifically, Noam notes that "truly educated" (from his perspective) is identified by:

the core principle and requirement of a fulfilled human being is the ability to inquire and create constructively, independently, without external controls.

He continues:

..."it's not important what we cover in the class; it's important what you discover." On this point of view, to be truly educated means to be resourceful, to be able to "formulate serious questions" and "question standard doctrine, if that's appropriate"…. It means to "find your own way."

A domain of one's own in a post-ownership society

Great post by Audrey Watters which is a response to another great post by Maha Bali. The posts unpack the challenges and opportunities that exist as we create and curate our digital identities...and how much we can actually "own" online.

I've often had these struggles as I build and break things online. I strive (and teach others) to build up your own personal cyberinfrastructure that you own. In doing so, I often hear from others that I don't really own anything, and that I'm being a digital packrat or hoarder. :)

I appreciate understanding the way that these two brilliant people are making sense of these same challenges. I also appreciate how they both took the time to blog and respond to each other. Finally, I love that Maha used hypothes.is to provide additionally commentary to Audrey's post. Great stuff!!!

I have a piece coming out soon in JAAL about "a domain of one's own." I hope to interview these two to have them speak more about their perspectives.

18 Digital tools and strategies that support students' reading and writing

Another great post from Katrina Schwartz in MindShift. This post shares possibilities for digital texts and tools to scaffold student literacy practices.

The post shares advice about tools and practices (like the sue of screencasting) to support students as they prewrite, draft, edit, publish, evaluate, read, and research.

Two of the tools that I'm now checking out as a result of this post are Instagrok and Rewordify.

🔨 Do

Give an anonymous TED Talk

Last spring I applied to speak at the upcoming TEDx Charleston event. I wasn't accepted. :(

But...this past week I noticed that Chris Anderson and TED are looking for free thinkers that want to submit anonymous audio stories to the network. In this experiment, they're partnering with Audible to share humans expressing their own narratives. I think this will be extremely powerful and form a new podcast series worth following. I'm also intrigued by the anonymous nature of these submissions.

I had an anonymous idea I was considering submitting to the Academics Anonymous section of The Guardian. This might be even more interesting.

What ideas might you share?

🤔 Consider

"Every story I create, creates me. I write to create myself." — Octavia E. Butler

This week: challenges and opportunities in creating your own narrative.

Digitally Literate TLT survey translation into Spanish and Mandarin. School of Life A Working Day series - definitely will fold these into discussions about culture identity and diversity. Mary Choi on teen social media behaviors - rules as mysterious as flight patterns of bees. Alison Gopnik defense of play - I often provide time for play to alleviate anxiety as students explore. Noam Chomsky on truly educated - ability to inquire and create constructively independently, find your own way. Audrey Watters and Maha Bali on domain ownership - I've often had these struggles, digital packrat or hoarder. I love that Maha used hypothes.is to provide commentary. Great stuff. I hope to interview them for JAAL piece. Instagrok and Rewordify tools checking out. Anonymous TED Talk submissions - I wasn't accepted for TEDx Charleston, this might be even more interesting.

Every story I create, creates me.

Previous: TLDR 59 • Next: TLDR 61 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

School of Life — A Working Day series on emotional intelligence, definitely will fold into culture identity diversity discussions.
Teen Social Media — Mary Choi on behaviors, rules as mysterious as flight patterns of bees, moon emoji and selfie saturation.
Play — Alison Gopnik defense in learning cognition, I often provide time to alleviate anxiety exploring new content.
Noam Chomsky — Truly educated as ability to inquire independently, find your own way, what you discover not cover.
Domain of One's Own — Audrey Watters and Maha Bali on ownership challenges, I've often had these struggles as digital packrat.
Hypothes.is — I love that Maha used it to provide commentary on Audrey's post, great stuff.
TED — Anonymous audio submissions for expressing narratives, I wasn't accepted for TEDx Charleston, this might be more interesting.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 6

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 6

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 6

Published: 2015-07-31 • 📧 Newsletter

Thank you once again for being one of the first to sign up for this newsletter. In this weekly email, I'll pull together some of the content that I shared out throughout the week. It's basically things that I think you should know & discuss. Please feel free to respond back, and share out with others.

This week I shared some posts focusing on the use of Creative Commons (CC) licensing and the use of open educational resources (OER). The purpose of this is to build up the skill-set by students in the IT&DML program. I also think we should all build up our use and understanding of CC licensing and open while working online.

This week my family finally moved down to Charleston, SC. The trip took four days and as I write this we're in our new home with half of our stuff, and no Internet. Things are good and the kids are fine. Slowly we're piecing everything together. Thank goodness for Craigslist. :)

🔖 Key Takeaways

Creative Commons Focus: Building understanding of CC licensing and OER for IT&DML students and all educators working online.
Charleston Move: Family transition to South Carolina—four-day trip, new home, no internet yet, but kids are fine.
Expert Security: How security experts protect themselves online—LastPass, pragmatic approaches, no antivirus software.
Windows 10 Privacy: New OS brings technopanic around privacy settings—understanding what to configure.
Cold Brew Perfection: Coffee as art and passion—sharing Cory Doctorow's recipe for concentrated cold brew.

📺 Watch

20/20 Report Hip-Hop Special (1981) - Part 1

A video clip from 1981 in which ABC Television introduced Rap music to America. As indicated by Open Culture, this clip and the second part are "painfully awkward."

I'm sharing this clip because I'm intrigued by the use of rap within the world of music to help us understand remix and mashup culture. In some of my talks I'll help describe mashup culture through the story of portability in music files. This video helps explain the power and culture behind this "personal poetry" and the new genre.

📚 Read

How the experts protect themselves online (compared to everyone else)

Great reality check from LifeHacker providing a quick glimpse of what you can do to protect yourself online.

Over the past two weeks I've bailed out family/friends that have been "hacked." They're shocked when I suggest that I don't bother with antivirus software. I use LastPass for #5. I'll have a full post on my other steps soon.

Technology is magic, just ask the Washington Post

An interesting post to share next to the piece from LifeHacker on protecting yourself online. This post is also interesting in comparison to the pieces I shared last week discussing the "magic" that happens in our brains as we read.

NASA uploads Carl Sagan's awesome mix Vol. 1 to SoundCloud

In 1977, a committee chaired by the late, great Carl Sagan sent two golden records into space aboard the twin Voyager spacecraft. NASA uploaded a selection of the sounds to SoundCloud, giving humans everywhere simple access to the sounds that aliens could someday hear.

Digging into and understanding Windows 10's privacy settings

Windows 10 is here. The update looks great, and Microsoft is pushing out the update (for free) to all PCs. I think it's worth checking out if you're currently running an older version of the system.

With this update, there is a lot of technopanic around the privacy settings built in. Click here to learn more about Windows 10, and what you need to know...all courtesy of the How-To Geek.

Bring Your Animations to Life with Digital Puppetry

I love thinking about new ways to create and play with digital content. This usage of a LeapMotion (control your computer with motions) and software called Dranimate looks awesome.

Think of being able to draw and animate in a user interface (UI) much like in Minority Report or Johnny Mnemonic.

Help us build Open Badges 101 - #OB101

As I mentioned in TL;DR a couple of weeks ago, Doug Belshaw and Bryan Mathers are building up an awesome short course on open, digital badges. This alone would be cool...but they're also investigating ways to allow you to help create the course.

I believe this is important as it raises the credibility and relevance of the presented materials. Anyone globally...even you...can help build and revise the materials. Please check out their work and learn along with us.

Teaching Your Child to Pay Attention Amid Digital Distractions

In my talks and presentations there is usually a fair amount of questioning that occurs surrounding our relationships with technology. This is intensified as we consider the potential effects on children. I think this post is guidance for our children...and ourselves.

I also believe that it's important to read and understand these varying perspectives...and make our own decisions about these digital texts and tools.

Please note that I changed the image and recognize that it may modify your read of the original post. This is unintended.

Scientific proof that your gut is best at making decisions

Intriguing post about the cognitive and emotional factors involved in decision-making.

🔨 Do

Cold Brew Coffee

In our family, coffee is an art and passion. We share bags and stories of coffee that we encounter on trips. One variant of this involves my search for the perfect iced coffee.

I hated the way that iced coffee would get watered down when adding ice cubes. I investigated freezing coffee to make ice cubes...but didn't achieve perfection.

In my searches online, I came across Cory Doctorow writing about cold brew coffee years ago. In my humble opinion (IMHO) his setup/recipe is perfection for making your own cold brew. I use the nut bag he recommends.

We use 1/3 cup of ground coffee for every 1 1/2 cups of water. Put the grounds in the nut bag, the bag in the pitcher, pour water over grounds into pitcher. Let sit covered at room temperature for 12 hours. Use your favorite blend of beans, and a medium grind. After 12 hours remove the grinds and dispose. We then use an AeroPress to filter the coffee one last time. Put it in the fridge to cool off.

Keep in mind...this stuff is rocket fuel. It's concentrated coffee. We drink it over ice, and with a splash of milk. Sweetener, and/or flavored syrups are sometimes used. We sometimes add some water for the faint of heart before adding in ice/milk/etc.

Adjust the recipe to your tastes. Enjoy. :)

🤔 Consider

As we make major life transitions—like moving to Charleston—we're surrounded by both uncertainty (no internet!) and possibility (thank goodness for Craigslist). This week's focus on Creative Commons and open resources reminds us that sharing knowledge openly creates value for everyone.

The debate around Windows 10 privacy, expert security practices, and teaching children digital attention skills all point to the same question: How do we balance the benefits of technology with protecting ourselves and our families? Perhaps the answer lies in being informed, making conscious choices, and—like cold brew coffee—taking the time to do it right.

Previous: TLDR 5 • Next: TLDR 7 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Creative Commons — CC licensing as foundation for building and sharing OER.
Open Educational Resources — Cable Green interview on teaching, learning, and sharing openly.
Open Badges — Doug Belshaw and Bryan Mathers' collaborative OB101 course.
Privacy and Security — Expert practices vs. average users, LastPass, Windows 10 settings.
Remix Culture — 1981 ABC introducing hip-hop as "personal poetry" and new genre.
Digital Parenting — Teaching children attention amid digital distractions.
Decision Making — Cognitive and emotional factors, trusting your gut.
LeapMotion — Digital puppetry and gesture-controlled animation interfaces.
Personal Transitions — Charleston move, family adjustment, piecing life together.
Coffee Culture — Cold brew as art form, Cory Doctorow's perfect recipe.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 59

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 59

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 59

Published: 2016-08-19 • 📧 Newsletter

Welcome to issue 59 of the TL;DR Newsletter. In TL;DR we're documenting the news of the week in literacy, technology, and education. If this is your first time here...welcome. :)

This week is a "back to school" reality check.

You can review archives of the newsletter. Alternatively you can also check out TL;DR on Medium.

This week I worked on the following:

Digitally Literate Courses: Structure of courses, modules, & learning pathways - This is the sixth project update for my work and planning in the One Side Project challenge. IN this post I document my thinking about the structure our courses and my attempts to scaffold and motivate learners.
Three reasons to become a digitally agile researcher - This post is in response the to seriousacademic discussion that I detailed in last week's TL;DR. I identify the three reasons why I think you should be a "digitally agile researcher." I'm thinking next week I'll put together a post on three reasons why you should not be a digitally agile researcher. :)

🔖 Key Takeaways

I'll Definitely Include This: I think the subject matter is terribly important, and I'll definitely include this in my classes this year.
I'm Thinking Next Week: I'm thinking next week I'll put together a post on three reasons why you should not be a digitally agile researcher. :)
What I Think He Missed: I said that they should read this post that I just shared out on the social networks. What I think he missed is one of the key elements of the post.
This Is One of Those Debates: This is one of those debates I frequently get into with colleagues at literacy conferences.
I'm in the Process: I'm in the process of weaning myself off of Evernote. For a number of reasons I'm pulling the plug and will soon blog about my new workflow.

🎧 Listen

The benefits of a bilingual brain (5:03)

This TED-Ed video is a bit old (June 23, 2015), but it just came across my desk this week. I think the subject matter is terribly important, and I'll definitely include this in my classes this year.

The short video discusses the challenges and opportunities that exist as we communicate using a bilingual or multilingual brain. Definitely something to consider as we all get back into the start of a new school year.

📚 Read

Over the last couple of weeks I've been thinking about the challenges and opportunities that exist in social networks. On one hand, we can see incredible things that happen when attention is drawn to a hashtag like ferguson, or with the Arab Spring. On the other hand, we continue to see horrible things that happen around hashtags like with #gamergate and other topics.

This post comes from research conducted by the Pew Research Center and documents how social media users discuss, share, and talk about race in the light of hashtags like BlackLivesMatter. The complex, but suggest that (for the most part) these spaces help promote discussion about race in light of issues in current events. The research also identifies blacks as primarily discussing issues of race online, while whites rarely post about race in these spaces.

When success leads to failure

Post by Jessica Lahey in The Atlantic examining the challenges and pressure that we exert on our children with the need to achieve built in to our systems. The post provides a short case study of Marianna and her loss of love for learning.

One of my favorite lines from the post asks the question:

Is that what we want? Kids who get straight As but hate learning?

Homework is wrecking our kids: The research is clear, let's ban elementary homework

School started up this week in our area for students in Pre-K up through twelfth grade. I was talking with a neighbor while we were walking in our children to the first day of elementary school. He explained that their family was thrilled that their fifth grade teacher indicated that she wouldn't be giving much homework to their son this year.

I said that they should read this post that I just shared out on the social networks that corroborated some of what the teacher was planning on doing (or not doing) that year. What I think he missed is one of the key elements of the post:

What works better than traditional homework at the elementary level is simply reading at home. This can mean parents reading aloud to children as well as children reading. The key is to make sure it's joyous. If a child doesn't want to practice her reading skills after a long school day, let her listen instead.

Listening isn't cheating: How audio books can help us learn

This is one of those debates I frequently get into with colleagues at literacy conferences. We discuss whether reading online is considered "real reading." This often extends to a discussion about whether reading on an e-reader like a Kindle is considered "real reading." From there, I often ask whether listening to audiobooks is considered "real reading." Sometimes the response to all three of these prompts is a responding no.

This post from Ki Sung at MindShift shares an overview from the original post by Daniel Willingham that expands the discussion about audiobooks.

Dan's opinion on the debate about audiobooks:

Listening to an audio book might be considered cheating if the act of decoding were the point; audio books allow you to seem to have decoded without doing so. But if appreciating the language and the story is the point, it's not. Comparing audio books to cheating is like meeting a friend at Disneyland and saying "you took a bus here? I drove myself, you big cheater." The point is getting to and enjoying the destination. The point is not how you traveled.

I should note that I'm a devout listener of audio podcasts and audiobooks. If you're looking for a new audiobook (or book for that matter), Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari is excellent.

Sir Ken Robinson: How to create a culture for valuable learning

Post from Katrina Schwartz looking at some guidance from Sir Ken as we start the school year.

He examines the systems that are in place in education and the problems that arise from this. Robinson examines the compliance that is built into the system thanks to the money being spent by the testing industry.

He indicates:

Robinson believes education is "to enable students to understand the world around them, and the talents within them, so that they can become fulfilled individuals and active, compassionate citizens." He doesn't deny that learning information about the world is important, but he says it's equally important for students to understand their own talents, motivations and passions if they are going to lead lives that satisfy them. The current system of conformity and compliance leaves no space for this type of self-exploration.

🔨 Do

The ultimate guide to Google Docs for writers

I'm in the process of weaning myself off of Evernote. For a number of reasons I'm pulling the plug and will soon blog about my new workflow.

Part of this workflow will involve using Google Docs for most of my writing. It's where most of my writing already happens...and this is just dedicating myself to the system.

Part of this includes testing out and using this Google Docs template that mimics the style of IA Writer for when I want to write in a minimalist environment.

If you review the post above it also indicates that the new outliner in Google Docs might mimic some of the organizational features found in Scrivener.

🤔 Consider

"Learning happens in the minds and souls, not in the databases of multiple-choice tests." — Sir Ken Robinson

This week: back to school reality check.

Digitally Literate Courses sixth project update on structure and scaffolding learners. Three reasons digitally agile researcher - I'm thinking next week I'll do three reasons why not. Bilingual brain TED-Ed video - I'll definitely include this in my classes this year. Pew Research on social media race conversations - BlackLivesMatter promoting discussion, blacks primarily discussing while whites rarely post. Jessica Lahey on success leading to failure - is that what we want, kids who get straight As but hate learning? Elementary homework research - what I think he missed is joyous reading at home instead. Daniel Willingham on audiobooks aren't cheating - this is one of those debates I frequently get into at conferences. I'm a devout listener, Sapiens by Yuval Noah Harari is excellent. Sir Ken Robinson on testing compliance and self-exploration space. Weaning off Evernote - I'm in the process, will soon blog about new workflow with Google Docs.

Learning happens in the minds and souls, not in databases of multiple-choice tests.

Previous: TLDR 58 • Next: TLDR 60 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Bilingual Education — TED-Ed video on bilingual brain benefits, I'll definitely include this in classes this year.
Social Media — Pew Research on race conversations, incredible things with ferguson and Arab Spring, horrible with gamergate.
Black Lives Matter — Social media promoting discussion about race, blacks primarily discussing while whites rarely post.
Homework Debate — Elementary homework research clear, what I think he missed is joyous reading at home.
Audiobooks — This is one debate I frequently get into, Willingham on destination not how you traveled.
Sir Ken Robinson — Testing compliance leaving no space for self-exploration, fulfilled individuals and compassionate citizens.
Google Docs — Weaning off Evernote, I'm in the process, IA Writer template and Scrivener outliner features.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 58

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 58

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 58

Published: 2016-08-12 • 📧 Newsletter

Welcome to issue 58 of the TL;DR Newsletter. In TL;DR we're documenting the news of the week in literacy, technology, and education. If this is your first time here...welcome. :)

This week we discuss your role as a digital citizen.

You can review archives of the newsletter. Alternatively you can also check out TL;DR on Medium.

This week I worked on the following:

Leveraging social networks & communities as a digitally agile researcher - Last week I finished the first draft of my upcoming chapter in the Digitally Agile Researcher book. In my chapter I'll focus on using social networks and online communities for research and dissemination purposes. Please feel free to add comments to the Google Doc listed above. I'll use your feedback and I draft out version two.

🔖 Key Takeaways

I'm a Regular Listener: I'm a regular listener to Tim's podcast, and I've also been inspired by Seth's ideas...most notably the AltMBA program. I've taken a lot from this episode and thoroughly recommend it.
I'm Working on a Response: I'm working on a response to these discussions and most likely this will dovetail with the chapter submission I shared above.
I Also Believe: I also believe that we all need to (academics included) consider our digital identity and how we craft the ways in which we're represented online.
I Want to Shriek: I want to shriek when students tell me that they don't need to create their own website or blog because they're "already on LinkedIN."
Very Exciting Stuff: We're thinking about ways to have each individual build their own website or online resume and connect this to other learners that share the same affinities. Very exciting stuff. :)

🎧 Listen

Seth Godin on how to think small to go big

Seth Godin recently returned to The Tim Ferris Show for a quick (about 30 minutes) episode. The link above will take you to the archive of the episode on YouTube. It's audio only...so you can play it in the background and listen.

The full episode and associated links are available here.

I'm a regular listener to Tim's podcast, and I've also been inspired by Seth's ideas...most notably the AltMBA program. In this short episode you'll receive a lot of guidance on focusing on what is important, and creating your brand or "narrative." I've taken a lot from this episode and thoroughly recommend it.

📚 Read

This week there was a flurry of discussion online after this post on the Academics Anonymous section of The Guardian's Higher Education Network. I recommend reviewing this response from Dean Burnett and this response from Kevin Gannon. I'd also recommend checking out the #seriousacademic hashtag on Twitter.

I'm working on a response to these discussions and most likely this will dovetail with the chapter submission I shared above, and this post I shared last month. I think there is a lot of value in using social and digital tools for research, teaching, and service. As with all literacy practices, I think it has to come down to why you're using these tools.

I also believe that we all need to (academics included) consider our digital identity and how we craft the ways in which we're represented online. Most of us spend a lot of time thinking about our reputation and "real world" identity. We need to be cognizant of these online spaces and try to identify ways to write ourselves into being. Or not....it depends on what works best for you. But, you need to think it through and make a decision.

Redesigning civic education for the digital age

Post by Erica Hodgin on DML Central sharing opportunities to engage learners in participatory politics. This post builds on a recent publication from Erica, Joseph Kahne, and Elyse Eidman-Aadahl.

The two resources focus on redesigning civic education to take into account the new opportunities and challenges in educating for democracy in the digital age. Specifically, they describe four core practices that are central to civic and political life in the digital age: investigation and research, dialogue and feedback, production and circulation, and mobilizing for change.

The connections between computer use and learning outcomes in students

Anya Kamenetz on the MindShift blog discussing connections between student achievement and digital tool use.

Not surprisingly, Anya notes:

The studies include research on K-12 schools and higher ed, both blended learning and online, and show results ranging from mixed to negative. A deeper look into these reports gives a sense that, even as computers become ubiquitous in classrooms, there's a lot we still don't know — or at least that we're not doing to make them effective tools for learning.

One of the key mantras I've recited in workshops, classes, and PD is that technology use in the classroom should always begin and end with student learning objectives. Why is your use of technology going to improve student learning and achievement. Just adding the internet or digital tools to pedagogy doesn't mean that it will automatically make it better. We still have a lot to learn.

Too poor to afford the internet

Editorial in the NY Times from Tony Marx, President and CEO of the NY Public Library. Tony discusses the role of the library system in providing internet access for citizens in the NY area that need it the most. He then indicates that the library system cannot do this alone. We need to provide all citizens with affordable opportunities to access high speed, high quality broadband.

Luckily, the FCC seems interested in closing this digital divide by fighting for net neutrality and breaking up the monopoly that the big internet providers have in the U.S. The hope is that opening up opportunities for municipal broadband will allow for inexpensive internet access. Put simply, your town, county, or state would be able to serve as your internet service provider and pipe data to your house in the same manner that they provide you with water and electricity. For those of us that consider internet access a fundamental human right...this is a good thing.

Sadly, this week a federal appeals court ruled that the FCC could not block two states from setting limits on municipal broadband expansion. The monopolies and big money that operate behind the scenes are working to keep this fundamental right away from those that cannot afford it. Keep yourself informed and advocate for those that need our support.

How the father of the world wide web plans to reclaim it from Facebook and Google

This week in TL;DR we've been talking about whether you can, or should be able to be a digital citizen. This post from David Weinberger discusses the recent work by Tim Berners-Lee to decentralize the web.

The challenge is that for many people, using the internet means scrolling through Facebook or skimming Pinterest. I want to shriek when students tell me that they don't need to create their own website or blog because they're "already on LinkedIN." The challenge with this thinking is that we're living in silos where companies and businesses use your identity as a commodity.

This work by Tim Berners-Lee echoes our recent discussions in BadgeChain. We're investigating opportunities to use decentralized distributed ledger technologies to allow all individuals to maintain their own networks and connections to others online. Put simply, we're thinking about ways to have each individual build their own website or online resume and connect this to other learners that share the same affinities. Imagine having a virtual resume/CV that would contain digital badges and that would connect online to the experts and institutions that know you and your work. Very exciting stuff. :)

🔨 Do

A guide to producing better student writers and editors with dictation tools

Guidance from Jon Pennington on EdSurge on using voice dictation with students as part of their work process.

Many of our devices have built in microphones and the software needed to simply speak to the computer. We can talk to Siri, Google, Alexa, and many other devices to help us take our fingers off of the screen and keyboard. I'm wondering how we can fold in some of these voice activated technologies to help scaffold student reflection and metacognitive strategies. Perhaps an opportunity for some future research. :)

🤔 Consider

"The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are." — Joseph Campbell

This week: your role as a digital citizen.

Digitally agile researcher chapter on social networks for research and dissemination. Seth Godin Tim Ferriss podcast - I'm a regular listener, inspired by AltMBA, thoroughly recommend it. Serious academic Instagram debate - I'm working on a response, dovetail with chapter. I also believe we all need to consider digital identity and craft how we're represented online. Redesigning civic education for participatory politics four core practices. Anya Kamenetz on computer use and learning outcomes - technology use should begin and end with student learning objectives, we still have a lot to learn. Digital divide municipal broadband - internet access as fundamental human right. Tim Berners-Lee decentralizing web - I want to shriek when students say they're already on LinkedIn. BadgeChain distributed ledger for virtual resume connecting to experts. Very exciting stuff. Voice dictation for student reflection - perhaps opportunity for future research.

The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are.

Previous: TLDR 57 • Next: TLDR 59 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Seth Godin — Tim Ferriss podcast on thinking small to go big, inspired by AltMBA program, thoroughly recommend it.
Academic Identity — Serious academic Instagram debate, value in digital tools for research teaching service, craft how we're represented.
Digital Citizenship — Your role as digital citizen, write ourselves into being, think it through and make decision.
Civic Education — Redesigning for participatory politics, four core practices investigation dialogue production mobilizing.
Digital Divide — Too poor to afford internet, municipal broadband as fundamental human right, monopolies keeping it away.
Tim Berners-Lee — Decentralizing web from Facebook Google, I want to shriek when students say already on LinkedIn.
BadgeChain — Distributed ledger for virtual resume, connect to other learners with same affinities, very exciting stuff.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 57

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 57

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 57

Published: 2016-08-05 • 📧 Newsletter

Welcome to issue 57 of the TL;DR Newsletter. In TL;DR we're documenting the news of the week in literacy, technology, and education. If this is your first time here...welcome. :)

This week moves from science fiction to science reality in education.

You can review archives of the newsletter. Alternatively you can also check out TL;DR on Medium.

This week I shared the following posts:

BadgeChain Reads - Blockchain misconceptions and the future of education - In the BadgeChain Reads initiative we're using Hypothesis to collectively read and annotate as we make sense of the field. This latest cycle focuses on the great post by Doug Levin identifying possible challenges to our thinking about the blockchain and related technologies. To visit the post, read my comments in Hypothes.is...and leave your own feedback...click here.

🔖 Key Takeaways

I Can Only Imagine: I can only imagine sitting in that room for that discussion. Each of these individuals has had an enormous impact on my own career and philosophy.
I Find This Intriguing: I find this intriguing as we consider some of the original thinkers that considered the changes that might be due to these new and digital technologies. As these technologies converge, do their ideas seem less novel?
I Think There Are Some Benefits: I think there are some benefits, and some negatives that exist in a system like this. Typically I'll look to gather more information beyond the shine presented in this post.
I Urge You to Read: Even though the post is long, I urge you to read and consider how you feel about it. It serves as a good litmus test for your perspectives about literacy, technology, and education.
Ahhh...I Can't Wait: I'm waiting for the day when Google will announce that they've been indexing audio and video content online and will allow for deep video searching. Ahhh...I can't wait. :)

📺 Watch

Seymour Papert and Paulo Freire Debate Technology and the Future of Schools

This video documents a discussion between two giants in education. The quality isn't great, but it's relatively easy to follow along with the major points. It's exciting to see Papert indicate that schools (as we know them) will wither and die, while Friere counters these arguments.

I can only imagine sitting in that room for that discussion. Each of these individuals has had an enormous impact on my own career and philosophy.

📚 Read

You cannot think about thinking without thinking about what Seymour Papert would think

Seymour Papert passed away this week at the age of 88. Papert was a mathematician, computer scientist, and educator who was a pioneer of artificial intelligence and of the constructionist movement. For a full listing of some of the tributes to him online, please review this post from Stephen Downes.

This post is a transcript of the intro to the Seymour Papert tribute at the Interaction Design for Children conference in 2013. In the piece, Paulo Blikstein details what he sees as the "Papert Paradox." This occurs as the world comes closer to achieving Papert's vision, his work is cited less frequently. I find this intriguing as we consider some of the original thinkers that considered the changes that might be due to these new and digital technologies. As these technologies converge, do their ideas seem less novel?

The End of EdTech

Post by Andrew Marcinek asking that we authentically and effectively integrate technology into education...as opposed to viewing it as an additive to pedagogy.

Specifically, he notes:

The one element that has not evolved entirely is thinking of EdTech as if it is an additive within a learning ecosystem rather than part of the school's fabric.

He closes with a call to action indicating that is framed by a series of "hopes" made to the reader:

I hope EdTech is no longer a focal point but rather, it's threaded through the fabric of every school's ethos and philosophy. I hope educators own EdTech and leverage it to create dynamic learning landscapes. I hope that devices are no longer debated and instead we're finding ways in which we can prepare educators — both in educator prep programs and with in-house, professional learning — to help students to find the right tool to solve big problems. I hope education conferences stop showcasing vendors and toys and refocus on the educators who are leading the way in designing and creating innovative spaces for exploration and inquiry that may or may not involve technology.

John Dewey would hate your digital citizenship curriculum

Post from Kristen Mattson providing a counter argument to much of the recent discussion about digital citizenship (#digcit).

What I like most about Kristen's post is the connection to the works of John Dewey. She unpacks Dewey's philosophical perspectives, and wonder what he would make of the role of a child as a digital citizen in a global community. Kristen posits that Dewey just might want learners to interact and experience multiple perspectives as they act as a member of the community.

Yes, we still need to consider elements of privacy, security, and identity online. We need to consider others ways to teach this than just encapsulating them in one course or curriculum.

Inside the online school that could radically change how kids learn everywhere

Post from The Hechinger Report in Wired examining a "school" that really allows for student voice and choice in a blended learning environment. New Hampshire's self-paced Virtual Learning Academy Charter School (VLACS) serves about 200 full-time middle and high school, as well as about 10,000 part-time students from across the state.

I think there are some benefits, and some negatives that exist in a system like this. Typically I'll look to gather more information beyond the shine presented in this post. But, I think this is important for educators to read as they consider future (and present) learning systems. We often think about brick and mortar installations when we consider how we "do school." For better or worse, alternative visions of teaching and learning are out there and we need to educate ourselves and prepare.

Even though the post is long, I urge you to read and consider how you feel about it. It serves as a good litmus test for your perspectives about literacy, technology, and education.

Have we uploaded enough data to create digital copies of ourselves?

Sean Captain in Fast Company looks at the digital residue that we've left behind as we interact with technologies and asks whether or not we have the tools to create artificially intelligent versions of ourselves.

This might seem like science fiction to many, but it's important to note that we might already interact with various bots and forms of artificial intelligence on a daily basis. Heck, some of the journalism that you read online might be written by bots.

In previous issues of TL;DR we've discussed artificial intelligence, bots, and aspects of our own identity. We've also discussed aspects of privacy, security, and the wealth of data that others take from us as we interact online. You need to consider what will happen when we have the computing power to connect the dots and make digital clones of ourselves.

🔨 Do

BriefTube to summarize your YouTube video lectures

I'm waiting for the day when Google will announce that they've been indexing audio and video content online and will allow for deep video searching. I have no insider information on this, but you need to look at their work scanning and indexing books. Imagine if you could write up a simple keyword search, and you could receive results not only from webpages and blog posts...but also be brought to a specific time stamp in a video or audio clip. Ahhh...I can't wait. :)

Until that point arrives, I've been search for ways to help my students consume and synthesize the videos that I share in class. I typically will use Vialogues (and will start testing VideoAnt) to allow students to have time-stamped discussions on the video. I'll also start playing with this beta version of BriefTube to add some context to the content they consume.

🤔 Consider

"Nothing could be more absurd than an experiment in which computers are placed in a classroom where nothing else is changed." — Seymour Papert

This week: science fiction to science reality in education.

BadgeChain Reads on blockchain misconceptions using Hypothes.is. Seymour Papert and Paulo Freire debate - I can only imagine sitting in that room, enormous impact on my career and philosophy. Papert passed away at 88, pioneer of AI and constructionism. Paulo Blikstein on Papert Paradox - I find this intriguing, do ideas seem less novel as technologies converge? Andrew Marcinek ending EdTech as additive, thread it through school fabric. Kristen Mattson on John Dewey digital citizenship - interact and experience multiple perspectives. VLACS virtual school - I think there are benefits and negatives, I urge you to read, serves as good litmus test. Digital copies of ourselves with AI. BriefTube for video summaries - I'm waiting for deep video searching, Ahhh...I can't wait.

Nothing could be more absurd than computers in a classroom where nothing else is changed.

Previous: TLDR 56 • Next: TLDR 58 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Seymour Papert — Passed away at 88, pioneer of AI and constructionism, enormous impact on my career and philosophy.
Paulo Freire — Debate with Papert on technology and future of schools, countering that schools will wither and die.
Blockchain — BadgeChain Reads using Hypothes.is to collectively annotate Doug Levin on misconceptions.
Constructionism — Papert Paradox, cited less frequently as world achieves his vision, ideas seem less novel.
EdTech Integration — Andrew Marcinek ending EdTech as additive, thread through school fabric not focal point.
John Dewey — Kristen Mattson on digital citizenship, learners interact and experience multiple perspectives as community members.
Artificial Intelligence — Digital copies of ourselves, digital residue creating AI versions, journalism written by bots.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 56

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 56

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 56

Published: 2016-07-29 • 📧 Newsletter

Welcome to issue 56 of the TL;DR Newsletter. In TL;DR we're documenting the news of the week in literacy, technology, and education. If this is your first time here...welcome. :)

This week we discuss complex and ill-formed problems.

You can review archives of the newsletter. Alternatively you can also check out TL;DR on Medium.

This week I shared the following posts:

Creative Commons licensing of open educational content - What is Creative Commons licensing, and why should we include it in our workflow?
Apply a Creative Commons license to your digital learning hub - You've spent all of that time building up your website to act as a digital learning hub. Now take the time to add a CC license to make sure you get the credit.
Post, promote, and protect your content online using Creative Commons licensing - As an online content creator, you should be using CC-licenses to protect your work as you promote it.
How to find Creative Commons licensed images and cite them correctly - I start my discussions about CC licensing with this post.

🔖 Key Takeaways

I Was a Bit Off the Radar: I was a bit off of the radar as I celebrated a week long family vacation. I'm the oldest of seven and we had a house full (20 people) of brothers, sisters, and kids.
They Were a Bit Shocked: They were a bit shocked that we didn't want our son using tablets or other technologies at all while playing, resting, and eating with family.
I Think in the End: I think in the end, this is one of the more important decisions we'll have to make as digital parents. I believe that it's much more challenging to understand and enforce than issues of screen time.
Alan's Blog is a Guide: Alan's work and the tools that he shares are a regular staple of my work and teaching. Alan's blog is a guide (and exemplar) for me.
What Would You Do: What would you do with an app like this?

📺 Watch

RSA Animate: Economics is for everyone (11:20)

This week in class our class was discussing the knowledge, skills, and dispositions we want our students to gain during their time from Pre-K up through 12th grade. One of the key pieces of knowledge that was a common theme was financial literacy.

This video by legendary economist Ha-Joon Chang helps make this tricky subject a bit more approachable.

📚 Read

Opening the textbook: Open education resources in U.S. higher education, 2015-2016

A new report from the Babson Survey Research Group suggests awareness of open educational resources (OER) among U.S. higher education teaching faculty is improving, but still remains less than a majority.

Survey results from responses of over 3,000 faculty show that OER status is not a driving force in the selection of educational materials. The most cited barrier being the effort required to find and evaluate such materials. Most shocking is that while use of open resources is low overall, it is somewhat higher among large enrollment introductory-level courses.

A growth mindset could buffer kids from negative academic effects of poverty

In TL;DR we've often talked about Stanford psychologist Carol Dweck, and other educators researching the role of a growth mindset in learning and achievement. Recent research suggests that when students believe their intelligence can grow and change with effort, they perform better on academic tests.

This post shares findings from a national study of tenth-graders in Chile found student mindsets are correlated to achievement on language and math tests. And students from low-income families were less likely to hold a growth mindset than their more affluent peers. However, if a low-income student did have a growth mindset, it worked as a buffer against the negative effects of poverty on achievement.

Toddlers learn words poorly in noisy environments

Forty years ago, psychologists found signs that children living in noisy places were having trouble learning to read. They suspected that the noise interfered with language learning. Now, their suspicions have been confirmed, this time in the lab.

New experiments conducted in the lab have confirmed this suspicion. Toddlers have trouble learning words when there's too much background noise.

Brianna McMillan, a graduate student at University of Wisconsin, Madison had 106 children between ages 22 and 30 months sit in a booth and learn the relationship between some made-up words played through speakers and some made-up objects presented on a television screen. The words were read by a female voice and, in some cases, the kids heard background noise of two other men talking too. McMillan adjusted how loud that background talking was to see whether toddlers could still learn the new words.

The gift of privacy: How Edward Snowden changed the way I parent

This week I was a bit off of the radar as I celebrated a week long family vacation. I'm the oldest of seven and we had a house full (20 people) of brothers, sisters, and kids join my parents at the beach here in South Carolina. Throughout the week we had numerous discussions about how each of us parents, and this related to the use of technology by our children.

There was a misconception that my Wife and I must let our children use technology all of the time because of my interests. They were a bit shocked that we didn't want our son using tablets or other technologies at all while playing, resting, and eating with family.

This great post from Annie Hartnett on Salon details her thoughts and reflections as she considers another aspect of technology use (privacy, security) with her own son. Annie presents a smart and savvy look at the complexities that exist with digital literacies in the Post Snowden era. This examination thoughtfully examines the issues and tries to unpack them in her how life.

I think in the end, this is one of the more important decisions we'll have to make as digital parents. I believe that it's much more challenging to understand and enforce than issues of screen time.

Relighting Thimble and the ImageSeek Teaching Kit

Alan Levine's work and the tools that he shares are a regular staple of my work and teaching. Just this past week in class I was discussing Creative Commons licensing, and showing my students how I add licenses to images on my blog posts using Alan's attribution helper. Alan's blog is a guide (and exemplar) for me as I consider the how, what, and why of materials that I share online.

This latest post details the reboot of his Ingredients of Me and ImageSeek Teaching Kit using Mozilla Thimble. Ingredients of Me is a powerful activity to have students/learners identify the qualities that they possess...and start remixing some HTML/CSS code to express this information. In many ways it's a powerful icebreaker to use with learners. The ImageSeek Teaching Kit is a drop dead simple way to identify and properly cite images to use in blog posts. I'll use this Thimble piece this week in an activity with my technology class.

🔨 Do

Science journal app: Tracking the ups and downs of music

Just after Google I/O 2016, I read a couple of blog posts announcing the Science Journal app for Android devices. I immediately installed the app and tried to identify ways to use it in teaching and research.

As usual, internet rock star Kevin Hodgson was already thinking and playing with the app and shared some of his results. Kevin used the app to record and compare audio levels while his new/old band practiced.

This post has me thinking about a new project based learning assignment I'll assign in my classes this upcoming semester in which students will collect data and build a case study about Charleston and the local area. I'm thinking about having students collect audio (and other) levels using the Science Journal app and share these forms of text in their projects.

What would you do with an app like this?

🤔 Consider

"Problems are only opportunities in work clothes." — Henri Kaiser

This week: complex and ill-formed problems.

Creative Commons licensing workflow for open educational content. OER awareness in higher education improving but barriers remain. Ha-Joon Chang on financial literacy made approachable. Carol Dweck growth mindset buffering poverty effects on achievement. Toddlers learning words poorly in noisy environments. Week long family vacation - I was off the radar, oldest of seven with house full of 20 people. They were shocked we didn't want our son using tablets while eating with family. Edward Snowden changing digital parenting - I think this is one of the more important decisions, more challenging than screen time. Alan Levine's blog is a guide and exemplar for me. Thimble ImageSeek Teaching Kit - I'll use this week in my tech class. Kevin Hodgson internet rock star with Science Journal app. What would you do with an app like this?

Problems are only opportunities in work clothes.

Previous: TLDR 55 • Next: TLDR 57 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Creative Commons — Licensing workflow for open content, find cite correctly, I start discussions with this post.
Open Educational Resources — Babson survey showing awareness improving, barriers to finding and evaluating materials.
Growth Mindset — Carol Dweck research, Chile study showing mindset buffers poverty effects on achievement.
Privacy — Edward Snowden changing digital parenting, more important and challenging decision than screen time.
Digital Parenting — Week long family vacation, they were shocked we didn't want tablets while eating with family.
Alan Levine — Work and tools are staple of my teaching, blog is guide and exemplar for me.
Mozilla Thimble — Ingredients of Me icebreaker, ImageSeek Teaching Kit for citing images, using this week in class.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 55

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 55

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 55

Published: 2016-07-22 • 📧 Newsletter

Welcome to issue 55 of the TL;DR Newsletter. In TL;DR we're documenting the news of the week in literacy, technology, and education. If this is your first time here...welcome. :)

This week we focus on privacy and identity in the public.

You can review archives of the newsletter. Alternatively you can also check out TL;DR on Medium.

This week I worked on the following:

Scaffolding educators (and students) as they consume, curate, and create online - This week I had the honor of presenting virtually to the Two Summers cohort at UConn. I taught in the program as a GA and enjoy staying connected. The talk is a modified version of the keynote that I gave earlier in the month at the TILE-SIG meeting at ILA in Boston. Click here for the video of this talk.
Screencasts & screencaptures in education, assessment, & research - This week in my tech class we were focusing on the creation of screencaptures (images) and screencasts (video) of elements on our computer screens and devices. I think all educators should have this skillset mastered.
Creating and sharing multimodal tutorials - One of the key ways to use screencaptures and screencasts is in the creation and sharing of multimodal tutorials with students and colleagues. Once again, I believe this is a key skill that all educators should have in their repertoire.

🔖 Key Takeaways

I Had the Honor: I had the honor of presenting virtually to the Two Summers cohort at UConn. I taught in the program as a GA and enjoy staying connected.
I Think All Educators Should Have This: I think all educators should have this skillset mastered.
I Disagree: Some argue that we should look the other way when we see activities like this. I disagree. I think we need public dialogue and action about the behaviors and the individuals that display them.
I Immediately Applied: I immediately applied to verify my account believing that this would allow users to create a "circle of trust" in the environment.
The One I'm Currently in Love With: The one that I'm currently in love with (but haven't purchased yet) is the Ricoh Theta S.

📺 Watch

Veronica Belmont, Host/Producer - XOXO Festival (18:59)

Veronica Belmont celebrated a birthday this week (or at least that's what Google says). This keynote is a thoughtful, honest accounting of the challenges that exist as we put ourselves out online.

I share this video with students as we start discussing the development of our digital identities. I want to engage in an honest and frank discussion with them about the challenges and opportunities that exist as others review and (possibly) remix our content.

📚 Read

Leslie Jones and her racist harassers are shining a light on a major problem with Twitter

As I help students, colleagues, and clients build and modify a digital identity, the discussion usually comes around to the use of Twitter. I think that there are enormous challenges and opportunities that exist as we create, share, and participate online. There is incredible potential that can occur when a place becomes a hashtag (e.g., #ferguson). There are also horrible things that can occur when digital spaces and anonymity allow the trolls to come out (e.g., #gamergate).

This week we saw the horribly racist and misogynistic tweets that spread across Twitter and directed at actor/comedian Leslie Jones. Some argue that we should look the other way when we see activities like this. I disagree. I think we need public dialogue and action about the behaviors and the individuals that display them.

This week Twitter has tried to correct some of the policies that create these opportunities. One of these changes is to allow anyone to apply for a "verified account." Basically this means that they verify that your account and identity are authentic. I immediately applied to verify my account believing that this would allow users to create a "circle of trust" in the environment. Twitter rejected my application and provided this link for more info.

Positive, negative or neutral? Crucial conversations on digital citizenship

Great post from George Couros sharing a recent discussion with students about their digital identities.

The post starts with students sharing that they primarily share "bad" things online, and rarely share positive aspects of their identity. Naturally, as an educator we want to suggest that students consider sharing positives and negatives about themselves online. George notes that this might be messy as we often try to "schoolify" everything that kids like and tell them how they're "supposed to do it."

George leaves us with the following questions to ask students to begin dialogue:

Is your footprint positive, negative, or neutral? What would others say that don't know you?
How do you want to be perceived offline? How about online? Is there a difference in your actions in those spaces?
It is important to show who you are as a person, but to also understand that this is a an open room and to be thoughtful of others. Have fun but not at the expense of someone else.

Post from Jasmine McNealy on the challenges that exist with our expectations of privacy and control over our online interactions.

Jasmine's post is a clear explanation of our current understandings of public and private in the "real world" and online. She also provides an overview of the basic elements of what is public, or "publicness" when we interact online.

Once again, I believe that it is important that we consider, and problematize our definitions and considerations of privacy and security online and face-to-face.

Piece from Lindsey Tepe in the Pacific Standard Magazine. The piece examines the digital texts and tools that inundate classrooms (in the U.S.) and asks whether we're effectively servicing our students.

She notes:

But the technologies making their way into classrooms are evolving quickly, and our decentralized system of education has been hard pressed to keep up with the pace of change. While these technologies could help better implement our social contract, their adoption has been piecemeal and often lacked clear vision or purpose. Today, we are passively letting technology happen to our schools and institutions rather than proactively considering and purposefully choosing the ways in which we harness technologies to further our objectives for public education.

How teachers can see students' identities as learning strengths

Katarina Schwartz in MindShift detailing the opportunities to bring in pop culture, hip hop, and other cultural texts into the classroom to help students notice and name their identity.

The core of the post focuses on the new book by Christopher Emdin that focuses on "reality pedagogy." Reality pedagogy identifies ways to open up space for, and actively value students' expertise on their own lives.

The post contains numerous anecdotes and video elements that help you (and your students) understand the possibilities to make this happen in your classroom.

🔨 Do

A brief introduction to 360 video camera options

I'm always interested in new opportunities to play with video and digital tools. One new option that I've been checking out involves 360 degree, immersive video. The idea is that you can have a device take a 360 snapshot of the area and allow viewers to peer around on their own.

We're starting to see this technology show up on YouTube and elsewhere. Through the integration of Google Cardboard, I believe you'll see inexpensive options show up in classrooms. I think there are opportunities to use this in research and teacher education.

The one that I'm currently in love with (but haven't purchased yet) is the Ricoh Theta S.

🤔 Consider

"Along with planes, running water, electricity, and motorized transportation, the internet is now a fundamental fact of modern life." — danah boyd

This week: privacy and identity in the public.

Two Summers UConn virtual presentation - I had the honor, taught as GA and enjoy staying connected. Screencasts and screencaptures - I think all educators should have this skillset mastered. Veronica Belmont XOXO keynote on challenges putting ourselves online. Leslie Jones racist harassment - I disagree, I think we need public dialogue and action. Twitter verification circle of trust - I immediately applied and was rejected. George Couros on digital citizenship footprint conversations. Jasmine McNealy on privacy expectations - important to problematize our definitions. Lindsey Tepe on social contract for education. Christopher Emdin reality pedagogy actively valuing students' expertise. 360 video cameras - the one I'm currently in love with is Ricoh Theta S.

Internet is now a fundamental fact of modern life.

Previous: TLDR 54 • Next: TLDR 56 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Digital Identity — Veronica Belmont challenges putting ourselves online, honest discussions about opportunities and risks.
Twitter — Leslie Jones harassment, verification circle of trust, I immediately applied and was rejected.
Digital Citizenship — George Couros conversations on positive negative neutral footprints, don't schoolify everything.
Privacy — Jasmine McNealy on publicness and expectations, problematize definitions online and face-to-face.
Christopher Emdin — Reality pedagogy opening space for and actively valuing students' expertise on their own lives.
Screencasts — Education assessment research, multimodal tutorials, I think all educators should have this skillset.
360 Video — Immersive cameras for YouTube and classrooms, I'm currently in love with Ricoh Theta S.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 54

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 54

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 54

Published: 2016-07-14 • 📧 Newsletter

Welcome to issue 54 of the TL;DR Newsletter. In TL;DR we're documenting the news of the week in literacy, technology, and education. If this is your first time here...welcome. :)

This week we focus on real and augmented human connections.

You can review archives of the newsletter. Alternatively you can also check out TL;DR on Medium.

This week I worked on the following:

Lawrence Lundy on the blockchain and the future of education - In this latest episode of the 4Q4 podcast, I spent some time talking with Lawrence about the landscape in the work with the blockchain and possible futures for education.

🔖 Key Takeaways

Super Cool (and Possibly Scary): Super cool (and possibly scary) video project from Keiichi Matsuda that paints a picture of what our future may look like.
What Does Interest Me: What does interest me is seeing the "normal" people out there that don't usually associate with technology or gaming get really excited by this use of AR.
I Think This Game Will Pass: I think this game will pass...but I'm hoping this is a sign that AR is a bit more mainstream.
I Think We Need to Have the Discussion: I think we need to have the discussion as a community.
I Think It's Important: I think it's important to understand these perspectives when we use these tools in our classrooms.

📺 Watch

HYPER-REALITY (6:15)

Super cool (and possibly scary) video project from Keiichi Matsuda that paints a picture of what our future may look like with an influx of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) into our world.

To find out more about Keiichi's work, please visit his website.

📚 Read

The tragedy of Pokémon Go

This past week my Wife looked up from monitoring her Facebook feeds and exclaimed, "I'm so sick of seeing Pokémon in my feeds." Soon after that I also started to see the AR game being discussed with friends online and off. The strangest thing to me was when I noticed men, women, and children walking around the neighborhood holding out their phones and searching for something.

The secret sauce behind Pokémon Go isn't really a secret. Former Google company Niantic Labs developed a very popular game called Ingress that caught on with mostly the seriously geeky. Niantic rebooted the formula and added Pokémon to create a cult hit.

I believe that the game will captivate our imagination like this for a week and then we'll see it fade away to be used by devoted gamers. What does interest me is seeing the "normal" people out there that don't usually associate with technology or gaming get really excited by this use of AR.

There are some fears that this is a covert surveillance activity, or is trying to teach Americans the metric system. There is also a collaborative syllabus being passed around now with educators building a course on Pokémon Go. I think this game will pass...but I'm hoping this is a sign that AR is a bit more mainstream.

Beyond integration: How teachers can encourage cross-racial friendships

Post on NPR Ed about encouraging cross-racial friendships and empathy in students. The post documents a growing body of research on diversity and the habits that we fall into.

Specifically:

In past decades, it's become increasingly clear that diversity in classrooms isn't just a buzzword. A growing body of research points to classroom diversity as an important aspect of childhood development. Kids who make friends with kids of other races tend to be more socially well-adjusted, more academically ambitious and better at interacting with people who are different from them.

A great post from Vera Triplett on EdSurge that provides guidelines for "more compassionate schooling."

She identifies four steps:

Know and employ the crucial components of a restorative culture
Really get to know your students - both inside and outside of the school day
Don't take challenging behaviors personally
An excellent education is always the ultimate goal

A technical glitch

Over the last six months we've seen Facebook Live include a live video streaming tool to compete with the use of Periscope on Twitter. YouTube is also reported to soon offer a livestream feature from mobile devices as well.

The premise is simple. Hold up your phone, click the button, and stream from your phone to the planet. The challenge is in what we decide to broadcast.

Ben Thompson's post in Stratechery discusses the problems with how Facebook is handling these videos that may be graphic, but (IMHO) we need to see them. But, this is only my opinion. You need to decide what happens when these videos are shared in our social feeds. I think we need to have the discussion as a community.

I think we'll see more of this as the tools advance. We need to understand the consequences of broadcasting this content. I think we need to also understand our legal rights to broadcast this to a global audience. For more guidance on this (in the US) please review this recent AMA on Reddit.

15 higher ed personas that will help you redesign learner experience

In EdTech and software development we often hear the term "personas" being uttered. For the most part it's an attempt to identify a specific type or profile of person that will be using the tools or environment.

I think it's important to understand these perspectives when we use these tools in our classrooms. I think it's also important to consider the learner background as we consider pedagogical decisions with learners.

This post from Gunnar Counselman in Getting Smart identifies 15 personas that you might consider in higher ed (and beyond). The descriptions for each profile do a good job of identifying the possible knowledge, skills, and dispositions for each type of learner.

🔨 Do

Homemade Pizza Dough

Once again, here in the tail end of TL;DR, I'll identify some sort of make, or hack that you can test out. This often deals with some sort of digital technology, backyard science, productivity hack, or something with food.

This week I'm sharing one of my favorites to play with in the kitchen...homemade pizzas. My son just turned six, and we're trying to get him more interested in food, and cooking. I think we should all play and make in the kitchen. This weekend we'll be test driving the wonders of yeast and making pizzas.

🤔 Consider

"Do stuff. be clenched, curious. Not waiting for inspiration's shove or society's kiss on your forehead. Pay attention. It's all about paying attention. attention is vitality. It connects you with others. It makes you eager. stay eager." — Susan Sontag

This week: real and augmented human connections.

Lawrence Lundy 4Q4 podcast on blockchain landscape. Keiichi Matsuda HYPER-REALITY super cool and possibly scary AR/VR future. Pokémon Go tragedy - what interests me is normal people excited by AR, hoping this is sign AR is mainstream. NPR Ed on cross-racial friendships - diversity makes kids more socially well-adjusted and academically ambitious. Vera Triplett four steps for compassionate schooling. Ben Thompson on Facebook Live graphic videos - I think we need the discussion as a community about broadcasting consequences. 15 higher ed personas - important to understand these perspectives in classrooms. Homemade pizza dough with my six-year-old.

Pay attention. attention is vitality. stay eager.

Previous: TLDR 53 • Next: TLDR 55 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Augmented Reality — HYPER-REALITY video painting future, Pokémon Go mainstream AR adoption hope.
Pokémon Go — Niantic Ingress rebooted with Pokémon, cult hit making normal people excited about AR.
Diversity — Cross-racial friendships make kids more socially well-adjusted academically ambitious.
Compassionate Schooling — Vera Triplett four steps restorative culture know students don't take behaviors personally.
Facebook Live — Livestreaming tools advancing, need discussion about graphic videos and broadcasting consequences.
Higher Ed Personas — 15 learner profiles understanding perspectives for pedagogical decisions.
Blockchain — Lawrence Lundy 4Q4 podcast on landscape and possible futures for education.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 53

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 53

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 53

Published: 2016-07-09 • 📧 Newsletter

Welcome to issue 53 of the TL;DR Newsletter. TL;DR is officially a year old. Thank you for joining me on this journey. I'll have a post out this week identifying what I learned in this period.

This week we consider the existence of intelligence and emotion.

You can review archives of the newsletter. Alternatively you can also check out TL;DR on Medium.

This week I worked on the following:

Three steps to become a digitally agile educator - This post detailed my latest thinking about the three steps I believe are needed to allow you to be digitally agile as an educator.
Richard Olsen on Coding and Programming - In this latest episode of the 4Q4 podcast, I spent some time talking with Richard about possible futures for computer science in education.
Doug Belshaw brings blockchain thinking to the badge summit - This post is a response to the keynote from Doug Belshaw at the recent badge summit at ISTE 2016. I frame the larger points of Doug's great talk and identify current work from the BadgeChain Team.
Scaffolding educators (and students) as they consume, curate, and create online - Friday I had the privilege of speaking with a great group of educators at the TILE-SIG pre-conference before the meeting of the 2016 International Literacy Association. It's always fun to learn from educators working and thinking with tech. The individuals associated with the TILE-SIG are usually some of the best.

🔖 Key Takeaways

I Think This Video Helps: I've been speaking lately about journeys of self-exploration as we create and curate our online identities. I think this video helps us think about the decisions we make in the process.
My Advice is to Have a Balanced Approach: My advice is to have a balanced approach and keep up to speed on the current research.
A Reminder of the Important Elements: A reminder of the important elements of education that we often disregard.
My Hope: My hope is that my students then bring these belief systems and pedagogical decisions to their classrooms.
I Don't Think We'll Really Understand: IMHO, I don't think we'll really understand the real effect of this multitasking in an informational society for another decade or more.

📺 Watch

What is an existential crisis? (5:04)

Another great video from the School of Life YouTube channel. This video defines what we mean by an "existential crisis."

I've been speaking lately about journeys of self-exploration as we create and curate our online identities. I think this video helps us think about the decisions we make in the process.

📚 Read

Is It Time to Rethink Most Everything We Think About 'Screen Time'?

Great post from Sonia Livingstone and Alicia Blum-Ross in DML Central.

This post discusses recent guidelines about screen time. The authors share resources from their research on parenting, and preparing children for a digital future.

These discussions have an ebb and flow as we consider guidelines for individuals and our relationship with these technologies. My advice is to have a balanced approach and keep up to speed on the current research.

Why emotions are integral to learning

Book excerpt from Emotions, Learning, and the Brain, by Mary Helen Immordino-Yang.

A reminder of the important elements of education that we often disregard.

She notes:

In short, learning is dynamic, social, and context dependent because emotions are, and emotions form a critical piece of how, what, when, and why people think, remember, and learn.

How teachers can help "quiet kids" tap their superpowers

Post from NPR Ed sharing opportunities to empower students that we might often overlook in class.

I've been thinking a bit about the role of extroverts, introverts, and ambiverts. Previously in TL;DR I shared guidance about the "quiet power of introverts".

My interest is in finding opportunities to enable all learners in an environment with an opportunity to voice their opinions. In my own classes I try to build mechanisms that engage learners and a culture that makes them believe they are valued. My hope is that my students then bring these belief systems and pedagogical decisions to their classrooms.

This includes the possible use of online and hybrid spaces to build identity and discourse.

Multitasking is exhausting your brain, say neuroscientists

Intriguing post shared as a collaboration between the World Economic Forum (WEF) blog and Quartz. On the surface, I'm wondering why the WEF blog is sharing this. This type of content is very much germane for Quartz. If you dig deeper, it's interesting to see how the WEF blog chooses to title their post, while the Quartz version is less "click bait."

Nevertheless, this is another version of the "is Google making us dumber debate." There is a concern that all of this information and "fear of missing out" is making us more hyperactive, shallow thinkers, etc. IMHO, I don't think we'll really understand the real effect of this multitasking in an informational society for another decade or more.

I am interested in the recent pieces in TL;DR that I shared about recent brain research, and how our brains "take out the trash." In short, I think we need periods of down time to allow our brain to regroup and move toward stasis. We also need sleep to allow our brains to tidy up and prepare. Our brains may be muscles that can drain our energy reserves and build up new strengths. We sometimes still need rest and recuperation.

Some helpful activities and resources to teach web literacy to students

In the TILE-SIG presentation, an astute participant asked about the wealth of digital texts and tools that we all presented, and asked "where is the literacy in all of this?" I tried to quickly note the work in new, digital, and web literacy, but didn't have enough time. Furthermore, I wish I had time to give a quick commercial about the web literacy worked I helped develop over the last couple of years with the Mozilla Community.

For an interactive map of the latest version of the web literacy map, visit this page. You might also decide to visit the whitepaper that we wrote to frame the ideas in the framework.

This post gives a series of teaching activities from the Mozilla Learning Network. The activities provide a good way to start folding these web literacies into your instructional routine.

🔨 Do

Your Six Word Bio

This is a fun activity to get you (and your students) playing with editing HTML and CSS code.

First, on a piece of paper write down your name, and six words that define you. Six words...no more...no less.

Then click on the link for my six word bio. You can click the green button on the bottom right of the screen and remix my work to create your own six word bio.

Have fun. There's a tutorial hidden in there as well to help you. :)

🤔 Consider

"By three methods we may learn wisdom: First, by reflection, which is noblest; Second, by imitation, which is easiest; and third by experience, which is the bitterest." — Confucius

This week: intelligence and emotion. TL;DR one year anniversary!

School of Life on existential crisis - I think this helps us think about decisions we make in self-exploration. Sonia Livingstone rethinking screen time - my advice is balanced approach and keep up with research. Mary Helen Immordino-Yang on emotions integral to learning - reminder of important elements we often disregard. Helping quiet kids tap superpowers - my hope is students bring these belief systems to classrooms. Multitasking exhausting brain - I don't think we'll really understand real effect for another decade. Web literacy activities from Mozilla - where is the literacy in all of this? Six word bio HTML/CSS remix - have fun, tutorial hidden inside.

By three methods we may learn wisdom.

Previous: TLDR 52 • Next: TLDR 54 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

School of Life — Existential crisis video on self-exploration and decisions we make in the process.
Screen Time — Sonia Livingstone and Alicia Blum-Ross rethinking guidelines, balanced approach with research.
Emotional Learning — Mary Helen Immordino-Yang on emotions dynamic social and context dependent.
Introverts — Quiet kids superpowers, extroverts introverts ambiverts, online and hybrid spaces for identity.
Multitasking — Brain exhaustion debate, don't understand real effect yet, need downtime and sleep.
Web Literacy — Mozilla teaching activities, whitepaper framing ideas, where is the literacy in all of this.
Mozilla — Six word bio HTML/CSS remix activity with hidden tutorial for students.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 52

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 52

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 52

Published: 2016-07-01 • 📧 Newsletter

Welcome to issue 52 of the TL;DR Newsletter. This week we are cognizant of all possible futures.

You can review archives of the newsletter. Alternatively you can also check out TL;DR on Medium.

This week I worked on the following:

Three steps to become a digitally agile educator - This post detailed my latest thinking about the three steps I believe are needed to allow you to be digitally agile. This is motivated by my upcoming chapter on "being a digitally agile researcher." I'll share the rough draft in next week's TL;DR.
Kerri Lemoie on Coding and Programming - In this latest episode of the 4Q4 podcast, I spent some time talking with Kerri about possible futures for computer science in education.
Patrick Mockridge on credentials and the future of education - As part of the BadgeChain Team, this podcast is part of the 4Q4 series and focuses on the blockchain and possibilities to disrupt educational credentialing. Patrick comes from an engineering background so this may be of interest to many of you.

🔖 Key Takeaways

Provides an Interesting Look: The video above is from the "Big Thinkers" series on ZDTV (later named TechTV) and provides an interesting look at the future.
I Applaud This Work: I applaud this work and hope we see more opportunities for individuals to build and test these literacies and skills.
I Really Enjoy Aaron's Work: I really enjoy Aaron's work, and specifically his identification of his multiple spaces online and their purposes.
Andrew's Framing Was Empowering: Andrew's framing was empowering, and I'll continue to use it as I work with colleagues, students, and clients.
Thanks to Aaron Davis and His Newsletter: Thanks to Aaron Davis and his newsletter for sharing this post. :)

📺 Watch

Big Thinkers - Alvin Toffler (22:25)

Futurist Alvin Toffler passed away this week at the age of 87. Alvin wrote and spoke about modern technologies, the digital revolution, and effects on culture.

His book Future Shock distills these challenges into an examination of the psychological states of individuals and societies.

The video above is from the "Big Thinkers" series on ZDTV (later named TechTV) and provides an interesting look at the future.

📚 Read

Teaching students to be public intellectuals

I often talk with my colleagues about the need for "us" to publicly engage online. This is one of the reasons I shared the post about being digitally agile up above. The latest round of these talks was held the night before I gave a recent keynote at NIU. My thinking is that educators could (and should) think, write, and share openly in digital spaces.

This post in The Chronicle of Higher Education details a program at Stony Brook University in which the focus is not only on academics, but also undergraduate and graduate students. As the post indicates, our students are already engaging publicly...hopefully we can provide meaningful guidance. Perhaps they might offer us some insight. :)

I applaud this work and hope we see more opportunities for individuals to build and test these literacies and skills. Part of the challenge is in building, breaking, and iterating publicly online. I don't (usually) have problems with this. I think we need a safe, perhaps private space to allow learners to think, test, and obtain critical feedback on their work. Hopefully I can offer some of this soon with some of my colleagues.

Collapsed Publics: Orality, literacy, and vulnerability in academic Twitter

Research publication (part of her dissertation) from Bonnie Stewart examining identities and connections between networked scholars on open networked platforms (Twitter). Follow Bonnie's blog.

The research examines "academic Twitter" and the challenges and opportunities that exist as scholars build network ties. These relationships may provide opportunities and affinities that may not be available at the local institution. The research presents a portrait of the experiences of networked scholars and considers the tensions these practices raise within the contemporary academy.

A blog for all seasons

A great post by Aaron Davis examining the different spaces that he uses to write and share online. Aaron is responding to the idea presented by Doug Belshaw about having one canonical URL for our digital identity.

I really enjoy Aaron's work, and specifically his identification of his multiple spaces online and their purposes. Most people get anxious about building one website and one unified digital identity. I'm in the same mindset as Aaron as I have multiple spaces online that I maintain.

I recommend checking out Aaron's post and his various online spaces. I really like the way that Aaron uses his own "art" as headers for his posts. While you're there, you should subscribe to his monthly newsletter.

The Lego Bin

Great post by Andrew Marcinek creating parallels between Lego and IKEA hacks and the opportunity to hack together open educational resources (OER) for your instructional purposes.

This past week I was editing the front page of my website and I added the work "hacker" to the list of descriptors for my identity. I started thinking about how others would respond to me labeling myself a hacker. I Googled hacker and tried to understand what other definitions of hacker exist. I thought about watering it down and using the term "tinkerer" but instead stuck with hacker.

Andrew's post resonated with me not only for his focus on hacking, playing, and tinkering with Legos and IKEA products...but the connections to using OER bits and pieces in your classroom. The open and OER landscape is very much in the hobby stage at this point (as Amazon tries to force their way in). I think Andrew's framing was empowering, and I'll continue to use it as I work with colleagues, students, and clients.

Be careful what you code for

Insightful post from danah boyd discussing the "digital duct tape" that creates the technological world in which we live. danah indicates the challenges that exist as we (sometimes) fail to consider the power that exists in the code and what we use it for.

She posits:

Code is key to civic life, but we need to start looking under the hood and thinking about the externalities of our coding practices, especially as we're building code as fast as possible with few checks and balances.

Thanks to Aaron Davis and his newsletter for sharing this post. :)

🔨 Do

Google has big updates at ISTE 2016

Google did not waste any time making big news while at ISTE 2016. The Expeditions app looks like it would be of use for most classrooms.

I'm most excited about Google Cast for Education and Google Forms that self-assess without add-ons. Google Apps for Education just gets better and better every day.

🤔 Consider

"Whether you think you can, or think you can't...you're right." — Henry Ford

This week: cognizant of all possible futures.

Three steps to digitally agile educator, upcoming chapter on digitally agile researcher. Kerri Lemoie and Patrick Mockridge 4Q4 podcasts on computer science and blockchain credentials. Alvin Toffler passed - Future Shock provides interesting look at psychological states. Teaching students to be public intellectuals - I applaud this work building and testing literacies. Bonnie Stewart on academic Twitter collapsed publics and networked scholar tensions. Aaron Davis on multiple digital spaces - I really enjoy his work and identification of purposes. Andrew Marcinek Lego bin hacking OER - framing was empowering. danah boyd on be careful what you code for - thanks to Aaron's newsletter. Google ISTE 2016 updates getting better every day.

Whether you think you can, or think you can't...you're right.

Previous: TLDR 51 • Next: TLDR 53 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Alvin Toffler — Passed at 87, Future Shock examining psychological states of individuals and societies.
Digitally Agile — Three steps to become digitally agile educator, upcoming researcher chapter.
Public Intellectuals — Stony Brook program teaching students to engage publicly, build and test literacies.
Bonnie Stewart — Academic Twitter research on collapsed publics orality literacy and vulnerability.
Aaron Davis — Multiple digital spaces and purposes, one canonical URL debate with Doug Belshaw.
Open Educational Resources — Andrew Marcinek Lego bin hacking OER bits and pieces for classroom.
danah boyd — Be careful what you code for, digital duct tape and externalities of coding practices.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 51

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 51

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 51

Published: 2016-06-25 • 📧 Newsletter

Welcome to issue 51 of the TL;DR Newsletter. This week we take a look at connections & growth between individuals.

You can review archives of the newsletter. Alternatively you can also check out TL;DR on Medium.

I'm writing this newsletter from Denver as I prepare for the #badgesummit and a presentation on #openbadges at #ISTE2016. I shared a ton of video on Periscope for people that may not be able to attend.

This week I worked on the following:

Digitally Literate Courses: Identifying critical friends, a mastermind group, and a name - This latest update for my work in the one side project initiative documents my thinking as I continue to work on a project to scaffold educators in these new and digital literacies.
Brian Behlendorf on distributed technologies - In this latest episode of the 4Q4 podcast, I spent some time talking with one of the key figures in Linux, Apache, and the open internet.
BadgeChain Reads: A Next-Generation Smart Contract and Decentralized Application Platform - As part of the BadgeChain Team, we're facilitating a collaborative read of works in bitcoin, blockchain...and in this case, Ethereum. Come join us as we use hypothes.is to synthesize these works.
Chrome extensions to protect you as you search and sift online - This post is an update to an earlier piece I shared with guidance on getting a better understanding of ways to protect yourself while you browse online.

🔖 Key Takeaways

A Good Video to Have in Your Back Pocket: A good video to have in your back pocket as you discuss these topics with your students.
It is My Hope: It is my hope that this does not lead to more isolationism around the globe. I've noticed that we're seeing a trend in which (some of us) utilize technology to provide third spaces to connect with other like-minded individuals.
This is Important: This is important because we need research and publications testing and validating these new perspectives to make it a tenable element in the eyes of most educators and researchers.
I Hope the JAAL Piece Begins That Debate: One of the big questions that I don't know the answer to, is what effect assessment would have on this model. I hope the JAAL piece begins that debate/discussion.
What is Valuable is the Eyes That Light Up: What is valuable is the eyes that light up in the room as learners see what they can make.

📺 Watch

What happened before history? Human origins (10:05)

This video from the Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell YouTube channel documents "how we got to here." The videos on the channel are always thoughtful, and high quality.

This latest video starts with the belief that we're all living in a technological, engineered society in which we don't really need to worry about anything...but it always hasn't been that way. A good video to have in your back pocket as you discuss these topics with your students.

📚 Read

Brexit vote sparks huge uncertainty for UK universities

With the news of the final brexit vote, there is a tremendous amount of uncertainty for my friends and colleagues in the UK, but I think the reverberations will be felt globally. This will most definitely be felt in institutions of higher ed in the UK and beyond.

It is my hope that this does not lead to more isolationism around the globe. I've noticed that we're seeing a trend in which (some of us) utilize technology to provide third spaces to connect with other like-minded individuals.

Research shows connected learning works

This post from Howard Rheingold on the DML Central blog shares much needed research on Connected Learning.

The research includes thousands of interviews and years of data-gathering that suggest that connected learning principles do, in fact, improve learning outcomes — particularly in the case of non-dominant youth. This work will be presented at DML 2016.

This is important because we need research and publications testing and validating these new perspectives to make it a tenable element in the eyes of most educators and researchers.

Do I own my own domain if you grade it?

Much of my recent work examines building up a domain of your own. This work is crystallized in a series of publications we have on the way out soon. You can take a peek at an upcoming column for JAAL here.

In the JAAL column above, Kristy Pytash and I make the case that we should have students build a domain of their own from K up through higher ed. One of the big questions that I don't know the answer to, is what effect assessment would have on this model. I hope the JAAL piece begins that debate/discussion.

How to Manage the 4 Types of Teachers You Meet in Professional Development

For those of us involved in professional development, workshops, and coaching we often come across all sorts of educators in these spaces.

I often recognize this as I present sessions on technology and literacy. I prepare for some part of the group loving what I'll have to share...and another portion that thinks it's blasphemy and lashes out. :)

I attribute much of this to the fact that literacy and technology are changing what we could/should do in our classrooms. What I have to present usually tests your philosophies and paradigms about teaching and learning.

This post does a good job of framing these into four profiles (the lagger, the majority, the early adopter, the innovator). I think you need to recognize and respect each of these individuals in your sessions.

Librarian Approved: 30 Ed-Tech Apps to Inspire Creativity and Creation

Great collection of apps to test drive in your classroom from Michelle Luhtala. You should also follow Michelle's blog.

Of her recommendations, I'm most intrigued by Bloxels, Gum, and Masterpiece.

🔨 Do

Blinky paper robot - paper circuitry project

I love having students and teachers play and make things with LEDs and paper. The materials you'll need are relatively inexpensive (watch batteries, copper tape, and LEDs). The time spent to make these pieces is minimal. What is valuable is the eyes that light up in the room as learners see what they can make.

🤔 Consider

"Be a yardstick of quality. Some people aren't used to an environment where excellence is expected." — Steve Jobs

This week: connections and growth between individuals.

Writing from Denver for Badge Summit and ISTE2016, shared Periscope videos for remote attendees. Brian Behlendorf 4Q4 podcast on distributed technologies, BadgeChain Ethereum collaborative read. Kurzgesagt on human origins - good video to have in your back pocket. Brexit uncertainty for UK universities - my hope is this doesn't lead to more isolationism. Howard Rheingold on connected learning research - important to validate new perspectives. Domain of one's own and assessment question - I hope JAAL piece begins debate. Four types of teachers in PD - recognize and respect each. Michelle Luhtala ed-tech apps. Blinky paper robots - what's valuable is the eyes that light up.

Be a yardstick of quality.

Previous: TLDR 50 • Next: TLDR 52 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Open Badges — Badge Summit and ISTE2016 presentation, Periscope videos for remote attendees.
Blockchain — Brian Behlendorf on distributed technologies, BadgeChain Ethereum collaborative read using Hypothes.is.
Human Origins — Kurzgesagt video on technological engineered society, good for classroom discussions.
Brexit — Uncertainty for UK universities and higher ed, hope against isolationism and for third spaces.
Connected Learning — Howard Rheingold on research validating principles improve learning outcomes for non-dominant youth.
Domain of One's Own — JAAL column K through higher ed, big question about assessment effects.
Professional Development — Four types of teachers lagger majority early adopter innovator, recognize and respect each.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 50

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 50

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 50

Published: 2016-06-18 • 📧 Newsletter

Welcome to issue 50 of the TL;DR Newsletter!!! This week we discuss trust and distrust of the source.

You can review archives of the newsletter. Alternatively you can also check out TL;DR on Medium.

Please send me an email (wiobyrne@gmail.com) and let me know what you think.

This week I worked on the following:

Scaffolding students (and educators) as they consume, curate, and create online - This week I traveled out to Naperville, IL to spend some time with an incredible group of educators at #niuslc16. I worked with Greg McVerry to present a session to have the assembled group consider opportunities to move from primarily consumers, to curators, to creators of online content. We spent the time moving quickly from discussions using Kahoot, to hypothes.is, Google Drawing, and Mozilla Thimble. I had a blast getting to know a great group that I hope to see again soon.
Open educational research of literacy practices across digital spaces - This post was originally shared in March, but with ILA 2016 coming up soon, they re-shared it. It focuses on our work in the Digitally Literate Research Project. If you're an educator and working with digital texts and tools...we want to hear from you. Please complete the survey...and reach out to allow us to interview you.

🔖 Key Takeaways

I Had a Blast: I had a blast getting to know a great group that I hope to see again soon.
It's a Definite Subscribe: It's a definite subscribe in my book if you like pop culture, technology and societal commentary.
Beautiful Examination: The address is a beautiful examination of the intersection between science, truth, argumentation, and examination.
I Agree with Doug's Points: I agree with Doug's points that we should be able to provide learners with a "view source" or identification of the origin and revisions of these literacies, standards, and competencies.
I'd Rather Have Educators Fuel Their Own Creative Juices: My response was that you should start by exploring and finding content that piques your interest. I'd rather have educators fuel their own creative juices as opposed to all listening to what I find interesting.

📺 Watch

Calvin & Hobbes - Art Before Commerce (6:21)

I'm a bit of a YouTube addict. I like finding videos to use in class or to express a point. I especially love finding new channels and people to watch. KaptainKristian is a relatively new channel, but it's great. It's a definite subscribe in my book if you like pop culture, technology and societal commentary.

This video focuses on the elements that make Calvin and Hobbes great. The commentary explains Bill Watterson's belief in focusing on art while tackling thorny topics.

📚 Read

The mistrust of science

This post from The New Yorker is a reprint of the commencement address at the California Institute of Technology on June 10th, 2016 by Atul Gawande. Dr. Gawande is a surgeon, writer, and public health writer.

The address is a beautiful examination of the intersection between science, truth, argumentation, and examination.

He closes:

The mistake, then, is to believe that the educational credentials you get today give you any special authority on truth. What you have gained is far more important: an understanding of what real truth-seeking looks like. It is the effort not of a single person but of a group of people—the bigger the better—pursuing ideas with curiosity, inquisitiveness, openness, and discipline. As scientists, in other words.

Even more than what you think, how you think matters. The stakes for understanding this could not be higher than they are today, because we are not just battling for what it means to be scientists. We are battling for what it means to be citizens.

Why we need "view source" for digital literacy frameworks

This past week, the World Economic Forum introduced their identification of the 8 digital skills we must teach our children. We collaboratively annotated this post using hypothes.is during our workshop at #niuslc16.

The link above is from Doug Belshaw's critique of the work presented by the WEF. I worked with Doug and the Mozilla community during the initial framing of the Web Literacy Map. I agree with Doug's points that we should be able to provide learners with a "view source" or identification of the origin and revisions of these literacies, standards, and competencies.

Educators and learners should know who is writing these elements, and what discussions have happened as they've been developed.

"I don't conversate with those I don't know" - The role of trust/distrust in online engagement

Research from Martha Hoff in Digital Culture and Education. The paper conceptualizes "trust" and examines the intersection of this as students create and connect online. This provides insight into the habits and mindsets students utilize as they engage in these spaces.

I work with educators and students to have more of a presence online and not only read, but write the web. In this work we often come around to the questions about challenges as learners design, contribute, and participate online. This study examines six, low income urban youth from 16 to 18 years of age who self identify as active users of mobile technology.

Results suggest a sophisticated framing of "trust" as participants negotiate social spaces (social networks, text messaging, online communities). The results identify opportunities to discuss aspects of trust, friendship, and online interactions with students as they create and connect.

Having a PLN (personal learning network)

Post from Doug Peterson sharing a recent sketchnote from Silvia Duckworth about the 10 reasons why every educator needs a PLN.

In this post, Doug examines his own PLN and their various roles. I value the questions that Doug uses as he shares insights about his PLN and Silvia prompts.

How many of the reasons identified by Silvia have you addressed with your own PLN?

Educational podcasts to keep you sharp

I've been writing and sharing a lot of posts recently as I explore and develop my own podcast. I've also shared several of the podcasts that I listen to religiously to keep my brain fueled up with ideas.

After the last issue of TL;DR, good friend and internet rock star Verena Roberts sent me a note and asked what podcasts teachers just getting started with the medium should listen to. My response was that you should start by exploring and finding content that piques your interest. I'd rather have educators fuel their own creative juices as opposed to all listening to what I find interesting.

The post above serves as a good indicator of some of the best stuff that is currently available.

🔨 Do

Cold brew tea

Here in the Make section of TL;DR I try to share ideas for ways in which you can hack, play, and make in different aspects of your life. This may involve tech, coding, makerspaces, art....or food. Previously I shared my recipe for cold brew coffee (before Starbucks starting offering it) and many of you wrote back in after you tried it.

I've also been experimenting with cold brew tea as the weather gets warmer and I have to say it's a big hit in my house. I use either black or green tea leaves and our OXO cold brew coffee maker.

I cut open the tea bags and let the leaves steep in the coffee maker overnight (about 12 hours) and then drained. Whereas the coffee comes out super strong (and super awesome) the tea was not too strong...and didn't need to be watered down.

The end result is a refreshing beverage during hot summer days. Paired with some lemonade or some mint from the backyard and you're all set.

Keep making and tinkering.

🤔 Consider

"Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none." — William Shakespeare

This week: trust and distrust of the source.

Workshop at #niuslc16 moving educators from consumers to curators to creators - I had a blast. KaptainKristian on Calvin & Hobbes - definite subscribe for pop culture and commentary. Atul Gawande Caltech address - beautiful examination of science, truth, argumentation. How you think matters more than what you think - battling for what it means to be citizens. Doug Belshaw on view source for literacy frameworks - I agree we need to know who writes these elements. Martha Hoff research on trust in online engagement. Doug Peterson on PLN - how many reasons have you addressed? Educational podcasts - I'd rather have educators fuel their own creative juices. Cold brew tea for summer days.

Love all, trust a few, do wrong to none.

Previous: TLDR 49 • Next: TLDR 51 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Digital Literacy Framework — #niuslc16 workshop moving from consumers to curators to creators with Kahoot Hypothes.is and Thimble.
Calvin and Hobbes — KaptainKristian video on Bill Watterson belief in art before commerce while tackling thorny topics.
Atul Gawande — Caltech commencement on mistrust of science, truth-seeking as group effort not individual authority.
Doug Belshaw — View source for digital literacy frameworks, know who writes standards and what discussions happened.
Trust — Martha Hoff research on sophisticated framing of trust in social spaces and online engagement.
Personal Learning Network — Doug Peterson on 10 reasons every educator needs PLN, examining own network roles.
Podcasts — Educational podcasts, let educators fuel their own creative juices finding content that piques interest.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 5

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 5

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 5

Published: 2015-07-24 • 📧 Newsletter

This week I posted:

I had the privilege of presenting a keynote at the 2015 New Literacies Institute at NCSU. I worked with an amazing cohort of teachers from NC and China as they develop collaborative, inquiry-based units. My materials for this session are available above in the "Scaffolding Students" post. I also presented a "cool tools" session on Vine (Play With Digital Media, Stop-motion Animation, & Vine to Earn the #VineOff Badge) and urged them to earn the #VineOff badge by clicking here.

My time at the NLI was incredible and I left with a ton of ideas...and questions about our role as educators and how publicly should we advocate, or speak out online for freedoms and literacy. I'll have more on that in a future post.

🔖 Key Takeaways

Educator Advocacy: Lee Skallerup Bessette challenges educators to move beyond silence on social justice issues—we can no longer hide behind privilege.
Kanban Workflows: Earned the Advanced Kanban Badge, exploring complex systems for personal and collaborative productivity.
Reading Neuroscience: Research reveals words are encoded by sound and shape, not just meaning—implications for how we teach literacy.
Screen Time Nuance: Louis C.K. reminds us that phones take away "the ability to just sit there"—being a person requires disconnection.
Student Publishing: The need to create and share online, balanced with protecting students' privacy and digital safety.

📺 Watch

Chuck Jones - The Evolution of an Artist

Great clip from Every Frame a Painting looking at the evolution of Chuck Jones into a master of comedic animation. It's fascinating to watch how experts create, and the thinking behind the process.

📚 Read

Excellent piece from Lee Skallerup Bessette
on the work that needs to be done in and out of our classrooms given current events.

As educators and school leaders, we can no longer hide behind the privilege of “not knowing.”

I also suggest reading & considering this post

by Kevin Hodgson .

7 Questions to Ask Regarding Whether Education Technology Improves Learning

A list of questions from Terry Freedman
to ask after you question whether learning is improved through the use/integration of tech.

What Education Technology?

What other factors are present?

What is the Education Technology being used for?

How is the impact of the Education Technology being evaluated?

What exactly is being measured?

How much is Education Technology being used?

Is there an "experimenter" effect going on?

When we read, we recognize words as pictures and hear them spoken aloud

Piece from Scientific American
discussing research in neuroscience looking at what happens in our brains as we read. Results suggest that words are not simply encoded in the brain by their meaning but by simpler attributes such as sound and shape.

Why we can't put our phones down

Post on our inability to disconnect from our devices and self-regulate the intensity of our own lives.

Comedian Louis C.K. quoted in the post - “You need to build an ability to just be yourself and not do anything. That’s what the phone is taking away is the ability to just sit there. That’s being a person.”

The Test That Can Look Into a Child's Reading Future

This story on NPR's Morning Edition sparked a lot of discussion (vitriol) in my online personal learning networks. I'll leave my thoughts out of this and just ask that you read and make up your own mind. I would like to know more about the research, the subjects, and follow-up field testing.

Somehow Teen Girls Get the Coolest Wearable Out There

Piece from WIRED looking at the Jewelbot, a "friendship bracelet that teaches girls to code." You can find out more here from their Kickstarter page , or view the video here .

Love the story and the initiative...hate the title from WIRED.

Student Self-Publishing - An Essential Part of 21st Century Learning

The need for students to create and publish content online. The post includes some guidance on some digital texts and tools to make this happen. Once again, the primary concern in online content construction might just be protecting students and their content as they interact and share online.

[An awesome guide to typography for you and your students]

Butterick's Practical Typography is a web-published book on typography for the general audience. The book is beautiful, educational and designed for the web. If you (or your students) build, design, and publish online...this resource is a must.

🔨 Do

The Animation Station

Check out this incredible tutorial from Instructables
showing the development of an animation station. This gives me a ton of ideas about what can be done with video, technology...and a little creativity.

The full video is available here .

🤔 Consider

"You need to build an ability to just be yourself and not do anything. That's what the phone is taking away is the ability to just sit there. That's being a person." — Louis C.K.

"As educators and school leaders, we can no longer hide behind the privilege of 'not knowing.'" — Lee Skallerup Bessette

After the New Literacies Institute, I'm wrestling with questions about educator responsibility. How publicly should we advocate for social justice and freedoms online? When does professional silence become complicity? These are uncomfortable questions, but Lee's piece reminds us that staying informed and speaking out are part of our professional duty.

Previous: TLDR 4 • Next: TLDR 6 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Pedagogy — Cathy Davidson on focusing classroom pedagogy as social change.
Social Justice in Education — Educator responsibility to advocate publicly on issues of freedom and literacy.
Kanban and Workflow — Advanced Kanban systems for personal and collaborative productivity.
Reading Neuroscience — How our brains encode words by sound and shape.
Digital Wellness — Louis C.K. on disconnection and "the ability to just sit there."
Maker Culture — Animation stations and creative technology projects.
Typography and Design — Butterick's Practical Typography as essential web publishing resource.
Accessibility — Pocket's text-to-speech supporting diverse learners.
Student Privacy — Balancing online publishing with protecting student safety.
Jewelbot — Wearable technology teaching girls to code through friendship bracelets.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 49

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 49

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 49

Published: 2016-06-10 • 📧 Newsletter

Welcome to issue 49 of the TL;DR Newsletter. This week we think about the challenge and structure of impossible problems.

I've been wondering about the design of this newsletter recently. One of the big questions that I have is about the use of images as opposed to just a text-based newsletter. Having a lot of images provides some "eye candy" but it also may cause email providers to mark it as spam and hide it. How would you feel if I provided a text only version of TL;DR? Please send me an email by clicking the reply button and let me know what works best for you.

This week I worked on the following:

Four Questions For Tom Liam Lynch about coding, programming, and computational thinking/participation - I conducted this interview with Tom a couple of months ago as a supplement to our piece in JAAL on coding & programming. You can also access the audio in the Four Questions For podcast.
Four Questions For James Willis about ethics in education and technology - This week I spent a half hour with James talking about ethics and challenges in uses of educational technologies. This was a lead in to the awesome BadgeChain community call. If you've been thinking about the role of ethics in learning, or working with technologies, this is a good starting point. The audio is also available on the Four Questions For podcast.
Getting started with podcasts: Creating cover art and editing tags - As I've been building up my own podcast series, I've been documenting the steps involved. This latest post talks about a very important step in the process. I've had fun working on my podcast, and I think you should consider starting up your own series. Yes...you. :)
Fostering online research and discussion using Hypothes.is - Hypothes.is is a great, open source annotation tool that I've talked about many times here in TL;DR. I put together this post as a tutorial for using the tool in your personal and professional lives. Please join in and help create a social, annotated layer on the Internet.
BadgeChain Reads: Bitcoin - A peer-to-peer electronic cash system - As a member of Team BadgeChain, we're investigating the possibilities of blockchain technologies in education. One of the problems is that it can be a challenge to wrap your head around this complex, new technology. To address this challenge, we started up a collaborative reading program in the community using Hypothes.is as I've indicated above. If you're interested in learning more about blockchain...or you're a literacy educator and want to see new ways to possibly scaffold comprehension and synthesis online...this might be interesting to you. :)

Whew...now let's get to the fun stuff.

🔖 Key Takeaways

Yes...You: I've had fun working on my podcast, and I think you should consider starting up your own series. Yes...you. :)
I Thoroughly Recommend: I thoroughly recommend watching this video to see how these artists structure their work, and celebrate/extend the work of others.
My Fear: My fear is that American culture doesn't really accept the story that Bruner told about teaching.
What Muhammad Ali Did: What Muhammad Ali did was redefine what it meant to be tough and collectivize the very idea of courage.
This Makes Me Wonder: Work presented in this format makes me wonder what types of scaffolds are possible to support learners across these different modes. I'm also keenly aware of the roles that music, passion, and entertainment play in teaching and motivating an audience.

📺 Watch

Rapping, deconstructed: The best rhymers of all time (12:43)

I'm a huge music fan, and more specifically a fan of old school hip hop. I also regularly bring hip hop and rap into classes to discuss literacy practices and larger issues.

This video from Vox deconstructs the beats, rhymes, and poetry involved in rap. I thoroughly recommend watching this video to see how these artists structure their work, and celebrate/extend the work of others.

Please be advised that there are some NSFW words in the video as they are conducting a textual analysis of hip hop lyrics in situ.

📚 Read

An unfinished quest in education

Jerome Bruner passed away this week at the age of 100.

The post above comes from The Atlantic and discusses the challenges that schools still face in embracing Bruner's ideas. Specifically they address the concept known as "cognitive psychology," and children making sense of the world by constructing knowledge.

My fear is that American culture doesn't really accept the story that Bruner told about teaching.

'I just wanted to be free': The radical reverberations of Muhammad Ali

Muhammad Ali passed away this week at the age of 74.

The post shared above comes from The Nation and reminds us of his struggles against some of the times in which he lived. In this we possibly gain some insight into the challenges we face today.

What Muhammad Ali did—in a culture that worships sports and violence as well as a culture that idolizes black athletes while criminalizing black skin—was redefine what it meant to be tough and collectivize the very idea of courage. Through the Champ's words on the streets and deeds in the ring, bravery was not only standing up to Sonny Liston. It was speaking truth to power, no matter the cost. He was a boxer whose very presence and persona taught a simple and dangerous lesson: "real men" fight for peace and "real women" raise their voices and join the fray. Or as Bryant Gumbel said years ago, "Muhammad Ali refused to be afraid. And being that way, he gave other people courage."

How to change white teachers' lenses

Good post from Vanessa Romo at the Tomorrow's Test section of Slate discussing the challenges educators have in becoming "culturally competent." Romo defines this as understanding where (literally and metaphorically) your students are coming from.

Teacher education and development programs are increasingly trying to figure out how to address the challenges of a workforce that is more than 80 percent white working in schools in which more than half of students are identified as a minority.

The post discusses initiatives underway to support educators and recognize they need more than desire.

Becoming a culturally competent white teacher takes more than a plucky attitude and tireless will to buck the system.

What doesn't work: Literacy practices we should abandon

Post from Nell Duke in Edutopia detailing some of the errors educators make as they focus on literacy practices in instruction.

The post identifies five "less than optimal practices" that should be avoided:

"Look up the list" vocab instruction - having students simply look up the words in the dictionary and write a sentence.
Giving prizes for reading - awarding prizes for reading may be detrimental to reading motivation now and in their futures.
Weekly spelling tests - the problem is that not all lists are good for all students. Different word sets, as well as a focus on analyzing/using words fits best.
Unsupported independent reading - to foster independent reading, there needs to be a link to instruction and coaching occurring in class time and feedback/discussion from other students.
Taking away recess as punishment - there is a growing body of research connecting physical activity to academic learning. This break and inclusion of physical activity may provide time/space for students to decompress and think.

How does 'Hamilton' the non stop, hip-hop Broadway sensation tap rap's master rhymes to blur musical lines?

I have not seen Hamilton yet, but have heard a never ending discussion about how incredible it is. What is interesting is that most of these incredible reviews come from tech blogs and podcasts.

This post from The Wall Street Journal uses algorithms, text, images, and embedded sound clips to deconstruct the rhymes and raps that fuel this production.

The presentation of these items in the post provides an intriguing visualization of syllables, rhymes, and beats. For those of us that enjoy the art and creativity in the performance...but are not super skilled musically....this is very helpful.

Work presented in this format makes me wonder what types of scaffolds are possible to support learners across these different modes. I'm also keenly aware of the roles that music, passion, and entertainment play in teaching and motivating an audience.

🔨 Do

Website visualizes grammatical structure of any sentence

The Sentence Tree web app by Fox Type is super cool. As you type any sentence in to the app it will deconstruct the words and phrases to identify their role in the structure of the sentence.

I'm sure that app is not 100% correct, but it is interesting to see how they tool unpacks as you write. Fox Type is beginning to fold these technologies into other uses. I'm testing out the plugin for gMail to see what it does to my emails.

🤔 Consider

"Impossible is just a big word thrown around by small men who find it easier to live in the world they've been given than to explore the power they have to change it. Impossible is not a fact. It's an opinion. Impossible is not a declaration. It's a dare. Impossible is potential. Impossible is temporary. Impossible is nothing." — Muhammad Ali

This week: impossible problems.

Four Questions For interviews with Tom Liam Lynch on coding and James Willis on ethics. Podcasting series continues - yes, you should start your own. Hypothes.is tutorial for social annotated layer. BadgeChain blockchain reading using collaborative annotation. Vox deconstructing rap - I thoroughly recommend watching. Jerome Bruner passed at 100 - my fear is American culture doesn't accept his story about teaching. Muhammad Ali passed at 74 - redefined courage and gave people bravery. White teachers need more than plucky attitude for cultural competence. Nell Duke on five literacy practices to abandon including unsupported independent reading. Hamilton musical rhyme analysis makes me wonder about scaffolds across modes. Sentence Tree grammar visualization.

Impossible is nothing.

Previous: TLDR 48 • Next: TLDR 50 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Podcasts — Four Questions For with Tom Liam Lynch on coding and James Willis on ethics, yes you should start your own.
Hypothes.is — Tutorial for fostering online research and discussion, social annotated layer on Internet.
Blockchain — BadgeChain collaborative reading using Hypothes.is to scaffold comprehension and synthesis.
Hip Hop — Vox deconstructing rap beats rhymes and poetry, Hamilton musical rhyme analysis.
Jerome Bruner — Passed at 100, cognitive psychology and constructing knowledge, American culture doesn't accept his story.
Muhammad Ali — Passed at 74, redefined courage as speaking truth to power, gave people bravery.
Cultural Competence — White teachers need more than plucky attitude, understanding where students come from.
Literacy — Nell Duke on five practices to abandon, Sentence Tree grammar visualization tool.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 48

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 48

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 48

Published: 2016-06-03 • 📧 Newsletter

Welcome to issue 48 of the TL;DR Newsletter. This week we think about understanding and making the web.

If you have feedback, questions, or concerns...please feel free to the "reply" button and send me a response. Your feedback is greatly appreciated.

This has been another week in which I've been doing a lot of things in the background on various writing projects.

I also plan on releasing more (and iterating) on my podcast. In The Four Questions For podcast, I've interviewed experts in literacy, education, and technology to make sense of many of the things we discuss here in TL;DR. You can subscribe on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, or with your favorite podcatcher.

🔖 Key Takeaways

As Pointed Out by Kevin Hodgson: It's interesting to consider how these digital texts and tools shape story. As a researcher of online reading comprehension, I've often gotten into "discussions" with others about how/if reading is changing.
What Strikes Me: What strikes me about this is that growth appears to be slowing in the companies that control these online spaces. It also appears that the current giants in the field will continue to build their shares.
This Post is Valuable: This post is valuable to share with colleagues and students as you begin discussions about the shifts in literacy and practices.
It's Quite Amazing: We sometimes take it for granted as we complain about wireless speeds. If you really think about what is happening, and how fast it occurs...it's quite amazing.
The Weirdest Thing You'll Read Today: I agree that it's the weirdest thing you'll read today (this week).

📺 Watch

Margaret Atwood - A state of wonder: How technology shapes story (4:16)

Writer Margaret Atwood discussing the affordances of different technologies on storytelling.

As pointed out by Kevin Hodgson, it's interesting to consider how these digital texts and tools shape story. As a researcher of online reading comprehension, I've often gotten into "discussions" with others about how/if reading is changing. These questions continue as I research and make online, digital content.

What do you think about Margaret's points?

📚 Read

Mary Meeker's essential 2016 Internet Trends report

Mary Meeker is a partner at the venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins Caufield & Byers. Each summer she compiles and presents a list of the current internet trends.

The end result (at least for this year) is a slide deck with 213 PPT slides. :)

There are numerous posts that discuss and unpack the findings from the report. What strikes me about this is that growth appears to be slowing in the companies that control these online spaces. It also appears that the current giants in the field will continue to build their shares. Additionally, internet saturation (at least in developed countries) is almost complete. Mobile saturation is following close behind.

I find it interesting to look at overall trends and see what texts and tools the market prefers, as opposed to what we think we're seeing our students and colleagues use.

From written to digital: The new literacy

Post in Educause Review by Phillip Ventimiglia and George L. Pullman examining the shifts that are occurring as we move from print to pixel.

As a regular reader of TL;DR, you're more than likely already versed in the elements presented in this piece. It discusses the changes occurring in the economy, reading online, and coding as writing. Many of the elements presented you've already encountered before. This post is valuable to share with colleagues and students as you begin discussions about the shifts in literacy and practices.

How the internet works: Submarine fiber, brains in jars, and coaxial cables

From ArsTechnica UK and Bob Dormon comes this deep dive into how exactly the internet gets information from here to there.

This excellent post is something to sit down with and peruse on your tablet over breakfast and step into the internet. The detailed tour includes maps, photos, and diagrams that lead you from New Jersey to the shores of Britain.

We sometimes take it for granted as we complain about wireless speeds in our homes or HBO Go not streaming our latest Game of Thrones episode. If you really think about what is happening, and how fast it occurs...it's quite amazing.

Untangling the Web: The NSA's supremely weird, florid guide to the internet

On TL;DR we often spend time talking about privacy, surveillance, and this usually brings us to some story about the NSA.

Cory Doctorow shares this post on Boing Boing about the NSA's guide to internet research from 2007 titled "Untangling the Web." This document was obtained through a freedom of information request by Michael Morisy at MuckRock.

If you study the internet, I definitely recommend saving this document to peruse during your free time. I agree that it's the weirdest thing you'll read today (this week).

Summer camps for coding? Think again.

As the summer gets started, we think about what to do with extra time away from the classroom with our students/children. These hours may be spent with art camps, swimming lessons, or family trips. Increasingly we are looking at enrolling children in coding camps to kickstart their futures in coding, programming and beyond.

Mimi Ito in Boing Boing advises us to not jump so fast.

Most of Mimi's advice comes from the fact that just enrolling your child in one of these camps (or free online courses) won't by itself instill a sense of love. You'll need to do quite a bit more to make it a meaningful part of their lives.

Additionally, they might initially enjoy some of the basics in these free coding classes and activities, but you might also some of the awesome connected learning activities she lists in the post.

🔨 Do

Use this awesome web app to make the best videos on YouTube

I spend a lot of time making images, video, and now audio (podcasts) and digitizing this for sharing online. The challenge in putting together guides and training materials for all of this is that the technology will quickly provide new, easier ways to get the work done.

I saw Showbox a couple of months ago on ProductHunt and have been playing with it. If you're interested in putting together some online videos for classes or your audience, I think it's worth spending a little time playing with it as well to see if it'll work for you.

At this point, I prefer to record my video and edit in iMovie or another tool. But, Showbox is worth keeping an eye on as they iterate.

🤔 Consider

"Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less." — Marie Curie

This week: understanding and making the web.

Margaret Atwood on how digital texts and tools shape story - I've gotten into "discussions" about how/if reading is changing. Mary Meeker Internet Trends - what strikes me is growth slowing in companies controlling online spaces. Print to digital literacy shifts - valuable to share with colleagues and students. Submarine cables deep dive from New Jersey to Britain - if you think about what's happening and how fast it occurs, it's quite amazing. NSA's Untangling the Web guide - the weirdest thing you'll read this week. Mimi Ito on coding camps - enrollment alone won't instill love, need connected learning. Showbox for online videos worth keeping an eye on.

Nothing in life is to be feared, it is only to be understood. Now is the time to understand more, so that we may fear less.

Previous: TLDR 47 • Next: TLDR 49 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Podcasts — Four Questions For podcast iterating with experts in literacy education and technology.
Margaret Atwood — Technology shapes storytelling, how digital texts and tools shape story.
Internet Trends — Mary Meeker 213 slide deck, growth slowing but giants building shares.
Digital Literacy Framework — Print to pixel shifts in economy reading online and coding as writing.
Internet Infrastructure — Submarine cables detailed tour from New Jersey to Britain shores, quite amazing.
Privacy — NSA's Untangling the Web guide from 2007, weirdest thing you'll read this week.
Coding — Mimi Ito on coding camps needing more than enrollment, connected learning activities.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 47

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 47

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 47

Published: 2016-05-27 • 📧 Newsletter

Welcome to issue 47 of the TL;DR Newsletter. This week we problematize Legos, gender, & grit.

If you have feedback, questions, or concerns...please feel free to the "reply" button and send me a response. Your feedback is greatly appreciated.

This week I spent some time cleaning up stuff in the background. One thing in particular that I've been working on is getting my podcast series up and off of the ground.

The Four Questions For podcast is a series of interviews I've conducted with experts in literacy, education, and technology over the past couple of years. You can subscribe on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher, or with your favorite podcatcher.

🔖 Key Takeaways

Remix is Not Dead: Kirby once again details the elements of remix, and explains why it is a good thing. Finally...he indicates that remix is not dead. :)
I Appreciate the Focus: I appreciate the focus from Lego (and researchers) on the interactions between play, product, and perception in these spaces.
Unexpected Takeaway: If anything, being an adult and knowing realistic limits on what can and cannot be realized can actually limit your creativity. So consider the trade-off: If you want to become an architect, it might come at the expense of your Lego skills.
I Applaud Hypothes.is: I applaud Hypothes.is for conducting and sharing this research. I look forward to further discussion about the subject.
As Always, I Recommend Problematizing: As always, I recommend problematizing all elements and assumptions about our world...even grit.

📺 Watch

Everything is a Remix: The Force Awakens (10:34)

For those of you into remix and mashups, you know about Kirby Ferguson. I use his Everything is a Remix video to introduce the subject to my students.

If you're a Star Wars fan, and/or remix fan, this latest video is for you. Kirby once again details the elements of remix, and explains why it is a good thing. He also explains why many people were upset that The Force Awakens contain elements of a remix.

Finally...he indicates that remix is not dead. :)

📚 Read

How to play like a girl

Intriguing post from Adrienne LaFrance in The Atlantic examining the line between making products children love and informing kids how they should play with them.

The piece starts with a discussion about the reframing of Lego to connect with girls and not be so skewed toward boys only. It continues on with research about stereotyping of toys and gender on play assessment. Finally, it concludes with current initiatives from Lego as they try to make a product that is approachable for all learners without inadvertently informing their practice.

In the current culture, many are open to flexible definitions of gender. Still many others are not and debate rages from the role of transitioning adults to public bathroom designations. I appreciate the focus from Lego (and researchers) on the interactions between play, product, and perception in these spaces.

What architects make when they play with Lego

As we work and research digital spaces, I often wonder about what the "experts" with their tools.

Continuing the theme of working/playing with Lego, this post in FastCo Design discusses an event at the Lego Store in NYC in which professional architects were paired up with students from a local high school. Their task was to rebuild/reinvent New York using monochrome Lego blocks.

Unexpected takeaway:

Still, there were some at the event who felt, if anything, that becoming professional architects had somehow made them worse at Lego. "If anything, being an adult and knowing realistic limits on what can and cannot be realized can actually limit your creativity," Kushner says. So consider the trade-off: If you want to become an architect, it might come at the expense of your Lego skills.

Digital Redlining, Access, and Privacy

An excellent, wide-ranging post from Chris Gillard and Hugh Culik on Common Sense Graphite.

The authors create parallels between students trying to search online but being limited by firewalls and filters...and redlining that occurred in the US with housing loans. The authors contend that there is a new form of "digital redlining" that informs/creates/reifies artificial patterns of class structure by limiting access to knowledge sources online.

They continue:

Digital redlining is not a renaming of the digital divide. It is a different thing, a set of education policies, investment decisions, and IT practices that actively create and maintain class boundaries through strictures that discriminate against specific groups. The digital divide is a noun; it is the consequence of many forces. In contrast, digital redlining is a verb, the "doing" of difference, a "doing" whose consequences reinforce existing class structures. In one era, redlining created differences in physical access to schools, libraries, and home ownership. Now, the task is to recognize how digital redlining is integrated into edtech to produce the same kinds of discriminatory results. Armed with the history of redlining, and understanding its digital resurrection, we glimpse the use of technologies to reinforce the boundaries of race, class, ethnicity, and gender. Our experience is that this problem is seldom recognized as an urgent educational issue.

Involving page owners in annotation

On TL:DR I frequently share news and info about Hypothes.is, one of my favorite tools for annotating online texts. I use Hypothes.is to annotate and "save" online texts. I use it in classes. I even have it built in to my website to allow readers to mark up my site.

Recent criticisms (here, here, here, and here) have questioned whether we should be able to provide this level of annotation to the web.

This post from Lena Gunn at Hypothe.is shares research with content creators to gain their opinion on the subject. I applaud Hypothes.is for conducting and sharing this research. I look forward to further discussion about the subject.

MacArthur 'genius' Angela Duckworth responds to a new critique of grit

If you listened to episode 52 of the TIDE Podcast, you know that the topic of "grit" as identified by Angela Duckworth has been critiqued recently. You can read more here and here.

At the root of this critique is a meta-analysis of research by Marcus Crede on grit in an upcoming issue of the Journal of Personality and Social Psychology.

Grit is frequently tossed around in educational circles as we discuss the merit and implications of this construct. It's interesting to see how people are responding to this discussion about grit in our lives. As always, I recommend problematizing all elements and assumptions about our world...even grit.

🔨 Do

Labeley makes good-looking custom labels for anything, no Photoshop knowledge required

One of my favorite tools to use is Canva to quickly make good looking digital designs. I use it to create all of the "Consider" quotes that you see below...and that I publish on Instagram.

Labeley takes a page out of this playbook by improving their web editing portal that you can use to print out your own custom labels.

When I brew my own beer, I design my own labels and print them up on store bought labels. I then cover these up with many layers of hairspray. In the future I'll start using Labeley to not only create better labels...but more stickers for my laptop.

🤔 Consider

"Problems are not stop signs, they are guidelines." — Robert H. Schuller

This week: problematize Legos, gender, grit.

Four Questions For podcast launched on iTunes, Google Play, Stitcher. Kirby Ferguson on The Force Awakens - remix is not dead. Lego reframing gender play - I appreciate the focus on interactions between play, product, and perception. Architects playing with Lego worse than students - expertise can limit creativity. Digital redlining is a verb creating class boundaries through firewalls and filters. Hypothes.is annotation ethics - I applaud them for conducting this research. Angela Duckworth grit critique - as always, I recommend problematizing all assumptions, even grit. Labeley for homebrewing labels and laptop stickers.

Problems are not stop signs, they are guidelines.

Previous: TLDR 46 • Next: TLDR 48 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Podcasts — Four Questions For podcast launched with experts in literacy education and technology.
Remix — Kirby Ferguson on Everything is a Remix and The Force Awakens, remix is not dead.
Gender — Lego reframing to connect with girls, interactions between play product and perception.
Expertise — Professional architects worse at Lego, knowing realistic limits can limit creativity.
Digital Redlining — Verb not noun, actively creating class boundaries through firewalls filters and access restrictions.
Hypothes.is — Web annotation ethics debate, involving page owners in annotation decisions.
Grit — Angela Duckworth responds to Marcus Crede meta-analysis critique, problematize all assumptions.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 46

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 46

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 46

Published: 2016-05-20 • 📧 Newsletter

Welcome to issue 46 of the TL;DR Newsletter. This week we discuss the difference between learning and training with Dr. Seuss and Emily Dickinson.

If you have feedback, questions, or concerns...please feel free to the "reply" button and send me a response. I'd love to hear from you.

This week I worked on the following:

Getting Started with Podcasts: Recording your podcast - As I continue this deep dive into podcasting, I submitted this recent look at recording your content. I finished up the week with this post about editing your podcast and getting it ready to share. I'm investigating the opportunities to host and share the podcast and should have that post out next week.

🔖 Key Takeaways

Must-Subscribe: MinuteEarth is a must-subscribe for your YouTube account. The team regularly produces and publishes videos that make complex ideas very simple.
Terribly Fascinating Perspective: Imagine a future where you train the computer to bring about the outcome you desire. Terribly fascinating perspective. I'm still considerate of the individuals that are creating the code now that will create this future tense.
My First Response is "Good": Looking at the data, my first response is "good." We should be concerned/aware of the extent of our digital identity and presence.
I Also Love Jenna's Work: This post discusses Snapchat, but I think she's (possibly) unpacking the relationships and connections our students have with technology. I also love Jenna's work.
I Wonder What Would Happen: I wonder what would happen if we sit with our students in between and allow them to document and learn from their surroundings. This could be in the real world, or digital spaces.

📺 Watch

How we make MinuteEarth Videos (Behind the scenes) (3:05)

MinuteEarth is a must-subscribe for your YouTube account. The team regularly produces and publishes videos that make complex ideas very simple. They've got a specific style and format to their videos that help make the content very approachable.

This video in particular documents the process behind this work. They discuss the tools, texts, and people behind the scenes.

📚 Read

Soon we won't program computers. We'll train them like dogs.

Intriguing post from Jason Tanz in Wired Magazine.

When we think about coding and programming, we've got this image of an individual (or group) that works with code and makes software do incredible things. Increasingly we're hearing more about artificial intelligence and the opportunities to have machines do the heavy lifting (physical/cognitive) for us.

Imagine a future where you (anyone) sits at a computer and imagines a program they'd like to see. They start talking through and training the computer to bring about the outcome they desire. In a sense, you're training a sentient being to take on the roles/responsibilities through practice and remediation.

Terribly fascinating perspective. I'm still considerate of the individuals that are creating the code now that will create this future tense.

Why a staggering number of Americans have stopped using the Internet the way they used to

A post from Andrea Peterson in The Washington Post that details analysis from the National Telecommunications & Information Administration (NTIA).

The data suggests that Americans are performing fewer transactions (banking/purchasing/etc) online because of privacy/security fears. They are staying away out of fear of identity theft, banking fraud, data collection or tracking by online services, loss of control over personal data, data collection or tracking by government, and threats to personal safety.

Looking at the data, my first response is "good." We should be concerned/aware of the extent of our digital identity and presence. I'm also a bit concerned about the focus of these findings. In the Post-Snowden era, there should be some chilling effects on our digital actions. But, I would be much more concerned about businesses and governments slurping up my data than I am about some of the other categories listed.

How I learned to love Snapchat

In TL;DR we spend a lot of time trying to make sense of Snapchat. I realize that not all of us are enthralled with this new platform, and as a result I try to balance it all out.

This post from Jenna Wortham in The New York Times Magazine discusses Snapchat, but I think she's (possibly) unpacking the relationships and connections our students have with technology. I also love Jenna's work.

Specifically, she closes with:

Its entire aesthetic flies in the face of how most people behave on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter — as if we're waiting to be plucked from obscurity by a talent agent or model scout. But Snapchat isn't the place where you go to be pretty. It's the place where you go to be yourself, and that is made easy thanks to the app's inbuilt ephemerality. Away from the fave-based economies of mainstream social media, there's less pressure to be dolled up, or funny. For all the advances in tech that let us try on various guises to play around with who we are, it seems that we just want new ways to be ourselves. As it turns out, the mundanity of our regular lives is the most captivating thing we could share with one another.

Dr. Seuss, statistics, and the science of learning to read

Research from Kris Shaffer on Medium in which he posts about what he's learning as his four-year old learns to read. I love the way that he recognizes what is happening around him, tests his theories, runs analysis on the stats, and blogs openly about it. A great read that identifies possible futures for research, publishing, and learning about the world around us.

I'm also intrigued by his use of the Scholarly Blog Index to share his work.

Specifically, Kris looks at learning theory associated with learning to read, and charts our lexical density across several "learning to read" books.

How Emily Dickinson grew her genius in her family's backyard

I spent a lot of time in an around Amherst, MA so this post resonated with me. I was also intrigued by the learning laboratory Emily was able to construct for herself in her own backyard. We often hear about (or practice) backyard science, but Emily lived it. She was able to build her skills as a naturalist and we can see the effects of this in her works.

We often ignore the simple environments as they take us from one place to another. I wonder what would happen if we sit with our students in between and allow them to document and learn from their surroundings. This could be in the real world, or digital spaces. What would perspectives and knowledge would they gain from these environments?

🔨 Do

Listen to your images with Pixel Synth

Pixel Synth is a super cool tool from Olivia Jack.

The tool allows you to scan images and interpret the brightness values as notes and chords. You can hack and remix the tool to see what your images and art "sound" like.

Looking forward to seeing more people fork and play with this. :)

🤔 Consider

"Whenever a thing is done for the first time, it releases a little demon." — Emily Dickinson

This week: learning and training with Dr. Seuss and Emily Dickinson.

MinuteEarth must-subscribe shows how they make complex ideas simple. Training computers like dogs - terribly fascinating perspective. Americans reducing online activity due to privacy fears - my first response is "good." Jenna Wortham on Snapchat as authentic self-expression - the mundanity of our regular lives is the most captivating thing. Kris Shaffer analyzes Dr. Seuss and lexical density as his four-year old learns to read. Emily Dickinson's backyard laboratory - I wonder what would happen if we sit with our students in between and allow them to document their surroundings. Pixel Synth lets you listen to your images.

Whenever a thing is done for the first time, it releases a little demon.

Previous: TLDR 45 • Next: TLDR 47 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Podcasts — Deep dive continues with recording and editing podcast content getting ready to share.
MinuteEarth — Must-subscribe YouTube channel making complex ideas simple with specific approachable style.
Artificial Intelligence — Training computers like dogs instead of programming them, terribly fascinating future perspective.
Privacy — Americans performing fewer online transactions due to privacy and security fears, Post-Snowden chilling effects.
Snapchat — Authentic self-expression away from fave-based economies, mundanity of regular lives is most captivating.
Learning Theory — Dr. Seuss and lexical density in learning to read, Emily Dickinson's backyard laboratory as naturalist.
Pixel Synth — Scan images and interpret brightness values as notes and chords, listen to your art.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 45

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 45

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 45

Published: 2016-05-13 • 📧 Newsletter

Welcome to issue 45 of the TL;DR Newsletter. This week...don't forget to trust the algorithm. ;)

If you have feedback, questions, or concerns...please feel free to the "reply" button and send me a response. I'd love to hear from you.

In last week's issue, I discussed my field testing of Nuclino. I inadvertently shared the wrong URL in the post. You can sign up for Nuclino and follow them on Twitter. I'm having a meeting with the Nuclino developers this upcoming week to share some things I'd like to see in the platform. Please shoot me a note if you've got some ideas.

This week I worked on the following:

Teaching Literacies with Technology Survey - This week we sent out more info about the survey we're using in the Digitally Literate Research Project. Put simply, we're documenting the habits, skills, and strategies used by educators (from Pre-K up through higher ed) that are using technology in instruction. If you're a regular reader of TL;DR...this means you. :) Please check it out...and let us document your greatness.
Getting Started with Podcasts: Finding the talent, content, audio, and your voice - I've been compiling materials from a deep dive into podcasts. In this work I'm trying to document my learning to help you think through the possibilities. This post focuses on the prep work (I think) you'll need to complete before you record one minute.
Getting Started with Podcasts: Recording your podcast - The second post from this week discussing podcasting. In this post we finally get down to recording content.
Teachers Teaching Teachers (TTT) #488: Why should districts consider using Open Educational Resources (OER)? - In this video (1:04:04) I sat in on an episode of TTT and we discussed the use and adoption of OERs in the classroom. If you're interested in open...please bookmark this piece from First Monday.
Digitally Literate Courses: Identifying the deliverables - I'm in the process of working on a big side project that I think will benefit educators from Pre-K up through higher ed. In this latest post, I detail my thinking as I continue to scale up. Please feel free to comment here...or on Medium.

🔖 Key Takeaways

Let Us Document Your Greatness: If you're a regular reader of TL;DR...this means you. Please check out the TLT Survey and let us document your greatness.
I'd Love to Get a Group to Discuss: Fascinating piece that I'd love to get a group of people to discuss. The challenge is that the current political climate and dystopian election campaign here in the U.S. sometimes makes discussion untenable.
That...and Individuals That Curate Things Into Newsletters: We need these algorithms to tell us what to read...and what to ignore. That...and individuals that curate things into newsletters. ;)
The Problem Arises: Perhaps it's not such a bad idea to use some "algorithms" to handle low level discussions and tasks. The problem arises when my email bot is communicating with your email bot and neither of us knows. :)
I Know Too Much About Psychometrics: This is possibly why I know too much about psychometrics and not enough about Springfield. :(

📺 Watch

Being a Good Listener (4:47)

Excellent video from The School of Life YouTube Channel. Perfect advice on the art of listening. As they point out in the start of the video...people suggest that we should all be a good listener...but no one taught us how.

Follow The School of Life on Facebook or Twitter depending on which you prefer.

📚 Read

America has never been so ripe for tyranny - Democracies end when they are too democratic

Incredible post from Andrew Sullivan in NY Mag.

What interests me about the post is that it presents a pretty compelling case (IMHO) about the disruptive potential for the Internet and other communication technologies on institutions of power. New regimes and groups are given a microphone to speak...where we like it or not. Imagine a possible future in which brick and stone do not identify a specific group or affiliation. Rather, we could be identified as a community, or citizens based on ideologies and affiliations.

Fascinating piece that I'd love to get a group of people to discuss. The challenge is that the current political climate and dystopian election campaign here in the U. S. sometimes makes discussion untenable.

Of course Facebook is biased. That's how tech works today

Over the past couple of weeks, many people have been shocked (once again) that Facebook and other companies are adjusting our feeds online. Twitter recently made headlines when they announced that they would start "aggregating" the info they present you. Facebook and Google have been questioned by the government in the U.S. and globally to better understand how and why some news is privileged over other information. This identification of "editorial judgement" in the news feed is of high interest as the elections are red hot in the U.S.

Please keep in mind that news feeds and search results are determined by algorithms. Data is collected every time you select a link, respond to a comment, or scan your cursor over a spot on a page. Data is always being collected, and has been for years. This information is used to modify online content, improve the algorithm, improve the feed.

Please also keep in mind that when we ask companies (e.g., Facebook) to explain the process, they indicate that it's the algorithms that are making the decisions. It is human beings that are writing the code that makes the algorithms function. They're constantly tweaking things to getter better user response. When Facebook notices that you're not sharing as much as you used to...things change...and you start sharing.

Finally, as more and more content floods online, it's impossible for us to negotiate this firehose. As a result, the feed is dying. We need these algorithms to tell us what to read...and what to ignore. That...and individuals that curate things into newsletters. ;)

Imagine discovering that your teaching assistant really is a robot

One month ago I wrote up a post about bots (or artificial intelligence) acting as a teaching assistant in online or hybrid classes. I discussed my work, and thinking about these possibilities in the post, and received a decent amount of positive and negative feedback from the post.

This post from The Wall Street Journal discusses the use of IBM's Watson to provide the brains behind Ms. Jill Watson, a teaching assistant in graduate classes at the Georgia Institute of Technology. They're using Ms. Watson (an AI bot) to answer some of the low level questions and provide feedback for student work. The post goes on to discuss the role of "bots" in other fields and purposes.

As more information floods into online spaces, perhaps it's not such a bad idea to use some "algorithms" to handle low level discussions and tasks. The problem arises when my email bot is communicating with your email bot and neither of us knows. :)

What makes Wikipedia's volunteer editors volunteer?

A guest post from Sarah Guminksi in Scientific American examining the motivation that fuels the volunteers that edit Wikipedia.

I'm fascinated by the discourse that happens on Wikipedia...but not on the pages for individual articles. You need to click on the "Talk" link for a page to see the real "dialogue" around a topic. The Talk link for each page is up to the left on Wikipedia articles. A fascinating read is the "talk" pages for the Gamergate page.

The piece by Guminski shares research that identifies that the common element that binds this volunteerism is the community that is built in the endeavor.

Your brain has a "delete" button - Here's how to use it

There's been a lot of fascinating news and research lately about the brain and how it is wired. Some of this recent news from neuroscience talks about the way that our brains "take out the trash."

We learn in basic educational psychology classes that as we learn new things (and multitask) we strengthen the neural connections (i.e. myelination). Through our daily cognitive efforts, we also forget and break down old pathways that we no longer regularly use (i.e., synaptic pruning). Sadly, after my doctoral program I cannot remember a single Simpsons or Hogan's Heroes episode. :(

This post describes the brain as a garden, and the role of the glial cell as the "gardener" of the brain as it pulls up weeds, kills pests, and prunes. The microglial cells pay attention to proteins to know what to prune, and what to keep.

All of this cleaning and taking out the trash happens when you sleep and nap. You also have some choice in what your brain decides to keep and delete. Whatever you spend time focusing on will be privileged over other information and save itself from the chopping block. This is possibly why I know too much about psychometrics and not enough about Springfield.

🔨 Do

Use Facebook's Capture the Flag platform to test your hacking skills and learn cybersecurity

When I was teaching middle school, one of our school initiatives was to have two hours set aside each week for informal learning activities. During this "advisory" period, I would play a stock market game with the students to build their financial literacy.

I would definitely play this "capture the flag" game with students to build their web literacies.

🤔 Consider

"The first principle is that you must not fool yourself and you are the easiest person to fool." — Richard Feynman

This week: trust the algorithm.

School of Life teaches us how to listen - no one taught us how. Andrew Sullivan on tyranny and democracy - I'd love to discuss but the dystopian election campaign makes it untenable. Facebook bias reveals humans write the algorithms - we need them to tell us what to read and what to ignore. That...and individuals that curate things into newsletters. Jill Watson AI teaching assistant at Georgia Tech - the problem arises when my email bot talks to your email bot. Wikipedia volunteers bound by community. Your brain's delete button prunes while you sleep - I know too much about psychometrics and not enough about Springfield. Facebook's Capture the Flag builds web literacies.

The first principle is that you must not fool yourself and you are the easiest person to fool.

Previous: TLDR 44 • Next: TLDR 46 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Podcasts — Deep dive series continues with finding talent content audio and recording your podcast.
School of Life — Perfect advice on art of listening, people say be a good listener but no one taught us how.
Algorithms — Humans write the code that makes algorithms function, constantly tweaking for better user response.
Artificial Intelligence — Jill Watson AI teaching assistant at Georgia Tech answers low level questions using IBM Watson.
Wikipedia — Volunteer editors motivated by community built in the endeavor, fascinating Talk page discourse.
Neuroscience — Synaptic pruning takes out the trash while you sleep, brain as garden with glial cells as gardeners.
Open Educational Resources — TTT episode on why districts should consider using OER in classrooms.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 44

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 44

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 44

Published: 2016-05-06 • 📧 Newsletter

Welcome to issue 44 of the TL;DR Newsletter. In TL;DR I'm synthesizing news and events from the past week in literacy, technology, and education.

If you have feedback, questions, or concerns...please feel free to the "reply" button and send me a response. I'd love to hear from you. In fact, I received two messages this week from Todd Finley and Doug Belshaw expressing their support and gratitude for TL;DR. This made my week as I value and respect their work. Thanks again for your support. :)

This week we focus on the theme of unlearning the future.

This week I worked on the following:

Educating Digital Natives: Possible and prospective futures of students in learning contexts - With my colleague Nenad Radakovic, we submitted this draft of our chapter for the upcoming book on "Gaming and Learning Futures." We were really intrigued by the focus of the text, and the opportunity to write up a "future study." Feel free to share comments on the draft, we'll fold these in to the revisions of the chapter.
Episode 49 of Today in Digital Education: Controversial Abstinence - I sat in on the TIDE podcast with Greg McVerry and hosts Dai Barnes and Doug Belshaw. This was an honor for several reasons. First, I listen to TIDE each week and it helps me think through some of my thinking in tech. Second, I think that Dai and Doug do podcasts "right." I have been writing and thinking a lot about podcasts recently. They're one of the archetypes that I'm studying.
Dialogue with Peggy Semingson on the State of Digital Literacies and Preparing Teachers - I spent some time (15:00) chatting with the incredible Peggy Semingson this week chatting about possible futures in education and how do we get educators there. I definitely recommend following Peggy's YouTube channel to stay on top of her work as she experiments with YouTube and now podcasting.

🔖 Key Takeaways

This Made My Week: I received two messages this week from Todd Finley and Doug Belshaw expressing their support and gratitude for TL;DR. This made my week as I value and respect their work.
This Was an Honor: I sat in on the TIDE podcast with Greg McVerry and hosts Dai Barnes and Doug Belshaw. This was an honor for several reasons.
One of Those Individuals: Amy is one of those individuals that is always creating and making me think about what we could/should be doing as we create digitally.
We May See What We Want to See: Findings suggest that stereotypes that we hold may be mapped to our brain's visual system. We may see what we want to see.
There Are More of Us: The individual citizen is the ultimate check on government power. And there are more of us than there are of them.

📺 Watch

Tilt Brush: Painting from a new perspective (1:04)

Google released this video showing the use of the HTC Vive, Steam, and Tilt Brush to use together to create new forms of art.

I'm sharing this here because we often have a difficult time imagining what augmented and virtual reality might "look" like...and why anyone would care. This video encapsulates all of this and gives us perspectives on what might be possible. Take a look, show your students and colleagues, discuss the possibilities.

📚 Read

Unlearning and Other Jedi Mind Tricks - Finding the (Creative) Force

Another great post from the incredible Amy Burvall. I'm lucky that I have a couple thoughtful, imaginative people that are building and breaking things online that I can use as reference points. Amy is one of those individuals that is always creating and making me think about what we could/should be doing as we create digitally.

In the "what I worked on this week" I shared a post about future studies and education. Amy discusses this in this posts and uses some great GIFs to make her points. Specifically she highlights the forces of creativity, self-expression, and wonderlust while avoiding self-doubt. Block off some time to read, digest, and enjoy this post.

Why understanding these four types of mistakes can help us learn

As we continue this theme of "unlearning" and the future, this post from Mind/Shift discusses four types of "mistakes" and how they can provide insight on our work process and product.

Too often in our classrooms, failure and mistakes are frowned upon. Using a schematic such as the one provided in this post may help discuss the possibilities with our students.

They discuss:

Stretch mistakes - Positive mistakes that occur when we're trying to expand our current abilities.
Aha-moment mistakes - Positive mistakes that occur when we achieve our goals, but do so by learning something "just in time."
Sloppy mistakes - A generally "negative" mistake that occurs when loose focus, concentration, or are distracted.
High-stakes mistakes - Mistakes in which the outcomes or circumstances may be dire or catastrophic. For example, driving a school bus while fixing a nuclear reactor and trying to figure out what Radiohead is up to.

Brain warps the faces that we see to fit stereotypes

Research shared by a research group at NYU that used functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) and mouse-tracking technology that asked participants to quickly sort images into fields about gender, race and emotion of displayed faces.

Findings suggest that stereotypes that we hold may be mapped to our brain's visual system and prompt us to see others' faces in ways that conform to these stereotypes. We may see what we want to see.

Academia is quietly and systematically keeping its women from succeeding

This piece by Marcie Bianco in Quartz discusses the war on women in academia. She connects the dots between pay, the rising role of the adjunct, and issues with the tenure process for mothers.

Edward Snowden: "Governments can reduce our dignity to that of tagged animals"

The Guardian published a foreword from Edward Snowden that is included in the upcoming text, The Assassination Complex, by Jeremy Scahill and the staff of The Intercept.

The piece closes with: The individual citizen is the ultimate check on government power. And there are more of us than there are of them.

🔨 Do

Use CSS to build your own Star Wars crawl intro

I'm always looking for quick and interesting ways to play with (and have students play with) coding and programming in many forms. I have a couple games and editors for HTML and CSS coding that I'll use to have students quickly (5 to 10 minutes) play with code and then move on.

This tool uses CSS and some HTML to create a Star Wars crawl of your own. I plan on using this with students after using some of the easier tools to build up their skillset and self-efficacy.

🤔 Consider

"It's not where you take things from - it's where you take them to." — Jean-Luc Godard

This week: unlearning the future.

Todd Finley and Doug Belshaw's messages made my week. VR art with Tilt Brush shows what's possible. Amy Burvall on creativity, self-expression, wonderlust - one of those individuals always creating. Four types of mistakes help us learn - stretch, aha-moment, sloppy, high-stakes. Stereotypes warp our visual perception - we may see what we want to see. Academia systematically keeps women from succeeding. Snowden on whistleblowing as political resistance - there are more of us than there are of them.

It's not where you take things from - it's where you take them to.

Previous: TLDR 43 • Next: TLDR 45 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Virtual Reality — Tilt Brush painting in VR shows what augmented and virtual reality might look like.
Amy Burvall — Unlearning and Jedi mind tricks, forces of creativity self-expression wonderlust.
Mistakes — Four types stretch aha-moment sloppy high-stakes provide insight on learning.
Stereotypes — Brain warps faces we see to fit stereotypes mapped to visual system.
Women in Academia — Systematically kept from succeeding through pay adjuncts tenure process.
Edward Snowden — Whistleblowing as political resistance, individual citizen ultimate check on power.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 43

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 43

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 43

Published: 2016-04-29 • 📧 Newsletter

Welcome to issue 43 of the TL;DR Newsletter. In TL;DR I'm synthesizing news and events from the past week in literacy, technology, and education.

I'm always tweaking TL;DR to better suit you. If you have feedback, questions, or concerns...please feel free to the "reply" button and send me a response. I'd love to hear from you. Thank you for the support.

If you add my email address (hello@wiobyrne.com) you can make sure this newsletter isn't stuck in your spam folder. :) If you haven't already, I'd recommend that you subscribe to make sure you don't miss out next week's issue.

This week we examine elements of trust, toolsets, and pirates.

This week I worked on the following:

Getting Started with Podcasts: Identifying your purpose, audience, & format - I'm documenting my work during a deep dive on podcasts. This post focuses on some of the issues behind why you would want to develop and offer a podcast by looking at purpose, audience, and format of your content.
A New Hope: Negotiating the intersection of transmedia storytelling & literacy instruction - My last column as Multiliteracies Department Editor for JAAL was published this past week. You can review the column on the post above, or here on Academia. Over the coming weeks you'll see some interviews with experts in the field of transmedia and digital storytelling. As a supplement to this column, I posted a guide on transmedia storytelling.
Teachers Teaching Teachers episode #486 with Cassie Brownell & Jon Wargo - I spent an hour on TTT with Paul Allison, Karen Fasimpaur, Cassie Brownell, and Jon Wargo discussing open learning, MOOCs, and the hearmyhome project.

🔖 Key Takeaways

Keeps Me Grounded: This video resonates with me as my office is decorated with my son's artwork. This keeps me grounded and helps me focused on what really matters.
Irreparable Damage: I believe that these current events and revelations will do irreparable damage to our understandings and development of web literacies in these spaces.
Think More Deeply: I've been thinking and reading a great deal about trust over the past couple of months. I think we need to think more deeply about the permutations of trust as we read, write, and credential our work in digital spaces.
Parses Out: What I like about this post is that Doug parses out the different considerations we must have as we develop our own web and digital literacy practices...and build them up in others.
Cautiously Optimistic: I'm playing with this tool and finding ways to possibly fold it into my workflow. I am very cautiously optimistic about using this more.

📺 Watch

Why Children's Drawings Matter (2:40)

As a regular reader of TL;DR, you know that I love the work shared by The School of Life and their YouTube channel.

This video discusses the power and position of children's drawings in society. This video resonates with me as my office is decorated with my son's artwork. This keeps me grounded and helps me focused on what really matters.

📚 Read

New study shows mass surveillance breeds meekness, fear, and self-censorship

Most of my research and work involves supporting individuals as they create and curate their digital identity. You can read a recent publication about my thinking and work here.

This post is from Glenn Greenwald at The Intercept and discusses research on the chilling effects that this surveillance society have had on Wikipedia usage.

Of particular interest, there was a 20% decline in page views on Wikipedia articles related to terrorism. People may be changing their online reading habits or research of these topics because fear of doing so may put them under a cloud of suspicion.

I believe that these current events and revelations will do irreparable damage to our understandings and development of web literacies in these spaces. More research, and open discussion is needed. Educate, empower, advocate.

The future is the trust economy

As an interesting contrast to the first story I shared, this post from Adriana Stan on TechCrunch details the future of the Internet and the connections between the "trust economy." The trust economy details our willingness to use Uber to get a car ride, AirBnB to rent a room, and Kickstarter to fund other people's ideas.

What I appreciate most about this piece is the detailed discussion Stan includes in the piece about the codification and commodification of trust. She unpacks the current thinking and branding that is linked to perceived trust.

I've been thinking and reading a great deal about trust over the past couple of months. I think we need to think more deeply about the permutations of trust as we read, write, and credential our work in digital spaces.

Doug Belshaw in DML Central presents a detailed overview of the three types of "baggage" that we all carry as we make our way in the world of digital texts and tools.

Specifically, Doug identifies toolsets, mindsets, and skillsets in this process. Toolsets involve the specific tools and social practices involved in their use. Mindsets attends to the dispositions and attitudes we employ in the use of these practices. Skillsets involve the specific knowledge base to utilize these tools and literacies...and switch tools when needed.

What I like about this post is that Doug parses out the different considerations we must have as we develop our own web and digital literacy practices...and build them up in others.

Who's downloading pirated papers? Everyone.

Last week in TL;DR (Issue #42), the top story focused on two pieces (here & here) in which we discussed the issues with current publishing model in academics and research.

This post in Science illustrates this point by examining issues of paywalls and piracy on the Sci-Hub publishing hub.

The post is informed by research obtained via secure chat with Alexandra Elbakyan, the neuroscientist that created Sci-Hub. Alexandra anonymized, and provided this dataset for others that are interested in unpacking this information and logs.

Fascinating. It will be interesting to see how this plays out in the field.

If your science professors aren't confusing, they're doing it wrong

Piece from Rhett Allain in Wired examining the need to not "keep it simple"....especially in the study of science.

Rhett indicates that "nothing is clear cut." We (educators) should not try and make things simple for our students.

🔨 Do

Nuclino - a real-time wiki for team collaboration

I first learned about Nuclino recently from Doug Belshaw and their launch on Product Hunt. Since that point, I've been in love with product and trying to fold it into some of my current research projects.

As I research and work with others, sometimes we'll organize a series of nested Google Drive folders, and include multiple Google Docs within each folder. We'll have a string of emails and a Slack channel to keep us all organized. I'll keep an archive of this information saved on Evernote and Pinboard. Finally, we use Trello as a team to keep track of responsibilities and deliverables.

The problem with this system is that there is no way to keep track of everything and see how it interconnects. Think about the Google Drive folders and docs. How in the world do you see links across these documents to see how they fit and interconnect?

As a possible solution, Nuclino appears to be a mix between wiki, Evernote, Slack, and Trello. Teams (or individuals) can use it to create a manual or handbook that everyone creates over time.

I'm playing with this tool and finding ways to possibly fold it into my workflow. I am very cautiously optimistic about using this more until I learn about their pricing and business model after the free preview. Until then...I'm playing and I think you should as well. :)

🤔 Consider

"To find yourself, think for yourself." — Socrates

This week: trust, toolsets, pirates.

Children's drawings keep me grounded on what really matters. Surveillance breeds self-censorship - 20% decline in terrorism Wikipedia views. Trust economy - Uber, AirBnB, Kickstarter reveal we need to think more deeply about trust's permutations. Doug Belshaw parses toolsets, mindsets, skillsets - the baggage we carry. Sci-Hub piracy shows everyone downloads paywalled papers - fascinating to watch unfold. Science professors shouldn't keep it simple - nothing is clear cut. Nuclino wiki tool - cautiously optimistic about folding into workflow.

To find yourself, think for yourself.

Previous: TLDR 42 • Next: TLDR 44 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Podcasts — Deep dive continues with purpose audience and format considerations.
Transmedia — Last JAAL column on transmedia storytelling and literacy instruction.
Surveillance — Chilling effects 20% decline in terrorism Wikipedia views, irreparable damage to web literacies.
Trust Economy — Codification and commodification of trust in Uber AirBnB Kickstarter.
Doug Belshaw — Toolsets mindsets skillsets baggage we carry with digital texts and tools.
Sci-Hub — Alexandra Elbakyan neuroscientist created publishing hub, everyone downloads pirated papers.
Nuclino — Real-time wiki mix of Evernote Slack Trello, cautiously optimistic.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 42

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 42

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 42

Published: 2016-04-22 • 📧 Newsletter

Hi all. Welcome to issue 42 of the TL;DR Newsletter. In TL;DR I'm synthesizing news and events from the past week in literacy, technology, and education. Thank you for the support.

This week we examine elements of moderation, emoji, & the default state.

I'm always tweaking TL;DR to better suit you. If you have feedback, questions, or concerns...please feel free to the "reply" button and send me a response. I'd love to hear from you.

This week I've been working on the following:

Getting Started with Podcasts: Understanding, subscribing, & listening - I'm documenting my work during a deep dive on podcasts. This will result in a series of posts taking you from the beginning to end as you think about using and producing your own podcasts. I'll also take this info and synthesize it into an upcoming encyclopedia piece for educators.

🔖 Key Takeaways

Thankfully Available: Thankfully this 8 minute clip is available for us all to enjoy.
Warning Shot: This week two incredible pieces were posted online that fire another warning shot across the bow of publishers.
You're Part of the Problem: That's right. You're part of the problem...and the solution. :)
Lively Discussion: I'll then proceed to indicate that emoji are another form of writing and communication. At that we usually engage in some lively discussion. ;)
Really Resonated: This post from Daniel Levitin really resonated with me throughout the week.

📺 Watch

"Creep" - Prince at Coachella 2008

Prince had a long documented battle with the Internet. He sued YouTube, kept his music off streaming services, and routinely claimed copyright infringement.

He originally fought to keep this video of a performance at Coachella off YouTube...and then reversed course in 2015 by tweeting out a link to the video and indicating that he was fine with its existence.

Thankfully this 8 minute clip is available for us all to enjoy.

📚 Read

You pay to read research you fund. That's ridiculous

This week two incredible pieces were posted online that fire another warning shot across the bow of publishers. The focus is on organizing researchers to find a better way to share and collaborate over their work.

The first is the link above from Ryan Merkley, the CEO at Creative Commons.

The second is titled "It's time to stand up to greedy academic publishers" and was published in The Guardian by Jonathan Gray and Stuart Lawson.

These two pieces continue the call for charting out a possible better path as we use these new digital spaces to connect and collaborate.

The secret rules of the Internet: The murky history of moderation

Last week in TL;DR we discussed some of the issues with moderation of comments and free speech on The Guardian.

This week we continue that look at exactly what might be happening as we moderate and shape behaviors and content online.

The Verge shares results from an investigation that was supported by The Investigative Fund. The result is a long read that is definitely worth reviewing.

That's right. You're part of the problem...and the solution. :)

The emoji is the birth of a new type of language (👈 no joke)

Piece from Wired looking at literacy practices and adoption of emoji by web literate individuals.

Fully 92 percent of all people online use emoji now, and one-third of them do so daily.

Clive Thompson makes the point that we're really witnessing the birth of a new, global language.

In workshops and talks, I frequently talk about literacy practices and discuss how we read and write. In this discussion, I usually get some pushback when I suggest that coding is a form of writing. This pushback is lessening...slightly. I'll then proceed to indicate that emoji are another form of writing and communication. At that we usually engage in some lively discussion. ;)

For more thinking about emoji, I recommend this post about investigating the potential for miscommunication using emoji that I heard about on the TIDE Podcast.

This post from Daniel Levitin really resonated with me throughout the week. It contains specific, actionable guidance on the operations of the mind, and the various states in which we exist.

Specifically, I was interested in the look at multitasking and the need to let the brain return to rest, or the default state to allow for creativity.

Yes...you can focus on multiple tasks and get them done. But, if you want to truly do good work, drop everything else and give it your attention. Finally, your brain needs those breaks where you do nothing or goof off. That's when it cleans out the garbage, reaches breakthroughs, and gets those creative juices flowing.

Researchers explain complex ideas in three minutes or less

Super cool idea. In the three minute thesis (3MT), students at Carnegie Mellon are given one powerpoint slide and three minutes to explain their work in an approachable manner.

I've been thinking about this following my discussion with Kurt Becker and the trends in engineering education. We need individuals that can not only "walk the walk" but they need to "talk the talk." We need scholars that can speak and make their thinking approachable.

In some of my classes I have students present an Ignite talk at the end of the course in which they detail their "story" over the semester. I'll mostly likely fold a variant of the 3MT into another course to have students explain a topic or theme from the course.

🔨 Do

Clever new use of QR codes

Most of us have seen and used QR codes before. We've played with using them around our classroom or campus to share links for students. We've scanned the weird, pixelated squares that represent barcodes for looking up products or links to content online.

Internationally, QR codes are often used as a valuable connected between the digital and "real" worlds. for some reason, the uptake in the U.S. is a bit more stunted.

One possible opportunity for K-12 comes from the startup Clever. Their idea is to use QR codes as a form of identification and password to expedite logging in to computers.

Given the challenges we often have with passwords and security, I would welcome the use of a QR code affixed to my university ID. I could have the computer scan my ID, enter a short password and use this as a form of two-factor authentication.

🤔 Consider

"Saying the Internet makes librarians obsolete is like saying the plague makes doctors obsolete." — Cory Doctorow

This week: moderation, emoji, default state.

Prince fought copyright battles, then released his Coachella cover - thankfully available. Two warning shots at academic publishers - you pay to read research you fund. Moderation investigation - you're part of the problem and the solution. Emoji as a new global language - 92% use them, lively discussion ensues. Daniel Levitin on multitasking versus default state - your brain needs breaks to reach breakthroughs. 3MT challenges scholars to explain complex ideas in three minutes. QR codes for two-factor authentication.

Saying the Internet makes librarians obsolete is like saying the plague makes doctors obsolete.

Previous: TLDR 41 • Next: TLDR 43 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Podcasts — Deep dive series documenting podcast production from beginning to end.
Copyright — Prince's long documented battle with the Internet, YouTube lawsuits, streaming boycotts.
Creative Commons — Ryan Merkley warning shot at publishers charging for publicly funded research.
Moderation — Secret rules of the Internet, users part of problem and solution.
Emoji — Birth of new global language, 92% of people online use them.
Multitasking — Brain needs default state breaks for creativity and breakthroughs.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 41

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 41

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 41

Published: 2016-04-15 • 📧 Newsletter

Hi all. Welcome to issue 41 of the TL;DR Newsletter. In TL;DR I'm synthesizing news and events from the past week in literacy, technology, and education. Thank you for the support.

This week we examine the digital storytelling, public performance, and fingers.

I'm always tweaking TL;DR to better suit you. If you have feedback, questions, or concerns...please feel free to the "reply" button and send me a response. I'd love to hear from you.

This week I've been working on the following:

Digitally Literate Courses: Beliefs, vision, & focus - This year I've been involved in the "one side project" initiative. This latest post is the third in the series as I continue to plan and develop a series of online coaching courses for educators.
Bots and the Future of Education - A post that has been in the back of my mind for some time. With the recent discussion about bots after Facebook's F8 conference it finally all came together during an early morning run.
The Teaching Literacies with Technology Survey - This week we finally launched the TLT survey that is one of the cornerstones of our work with the Digitally Literate Research Project. In this project we're studying educators globally to understand how they're utilizing new and digital literacies in instruction. If you're a regular reader of TL;DR...this is right up your alley. Please read, respond, and re-share.
Web Literacy 2.0 White Paper - This past week version 2.0 of the Web Literacy Map was released along with a great interactive map to identify the skills, competencies, and definitions for each of the main components (reading, writing, & participating). I've been involved with this initiative since the beginning and assisted in the further development of Version 2.0 and the white paper linked above.

🔖 Key Takeaways

Finally All Came Together: A post that has been in the back of my mind for some time. With the recent discussion about bots after Facebook's F8 conference it finally all came together during an early morning run.
Right Up Your Alley: If you're a regular reader of TL;DR...this is right up your alley. Please read, respond, and re-share.
I'm Enthralled: I'm enthralled with the mixture of style and substance in the digital storytelling used in this post.
Something to Strive For: The mix of text, data, and graphs is something to strive for as we create online.
Very Excited: I'm very excited about the use of instructional GIFs for use in blog posts and teaching materials.

📺 Watch

Cassetteboy vs The Snoopers' Charter

Cassetteboy's latest video is amazing mashup/critique of the "snoopers charter"

Great mashup of UK Prime Minister & Home Secretary Theresa May discussing the "snoopers charter." The snoopers charter is a controversial attempt to pass sweeping new surveillance powers in the UK and beyond.

📚 Read

Overview of a session at the recent annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association (AERA).

The panel included public academics who routinely blog and share materials on social media. They indicate the challenges and opportunities that exist in using these tools and spaces to advance personal and public scholarship.

The dark side of Guardian comments

A great post presenting research in the "Web We Want" series in The Guardian. This post explores the data from their commissioned research and tries to point to a direction for better conversations online.

I'm sharing this post for two reasons.

First, I agree with their focus on promoting better dialogue and insight in online. Additionally, I think it's important to recognize the horrific behaviors that sometimes exist in online spaces.

Second, I'm enthralled with the mixture of style and substance in the digital storytelling used in this post. The mix of data, charts, images, GIFs, and video is a great example of a future direction that we can all strive for as content creators.

Film dialogue from 2,000 screenplays, broken down by gender and age

Smart, savvy research looking at gender and age as illustrated by movie dialogue in almost 2000 films. The author(s) "Googled their way to 8,000 screenplays and matched each character's lines to an actor."

I appreciate the examination of language using the contexts of gender and age in pop culture.

I also love the stellar digital storytelling by the super cool team at Polygraph. The mix of text, data, and graphs is something to strive for as we create online.

Why kids should use their fingers in Math class

Great piece from Jo Baeler and Lang Chen. Jo Baeler is a professor at Stanford University's Graduate School of Education and the CEO/co-founder of YouCubed. Lang Chen is a postdoctoral research fellow in psychiatry at the Stanford School of Medicine. The post is a mix of these two perspectives in thinking about math and cognition.

The post extends far beyond math as they consider visual thinking and the use of bodily/kinesthetic information to scaffold learning. Specifically, "Many teachers have been led to believe that finger use is useless and something to be abandoned as quickly as possible."

The authors suggest that use of the fingers is far from being "babyish," brain science suggests that this technique is essential for mathematical achievement.

The Maker Movement in K-12 Education: A guide to emerging research

If you mention the "maker movement" in a group of educators, you'll get either half of the room very excited...or very confused.

The "maker movement" is very hot right now, but there is relatively little research being conducted as of yet in this space.

This post serves as a simple literature review of some of the most current work in the field. The materials include guidance from Erica Halverson and sessions at AERA 2016.

🔨 Do

Giphy's new Mac tool lets you capture/create desktop GIFs

Giphy Capture is a Mac app from the folks at Giphy. This app is an updated, more powerful version of their GIF Maker web app.

I first learned about this tool from the incomparable Laura Hilliger...so you know it has to be good. If you haven't already, you should subscribe to her Freshly Brewed Thoughts newsletter.

I'm very excited about the use of instructional GIFs for use in blog posts and teaching materials. It provides a possible middle ground between screencaptures and screencasts in instructional materials.

At first I thought GIPHY Capture might be a limited app, but in testing it over the past week it has a lot of nice features built in. I definitely recommend playing with it. I also recommend Recordit for use on Mac and PC.

🤔 Consider

"Be yourself - not your idea of what you think somebody else's idea of yourself should be." — Henry David Thoreau

This week: digital storytelling, public performance, fingers.

Four pieces of work - Digitally Literate Courses side project continues. Bots post came together during an early morning run. TLT Survey launched for global educators - this is right up your alley. Web Literacy 2.0 released with Mozilla.

Cassetteboy mashup critiques UK surveillance. Education Twitterati discuss risks and rewards of public scholarship. Guardian's digital storytelling on comment toxicity is enthralling - the mix is something to strive for. Polygraph examined 2,000 screenplays for gender and age. Fingers in math class - brain science says it's essential. Maker movement research emerging. Giphy Capture for instructional GIFs - very excited about this.

Be yourself - not your idea of what you think somebody else's idea of yourself should be.

Previous: TLDR 40 • Next: TLDR 42 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Bots — Post on bots and future of education came together during early morning run after Facebook F8.
Web Literacy — Mozilla version 2.0 released with interactive map for reading writing and participating.
Surveillance — Cassetteboy mashup critiques UK snoopers charter sweeping new powers.
Digital Storytelling — Guardian and Polygraph examples mixing data charts images GIFs video text.
Maker Movement — Very hot right now but relatively little research, guide to emerging work.
GIFs — Giphy Capture for instructional GIFs middle ground between screencaptures and screencasts.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 40

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 40

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 40

Published: 2016-04-08 • 📧 Newsletter

Hi all. Welcome to the TL;DR Newsletter...issue 40. And...we with this issue we're up over 300 subscribers. Thank you for the support.

This week we examine the human/artificial, illumination, & global leaks.

I'm always tweaking TL;DR to better suit you. If you have feedback, questions, or concerns...please feel free to the "reply" button and send me a response. I'd love to hear from you.

This week I've been working on the following:

Preparing students to be literate digitally in a digitally literate environment of their own - In this piece we synthesize the work in digital badges, "a domain of one's own," and possibles futures for students in Pre-K up through higher ed. This commentary is for an upcoming issue of JAAL. Feel free to add your commentary.

🔖 Key Takeaways

Over 300 Subscribers: Thank you for the support.
Good Reminder: Yes, it is an Apple commercial...but it's a good reminder of the power of technology if thoughtfully utilized.
Great Reality Check: As I'm embarking on an open research project to investigate the digital literacy practices in global classrooms...this post is a great reality check.
One of My Favorite Quotes: You just need to tell the world about what you're doing, why it fascinates you and illuminate the process of finding things out.
I'm Testing It Out: I'm testing it out as we speak. It reminds me of a mix of Storify, Hypothesis, & Evernote wrapped up in one.

📺 Watch

Dillan's Path

Poignant profile of Dillan as he utilizes his iPad to connect and communicate with family and therapist.

Yes, it is an Apple commercial...but it's a good reminder of the power of technology if thoughtfully utilized. Sometimes we forget about the things that we can change on the individual level.

📚 Read

From encrypted drives to Amazon's cloud -- The amazing flight of the Panama Papers

This past week news organizations from around the globe published investigations based on a massive trove of leaked documents that reveal corruption on a global scale. The Panama Papers, as they're being called, consist of about 11.5 million documents, or about 2.6 terabytes of data.

These documents provide fascinating insight into a global industry that secretly manages the estates of the world's rich and famous.

As a regular reader of TL;DR, you know that we always find time to discuss privacy, security, and encryption. It's an increasingly important element of our digital identities. The link shared above is a great post from Thomas Fox-Brewster in Forbes that details these elements...and the power of open source software.

A week behind the Great Firewall of China

As we continue this look at privacy, security, and global settings, I was fascinated by this post about the settings, security, and systems that make up the Internet in China.

We take for granted the digital texts and tools that we use in our daily work and communications. As I'm embarking on an open research project to investigate the digital literacy practices in global classrooms...this post is a great reality check.

We can't assume everything is the same for everyone.

The Scientist Storyteller: Interview with Dr. David Kipping

I'm always impressed by the work of the incredible Amy Burvall, and this post is no exception.

I watched as Amy contacted David Kipping and started asking him questions, which led to a Google Doc and a discussion about art & science. Amy allowed us to add our own questions to the mix...and David answered everything.

Amy then synthesized this into the post that is linked above. A normal person would type up that post and be done with it. One of the things that makes Amy special is that she sketched out all of the illustrations for the post to help add context to the message.

One of my favorite quotes from this piece is: You just need to tell the world about what you're doing, why it fascinates you and illuminate the process of finding things out.

I recommend following Amy and her work to get some insight into how you can be more creativity and expressive in your content creation. This is doubly true if you're working with students as they create and write.

Quality Dimensions for Connected Credentials

Excellent report from the American Council on Education, and an all-star team (Deb Everhart, Evelyn Ganzglass, Carla Casilli, Dan Hickey, and Brandon Muramatsu)

The report defines and discusses credentials, and then unpacks some of the challenges that exist in the current system, and how this relates to higher education.

Specifically, they indicate: The diversity of credential earners and the needs of credential consumers are evolving rapidly. This poses challenges to academic institutions preparing the next generation of workers, innovators, and leaders.

If you do not review, or save the entire report, skim through this post by Doug Belshaw in which he synthesizes everything for you.

The next hot job in Silicon Valley is for...poets

Depending on who you talk to, the next big platform in tech may be voice, or bots, or something unforeseen. We see the potential for voice in tools like the Amazon Echo, Google Now, and Siri. As we add artificial intelligence (AI) to these voice tools, we see the potential for virtual assistants. The world that we (may have) dreamed about in the movie Her, is quickly becoming a reality.

In the development of these virtual assistants, there is not only the need for the use of code to make things run, but tech companies are increasingly hiring writers of a different type to meld the human and artificial. The end goal is to develop AI that is smart, savvy, and sounds authentic.

🔨 Do

Curate using Candy

I think we need to find opportunities to move learners (and ourselves) from content consumers, to content curators, to content creators. I put together this weekly newsletter as one example of curation of online content.

Candy is a new "shiny" Chrome extension that you can use to curate content as you're reading online. Basically you can highlight portions of a page and save these "candy cards" together with the author and source information. It makes the process of researching, curating, and synthesizing online very easy and streamlined.

I'm testing it out as we speak. It reminds me of a mix of Storify, Hypothesis, & Evernote wrapped up in one. I don't know if I'd pivot from these other tools...but I think you should test it out to see for yourself.

🤔 Consider

"The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our sense to grow sharper." — W. B. Yeats

This week: human/artificial, illumination, global leaks. Over 300 subscribers - thank you.

Technology can change things on the individual level. The Panama Papers reveal 11.5 million documents exposing global corruption - privacy, security, and encryption matter. China's Great Firewall reminds us we can't assume everything is the same for everyone. Amy Burvall's interview with Dr. David Kipping shows the power of illuminating the process. Credentials are evolving - Doug Belshaw synthesizes the ACE report. Poets are flocking to Silicon Valley to make AI sound human. Candy helps us curate content as we read.

W. B. Yeats: The world is full of magic things, patiently waiting for our sense to grow sharper.

Previous: TLDR 39 • Next: TLDR 41 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Panama Papers — 11.5 million documents, 2.6 terabytes revealing global corruption and offshore finance.
Encryption — Privacy security and encryption increasingly important element of our digital identities.
Great Firewall of China — Reality check that we can't assume everything is the same for everyone.
Amy Burvall — Sketched all illustrations for David Kipping interview, creativity and expression in content creation.
Credentials — ACE report on quality dimensions for connected credentials, Doug Belshaw synthesis.
Artificial Intelligence — Poets flocking to Silicon Valley to make AI sound smart savvy and authentic.
Curation — Candy Chrome extension for curating content, consumers to curators to creators.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 4

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 4

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 4

Published: July 17, 2015 • 📧 Newsletter

🔖 Key Takeaways

Web Literacy Experts Speak: Interviews with Garth Corbett, Laura Hilliger, Greg McVerry, Doug Belshaw on Mozilla's evolving framework
Sharenting Risks Children: Parents oversharing online creates digital footprints for children who never consented—check privacy settings, set up Google Alerts
Agile for Classrooms: Doug Belshaw explores applying software development's adaptive, self-organizing workflows to educational settings
Next Billion Users Coming: The next five billion internet users will primarily be non-English speakers, transforming the web fundamentally
Digital Wisdom Over Literacy: Marc Prensky's concept combines cognitive enhancement through technology with prudent use of digital tools

This week I published quite a bit:

I updated the post Guiding Students as They Explore, Build, and Connect Online with interviews from Garth Corbett, Laura Hilliger, Greg McVerry, Doug Belshaw, Blaine Smith and Paul Shaw. This is a follow-up from our column in the Journal of Adolescent & Adult Literacy (JAAL).
I also finally added the interview with Katerina Schenke as part of our work on the Digital Badges: Recognizing, Assessing, and Motivating Learners In and Out of School Contexts column in JAAL.
Finally, I also posted Play With Digital Media, Stop-motion Animation, & Vine to Earn the #VineOff Badge. You can access/earn the VineOff badge by clicking here.

I had the privilege of heading back up to UConn to meet with the incoming group of students in the Two Summers program.

I also started up talk with Mozilla again to conduct some work on Version 2.0 of the Web Literacy Map.

📺 Watch

The Death Of Bees Explained – Parasites, Poison and Humans

I just came across the In a Nutshell YouTube channel by Kurz Gesagt and immediately subscribed. The motto for the YouTube channel is "One video a month. Quality > Quantity." This video on the "death of bees" is a good example of the informative videos you'll find on the channel.

📚 Read

This latest research report from Pew examines the usage rates of social media for parents. This data is interesting given the challenges we see as adolescents engage in online social contexts. It's also interesting when compared to usage rates on adult non-parents. Main findings available here. Full report available here.

The Pros and Cons of "Sharenting"

This piece in The Guardian discusses some of the challenges of sharing a bit too much about your kids online...and the steps you should take to protect and monitor your children online (i.e., check privacy settings, and set up a Google Alert in your child's name).

I also recommend reading this commentary by Nikki Williams from the Center for Digital Ethics & Policy.

Setting an Agile School Rhythm

Excellent post from Doug Belshaw for the DML Central in which he discusses the need to develop a system in your own (and collaborative) workflow in which you allow for differences in workflows. Agile is a term from software development that describes a system in which individuals are empowered to collaborate, self-organize, adaptively plan, and improve.

What could this look like in your classroom, or your daily work process?

What Happens When the Next Five Billion New Users Finally Get Online?

The next five billion Internet users will primarily be non-native English speakers. For the most part, the Internet will be a vastly different place. This piece from PSFK discusses the challenges and opportunities that exist as businesses and individuals strive to connect and profit in this transition.

TED Talks and TED Ed lessons are usually fantastic...but there are often times too many to keep track of. That is why I usually take lists like this and immediately save the videos or a playlist on YouTube for a time that I'll need it in the future.

Can More White Space Solve the Web's Readability Problems?

Asymmetrica, a new browser extension groups sentences on a webpage together into segments to support readers. The extension is based on work from neuroscience and looks at forcing the webpage to chunk the parts into discrete parts to make it easier to read and comprehend.

Teaching Digital Wisdom

This piece from Hybrid Pedagogy examines the author's quest not to have students gain "digital literacy" but instead find "digital wisdom." Adam Copeland builds off from Marc Prensky's definition of digital wisdom as being "a twofold concept, referring both to wisdom arising from the use of digital technology to access cognitive power beyond our innate capacity and to wisdom in the prudent use of technology to enhance our capabilities."

A Comprehensive Guide to Creating Explanatory Animated GIFs

Richard Byrne shares a great resource from Common Craft in which they detail steps to create and/or find, and then share explanatory animated GIFs. I teach my students how to create multimodal tutorials that include screencaptures and screencasts. Increasingly I'm using more GIFs to quickly explain to others.

One of my favorite new tools to create GIFs is Recordit...which was recommended by Doug Belshaw.

🔨 Do

Pocket on iOS Finally Lets You Listen to Articles with Text-to-Speech

When I was teaching, I would frequently use audiobooks to help my striving readers dive into the texts. Now as an adult, I'm always looking for great titles on Audible, or for ways to listen to PDFs while I'm driving, exercising, etc.

Pocket is a "read it later" app. Basically, you save materials, it loads it into the app, and allows you to read it when you have time. The Android and iOS (iPad, iPhone) versions will now allow you to listen to the contents you save for later.

🤔 Consider

Digital wisdom is a twofold concept, referring both to wisdom arising from the use of digital technology to access cognitive power beyond our innate capacity and to wisdom in the prudent use of technology to enhance our capabilities.

Marc Prensky

Prensky's framing moves us beyond the tired "digital native" debate toward something more useful. It's not about whether you grew up with technology—it's about whether you use it wisely. This issue's threads reflect that dual challenge: protecting children's privacy while parents share online, adapting agile workflows thoughtfully, preparing for billions of new users who will reshape what the internet becomes. Wisdom requires both capability and restraint.

Previous: TLDR 3 • Next: TLDR 5 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

02 CURATE/Media Literacy — Web literacy map, digital wisdom, TED Ed curation
Privacy Rights — Sharenting, children's digital footprints, consent
Pedagogy — Agile methodology in education, digital badges, multimodal tutorials
Digital Wellbeing — Text-to-speech accessibility, readability tools
Civic Engagement — Next billion users, global internet transformation

TLDR 39

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 39

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 39

Published: 2016-04-01 • 📧 Newsletter

Hi all. Welcome to the TL;DR Newsletter. This week we'll discuss microlearning, extraterrestrials, & grammar jerks.

I'm always tweaking TL;DR to better suit you. If you have feedback, questions, or concerns...please feel free to the "reply" button and send me a response. I'd love to hear from you.

If you haven't already, I'd recommend that you subscribe to make sure you don't miss out next week's issue.

This week I shared the following:

The Story of Us - This week we launched our final learning event...Learning Event 10 in WalkMyWorld 2016. Take a look at the post and come join us online. The materials are always up and online if you want to use them in your classes.

🔖 Key Takeaways

I'd Love to Hear: I'm always tweaking TL;DR to better suit you. If you have feedback, questions, or concerns...please feel free to the "reply" button and send me a response. I'd love to hear from you.
Still Have Fear: Douglas Rushkoff post that popped up just as I was finalizing materials for this week's issue. I immediately shared it out...even though I still have fear that it might be an April Fool's prank. :)
I Include Most: I include most of these in my lessons and courses. I'll highlight my lesson/class objectives and rebuild much shorter (high quality) video.
I'll Keep You Posted: My possible use case scenario that I'll test drive next semester is to use it and share the "focus" of the week or module for my classes. I'll keep you posted as I investigate this some more.
I Would Recommend: You may not be a professional animator, but I would recommend installing on a computer in your classroom and allowing students to see what they can make.

📺 Watch

Carl Sagan on Extraterrestrials | Blank on Blank | PBS Digital Studios

Awesome discussion between Carl Sagan and Studs Terkel animated on the Blank on Blank web series. They discuss religion, and the possibility of life on other planets.

📚 Read

Learning to code yields diminishing returns

Post from Douglas Rushkoff that popped up just as I was finalizing materials for this week's issue. I immediately shared it out...even though I still have fear that it might be an April Fool's prank. :)

Rushkoff details the concerns that we must have as we point to the need to train and develop legions of coders and programmers for the future.

I've been thinking, writing, and interviewing numerous experts about coding and programming over the past couple of weeks. This column presents much needed insight into the challenges that might exist in these eventualities.

Microlearning, millennials and successful companies

Awesome post from the TeachLr Blog that buries some great actionable advice at the bottom of the post.

As you work with millennials, you need to allow them to control their time, while empowering them to connect with engaging content. Specifically, "microlearning" adjusts because it is autonomous, independent, and practical.

To make this happen, the authors indicate the following elements to include in your teaching practice:

Clear learning objectives
Content outline and structure
An objective per lesson
Short lessons on high quality video
Interchangeable lessons
Practical lessons
Tracking of results
Certificates

I include most of these in my lessons and courses. I'll highlight my lesson/class objectives and rebuild much shorter (high quality) video.

10 seconds at a time, a teacher tries Snapchat to engage students

Awesome thinking about the possible use of Snapchat in a higher ed classroom. Specifically, this post shares examples of Michael Britt, an adjunct professor at Marist College and his introductory psychology class.

I've been trying to figure out, or find a meaningful way to utilize a tool like Snapchat or Periscope/Meerkat in my classes. What I don't like is that it's an ethereal use of digital content. It automatically deletes after a set period of time.

My possible use case scenario that I'll test drive next semester is to use it and share the "focus" of the week or module for my classes. I'll frequently share out blog posts, or video clips indicating what they need to pay attention to that week for my classes. I'm thinking this could be the "lesson objectives" I indicated up above. This would allow me to share this info...and then not worry about old videos clips hogging up my YouTube account.

I'll keep you posted as I investigate this some more.

Study: People who point out typos are jerks

Research from the University of Michigan investigating the interpretation of language in emails as it relates to personality traits of the reader.

Apparently people that are more sensitive to typos and grammatical errors a bit "Type A" and less tolerant of most signs of deviant grammatical behavior.

The Hyper Island toolbox

This collection of learning activities is a definite must to save for your classroom or learning environment. You will also find opportunities to work this in to your workplace as you connect and collaborate with colleagues. From discussions about innovation to team building...there's resources for everyone.

Thanks to Doug Belshaw for pointing this out. Please be sure to subscribe to his Thought Shrapnel newsletter for more awesome tips like this.

🔨 Do

OpenToonz, the 2D animation software is now free

OpenToonz is a powerful 2D animation production software that you can use to make animation. Now that it's open source, I think we'll start to see numerous tools and plugins pop up around it.

You may not be a professional animator, but I would recommend installing on a computer in your classroom and allowing students to see what they can make.

🤔 Consider

"If you wish to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first invent the universe." — Carl Sagan

This week we'll discuss microlearning, extraterrestrials, & grammar jerks. The themes connect. The universe expands.

One piece of work this week. The Story of Us—this week we launched our final learning event...Learning Event 10 in WalkMyWorld 2016. Take a look at the post and come join us online. The materials are always up and online if you want to use them in your classes. The final event arrives. The story concludes. The materials persist.

Carl Sagan and Studs Terkel animated on the Blank on Blank web series. They discuss religion, and the possibility of life on other planets. The discussion is awesome. The animation brings it forward. The possibilities multiply.

Douglas Rushkoff post that popped up just as I was finalizing materials for this week's issue. I immediately shared it out...even though I still have fear that it might be an April Fool's prank. :) The timing is perfect. The fear is parenthetical. Rushkoff details the concerns that we must have as we point to the need to train and develop legions of coders and programmers for the future. I've been thinking, writing, and interviewing numerous experts about coding and programming over the past couple of weeks. This column presents much needed insight into the challenges that might exist in these eventualities. The concerns are detailed. The insight is needed. The challenges loom.

TeachLr Blog that buries some great actionable advice at the bottom of the post. As you work with millennials, you need to allow them to control their time, while empowering them to connect with engaging content. Specifically, "microlearning" adjusts because it is autonomous, independent, and practical. Clear learning objectives, content outline and structure, an objective per lesson, short lessons on high quality video, interchangeable lessons, practical lessons, tracking of results, certificates. I include most of these in my lessons and courses. I'll highlight my lesson/class objectives and rebuild much shorter (high quality) video. The advice is buried. The elements are listed. The implementation begins.

Awesome thinking about the possible use of Snapchat in a higher ed classroom. Michael Britt, an adjunct professor at Marist College and his introductory psychology class. I've been trying to figure out, or find a meaningful way to utilize a tool like Snapchat or Periscope/Meerkat in my classes. What I don't like is that it's an ethereal use of digital content. It automatically deletes after a set period of time. My possible use case scenario that I'll test drive next semester is to use it and share the "focus" of the week or module for my classes. I'll frequently share out blog posts, or video clips indicating what they need to pay attention to that week for my classes. I'm thinking this could be the "lesson objectives" I indicated up above. This would allow me to share this info...and then not worry about old videos clips hogging up my YouTube account. I'll keep you posted as I investigate this some more. The dislike is acknowledged. The use case emerges. The investigation continues.

University of Michigan research investigating the interpretation of language in emails as it relates to personality traits of the reader. Apparently people that are more sensitive to typos and grammatical errors a bit "Type A" and less tolerant of most signs of deviant grammatical behavior. The research confirms. The jerks are identified. The tolerance is low.

Hyper Island toolbox—this collection of learning activities is a definite must to save for your classroom or learning environment. You will also find opportunities to work this in to your workplace as you connect and collaborate with colleagues. From discussions about innovation to team building...there's resources for everyone. Thanks to Doug Belshaw for pointing this out. Please be sure to subscribe to his Thought Shrapnel newsletter for more awesome tips like this. The collection is comprehensive. The thanks are genuine. The subscription is recommended.

OpenToonz is a powerful 2D animation production software. Now that it's open source, I think we'll start to see numerous tools and plugins pop up around it. You may not be a professional animator, but I would recommend installing on a computer in your classroom and allowing students to see what they can make. The power is available. The recommendation is clear. The making begins.

Carl Sagan: If you wish to make an apple pie from scratch, you must first invent the universe. WalkMyWorld final event and microlearning and extraterrestrials and coding concerns and Snapchat ephemera and grammar jerks and Hyper Island and OpenToonz. Microlearning, extraterrestrials, & grammar jerks. All forms of invention. All requiring the universe. The question remains: what do we invent when we make from scratch?

Previous: TLDR 38 • Next: TLDR 40 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

WalkMyWorld Project — Story of Us final learning event LE10, materials are always up and online if you want to use them in your classes.
Carl Sagan — Studs Terkel on Blank on Blank discuss religion and the possibility of life on other planets.
Blank on Blank — PBS Digital Studios web series animated discussion between Carl Sagan and Studs Terkel.
Douglas Rushkoff — Learning to code yields diminishing returns, I immediately shared it out even though I still have fear that it might be an April Fool's prank.
Coding — I've been thinking writing and interviewing numerous experts about coding and programming, this column presents much needed insight into the challenges.
Microlearning — Millennials and successful companies autonomous independent and practical, I include most of these in my lessons and courses.
TeachLr — Blog that buries some great actionable advice at the bottom of the post.
Learning Objectives — Clear objectives content outline structure objective per lesson, I'll highlight my lesson/class objectives and rebuild much shorter high quality video.
Millennials — Need to allow them to control their time while empowering them to connect with engaging content.
Snapchat — Teacher tries Snapchat to engage students 10 seconds at a time, I've been trying to figure out find a meaningful way to utilize.
Ephemeral Content — What I don't like is that it's an ethereal use of digital content it automatically deletes after a set period of time.
Snapchat Use Case — My possible use case scenario that I'll test drive next semester share the focus of the week or module, I'll keep you posted as I investigate this some more.
Grammar — Study people who point out typos are jerks University of Michigan research.
Typos — People more sensitive to typos and grammatical errors a bit Type A less tolerant of most signs of deviant grammatical behavior.
Personality Research — Interpretation of language in emails as it relates to personality traits of the reader.
Hyper Island — Toolbox collection of learning activities definite must to save for your classroom or learning environment.
Doug Belshaw — Thanks for pointing this out, please be sure to subscribe to his Thought Shrapnel newsletter.
Thought Shrapnel — Doug Belshaw newsletter for more awesome tips.
OpenToonz — 2D animation software now free, I would recommend installing on a computer in your classroom and allowing students to see what they can make.
Animation Software — Powerful 2D animation production used by Studio Ghibli now open source.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 38

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 38

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 38

Published: 2016-03-25 • 📧 Newsletter

Hi all. Welcome to the TL;DR Newsletter. This week we'll discuss expertise, creativity, & portfolios.

If someone cool shared this newsletter, you might want to subscribe...I'll make sure you cut to the front of the line for next week's issue.

And now..the updates. This week I shared the following:

Blockchain & Open Badges in Higher Education & Research - I joined the Open Badges in Higher Ed working group this week to talk about blockchain and open badges. You can review the follow up materials for this session here.
The Story of Me - This week we launched Learning Event 9 in WalkMyWorld 2016. We've almost completed the WalkMyWorld Project 2016. Take a look at the post and come join us online.

🔖 Key Takeaways

I'm a Big Fan: I'm a big fan of the Connected Learning MOOC (CLMOOC) that runs each year. This is where I usually pick up extra skills to use in my classes and professional work two or three years before everyone else is using them.
I Love the Fact: I love the fact that members of the CLMOOC group are researching and publishing their practice.
Confident in Uncertainty: Amy urges us to "stop being so sure of ourselves" and "become confident in our own uncertainty."
Tremendous Opportunities: I think there are tremendous opportunities to utilize and invigorate digital portfolios across spaces for learners. I'm hoping some recent work in digital badges and blockchain technologies might accelerate this thinking.
You Could and Should: This is professional grade products that typically cost hundreds of dollars. You could and should start playing with this to see what you can create.

📺 Watch

POP CULTURE: Pop and Philosophy

Advice from The School of Life looking at the power and positioning of Pop...and what Philosophy could/should learn from Pop.

Really good advice on the ways that we can identify ways to connect pedagogy with the lives of students.

📚 Read

What if we...ditch "best practices"?

Thoughtful piece by Amy Burvall problematizing our focus on experts and "fetishizing" their guidance.

Amy urges us to "stop being so sure of ourselves" and "become confident in our own uncertainty."

Read Amy's great post to think a bit more about how to embrace this uncertainty and experiment. As she mentions, let's start with the opening phrase "What if we..." and go from there.

Remix as Professional Learning: Educator's iterative literacy practice in CLMOOC

I love the fact that members of the CLMOOC group are researching and publishing their practice.

Findings identify illuminated four distinct remix mobilities and relational tendencies: bursting, drifting, leveraging, & turning. Bursting and drifting characterize the paces and proximities of remixing while leveraging and turning are activities more obviously disruptive of social processes and power hierarchies. "These mobilities and tendencies revealed remix as an emergent, iterative, collaborative, critical practice with transformative possibilities for openly networked web-mediated professional learning."

What the heck is interesting research?

Perspectives from Daniel Lemire looking at research and inquiry problems. This is a reminder to us all as we engage in thought and experimentation. The first bar should be is it of interest to us...and the community. The second should focus on whether or not your work is ambitious.

Thanks to Stephen Downes for originally sharing this.

What will digital portfolios mean for college-bound students?

This post from MindShift examines the role of digital portfolios and assessments in the application process and induction into higher education.

The post discusses a couple interesting initiatives underway to make this a viable transition, or marker of identity for learners.

I think there are tremendous opportunities to utilize and invigorate digital portfolios across spaces for learners. I'm hoping some recent work in digital badges and blockchain technologies might accelerate this thinking.

XKCD is now coming to America's science textbooks

Randall Munroe is an American cartoonist, author, and the creator of the webcomic XKCD.

He skillfully explains the complex in his books like the Thing Explainer. Publisher Houghton Mifflin has reached an agreement to start folding in some of his art and illustrations into their textbooks to allow students to make sense of the complex.

🔨 Do

Google Nik is now free

If you want the power of Nik, but built in to an iPhone/iPad or Android app, please check out Snapseed.

🤔 Consider

"Often a sign of expertise is noticing what doesn't happen." — Malcolm Gladwell

This week we'll discuss expertise, creativity, & portfolios. The themes converge. The questions emerge.

Two pieces of work this week. Blockchain & Open Badges in Higher Education & Research—I joined the Open Badges in Higher Ed working group this week to talk about blockchain and open badges. You can review the follow up materials for this session. The presentation is delivered. The feedback is collected. The Story of Me—this week we launched Learning Event 9 in WalkMyWorld 2016. We've almost completed the WalkMyWorld Project 2016. Take a look at the post and come join us online. The story unfolds. The end approaches.

School of Life looking at the power and positioning of Pop...and what Philosophy could/should learn from Pop. Really good advice on the ways that we can identify ways to connect pedagogy with the lives of students. The power is acknowledged. The pedagogy connects. The lives of students are the destination.

Amy Burvall problematizing our focus on experts and "fetishizing" their guidance. Amy urges us to "stop being so sure of ourselves" and "become confident in our own uncertainty." Read Amy's great post to think a bit more about how to embrace this uncertainty and experiment. As she mentions, let's start with the opening phrase "What if we..." and go from there. The fetish is identified. The uncertainty is embraced. The phrase begins the experiment. What if we...

I'm a big fan of the Connected Learning MOOC (CLMOOC) that runs each year. This is where I usually pick up extra skills to use in my classes and professional work two or three years before everyone else is using them. The advantage is temporal. The skills arrive early. I love the fact that members of the CLMOOC group are researching and publishing their practice. Findings identify illuminated four distinct remix mobilities and relational tendencies: bursting, drifting, leveraging, & turning. Bursting and drifting characterize the paces and proximities of remixing while leveraging and turning are activities more obviously disruptive of social processes and power hierarchies. These mobilities and tendencies revealed remix as an emergent, iterative, collaborative, critical practice with transformative possibilities for openly networked web-mediated professional learning. The love is declared. The practice is researched. The remix mobilities are named. The transformation is possible.

Daniel Lemire looking at research and inquiry problems. This is a reminder to us all as we engage in thought and experimentation. The first bar should be is it of interest to us...and the community. The second should focus on whether or not your work is ambitious. Thanks to Stephen Downes for originally sharing this. The reminder is timely. The bars are set. Interest first. Ambition second.

MindShift examines the role of digital portfolios and assessments in the application process and induction into higher education. The post discusses a couple interesting initiatives underway to make this a viable transition, or marker of identity for learners. I think there are tremendous opportunities to utilize and invigorate digital portfolios across spaces for learners. I'm hoping some recent work in digital badges and blockchain technologies might accelerate this thinking. The opportunities are tremendous. The hope is specific. The acceleration might happen.

Randall Munroe is an American cartoonist, author, and the creator of the webcomic XKCD. He skillfully explains the complex in his books like the Thing Explainer. Publisher Houghton Mifflin has reached an agreement to start folding in some of his art and illustrations into their textbooks to allow students to make sense of the complex. The skill is acknowledged. The complex is explained. The textbooks are transformed.

Nik is an advanced suite of tools for photo and image editing. This is professional grade products that typically cost hundreds of dollars. You could and should start playing with this to see what you can create. This is definitely something to download and allow your students to use in class as well. If you want the power of Nik, but built in to an iPhone/iPad or Android app, please check out Snapseed. The cost drops to zero. The permission is granted. The play begins.

Malcolm Gladwell: Often a sign of expertise is noticing what doesn't happen. Blockchain and badges and WalkMyWorld and Pop philosophy and ditching best practices and CLMOOC remix and interesting research and digital portfolios and XKCD explanations and free professional tools. Expertise, creativity, & portfolios. All forms of noticing. All requiring attention to absence. The question remains: what doesn't happen that reveals expertise?

Previous: TLDR 37 • Next: TLDR 39 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Blockchain — Blockchain Open Badges in Higher Education Research, I joined the Open Badges in Higher Ed working group to talk about blockchain and open badges.
Digital Badges — I'm hoping some recent work in digital badges and blockchain technologies might accelerate digital portfolio thinking.
BadgeChain — You can review the follow up materials for BadgeChain presentation on Open Badges in Higher Education call.
WalkMyWorld Project — Story of Me Learning Event 9, we've almost completed WalkMyWorld Project 2016.
Pop Culture — School of Life looking at the power and positioning of Pop what Philosophy could should learn from Pop.
Philosophy — Really good advice on the ways that we can identify ways to connect pedagogy with the lives of students.
Pedagogy — Connecting pedagogy with the lives of students through Pop culture and philosophy intersection.
Amy Burvall — Ditch best practices problematizing our focus on experts fetishizing their guidance.
Best Practices — Stop being so sure of ourselves become confident in our own uncertainty, what if we.
Uncertainty — Embrace this uncertainty and experiment, start with the opening phrase what if we and go from there.
CLMOOC — I'm a big fan Connected Learning MOOC runs each year, where I usually pick up extra skills two or three years before everyone else.
Remix — Remix as Professional Learning emergent iterative collaborative critical practice with transformative possibilities.
Remix Mobilities — Four distinct mobilities and relational tendencies bursting drifting leveraging turning.
Research — Daniel Lemire what the heck is interesting research, first bar is it of interest to us and the community second whether work is ambitious.
Stephen Downes — Thanks to Stephen Downes for originally sharing Daniel Lemire's research perspectives.
Digital portfolios — MindShift examines role in application process and induction into higher education, tremendous opportunities to utilize and invigorate.
XKCD — Randall Munroe coming to America's science textbooks, skillfully explains the complex Thing Explainer.
Randall Munroe — American cartoonist author creator of webcomic XKCD, Houghton Mifflin folding art and illustrations into textbooks.
Google Nik — Advanced suite of tools for photo and image editing now free, professional grade products typically cost hundreds of dollars.
Snapseed — Power of Nik built in to iPhone iPad or Android app.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 37

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 37

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 37

Published: 2016-03-18 • 📧 Newsletter

Hi all. Welcome to the TL;DR Newsletter. This week we'll discuss sarcasm, emoticons, & rogue researchers.

If a good friend shared this newsletter, you might want to subscribe...I'll make sure you cut to the front of the line for next week's issue.

And now..the updates. This week I shared the following:

What is Blockchain? - I've been meaning to write this post for a long time. It's mainly a way to better understand blockchain technologies. I also wanted to put a primer out for people that might be trying to understand our work in BadgeChain.
Why in the world would you want to develop a Massive Open, Online Course (MOOC)? - This post shares materials from a presentation this week at the Addlestone Library at CofC. I detail the elements I see in MOOCs, and identify work I've conducted over the years developing and facilitating these open learning experiences.
I applied to present at TEDx Charleston - Who knows what I was thinking. :) You can review my materials and thinking here.
Interview with Kurt Becker - I conducted an interview with Kurt discussing engineering, STEM, design, and literacy for Literacy Beat. It was a ton of fun and has me thinking about new opportunities.
Where I'm going - This week we launched Learning Event 8 in WalkMyWorld 2016. We're about halfway through the WalkMyWorld Project 2016. Take a look at the post and come join us online.

🔖 Key Takeaways

Been Meaning: I've been meaning to write this post for a long time. It's mainly a way to better understand blockchain technologies.
Who Knows: I applied to present at TEDx Charleston—who knows what I was thinking. :)
Ton of Fun: I conducted an interview with Kurt discussing engineering, STEM, design, and literacy for Literacy Beat. It was a ton of fun and has me thinking about new opportunities.
Work Different: My advice is that you don't really need to do anything to add time. You need to think about working differently and utilizing different tools. Work different. Work smarter.
I Love Podcasts: I love podcasts. Through the advance of technology, now anyone can make and share their own shows.

📺 Watch

Last Week Tonight with John Oliver: Encryption (HBO)

This video is NSFW and contains bad words.

Great overview (18:00) by John Oliver in which he provides a fantastic synthesis of the current encryption debate...and why you should care.

Oliver is a master in humor, satire, and presenting the pain points in an easy to understand format.

📚 Read

Handful of biologists went rogue and published directly to the Internet

Thoroughly fascinating story of researchers and academics in biology that are openly posting research online under the hashtag ASAPbio.

Over the past three weeks I've presented various session about open learning, publishing, and access. In each of these talks I've encountered some push back about the "why" of doing this. The real key for them seems to be about time and the amount that it will take to openly publish and share these materials.

My advice is that you don't really need to do anything to add time. You need to think about working differently and utilizing different tools. As an example, use Google Slides as opposed to Powerpoint and share those materials openly online. Work different. Work smarter.

Five facts about Twitter at age 10

Themes identified from the Pew Research Center as Twitter turns 10.

Twitter's user base has grown rapidly but may be plateauing.
Twitter is largely global service.
There are six basic types of Twitter conversations (polarized crowds, tight crowds, brand clusters, community clusters, broadcast networks, and support networks).
The twitterverse doesn't always mirror the real world.
Twitter can be valuable in emergencies.

Sarcasm in Written Communication: Emoticons are efficient markers of intention

Overview of two studies in the Journal of Computer Mediated Communication looking at sarcasm in written communication and the intersection of emoticons. Findings highlight significant role emoticons play in clarifying message intention, compensating for the absence of nonverbal cues in written communication.

🎈🎈 ☁️
🎈🎈🎈
☁️ 🎈🎈🎈🎈
🎈🎈🎈🎈
☁️ 🎈🎈🎈
| | |
🏠 ☁️
☁️ ☁️

🌳 🌹🏫 🏢 🏣 🌳 🌳

How podcasts can make you a better teacher

I love podcasts.

Podcasts are basically shows that you would listen to on the radio in the past. Through the use of technology, we can save these shows on devices, and listen to them on our schedule. Through the advance of technology, now anyone can make and share their own shows.

If you're looking for some podcasts to get you started, I recommend Hardcore History, Today in Digital Education, and the Tim Ferriss show.

Taking back control of the web: an easy way to host and run secure open source apps

I'm really excited that Doug is spending some time investigating this and look forward to hearing his results. I'll start playing around with them as well to see what happens.

🔨 Do

Set expirations dates for access to Google Drive, Docs, Sheets, and Slides

This feature is being added to Google Apps and will allow you to set an "expiration date" for materials that you share online with others.

I frequently share materials online with others. I don't know if I'll utilize this. One thing I may try is setting an expiration date for a year for materials openly shared online. The thought process is that I'll remove some old materials and information that I share online as my thoughts, ideas, and materials change.

🤔 Consider

"If you have the words, there's always a chance that you'll find the way." — Seamus Heaney

This week we'll discuss sarcasm, emoticons, & rogue researchers. The themes connect. The markers clarify.

Five pieces of work this week. What is Blockchain?—I've been meaning to write this post for a long time. It's mainly a way to better understand blockchain technologies. I also wanted to put a primer out for people that might be trying to understand our work in BadgeChain. The delay ends. The primer begins. Why in the world would you want to develop a Massive Open, Online Course (MOOC)?—this post shares materials from a presentation this week at the Addlestone Library at CofC. I detail the elements I see in MOOCs, and identify work I've conducted over the years developing and facilitating these open learning experiences. The question is genuine. The answer is detailed. I applied to present at TEDx Charleston—who knows what I was thinking. :) You can review my materials and thinking. The uncertainty is honest. The application is submitted. Interview with Kurt Becker—I conducted an interview with Kurt discussing engineering, STEM, design, and literacy for Literacy Beat. It was a ton of fun and has me thinking about new opportunities. The fun is genuine. The thinking expands. Where I'm going—this week we launched Learning Event 8 in WalkMyWorld 2016. We're about halfway through the WalkMyWorld Project 2016. Come join us online. The destination is disclosed. The journey continues.

This video is NSFW and contains bad words. John Oliver provides fantastic synthesis of the current encryption debate...and why you should care. Oliver is a master in humor, satire, and presenting the pain points in an easy to understand format. The warning is explicit. The mastery is acknowledged. The format makes complexity accessible.

Thoroughly fascinating story of researchers and academics in biology that are openly posting research online under the hashtag ASAPbio. Over the past three weeks I've presented various session about open learning, publishing, and access. In each of these talks I've encountered some push back about the "why" of doing this. The real key for them seems to be about time and the amount that it will take to openly publish and share these materials. The pushback is consistent. My advice is that you don't really need to do anything to add time. You need to think about working differently and utilizing different tools. As an example, use Google Slides as opposed to Powerpoint and share those materials openly online. Work different. Work smarter. The advice is direct. The example is specific. The shift is from adding to changing.

Pew Research Center as Twitter turns 10. User base grown rapidly but may be plateauing. Twitter is largely global service. Six basic types of Twitter conversations. The twitterverse doesn't always mirror the real world. Twitter can be valuable in emergencies. The facts accumulate. The mirror is imperfect. The value emerges in crisis.

Journal of Computer Mediated Communication looking at sarcasm in written communication and the intersection of emoticons. Findings highlight significant role emoticons play in clarifying message intention, compensating for the absence of nonverbal cues in written communication. The research confirms. The emoticons compensate. The balloons float upward. 🎈🎈

I love podcasts. Podcasts are basically shows that you would listen to on the radio in the past. Through the use of technology, we can save these shows on devices, and listen to them on our schedule. Through the advance of technology, now anyone can make and share their own shows. The love is declared. The technology democratizes. The creation is accessible. Hardcore History, Today in Digital Education, and Tim Ferriss show recommended.

Sandstorm.io is a very intriguing series of apps, or grains that you can run online. The suite of tools ranges from alternatives for Trello, Evernote, Slack, and beyond. Basically it means that you're running your own versions of the tools that you control. I'm really excited that Doug is spending some time investigating this and look forward to hearing his results. I'll start playing around with them as well to see what happens. The excitement is genuine. The control returns. The investigation begins.

Seamus Heaney: If you have the words, there's always a chance that you'll find the way. Blockchain primers and MOOC justifications and TEDx applications and engineering interviews and encryption debates and rogue researchers and Twitter at 10 and emoticons compensating and podcasts democratizing and Sandstorm control and expiring shares. Sarcasm, emoticons, & rogue researchers. All forms of finding the way. The question remains: what way do we find when we have the words?

Previous: TLDR 36 • Next: TLDR 38 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Blockchain — What is Blockchain I've been meaning to write this post for a long time, mainly a way to better understand blockchain technologies.
BadgeChain — I also wanted to put a primer out for people that might be trying to understand our work in BadgeChain.
MOOC — Why in the world would you want to develop a MOOC, I detail the elements I see in MOOCs work I've conducted over the years.
TEDx — I applied to present at TEDx Charleston who knows what I was thinking.
Kurt Becker — Interview discussing engineering STEM design and literacy for Literacy Beat, it was a ton of fun and has me thinking about new opportunities.
WalkMyWorld Project — Where I'm going Learning Event 8, about halfway through WalkMyWorld Project 2016.
John Oliver — Last Week Tonight Encryption NSFW contains bad words, master in humor satire presenting pain points in easy to understand format.
Encryption — John Oliver fantastic synthesis of the current encryption debate and why you should care.
ASAPbio — Handful of biologists went rogue published directly to the Internet, thoroughly fascinating story researchers academics biology openly posting research online.
Open Science — Push back about the why of doing this real key seems to be about time, work different work smarter.
Open Learning — My advice you don't really need to do anything to add time you need to think about working differently, use Google Slides instead of Powerpoint share materials openly online.
Twitter — Five facts at age 10 Pew Research Center, user base grown rapidly but may be plateauing largely global service.
Twitter Conversations — Six basic types polarized crowds tight crowds brand clusters community clusters broadcast networks support networks.
Sarcasm — Sarcasm in Written Communication emoticons are efficient markers of intention, Journal of Computer Mediated Communication.
Emoticons — Findings highlight significant role emoticons play in clarifying message intention, compensating for absence of nonverbal cues in written communication.
Podcasts — I love podcasts, through advance of technology now anyone can make and share their own shows.
Hardcore History — Dan Carlin recommended podcast to get started.
Today in Digital Education — Doug Belshaw and Dai Barnes recommended podcast.
Tim Ferriss — Tim Ferriss show recommended podcast.
Doug Belshaw — Taking back control of the web Sandstorm I'm really excited that Doug is spending some time investigating this.
Sandstorm — Very intriguing series of apps or grains you can run online, running your own versions of tools that you control.
Google Drive — Set expiration dates for access to Google Drive Docs Sheets Slides, I don't know if I'll utilize this.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 36

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 36

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 36

Published: 2016-03-11 • 📧 Newsletter

Hi all. Welcome to the TL;DR Newsletter. This week we'll discuss intelligence, big data, & fat bombs.

If a good friend shared this newsletter, you might want to subscribe...I'll make sure you cut to the front of the line for next week's issue.

And now..the updates. This week I shared the following:

Digital texts and tools: Potential uses, assessments, & methodologies for the educator & researcher - This week is Spring Break at the CofC. I had the privilege of presenting two sessions at TLTcon, an internal ed tech conference at the College. The link above is for the PPT for the session. The video is available here.
How to plan, present, and survive a Pecha Kucha presentation - My second presentation for tltcon 2016 was an overview of Pecha Kucha sessions. The post above provides my guidance if you're getting started...or a veteran of the format.
Hear My Home - This week we launched Learning Event 7 in WalkMyWorld 2016. We're about halfway through the WalkMyWorld Project 2016. Take a look at the post and come join us online.

🔖 Key Takeaways

I Had the Privilege: This week is Spring Break at the CofC. I had the privilege of presenting two sessions at TLTcon, an internal ed tech conference at the College.
Most Excited: I was most excited to hear Jane's thoughts about blockchain technologies.
My Takeaway: My takeaway from this...the game of Go is not only moves and algorithms, but also intimidation of your opponent.
At First I Thought: I first heard about this from the great Today in Digital Education podcast from Doug Belshaw and Dai Barnes. At first I thought that it was a joke.
Cautiously Want to Learn More: At this point, I'm intrigued and (cautiously) want to learn more.

📺 Watch

Jane McGonigal | SXSWedu Keynote | How to Think (and Learn) Like a Futurist

Great talk (1:08:59) by Jane McGonigal titled How to Think (and Learn) Like a Futurist.

This post was shared and discussed in our BadgeChain workgroup. I was most excited to hear Jane's thoughts about blockchain technologies.

📚 Read

The sadness and beauty of watching Google's AI play Go

As of the publication date of this issue of TL;DR...it's not pretty. AlphaGo is up two games to nothing in the best of five competition.

My takeaway from this...the game of Go is not only moves and algorithms, but also intimidation of your opponent. When the computer was down early in the game, it didn't get confused, upset, or felt beaten. It constantly adapted and looked for new solutions.

The artificially intelligent doctor will hear you now

As we continue this look at AI, this piece from the MIT Technology Review looks at the possible uses of "big data" to help doctors avoid making mistakes.

The thinking is that doctors will be able to use an app to add in a patient's vitals and some other data and partial out possible symptoms, complications, and treatments. Hopefully we can use data and AI to move to a model where health care is "preventative as well as curative."

Stephen Wolfram on AI and the future of civilization

Interesting conversation with the scientist, author, inventor, etc. that you probably know from Wolfram|Alpha and Mathematica.

Stephen says that it won't all be bad as the machines and AI get smarter. They can't do everything. We are aware of history, purpose, and goals. It is our goal seeking behavior, and awareness of contributing to society that sets us apart from the machines...now and in the future.

Hopefully. :)

Amazon eyes up education, plans a free platform for learning materials

I first heard about this from the great Today in Digital Education podcast from Doug Belshaw and Dai Barnes.

At first I thought that it was a joke. :)

As I dug in a bit more, I realized that it was indeed quite true. I'm torn about whether this is a good thing, or ultimately bad. On one hand, there is a terrible problem with awareness and access of open educational resources (OER). On the other hand, I've seen the good (Amazon Prime) and bad (Amazon Underground Appstore) in dealing with Amazon.

At this point, I'm intrigued and (cautiously) want to learn more.

Time to give up on Flickr everybody

Flickr is a great online photo network that I use almost daily. I use it to find images for my blogposts. I also use Flickr to back up my Instagram photos, screencaptures, etc.

As Yahoo reboots (again), and examines possible buyers, they're moving their unlimited photo upload features to the "pro" (paid) level.

This Wired post indicates that this might kill Flickr. I'm not sure about that. It will cause me to re-examine the tools that I use with photos. My key tool is Google Photos...and I'll keep using it, but be cautious of all online tools.

🔨 Do

Dark Chocolate & Walnut Fat Bombs

Apparently these chocolate and walnut squares up above are "good" for you.

Fat bombs are high-fat, low carb, low sugar snacks to keep you satisfied between meals. They can be sweet or savory, and are often eaten as part of Keto diets.

🤔 Consider

"Intelligence without ambition is a bird without wings." — Salvador Dali

This week we'll discuss intelligence, big data, & fat bombs. The themes converge. The connections emerge.

If a good friend shared this newsletter, you might want to subscribe...I'll make sure you cut to the front of the line for next week's issue. The promise persists. The line forms here.

Three pieces of work this week. Digital texts and tools: Potential uses, assessments, & methodologies for the educator & researcher—this week is Spring Break at the CofC. I had the privilege of presenting two sessions at TLTcon, an internal ed tech conference at the College. The link above is for the PPT for the session. The video is available. The materials are shared. How to plan, present, and survive a Pecha Kucha presentation—my second presentation for tltcon 2016 was an overview of Pecha Kucha sessions. The post above provides my guidance if you're getting started...or a veteran of the format. The guidance is offered. The format is explained. Hear My Home—this week we launched Learning Event 7 in WalkMyWorld 2016. We're about halfway through the WalkMyWorld Project 2016. Come join us online. The journey continues. The halfway point is marked again.

Jane McGonigal keynote (1:08:59) titled How to Think (and Learn) Like a Futurist. This post was shared and discussed in our BadgeChain workgroup. I was most excited to hear Jane's thoughts about blockchain technologies. The excitement is specific. The blockchain connection is real.

We've seen computers and artificial intelligence (AI) playing chess and Jeopardy in the past. This "competition" against the world's best continues as AlphaGo, Google's AI computing system was pitted against Lee Sedol in the game of Go. As of the publication date of this issue of TL;DR...it's not pretty. AlphaGo is up two games to nothing in the best of five competition. The score is lopsided. My takeaway from this...the game of Go is not only moves and algorithms, but also intimidation of your opponent. When the computer was down early in the game, it didn't get confused, upset, or felt beaten. It constantly adapted and looked for new solutions. The computer is unflappable. The adaptation is constant. The intimidation factor is neutralized.

MIT Technology Review looks at the possible uses of "big data" to help doctors avoid making mistakes. The thinking is that doctors will be able to use an app to add in a patient's vitals and some other data and partial out possible symptoms, complications, and treatments. Hopefully we can use data and AI to move to a model where health care is "preventative as well as curative." The hope is explicit. The model shifts from reactive to proactive.

Stephen Wolfram—scientist, author, inventor, etc. that you probably know from Wolfram|Alpha and Mathematica—says that it won't all be bad as the machines and AI get smarter. They can't do everything. We are aware of history, purpose, and goals. It is our goal seeking behavior, and awareness of contributing to society that sets us apart from the machines...now and in the future. Hopefully. :) The optimism is qualified. The hope is tentative. The future remains uncertain.

I first heard about this from the great Today in Digital Education podcast from Doug Belshaw and Dai Barnes. At first I thought that it was a joke. :) The disbelief is genuine. As I dug in a bit more, I realized that it was indeed quite true. I'm torn about whether this is a good thing, or ultimately bad. On one hand, there is a terrible problem with awareness and access of open educational resources (OER). On the other hand, I've seen the good (Amazon Prime) and bad (Amazon Underground Appstore) in dealing with Amazon. At this point, I'm intrigued and (cautiously) want to learn more. The ambivalence is honest. The caution is parenthetical. The learning continues.

Flickr is a great online photo network that I use almost daily. I use it to find images for my blogposts. I also use Flickr to back up my Instagram photos, screencaptures, etc. As Yahoo reboots (again), and examines possible buyers, they're moving their unlimited photo upload features to the "pro" (paid) level. This Wired post indicates that this might kill Flickr. I'm not sure about that. It will cause me to re-examine the tools that I use with photos. My key tool is Google Photos...and I'll keep using it, but be cautious of all online tools. The re-examination begins. The caution is justified. The dependency is acknowledged.

Apparently these chocolate and walnut squares up above are "good" for you. Fat bombs are high-fat, low carb, low sugar snacks to keep you satisfied between meals. They can be sweet or savory, and are often eaten as part of Keto diets. The goodness is in quotes. The skepticism is implied. The satisfaction is promised.

Salvador Dali: Intelligence without ambition is a bird without wings. Jane McGonigal on thinking like a futurist. AlphaGo intimidation and adaptation. Big data preventative healthcare. Wolfram on goal seeking behavior. Amazon in education cautiously intrigued. Flickr and tool dependency. Fat bombs in quotes. Intelligence, big data, & fat bombs. All forms of ambition. All requiring wings. The question remains: what flies when intelligence meets ambition?

Previous: TLDR 35 • Next: TLDR 37 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

TLTcon — This week is Spring Break at the CofC, I had the privilege of presenting two sessions at internal ed tech conference.
PechaKucha — How to plan present and survive a Pecha Kucha presentation, my guidance if you're getting started or a veteran of the format.
WalkMyWorld Project — Hear My Home Learning Event 7, about halfway through WalkMyWorld Project 2016.
Jane McGonigal — SXSWedu keynote How to Think and Learn Like a Futurist, I was most excited to hear Jane's thoughts about blockchain technologies.
BadgeChain — Post was shared and discussed in our BadgeChain workgroup, blockchain technologies excitement.
Blockchain — Jane's thoughts about blockchain technologies most exciting part of futurist keynote.
AlphaGo — Google's AI computing system pitted against Lee Sedol in game of Go, up two games to nothing.
Artificial Intelligence — My takeaway the game of Go is not only moves and algorithms but also intimidation, computer didn't get confused upset or felt beaten constantly adapted looked for new solutions.
Big Data — MIT Technology Review possible uses to help doctors avoid making mistakes, preventative as well as curative.
Healthcare — Doctors use app to add patient's vitals and partial out possible symptoms complications treatments.
Stephen Wolfram — Scientist author inventor Wolfram|Alpha and Mathematica, it won't all be bad as machines and AI get smarter hopefully.
Goal Seeking Behavior — Our awareness of history purpose and goals sets us apart from the machines now and in the future.
Amazon — Eyes up education plans free platform for learning materials, I'm torn about whether this is a good thing or ultimately bad.
OER — Terrible problem with awareness and access of open educational resources, Amazon Prime good Amazon Underground Appstore bad.
Doug Belshaw — I first heard about this from the great Today in Digital Education podcast from Doug Belshaw and Dai Barnes.
Today in Digital Education — Great podcast from Doug Belshaw and Dai Barnes, at first I thought that it was a joke.
Flickr — Great online photo network that I use almost daily, find images for blogposts back up Instagram photos screencaptures.
Yahoo — Reboots again examines possible buyers, moving unlimited photo upload features to pro paid level.
Google Photos — My key tool I'll keep using it but be cautious of all online tools, will cause me to re-examine the tools I use with photos.
Fat Bombs — Dark Chocolate Walnut apparently these chocolate and walnut squares are good for you, high-fat low carb low sugar snacks.
Keto Diet — Fat bombs can be sweet or savory often eaten as part of Keto diets.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 35

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 35

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 35

Published: 2016-03-06 • 📧 Newsletter

Hi all. Welcome to the TL;DR Newsletter. TL;DR is perfect for getting your brain running with ideas prior to the upcoming week.

Sorry this week's issue is late. I keynoted an institute in CT and that delayed TL;DR a bit. Here's proof that I was actually there. :)

This week we'll discuss freedom, creativity, & clarity.

These posts from my readings and work this week in literacy, technology. You may have come across this newsletter by accident. If you subscribe...I'll make sure you cut to the front of the line for next week's issue.

And now..the updates. This week I shared the following:

Scaffolding Online & Blended Learning in the Higher Ed Classroom - As I mentioned, this week I traveled back to CT to keynote an institute on online, and hybrid learning. This post includes all of my materials for the day.
Using Soundcloud to focus on audio and tune out visual information - This post provides guidance on using Soundcloud to create and share audio content online. I'm researching audio podcasts and this is the first post in the process.
Hear My Home - This week we launched Learning Event 7 in WalkMyWorld 2016. We're about halfway through the WalkMyWorld Project 2016. Take a look at the post and come join us online.

🔖 Key Takeaways

Here's Proof: Sorry this week's issue is late. I keynoted an institute in CT and that delayed TL;DR a bit. Here's proof that I was actually there.
First Post in the Process: I'm researching audio podcasts and this is the first post in the process.
Court of Public Appeal: This is a fight Apple wants to happen in the court of public appeal.
I Love Learning: I love learning about how other people create. As part of my own learning and development, I check out the texts, tips, and tricks creators use in their work.
Routine Favorite: The Raspberry Pi is a routine favorite here on TL;DR and in my own house.

📺 Watch

Fido vs Spot — Animal vs Robot

The Spot robot is built by Boston Dynamics and is a smaller version of the larger robot mule named "Big Dog."

The robots were originally built for military use, prior to the company being purchased by Google.

The video above shows the only version of Spot not in military hands playing with Android co-founder and Playground Global boss Andy Rubin.

Does this video get you excited...or terrified of the future? :)

📚 Read

Really understanding Apple's legal brief in the FBI case

This overview of the Apple response to the FBI is from Nilay Patel at The Verge.

The three bullet points at the beginning sum up this response. The first is the most telling:

This document feels hastily written and filed for the benefit of the press and public, not as a complete legal argument — it has typos, the language is surprisingly casual, and the arguments are ordered from easiest to understand to the most complex, not from strongest to weakest.

This is a fight Apple wants to happen in the court of public appeal.

Apple's "Code = Speech" Mistake

A nuanced look at the Apple arguments made against the FBI by Neil Richards, a law professor from Washington University.

As I've mentioned over the last three issues of TL;DR, this is a very important case and story of the year in tech. One of the arguments that Apple is apparently trying to make is that creating code is comparable to freedom of speech. In this, the First Amendment prohibits the government from compelling Apple to make code.

Once again, it will be interesting to see how this plays out.

Japanese artists show off their workspaces

Over the past year, professional and amateur artists have been sharing photos of their workstations to the hashtag #絵描きさんの作業環境が見たい (I want to see artists' work environments).

The results are equal measures messy and organized...and amazing.

5 words and phrases that can transform your work life

Guidance from Bernard Roth, academic director and cofounder of Stanford University's d.school on reprogramming your goals and perceptions by swapping out words/phrases you commonly use.

This "word swapping" includes removing "disempowering language" from our everyday usage.

The top five tips include:

Instead of "but" use "and"
Instead of "have to" say "want to"
Instead of "can't" use "won't"
Instead of saying "I'm afraid to" say "I'd like to"
Instead of "help" use "assist"

For more guidance, I recommend reading the full post...and Roth's book, The Achievement Habit.

How the brain dumps its trash

A post and video from Scientific American looking at the "waste-removal system" that the brain uses to preserve neural health.

The brain dumps 1.5 kilograms of waste per year...equivalent to its own weight. New findings suggest the "glymphatic system" is responsible for carrying, and cleaning out this waste.

For more info, watch the keynote from Dr. Maiken Nedergard as she discusses how our brain removes toxic proteins and stays healthy.

🎧 Listen

The future of the professions (5:49)

Leo LaPorte interviews Richard and Daniel Susskind about their book, The Future of the Professions.

In this discussion they explain how 'increasingly capable systems' - from telepresence to artificial intelligence, will bring fundamental change in the way that the 'practical expertise' of specialists is made available in society.

Please visit the Triangulation page for the full interview.

🔨 Do

The new Raspberry Pi 3

The Raspberry Pi is a routine favorite here on TL;DR and in my own house.

The new Raspberry Pi 3 looks awesome. Read some of the details from Raspberry Pi founder Eben Upton as he talks about it.

🤔 Consider

"You live out the confusions until they become clear." — Anaïs Nin

This week we'll discuss freedom, creativity, & clarity. The themes connect. The work reveals.

Sorry this week's issue is late. I keynoted an institute in CT and that delayed TL;DR a bit. Here's proof that I was actually there. The apology is genuine. The proof is playful. You may have come across this newsletter by accident. If you subscribe...I'll make sure you cut to the front of the line for next week's issue. The promise is cheeky. The invitation stands.

Three pieces of work this week. Scaffolding Online & Blended Learning in the Higher Ed Classroom—as I mentioned, this week I traveled back to CT to keynote an institute on online, and hybrid learning. This post includes all of my materials for the day. The return is noted. The materials are shared. Using Soundcloud to focus on audio and tune out visual information—this post provides guidance on using Soundcloud to create and share audio content online. I'm researching audio podcasts and this is the first post in the process. The research begins. The process is public. Hear My Home—this week we launched Learning Event 7 in WalkMyWorld 2016. We're about halfway through the WalkMyWorld Project 2016. Come join us online. The journey continues. The halfway point is marked.

Spot robot built by Boston Dynamics, smaller version of the larger robot mule named "Big Dog." The robots were originally built for military use, prior to the company being purchased by Google. The video above shows the only version of Spot not in military hands playing with Android co-founder and Playground Global boss Andy Rubin. Does this video get you excited...or terrified of the future? The question is genuine. The ambivalence is acknowledged. The future remains uncertain.

Overview of the Apple response to the FBI is from Nilay Patel at The Verge. This document feels hastily written and filed for the benefit of the press and public, not as a complete legal argument—it has typos, the language is surprisingly casual, and the arguments are ordered from easiest to understand to the most complex, not from strongest to weakest. This is a fight Apple wants to happen in the court of public appeal. The strategy is transparent. The audience is everyone.

Neil Richards, law professor from Washington University, provides nuanced look at the Apple arguments made against the FBI. As I've mentioned over the last three issues of TL;DR, this is a very important case and story of the year in tech. One of the arguments that Apple is apparently trying to make is that creating code is comparable to freedom of speech. In this, the First Amendment prohibits the government from compelling Apple to make code. Once again, it will be interesting to see how this plays out. The importance is reiterated. The interest persists. The outcome remains unknown.

I love learning about how other people create. As part of my own learning and development, I check out the texts, tips, and tricks creators use in their work. Frequently this involves the sharing of workspaces, and the desks of creators. The love is genuine. The learning is continuous. Over the past year, professional and amateur artists have been sharing photos of their workstations to the hashtag #絵描きさんの作業環境が見たい (I want to see artists' work environments). The results are equal measures messy and organized...and amazing. The contradiction is beautiful. The inspiration is real.

Bernard Roth, academic director and cofounder of Stanford University's d.school on reprogramming your goals and perceptions by swapping out words/phrases you commonly use. This "word swapping" includes removing "disempowering language" from our everyday usage. Instead of "but" use "and." Instead of "have to" say "want to." Instead of "can't" use "won't." Instead of saying "I'm afraid to" say "I'd like to." Instead of "help" use "assist." For more guidance, I recommend reading the full post...and Roth's book, The Achievement Habit. The recommendation is clear. The transformation is linguistic. The power is in the swap.

Scientific American looking at the "waste-removal system" that the brain uses to preserve neural health. The brain dumps 1.5 kilograms of waste per year...equivalent to its own weight. New findings suggest the "glymphatic system" is responsible for carrying, and cleaning out this waste. The system is revealed. The waste equals the weight. The brain cleans itself.

Leo LaPorte interviews Richard and Daniel Susskind about their book, The Future of the Professions. In this discussion they explain how 'increasingly capable systems' - from telepresence to artificial intelligence, will bring fundamental change in the way that the 'practical expertise' of specialists is made available in society. The future is arriving. The professions are changing. The expertise is being redistributed.

The Raspberry Pi is a routine favorite here on TL;DR and in my own house. The new Raspberry Pi 3 looks awesome. Read some of the details from Raspberry Pi founder Eben Upton as he talks about it. The favorite persists. The new version arrives. The excitement is genuine.

Anaïs Nin: You live out the confusions until they become clear. Robots and privacy and workspaces and language and brain waste and future professions and Raspberry Pi. Freedom, creativity, & clarity. All forms of living out confusions. The question remains: what becomes clear when we live through the confusion?

Previous: TLDR 34 • Next: TLDR 36 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

WalkMyWorld Project — Hear My Home Learning Event 7, about halfway through WalkMyWorld Project 2016.
Soundcloud — Using Soundcloud to focus on audio and tune out visual information, I'm researching audio podcasts this is the first post in the process.
Podcasts — Researching audio podcasts first post in the process, guidance on using Soundcloud to create and share audio content.
Boston Dynamics — Spot robot smaller version of Big Dog, originally built for military use before Google purchased company.
Robots — Fido vs Spot Animal vs Robot, does this video get you excited or terrified of the future.
Privacy — Apple legal brief in FBI case this is a fight Apple wants to happen in the court of public appeal.
Encryption — As I've mentioned over the last three issues this is a very important case and story of the year in tech.
First Amendment — Apple argument that creating code is comparable to freedom of speech, First Amendment prohibits government from compelling Apple to make code.
Artists Workspaces — Japanese artists hashtag I want to see artists work environments, I love learning about how other people create.
Creativity — I check out the texts tips and tricks creators use in their work, equal measures messy and organized and amazing.
Bernard Roth — Academic director and cofounder of Stanford d.school, 5 words and phrases that can transform your work life.
d.school — Stanford University design thinking, reprogramming goals and perceptions by swapping out words/phrases.
Language — Word swapping removing disempowering language, I recommend reading the full post and Roth's book The Achievement Habit.
Neuroscience — How the brain dumps its trash waste-removal system, brain dumps 1.5 kilograms of waste per year equivalent to its own weight.
Glymphatic System — New findings suggest responsible for carrying and cleaning out brain waste, Dr. Maiken Nedergard keynote.
Future of Professions — Richard and Daniel Susskind book, increasingly capable systems from telepresence to artificial intelligence.
Artificial Intelligence — Fundamental change in the way practical expertise of specialists is made available in society.
Raspberry Pi — Routine favorite here on TL;DR and in my own house, new Raspberry Pi 3 looks awesome.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 34

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 34

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 34

Published: 2016-02-26 • 📧 Newsletter

Hi all. Welcome to the TL;DR Newsletter. TL;DR is perfect for skimming and scanning on your tablet over the weekend as you relax with your first cup of coffee/tea in the morning.

This week we do some thinking about privacy, encryption, & honey oatmeal vodka.

These posts from my readings and work this week in literacy, technology. You may have come across this newsletter by accident. If you subscribe...it makes my entire weekend and energizes me for the upcoming week.

And now..the updates. This week I shared the following:

Cognitive Authority, Digital Badges, and the Oracle of the Blockchain - This post is some of my thoughts on trust, value, and cognitive authority in badges, and our work with blockchain technologies.
Preparing Students to Be Literate Digitally in a Digitally Literate Environment - This is a submission to JAAL which we'd love for you to comment on. We already received a ton of good feedback...add in your two cents.
A Turning Point - This week we launched Learning Event 5 in WalkMyWorld 2016. We're about halfway through the WalkMyWorld Project 2016. Take a look at this page if you're trying to get caught up. Take a look at the post and come join us online.

🔖 Key Takeaways

Entire Weekend: If you subscribe...it makes my entire weekend and energizes me for the upcoming week.
Tech News Event of the Year: The issues surrounding the Apple Encryption Case are fascinating. In my mind, this is (and probably will be) the tech news event of the year.
Simple, Very Important Question: This is really not about Apple, or encryption. This is a political fight that rests on a simple, very important question: Do you have the right to privacy on your smartphone?
Start Folding In: As part of TL;DR, I'll start folding in a section on audio content. Audio podcasts are a big part of my week. I think that you'll benefit from them as well.
Routine Favorite: The Raspberry Pi is a routine favorite here on TL;DR and in my own house.

📺 Watch

Apple vs. the DOJ on This Week In Tech

We had the start of this story last week on TL;DR and it'll start us off this week.

The issues surrounding the Apple Encryption Case are fascinating. In my mind, this is (and probably will be) the tech news event of the year. As a Pew Research Report indicates, most Americans support the FBI over Apple. This is despite the fact that the items in the survey may have been misleading.

As they indicate in the video above, this is really not about Apple, or encryption. This is a political fight that rests on a simple, very important question:

Do you have the right to privacy on your smartphone?

Please stay informed.

📚 Read

Meet Encryption

The link above will take you to a short video (1:16) that clearly explains encryption, and how it helps keep you safe online.

The video is a product of Mozilla.

Don't panic: Making progress on the "going dark" debate

This report is from the Berkman Center for Internet & Society at Harvard University.

This report brings together global experts on security and policy from academia, civil society, and the U.S. intelligence community.

I recommend reading and reviewing this report as we discuss the myths and truths surrounding encryption. The report provides comprehensive insight into encryption, and our ability to effectively surveil criminals and "bad actors."

No rush to "go digital"

Research report in Inside Higher Ed looking at use of digital content and open education resources (OER) by faculty at two- and four-year higher education institutions.

The results are an interesting examination of the value judgements placed on instructional materials. Please keep in mind that this survey was administered to participants at the "College Bookstore Association" retail conference.

Even with this questionable sample, it's interested to look at how the instructors indicate or evaluate quality in materials. I'm also intrigued by their apparent lack of knowledge and/or interest in open, and OER.

Facebook reactions, the totally redesigned like button, is here

The "Facebook like" is a part of our culture and now it's getting deprecated for a set of emoji.

The traditional Facebook like, has been a simple, yet limited aspect of the social network. For example....what response should you have when someone shares bad news in the stream.

This development creates another foothold for the use of emoji as a literary device.

Eylan Ezekiel shared the link above that visualizes your LinkedIn network.

When you visit the site, it'll ask you to log in to your LinkedIn account. From there it'll scan your connections and look for relationships. You can then click on individual nodes, and tease out your relationships.

It's very interesting as we examine the connections that make up our digital identity.

🎧 Listen

How Seth Godin manages his life - rules, principles, and obsessions

As part of TL;DR, I'll start folding in a section on audio content. Audio podcasts are a big part of my week. I think that you'll benefit from them as well.

This podcast is an interview with Seth Godin on the Tim Ferriss show. You can listen to the podcast at the link above. You can also listen on iTunes or Stitcher.

The interview is a fantastic, inspirational and covers the gamut from marketing, to leadership, to honey oatmeal vodka.

🔨 Do

Build a $200 smart drone with the Pi Zero

The Raspberry Pi is a routine favorite here on TL;DR and in my own house.

With the Raspberry Pi Zero ($5.00), an assortment of other parts, and some "know how"...you can build this.

🤔 Consider

"Arguing that you don't care about the right to privacy because you have nothing to hide is no different that saying you don't care about free speech because you have nothing to say." — Edward Snowden

This week we do some thinking about privacy, encryption, & honey oatmeal vodka. The themes converge. The stakes are real.

You may have come across this newsletter by accident. If you subscribe...it makes my entire weekend and energizes me for the upcoming week. The admission is genuine. The energy transfer is real. Subscriptions fuel the work.

Three pieces of work this week. Cognitive Authority, Digital Badges, and the Oracle of the Blockchain—some of my thoughts on trust, value, and cognitive authority in badges, and our work with blockchain technologies. The oracle problem persists. Preparing Students to Be Literate Digitally in a Digitally Literate Environment—submission to JAAL which we'd love for you to comment on. We already received a ton of good feedback...add in your two cents. The invitation stands. A Turning Point—this week we launched Learning Event 5 in WalkMyWorld 2016. We're about halfway through the WalkMyWorld Project 2016. Take a look if you're trying to get caught up. Come join us online. The journey continues.

We had the start of this story last week on TL;DR and it'll start us off this week. The issues surrounding the Apple Encryption Case are fascinating. In my mind, this is (and probably will be) the tech news event of the year. Pew Research Report indicates most Americans support the FBI over Apple. This is despite the fact that the items in the survey may have been misleading. The framing matters. The answers follow the questions.

As they indicate in the video above, this is really not about Apple, or encryption. This is a political fight that rests on a simple, very important question: Do you have the right to privacy on your smartphone? Please stay informed. The question is fundamental. The answer affects everything.

Mozilla video (1:16) clearly explains encryption, and how it helps keep you safe online. The explanation matters. The understanding follows. Berkman Center report brings together global experts on security and policy from academia, civil society, and the U.S. intelligence community. I recommend reading and reviewing this report as we discuss the myths and truths surrounding encryption. The report provides comprehensive insight into encryption, and our ability to effectively surveil criminals and "bad actors." The expertise is assembled. The myths can be dispelled.

Research report in Inside Higher Ed looking at use of digital content and open education resources (OER) by faculty. The results are an interesting examination of the value judgements placed on instructional materials. Please keep in mind that this survey was administered to participants at the "College Bookstore Association" retail conference. The sample is questionable. Even with this questionable sample, it's interested to look at how the instructors indicate or evaluate quality in materials. I'm also intrigued by their apparent lack of knowledge and/or interest in open, and OER. The ignorance is revealing. The opportunity is vast.

Facebook like getting deprecated for a set of emoji. The traditional Facebook like has been a simple, yet limited aspect of the social network. For example....what response should you have when someone shares bad news in the stream. The limitation is real. This development creates another foothold for the use of emoji as a literary device. The evolution continues.

Eylan Ezekiel shared link that visualizes your LinkedIn network. When you visit the site, it'll ask you to log in to your LinkedIn account. From there it'll scan your connections and look for relationships. You can then click on individual nodes, and tease out your relationships. It's very interesting as we examine the connections that make up our digital identity. The visualization reveals the network. The network constitutes the identity.

As part of TL;DR, I'll start folding in a section on audio content. Audio podcasts are a big part of my week. I think that you'll benefit from them as well. The medium expands. Seth Godin on the Tim Ferriss show. The interview is a fantastic, inspirational and covers the gamut from marketing, to leadership, to honey oatmeal vodka. The range is impressive. The vodka is specific.

The Raspberry Pi is a routine favorite here on TL;DR and in my own house. With the Raspberry Pi Zero ($5.00), an assortment of other parts, and some "know how"...you can build a $200 smart drone. The favorite persists. The possibilities multiply.

Edward Snowden: Arguing that you don't care about the right to privacy because you have nothing to hide is no different that saying you don't care about free speech because you have nothing to say. Privacy, encryption, blockchain, badges, OER, emoji, networks, podcasts, drones. All forms of freedom. All requiring defense. The question remains: do you have the right to privacy on your smartphone?

Previous: TLDR 33 • Next: TLDR 35 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Blockchain — Cognitive Authority Digital Badges and the Oracle of the Blockchain, thoughts on trust value and cognitive authority in badges.
Digital Badges — Oracle problem in blockchain integration with badges, trust and verification challenges.
WalkMyWorld Project — Learning Event 5 A Turning Point, about halfway through WalkMyWorld Project 2016.
Privacy — Apple Encryption Case tech news event of the year, simple very important question do you have the right to privacy on your smartphone.
Encryption — Mozilla video clearly explains how it helps keep you safe online, Berkman Center report myths and truths.
Mozilla — Meet Encryption short video (1:16) product explaining encryption and safety online.
OER — Inside Higher Ed research faculty skeptical of digital content, I'm also intrigued by their apparent lack of knowledge and/or interest in open.
Facebook — Reactions the totally redesigned like button, emoji as literary device, what response when someone shares bad news.
Emoji — Facebook like getting deprecated for set of emoji, another foothold for use as literary device.
LinkedIn — Eylan Ezekiel visualize your network, examining connections that make up our digital identity.
Seth Godin — Tim Ferriss podcast interview fantastic inspirational, marketing to leadership to honey oatmeal vodka.
Podcasts — As part of TL;DR I'll start folding in a section on audio content, big part of my week I think you'll benefit.
Raspberry Pi — Routine favorite here on TL;DR and in my own house, Pi Zero ($5.00) build $200 smart drone.
Edward Snowden — Arguing you don't care about right to privacy because you have nothing to hide is no different than saying you don't care about free speech because you have nothing to say.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 33

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 33

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 33

Published: 2016-02-19 • 📧 Newsletter

Hi all. Welcome to the TL;DR Newsletter.

This week we do some thinking about introverts, empathy, and authenticity.

These posts from my readings and work this week in literacy, technology. You may have come across this newsletter by accident. If you subscribe...a wonderful thing happens. I go home and tell my children. We weep ecstatically as we consider how lucky we are to live in a world where people like you subscribe to newsletters like this. :)

And now, on to updates. This week I shared the following:

Digital Portfolios + Open Badges + Blockchain = Personal Learning Ledger - This post is something I pulled together to crystalize my thoughts as I continue to work with an amazing group on blockchain technologies and open badges.
Preparing Students to Be Literate Digitally in a Digitally Literate Environment - This is a submission to JAAL which we'd love for you to comment on. It expands on our thinking in the post above.
Creative Commons licensing of open educational content - A thorough overview of CC licensing, and where to find content online.
How to find Creative Commons licensed images and cite them correctly - I put this post together for students that needed explicit advice on how to find and then cite CC licensed images in their blog posts.
Post, promote, and protect your content online using Creative Commons licensing - This post is a revised piece that I submitted earlier. It is an overview of the how and why you'll want to share your content under a CC license.
Shape of my story - This week we launched Learning Event 4 in WalkMyWorld 2016. Take a look at the post and come join us online.
Syndicating (republishing or broadcasting) your blog posts to Medium - This is a guide for colleagues and students that were looking for some support as they built up a writing platform on Medium.

🔖 Key Takeaways

Weep Ecstatically: If you subscribe...a wonderful thing happens. I go home and tell my children. We weep ecstatically as we consider how lucky we are to live in a world where people like you subscribe to newsletters like this.
First Step: Open-minded biases—often times it is our own preconceptions that get in the way when we try to listen to others. I think the first step might be acknowledging and accounting for our own bias.
Decompress and Recharge: Introverted students—I'm also starting to become a bit more aware of individuals in my classes that might be introverted, and how do I support them as learners. I'm thinking that I need to build time into the schedule for students to decompress and recharge.
Cultivated, Nuanced, and Deep: Susanne Murphy on plagiarism and retweet—Susanne's wit and writing are cultivated, nuanced, and deep. Take the time to annotate and appreciate this post.
Wanted to Save This for Last: Tim Cook and Apple FBI iPhone battle—if you're a regular reader of TL;DR, you'd expect this post to go first. Perhaps it's the playlist I'm listening to, perhaps it's the weather...but I wanted to save this for last. I think this is big news. Something to read up on...and pay attention to.

📺 Watch

Is Big Data Getting Too Big?

Fantastic video from the It's Okay to be Smart channel from PBS. The video talks about the size and characteristics of "big data."

These materials open up room for discussions about work created...and what we can do with powerful data.

📚 Read

We're not as open-minded as we think we are

Excellent post from Thorin Klosowski at Lifehacker looking at the ways in which we challenge our beliefs and biases as we interact in the world. Often times it is our own preconceptions that get in the way when we try to listen to others.

I think the first step might be acknowledging and accounting for our own bias.

Strategies to ensure introverted students feel valued at school

Over the past couple of months I've been a bit more cognizant of the mindsets and dispositions of others as I work with them. Specifically, I spend much of my time as a literacy or technology instructor and coax/goad students into getting online and creating a digital identity.

One of the retorts that I receive is that I'm brave and I have no fear as I share things online. I am also aware of the challenges of individuals as they are concerned about privacy/security online and their identity. I'm also starting to become a bit more aware of individuals in my classes that might be introverted, and how do I support them as learners.

After some talk with Eylan Ezekiel, I'm thinking that I need to build time into the schedule for students to decompress and recharge. If you're interested in more info...please reach out to Eylan on Twitter for more ideas.

5 ways to launch your Genius Hour projects to the world

A blog post from A. J. Juliani looking at the Genius Hour and building up opportunities to engage and empower students.

The Genius Hour is an offshoot from the 20% Time Project. This builds in critical time to the classroom that gives students a chance to engage in projects and learning of their own interests.

The three components to focus on include: Student Choice, Authentic Audience, and Intrinsic Reward.

I know what this looks like in K-12...I'm wondering if we could make it happen with adults outside of the classroom...

Plagiarism is dead; Long live the retweet: Unpacking an identity crisis in digital content

Great post colleague and friend Susanne Murphy looking at the challenges between content creation, ownership, remix culture, and "credit" in the online space.

I shared this out online and many people indicated that this is a post that is perfect for an annotation tool like Hypothes.is.

Susanne's wit and writing are cultivated, nuanced, and deep. Take the time to annotate and appreciate this post.

How Tim Cook, in iPhone battle, became a bulwark for digital privacy

If you're a regular reader of TL;DR, you'd expect this post to go first. Perhaps it's the playlist I'm listening to, perhaps it's the weather...but I wanted to save this for last.

While I was at LRA this past December, the shootings occurred nearby in San Bernardino. This past week, the FBI publicly brought a federal order to Apple to unlock the iPhone of one of the gunmen. Apple not only is saying no...but they're also publicly reaching out to the public to gain support/traction.

I think this is big news. I think there is more at stake here as well. Yes, the cynic in me thinks that it's a PR ploy. It also might be different if the federal order was presented privately. There is a lot that we don't see, hear, or know about what it happening.

It is (and will be) interesting to see how this plays out over the coming weeks. Something to read up on...and pay attention to.

🔨 Do

Making Soundscapes: The HearMyHome Project

The HearMyHome Project is a cool research project from Jon Wargo and Cassie Brownell.

The project focuses on:

Examining everyday people produced soundscapes, #hearmyhome inquires how hearing difference and listening to communities may re-educate the senses and attune us towards cultural difference. Ultimately developing materials that hear, recognize, and sustain community literacies and cultural rhetorics, #hearmyhome asks us to take heed of the frequencies and rhythms of culture as we architect, design, and teach towards more equitable landscapes for learning.

The link at the top of this post is from the work that Kevin Hodgson shared for the project. The awesome image up top is from Kevin as well.

🤔 Consider

"You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view...until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it." — Harper Lee

This week we do some thinking about introverts, empathy, and authenticity. The themes connect. The work reflects.

You may have come across this newsletter by accident. If you subscribe...a wonderful thing happens. I go home and tell my children. We weep ecstatically as we consider how lucky we are to live in a world where people like you subscribe to newsletters like this. The humor is intentional. The gratitude is real. The ecstasy is hyperbolic but the appreciation is genuine.

Seven pieces of work this week. Digital Portfolios + Open Badges + Blockchain = Personal Learning Ledger—post I pulled together to crystalize my thoughts as I continue to work with amazing group on blockchain technologies and open badges. JAAL submission on Preparing Students to Be Literate Digitally in a Digitally Literate Environment—we'd love for you to comment on. It expands on our thinking in the post above. Three Creative Commons posts—thorough overview of CC licensing, where to find content online, how to find and cite CC licensed images correctly, how and why you'll want to share your content under CC license. I put this post together for students that needed explicit advice. WalkMyWorld Learning Event 4 Shape of my story—come join us online. Syndicating blog posts to Medium—guide for colleagues and students looking for support as they built up writing platform on Medium. The productivity is significant. The sharing is generous.

Big Data Getting Too Big video from It's Okay to be Smart PBS channel. Fantastic video talking about size and characteristics of "big data." These materials open up room for discussions about work created...and what we can do with powerful data. The conversations are necessary.

Thorin Klosowski on open-minded biases. Often times it is our own preconceptions that get in the way when we try to listen to others. I think the first step might be acknowledging and accounting for our own bias. The admission precedes the work. The acknowledgment enables the listening.

Strategies to ensure introverted students feel valued at school. Over past couple months I've been bit more cognizant of mindsets and dispositions of others as I work with them. Specifically, I spend much of my time as literacy or technology instructor and coax/goad students into getting online and creating digital identity. One of retorts that I receive is that I'm brave and I have no fear as I share things online. I am also aware of challenges of individuals as they are concerned about privacy/security online and their identity. I'm also starting to become a bit more aware of individuals in my classes that might be introverted, and how do I support them as learners. After some talk with Eylan Ezekiel, I'm thinking that I need to build time into the schedule for students to decompress and recharge. The awareness is growing. The adaptation is beginning. The support requires intentional time.

A. J. Juliani on Genius Hour and 20% Time Project. Three components to focus on include: Student Choice, Authentic Audience, and Intrinsic Reward. I know what this looks like in K-12...I'm wondering if we could make it happen with adults outside of the classroom. The question is genuine. The wondering is productive.

Susanne Murphy on plagiarism, retweet, identity crisis in digital content. Great post colleague and friend looking at challenges between content creation, ownership, remix culture, and "credit" in online space. I shared this out online and many people indicated that this is post that is perfect for annotation tool like Hypothes.is. Susanne's wit and writing are cultivated, nuanced, and deep. Take the time to annotate and appreciate this post. The recommendation is emphatic. The appreciation is deserved.

Tim Cook in iPhone battle becoming bulwark for digital privacy. If you're regular reader of TL;DR, you'd expect this post to go first. Perhaps it's the playlist I'm listening to, perhaps it's the weather...but I wanted to save this for last. While I was at LRA this past December, the shootings occurred nearby in San Bernardino. This past week, FBI publicly brought federal order to Apple to unlock iPhone of one of gunmen. Apple not only is saying no...but they're also publicly reaching out to public to gain support/traction. I think this is big news. I think there is more at stake here as well. Yes, cynic in me thinks that it's PR ploy. It also might be different if federal order was presented privately. There is lot that we don't see, hear, or know about what it happening. It is (and will be) interesting to see how this plays out over coming weeks. Something to read up on...and pay attention to. The placement is deliberate. The cynicism is acknowledged. The stakes are recognized. The attention is warranted.

HearMyHome Project from Jon Wargo and Cassie Brownell. Cool research project examining everyday people produced soundscapes, inquiring how hearing difference and listening to communities may re-educate senses and attune us towards cultural difference. Developing materials that hear, recognize, and sustain community literacies and cultural rhetorics, asking us to take heed of frequencies and rhythms of culture as we architect, design, and teach towards more equitable landscapes for learning. Kevin Hodgson's work and awesome image. The project is ambitious. The listening is pedagogical.

Harper Lee: You never really understand a person until you consider things from his point of view...until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it. Weeping ecstatically. Acknowledging bias. Building time to decompress and recharge. Genius Hour for adults. Cultivated, nuanced, deep writing. Wanted to save this for last. Soundscapes re-educating senses. All forms of considering things from another's point of view. The question remains: whose skin are we climbing into?

Previous: TLDR 32 • Next: TLDR 34 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Subscription Ecstasy — I go home and tell my children, we weep ecstatically as we consider how lucky we are.
Personal Learning Ledger — Digital Portfolios + Open Badges + Blockchain, crystalize my thoughts working with amazing group.
JAAL Submission — Preparing Students to Be Literate Digitally, we'd love for you to comment on.
Creative Commons — Three posts on CC licensing, thorough overview finding citing protecting content.
WalkMyWorld Project — Learning Event 4 Shape of my story, come join us online.
Medium Syndication — Guide for colleagues and students building up writing platform.
Big Data — PBS It's Okay to be Smart video, opens up room for discussions about powerful data.
Open-Minded Biases — I think the first step might be acknowledging and accounting for our own bias.
Introverted Students — I'm also starting to become bit more aware, I'm thinking I need to build time into schedule for students to decompress and recharge.
Eylan Ezekiel — Talk about supporting introverted learners, reach out on Twitter for more ideas.
Genius Hour — I know what this looks like in K-12, I'm wondering if we could make it happen with adults outside of classroom.
20% Time Project — Student Choice, Authentic Audience, Intrinsic Reward.
Susanne Murphy — Plagiarism is dead long live the retweet, Susanne's wit and writing are cultivated nuanced and deep, take time to annotate and appreciate.
Remix Culture — Challenges between content creation ownership and credit in online space.
Tim Cook — iPhone battle bulwark for digital privacy, if you're regular reader you'd expect this post to go first, perhaps it's the playlist I'm listening to perhaps the weather but I wanted to save this for last.
Apple FBI iPhone — San Bernardino shooting LRA December, I think this is big news, yes cynic in me thinks it's PR ploy, it is and will be interesting to see how this plays out, something to read up on and pay attention to.
HearMyHome Project — Jon Wargo Cassie Brownell cool research project, examining soundscapes hearing difference listening to communities re-educate senses.
Kevin Hodgson — Work shared for HearMyHome Project, awesome image from Kevin.
Community Literacies — Sustain cultural rhetorics, frequencies and rhythms of culture, equitable landscapes for learning.
Harper Lee — You never really understand person until you climb inside of his skin and walk around in it.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 32

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 32

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 32

Published: 2016-02-12 • 📧 Newsletter

Hi all. Welcome to the TL;DR Newsletter.

This week we do some thinking about waves, flow, and relativity. :)

These posts from my readings and work this week in literacy, technology. Please feel free to share with others you believe would benefit. If you like what you see here, I recommend subscribing to get it (electronically) hand-delivered.

This week I shared the following:

Getting a simple website started with Known - This post is the first one in a series of posts looking at how to create and start writing on your own Known website.
Lightweight blogging, publishing, and sharing using Known - This is the second post looking at the features of publishing and sharing using a Known site.
Digitally Literate Courses: Identifying the problem, focus, and goals - I've hinted at this for some time in this newsletter, but I'm finally announcing my side project for the year. I'm developing a premium (pay) set of classes designed to help individuals become digitally literate. I'll have more info soon.
Shape of a story - This week we launched Learning Event 3 in WalkMyWorld 2016. Take a look at the post and come join us online.

🔖 Key Takeaways

Finally Announcing: Digitally Literate Courses side project. I've hinted at this for some time in this newsletter, but I'm finally announcing my side project for the year. I'm developing a premium (pay) set of classes designed to help individuals become digitally literate. I'll have more info soon.
Very Excited: BadgeChain just went public. A small group of "ex-Mozilla colleagues and interested parties" have united to research, iterate, and advocate on the future of open badges and blockchain technologies. Very excited about this. More to come soon.
I'd Disagree: Coloring books meditation. At first you might think that this type of post has nothing to do with you...but I'd disagree. Buddhist monks and sand painting...flow, happiness, and destruction. Good stuff.
You Don't Have To: Today I started keeping a public journal in which I write for five minutes (200 words) each morning. These posts may become something later on...or they might just be an archive of my thinking and learning over time. I chose to do this publicly...you don't have to.
Not That Bad: Violent video games research—now if we could only do some research on whether or not Heavy Metal or Rap is not that bad...

📺 Watch

Gravitational Waves Explained

Gravitational Waves Explained by PhD Comics.

Gravitational waves may have been detected by researchers at the Laser Interferometer Gravitational-Wave Observatory (LIGO). If this is confirmed, we'll have more data to explore Einstein's general theory of relativity.

Click here for the comics version of the video above.

📚 Read

Kids who played shoot-em-up games in the '90s were probably (mostly) ok

Recent research suggests that playing video games that are more likely to include violent content in childhood is weakly associated with an increased risk of conduct disorder in late adolescence. Additionally, overall game exposure was not related to conduct disorder, nor was any association found between video game use and depression.

Now if we could only do some research on whether or not Heavy Metal or Rap is not that bad...

Data analysis of GitHub contributions reveals unexpected gender bias

Research published in PeerJ examines the role of gender bias in the open source community.

The research examines acceptance rates of contributions of men versus women in the open source community. Surprisingly, results show that women's contributions tend to be accepted more often than men's. However, when a woman's gender if identifiable, they are rejected more often.

Results suggest that although women on GitHub may be viewed as more competent overall, gender bias exists nonetheless.

The possibilities of badges and blockchain

This post from Doug Belshaw identifies the possible next steps in the development of badges and the possible integration of blockchain technologies. The post is a supplement to an earlier post on the future of educational credentialing.

In the comments of the post, Doug hints at an initiative many of us have been working on that just went public.

A small group of "ex-Mozilla colleagues and interested parties" have united to research, iterate, and advocate on the future of open badges and blockchain technologies. You can find more at our website...or follow our open thinking on our Medium publication.

Very excited about this. More to come soon. :)

My little sister taught me how to "Snapchat like the teens"

Great post from Ben Rosen in BuzzFeed in which he enlists his 13 year old sister to teach him how to use and connect on Snapchat.

What ensues is an insightful look at the habits and processes as his sister Brooke, and her friend Elsbitch (Elsbeth) give a guided tour of the medium.

The ancient origins of your obsession with coloring books

I'm increasingly looking for insight into meditation and visual thinking...among other things. This post from Co.Design looks at the meditative practices involved in coloring and design.

At first you might think that this type of post has nothing to do with you...but I'd disagree.

The piece starts with Buddhist monks and sand painting...and then goes into flow, happiness, and destruction.

Good stuff.

🔨 Do

Keep a "Today I Learned" log of all of the useful stuff your learn

Each day we learn little bits and strategies that help us complete tasks. Many times we employ what we've learned and move on from these "just in time" moments.

As I detailed in the links at the top of this newsletter...I started keeping a public journal in which I write for five minutes (200 words) each morning. I use it as a way to get my mind running in the morning, unpack residual ideas/thoughts from the day before/dreams/morning. These posts may become something later on...or they might just be an archive of my thinking and learning over time. I chose to do this publicly...you don't have to. :)

Take five minutes each morning or night to stop, reflect, and celebrate what you learned that day. Document and archive your experiences.

🤔 Consider

"The self expands through acts of self forgetfulness." — Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

This week we do some thinking about waves, flow, and relativity. The theme is intentional. The connections are emerging.

Four pieces of work this week. Getting a simple website started with Known—first one in series of posts looking at how to create and start writing on your own Known website. Lightweight blogging, publishing, and sharing using Known—second post looking at features of publishing and sharing using Known site. Digitally Literate Courses: Identifying the problem, focus, and goals—I've hinted at this for some time in this newsletter, but I'm finally announcing my side project for the year. I'm developing a premium (pay) set of classes designed to help individuals become digitally literate. I'll have more info soon. The announcement is made. The commitment is public. Shape of a story—this week we launched Learning Event 3 in WalkMyWorld 2016. Take a look at the post and come join us online. The invitation continues.

Gravitational waves may have been detected by researchers at LIGO. If confirmed, we'll have more data to explore Einstein's general theory of relativity. PhD Comics explains it. The comics version makes relativity accessible. Waves detected after century of prediction. The universe confirms what Einstein imagined.

While growing up, I was bombarded with "advice" from my parents and other adults that video games would rot my brain. Additionally, there is the belief that playing violent video games would lead to more violent kids. Recent research suggests that playing video games with violent content in childhood is weakly associated with increased risk of conduct disorder in late adolescence. Additionally, overall game exposure was not related to conduct disorder, nor was any association found between video game use and depression. Now if we could only do some research on whether or not Heavy Metal or Rap is not that bad. The humor is intentional. The relief is genuine. The vindication is sweet.

GitHub gender bias research examining acceptance rates of contributions of men versus women in open source community. Surprisingly, results show women's contributions tend to be accepted more often than men's. However, when woman's gender if identifiable, they are rejected more often. Results suggest that although women on GitHub may be viewed as more competent overall, gender bias exists nonetheless. The contradiction is revealing. Competence recognized when identity hidden. Bias revealed when identity known.

Doug Belshaw on possibilities of badges and blockchain. In comments of post, Doug hints at initiative many of us have been working on that just went public. Small group of "ex-Mozilla colleagues and interested parties" have united to research, iterate, and advocate on future of open badges and blockchain technologies. You can find more at our website...or follow our open thinking on our Medium publication. Very excited about this. More to come soon. The excitement is palpable. The collaboration is real. The future is open.

Ben Rosen enlists his 13 year old sister to teach him how to use and connect on Snapchat. What ensues is insightful look at habits and processes as his sister Brooke, and her friend Elsbitch (Elsbeth) give guided tour of medium. Learning from teenagers. Expertise exists across ages.

I'm increasingly looking for insight into meditation and visual thinking...among other things. This post from Co.Design looks at meditative practices involved in coloring and design. At first you might think that this type of post has nothing to do with you...but I'd disagree. The piece starts with Buddhist monks and sand painting...and then goes into flow, happiness, and destruction. Good stuff. The skepticism is anticipated. The disagreement is gentle. The connection is unexpected. Buddhist monks to adult coloring books to flow states to happiness to destruction. The arc is complete.

Each day we learn little bits and strategies that help us complete tasks. Many times we employ what we've learned and move on from these "just in time" moments. As I detailed in links at top of this newsletter...I started keeping public journal in which I write for five minutes (200 words) each morning. I use it as way to get my mind running in morning, unpack residual ideas/thoughts from day before/dreams/morning. These posts may become something later on...or they might just be an archive of my thinking and learning over time. I chose to do this publicly...you don't have to. The practice is established. The permission is granted. The choice is yours.

Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi: The self expands through acts of self forgetfulness. Gravitational waves confirming relativity. Video games probably mostly okay. GitHub bias when identity known. BadgeChain launching publicly. Teenagers teaching Snapchat. Buddhist monks and coloring books and flow. Public journaling documenting learning. All forms of self-expansion through self-forgetfulness. The question remains: what do we discover when we forget ourselves?

Previous: TLDR 31 • Next: TLDR 33 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Known — Getting started creating writing on own website, lightweight blogging publishing sharing.
Digitally Literate Courses — I've hinted at this for some time but I'm finally announcing my side project for the year, I'm developing premium pay set of classes, I'll have more info soon.
WalkMyWorld Project — Learning Event 3 Shape of a story, come join us online.
Gravitational Waves — May have been detected by LIGO researchers, more data to explore Einstein's general theory of relativity.
Einstein — General theory of relativity confirmed by gravitational waves detection.
Violent Video Games — Probably mostly ok, now if we could only do some research on whether or not Heavy Metal or Rap is not that bad.
Conduct Disorder — Weakly associated with violent content in childhood, overall game exposure not related.
GitHub Gender Bias — Women's contributions accepted more often than men's, but rejected more when woman's gender if identifiable.
Open Source Community — Although women may be viewed as more competent overall, gender bias exists nonetheless.
BadgeChain — Doug Belshaw initiative many of us have been working on just went public, very excited about this more to come soon.
Doug Belshaw — Possibilities of badges and blockchain, ex-Mozilla colleagues and interested parties.
Open Badges — Future integration with blockchain technologies, research iterate and advocate.
Blockchain — Small group united to research future of open badges and blockchain technologies.
Snapchat Like Teens — Ben Rosen enlists 13 year old sister Brooke and friend Elsbitch give guided tour.
Coloring Books Meditation — At first you might think this type of post has nothing to do with you but I'd disagree, Buddhist monks sand painting flow happiness destruction good stuff.
Flow States — Meditation and visual thinking, meditative practices involved in coloring and design.
Today I Learned — Public journal I started keeping, write for five minutes 200 words each morning, I chose to do this publicly you don't have to.
Public Journaling — These posts may become something later on or they might just be archive of my thinking and learning over time.
Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi — The self expands through acts of self forgetfulness.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 31

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 31

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 31

Published: 2016-02-05 • 📧 Newsletter

Hi all, welcome to the TL;DR Newsletter.

This week we delve into dumb questions, connecting, and exploration. It might not make sense now...and hopefully it makes sense at the end. :)

This week I shared the following:

Where I've Been: WalkMyWorld Project 2016 Learning Event 2 - The WalkMyWorld Project continued this past week with Learning Event Two. Please come learn with us on Twitter.
Creating and sharing multimodal tutorials to scaffold learners - This post outlines the use of screencaptures and screencasts to help support students in hybrid learning spaces.
Perspectives of Digital Literacies - I put this sidebar together for the fantastic piece written by Maha Bali titled "Knowing the difference between digital skills and digital literacies, and teaching both." These two pieces appeared in Literacy Daily. They both draw heavily on the work of Doug Belshaw.

🔖 Key Takeaways

Taken Aback: Secret Teacher refusing to be "Kardashian with a PGCE." In reading this I was at first taken aback by the comments from the author. I also wonder if it's appropriate for teachers to authentically and effectively embed technology in instruction...while not being active socially online.
I Do Question: Under-connected kids report. I am concerned by the findings, however I do question the focus on the need for a desktop computer. I think we're in between two models and changing the devices that we use in our personal lives. It may be problematic to look at mobile-only access as a detriment...when that might be the only access available.
I'm Envious: Jeremy Dean on Annotated Domain of One's Own. As I continually try to explain this in my posts...I'm envious of Jeremy's ability to concisely present these concepts. If you're hosting your own site...or thinking about it...this is a must read.
Lot Easier: Sally Ride on being first American woman in space."I wish there had been another woman on my flight. I think it would have been a lot easier."
Send In Pics: Food plating creativity. Enjoy. Send in pics if you try this.

📺 Watch

Sally Ride on Dumb Questions | Blank on Blank | PBS Digital Studios

Sally Ride interviewed by Gloria Steinem as she discusses the questions, concerns, and labels that she had to deal with while becoming the first American woman in space.

I wish there had been another woman on my flight. I think it would have been a lot easier.

📚 Read

A look at social media use and uptake in the U.S. over the last ten years. Nearly 2/3 (65%) of adults now using social networks...up 7 from when Pew starting tracking this in 2005.

What I found interesting in this report:

Seniors (age 65 and older) using social media jumped from 2% in 2005 to 35% in 2015.
Socio-economic status a big differentiator. Those in higher-income households more likely to use social networks.
No real gender differences in social networking usage. 68% of women, 62% of men.
No real racial or ethnic differences in social networking usage. 65% of whites, 65% of hispanics, 56% of african-americans.

What's lost when kids are "under-connected" to the Internet?

Post from MindShift looking at research report from the Joan Ganz Cooney Center at Sesame Workshop and Rutgers University. The report, titled "Opportunity for all? Technology and Learning in Lower-Income Families" by Victoria Rideout and Vikki Katz examines gaps in educational opportunities for low-income families.

The report suggests that children from homes that don't have reliable Internet access at home, and the use of a desktop computer, are less likely to use the Internet for research. The study did not consider the use of mobile-only access to be a valid substitute for the learning needed by young adults while at home.

I am concerned by the findings, however I do question the focus on the need for a desktop computer. I think we're in between two models and changing the devices that we use in our personal lives. It may be problematic to look at mobile-only access as a detriment...when that might be the only access available.

Fear of Screens

Essay response from Nathan Jurgenson in The New Inquiry pushing back against the recent commentary about individuals focusing on technology and losing connections or friends in the real world. Much of this is centered on the essay is focused on the disconnectionists, most notably Sherry Turkle and her book Reclaiming Conversation.

Nathan suggests that Turkle and other disconnectionists don't really understand digital culture, and are making attempts to separate out the Internet and technology from our lives.

The false sense that your health and humanity are at stake in when and how you look at your screen suggests that we are already too "mindful" about how we are connected. We have too many self-conscious rituals of disconnection. If being mindful means being preoccupied with a phony sense of balance and moderation, anchoring oneself to a fictitious "real" identity, and judging constantly who is normal and who is broken, then we may need something more mindless.

Fascinating editorial from The Secret Teacher at The Guardian. The Secret Teacher is an anonymous blog where "teachers can tell it like it is."

In this post the author rails back against "superstar teachers" that use social media to promote their own vanity and create a "toxic culture of one-upmanship." The post goes on to indicate that the author likes to go on Facebook and look at cat videos and relax. It also posits that Twitter takes too much time, and it's not time that really pays off in the classroom.

In reading this I was at first taken aback by the comments from the author. Since then I've been wondering about individuals that do not want to have a digital identity. In my research and instruction I spend a lot of time looking at ways to build up your digital profile. I also wonder if it's appropriate for teachers to authentically and effectively embed technology in instruction...while not being active socially online.

How does misinformation spread online?

A post from the World Economic Forum focusing on news and uproar following the 2013 Italian elections. The problems focused on a fake story that was picked up in major media operations in the country in the middle of the elections and swaying public sentiment.

The post uses these events as a jumping off point to investigate how and why misinformation spreads online. The post is an interview with Walter Quattrociocchi from the Laboratory of Computational Social Science at IMT Lucca in Italy. He discusses findings from their larger work titled the Global Risks Report 2016.

There is no method to corral misinformation online at this point. One model is to perhaps allow algorithms to determine "trustworthiness" of information presented.

An Annotated Domain of One's Own

Great post from Jeremy Dean about hosting your own space online...and building in Hypothes.is.

I've been working with colleagues and students to get them started with a domain of their own. I'm also working on an upcoming piece in JAAL highlighting the need for this in K-12 classrooms.

This post from Jeremy goes through the entire process of setting up the domain, starting up WordPress, and installing the Hypothesis plugin. Jeremy also explains WHY you should do all of this.

As I continually try to explain this in my posts...I'm envious of Jeremy's ability to concisely present these concepts. :)

If you're hosting your own site...or thinking about it...this is a must read.

🔨 Do

Learn how to plate your food and eat with your eyes first

As part of this "Make" section I try and identify ways to get us all to think with a bit more creativity. This creativity and willingness to experiment might come in the form of a digital tool, or playing with electronics, lifehacking...or the kitchen.

In the post and this video, you can pick up some tips for experimenting and being a bit more adventurous as you test out some "sexy food plating."

Enjoy. Send in pics if you try this.

🤔 Consider

"In wisdom gathered over time I have found that every experience is a form of exploration." — Ansel Adams

This week we delve into dumb questions, connecting, and exploration. It might not make sense now...and hopefully it makes sense at the end. The promise is repeated. The arc continues. The faith persists.

Three pieces of work this week. WalkMyWorld Project continued with Learning Event Two—please come learn with us on Twitter. The invitation is ongoing. Creating and sharing multimodal tutorials to scaffold learners—post outlines use of screencaptures and screencasts to help support students in hybrid learning spaces. Perspectives of Digital Literacies—I put this sidebar together for the fantastic piece written by Maha Bali titled "Knowing the difference between digital skills and digital literacies, and teaching both." These two pieces appeared in Literacy Daily. They both draw heavily on the work of Doug Belshaw. The collaboration is acknowledged. The debt is recognized.

Sally Ride interviewed by Gloria Steinem discusses questions, concerns, and labels she had to deal with while becoming first American woman in space. I wish there had been another woman on my flight. I think it would have been a lot easier. The isolation is palpable. The burden is singular. Being first means being alone.

Pew social media usage from 2005 to 2015. Nearly 2/3 (65%) of adults now using social networks. What I found interesting: seniors (age 65 and older) using social media jumped from 2% in 2005 to 35% in 2015. Socio-economic status big differentiator. No real gender differences, no real racial or ethnic differences in social networking usage. The adoption is widespread. The barriers are economic, not demographic.

Under-connected kids report examining gaps in educational opportunities for low-income families. Children from homes that don't have reliable Internet access at home and use of desktop computer less likely to use Internet for research. Study did not consider mobile-only access to be valid substitute. I am concerned by the findings, however I do question the focus on the need for a desktop computer. I think we're in between two models and changing the devices that we use in our personal lives. It may be problematic to look at mobile-only access as a detriment...when that might be the only access available. The concern is genuine. The questioning is necessary. The transition is happening whether research recognizes it or not.

Nathan Jurgenson pushing back against disconnectionists—most notably Sherry Turkle and Reclaiming Conversation. Turkle and other disconnectionists don't really understand digital culture, making attempts to separate out Internet and technology from our lives. The false sense that your health and humanity are at stake in when and how you look at your screen suggests that we are already too "mindful" about how we are connected. We have too many self-conscious rituals of disconnection. If being mindful means being preoccupied with phony sense of balance and moderation, anchoring oneself to fictitious "real" identity, and judging constantly who is normal and who is broken, then we may need something more mindless. The critique is sharp. The argument is provocative. Mindfulness as anxiety, not solution.

Secret Teacher refusing to be "Kardashian with a PGCE." Anonymous blog where "teachers can tell it like it is." Author rails back against "superstar teachers" that use social media to promote their own vanity and create "toxic culture of one-upmanship." The post goes on to indicate author likes to go on Facebook and look at cat videos and relax. It also posits that Twitter takes too much time, not time that really pays off in classroom. In reading this I was at first taken aback by the comments from the author. Since then I've been wondering about individuals that do not want to have a digital identity. In my research and instruction I spend a lot of time looking at ways to build up your digital profile. I also wonder if it's appropriate for teachers to authentically and effectively embed technology in instruction...while not being active socially online. The discomfort is honest. The wondering is ongoing. The question has no easy answer.

Misinformation spreading online—World Economic Forum focusing on 2013 Italian elections. Fake story picked up in major media operations swaying public sentiment. There is no method to corral misinformation online at this point. One model is to perhaps allow algorithms to determine "trustworthiness" of information presented. The problem is urgent. The solution is uncertain. Algorithms as gatekeepers raises new questions.

Jeremy Dean on Annotated Domain of One's Own. I've been working with colleagues and students to get them started with domain of their own. I'm also working on upcoming piece in JAAL highlighting need for this in K-12 classrooms. This post from Jeremy goes through entire process of setting up domain, starting up WordPress, and installing Hypothesis plugin. Jeremy also explains WHY you should do all of this. As I continually try to explain this in my posts...I'm envious of Jeremy's ability to concisely present these concepts. If you're hosting your own site...or thinking about it...this is a must read. The envy is admitted. The recommendation is unqualified. The work is ongoing.

Food plating creativity—as part of this "Make" section I try and identify ways to get us all to think with bit more creativity. This creativity and willingness to experiment might come in form of digital tool, or playing with electronics, lifehacking...or the kitchen. You can pick up some tips for experimenting and being bit more adventurous as you test out some "sexy food plating." Enjoy. Send in pics if you try this. The playfulness is intentional. The invitation is genuine. The creativity crosses domains.

Ansel Adams: In wisdom gathered over time I have found that every experience is a form of exploration. Dumb questions that isolate. Social media adoption across demographics. Mobile-only access as detriment or reality. Mindfulness as anxiety. Digital identity as choice or necessity. Misinformation without solutions. Domain ownership as K-12 imperative. Food plating as creativity practice. All forms of exploration. The question remains: what are we discovering as we explore?

Previous: TLDR 30 • Next: TLDR 32 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

WalkMyWorld Project — Learning Event 2 continued, please come learn with us on Twitter.
Multimodal Tutorials — Screencaptures and screencasts to help support students in hybrid learning spaces.
Maha Bali — Fantastic piece on knowing difference between digital skills and digital literacies and teaching both.
Doug Belshaw — Work on digital literacies, both pieces draw heavily on his contributions.
Literacy Daily — Two pieces appeared, perspectives sidebar for Maha's article.
Sally Ride — First American woman in space, I wish there had been another woman on my flight I think it would have been a lot easier.
Dumb Questions — Sally Ride interviewed by Gloria Steinem, questions concerns and labels while becoming first woman in space.
Pew Social Media Usage — 2005 to 2015, seniors jumped from 2% to 35%, socio-economic status big differentiator.
Under-Connected Kids — I am concerned by findings however I do question focus on need for desktop computer, I think we're in between two models.
Mobile-Only Access — It may be problematic to look at as detriment when that might be the only access available.
Nathan Jurgenson — Fear of Screens pushing back against disconnectionists, we may need something more mindless.
Sherry Turkle — Reclaiming Conversation, disconnectionists don't really understand digital culture.
Disconnectionists — Too many self-conscious rituals of disconnection, phony sense of balance and moderation.
Secret Teacher — Refuse to be Kardashian with PGCE, in reading this I was at first taken aback by comments from author.
Digital Identity Choice — I also wonder if it's appropriate for teachers to authentically and effectively embed technology while not being active socially online.
Misinformation Spread — 2013 Italian elections fake story, no method to corral misinformation online at this point.
Walter Quattrociocchi — Laboratory of Computational Social Science IMT Lucca, Global Risks Report 2016.
Jeremy Dean — Annotated Domain of One's Own, I'm envious of Jeremy's ability to concisely present these concepts.
Domain of One's Own — I've been working with colleagues and students to get them started, upcoming piece in JAAL for K-12 classrooms.
Hypothesis — Building in annotation tool, setting up domain WordPress installing plugin.
Food Plating — Creativity and willingness to experiment in kitchen, enjoy send in pics if you try this.
Ansel Adams — In wisdom gathered over time every experience is form of exploration.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 30

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 30

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 30

Published: 2016-01-29 • 📧 Newsletter

Hi all, welcome to the TL;DR Newsletter.

This week we delve into cognition, perception, and fatuity. It might not make sense now...and hopefully it makes sense at the end. :)

These posts from my readings and work this week in literacy, technology, & education. Please feel free to share with others you believe would benefit. If you like what you see here, I recommend subscribing to get it (electronically) hand-delivered.

This week I shared the following:

Where I Begin: WalkMyWorld Project 2016 Learning Event 1 - The WalkMyWorld Project started up this past week with Learning Event One. If you're trying to figure out how to make and share, and connect...please come join us on Twitter.
How to teach and connect in online, networked spaces - This is a post that originally started as a re-posting of the contents in the link I shared above for WalkMyWorld. As I started writing it quickly became a call to friends and colleagues to answer the "why would I want to do that?" question.
Why you should build and maintain your one space on the Internet - This post is guidance to my students (and members of WalkMyWorld) as we build up our websites and online presence.
How I use Evernote as my online, multimodal notebook - A colleague asked how members of our department organize their materials as we research. I revised and republished this post with updated materials.
Track 1 for Learning Event 1 of WalkMyWorld - I put together my first real podcast for learning event one and shared it out. I decided that each week I'll add a track to the "soundtrack of my life." I'm trying to learn how to podcast and this is the messy part. :)

🔖 Key Takeaways

Messy Part: First real podcast for WalkMyWorld. I'm trying to learn how to podcast and this is the messy part.
Call to Friends: How to teach and connect online. As I started writing it quickly became a call to friends and colleagues to answer the "why would I want to do that?" question.
Thoroughly Recommend: Marvin Minsky passed away this week. If you're interested in education, thinking, the future of technology or AI, I thoroughly recommend spending a half hour with Marvin.
Much-Needed Advice: Spotify's design lead on side projects. This post was much-needed advice in my own world. Let yourself be stupid. Take it one step at a time. Ditch your obsession with growth. Trust yourself more.
Put My Foot: Scientific theory of humor. I view humor as a tool in my own life and practice. For now, I'll stick to my self-deprecating style and hope to not "put my foot in my own mouth" for at least another day.

📺 Watch

Ray Kurzweil interviews Marvin Minsky: Is the singularity near?

Marvin Minsky passed away this week at the age of 88. He is identified as a pioneer in artificial intelligence and philosopher that helped inspire the creation of the computer and the Internet.

In this video (24:01) he is interviewed by Ray Kurzweil and they discuss the brain, cognition, and construction of artificial intelligence. If you're interested in education, thinking, the future of technology or AI...I thoroughly recommend spending a half hour with Marvin.

📚 Read

How "moxie" can help students succeed

Over the past couple of years we've heard more talk about mindsets, soft skills, and dispositions. Within these discussions, we've already read a great deal about the growth mindset, resilience, or determination.

In this post from Edutopia, Jennifer Goldberg posits that students need to build/possess positivity, purpose, and volition.

Where do the world's highest paid teachers live?

Tom Ostapchuk pulled data from the OECD's report titled "Education at a Glance: OECD Indicators" and created graphical comparisons of teacher pay across nations.

Tom also pulled out some (equally) interesting info about teacher pay and recent trends across US States.

Perhaps teacher salary isn't the only indicator...but perhaps we need to consider how we value education and educators as we identify new ways to evaluate them.

Guide to using Twitter in your teaching practice

A great resource produced by KQED Education and the Trust and Safety Team at Twitter.

The post provides granular advice and support on online safety, netiquette, Twitter 101, parent/administrator resources, and digital media formats.

Spotify's design lead on why side projects should be stupid

An interview with Tobias van Schneider in FirstRound Review provides guidance as you consider side projects...or taking a risk in your work. This post was much-needed advice in my own world.

We hear educators consider implementing the 20% time rule from Google into their own classroom routine. Within this context, Tobias offers some advice for your own students...or your upcoming side projects.

Let yourself be stupid.
Take it one step at a time.
Ditch your obsession with growth.
Trust yourself more.

A scientific theory of humor

A post from Scientific American looking at research trying to unpack the formula behind being funny.

I view humor as a tool in my own life and practice. The problem is that humor is often viewed differently...but different individuals. Perhaps there is a method or formula behind what people perceive as funny.

For now...I'll stick to my self-deprecating style and hope to not "put my foot in my own mouth" for at least another day.

Resources for Maker Education

Thinking about building up a makerspace in your own classroom? I recently spent some time with a local library system trying to get them to consider installing a small maker lab for student use.

This post from Edutopia provides the links, videos, and shopping lists you'll need.

🔨 Do

Harvard University's Berkman Center releases Amber, a tool to help keep the Web available

If you're a regular blogger....or have just started up a new website...one of the challenges is that many of the links that we connect to in our posts frequently become disconnected, fail, go down...or just rot.

This happened to me in class this week as students tried to click on some links I left behind in class materials.

Amber is a tool that archives links and creates snapshots of pages that you've linked to. If the page is not available...Amber will recognize this and send the reader to an archived version of the intended page. Brilliant.

🤔 Consider

"But there's a big difference between 'impossible' and 'hard to imagine.' The first is about it; the second is about you!" — Marvin Minsky

This week we delve into cognition, perception, and fatuity. It might not make sense now...and hopefully it makes sense at the end. The promise is intentional. The arc is uncertain. The faith is required.

Five pieces of work this week. WalkMyWorld Project started up with Learning Event One—if you're trying to figure out how to make and share, and connect...please come join us on Twitter. The invitation is open. How to teach and connect in online, networked spaces—post that originally started as re-posting but as I started writing it quickly became a call to friends and colleagues to answer the "why would I want to do that?" question. The transformation was organic. The question is fundamental. Why you should build and maintain your one space on the Internet—guidance to my students (and members of WalkMyWorld) as we build up our websites and online presence. How I use Evernote as my online, multimodal notebook—colleague asked how members of our department organize their materials as we research. The question prompted revision. Track 1 for Learning Event 1 of WalkMyWorld—I put together my first real podcast for learning event one and shared it out. I decided that each week I'll add a track to the "soundtrack of my life." I'm trying to learn how to podcast and this is the messy part. The admission is honest. The messiness is embraced.

Marvin Minsky passed away this week at age of 88. Pioneer in artificial intelligence and philosopher that helped inspire creation of computer and the Internet. Ray Kurzweil interviews him about brain, cognition, and construction of artificial intelligence. If you're interested in education, thinking, the future of technology or AI...I thoroughly recommend spending a half hour with Marvin. The recommendation is unqualified. The investment is worthwhile.

Jennifer Goldberg posits that students need to build/possess moxie: positivity, purpose, and volition. Over past couple years we've heard more talk about mindsets, soft skills, and dispositions. Moxie adds dimension to growth mindset, resilience, or determination.

Teacher pay across nations and US states. Perhaps teacher salary isn't the only indicator...but perhaps we need to consider how we value education and educators as we identify new ways to evaluate them. The perhaps is significant. The consideration is overdue.

KQED guide to using Twitter in teaching practice. Great resource providing granular advice and support on online safety, netiquette, Twitter 101, parent/administrator resources, and digital media formats. Comprehensive and practical.

Tobias van Schneider interview provides guidance as you consider side projects...or taking a risk in your work. This post was much-needed advice in my own world. Let yourself be stupid. Take it one step at a time. Ditch your obsession with growth. Trust yourself more. The permission is liberating. The advice is personal. The application is immediate.

Scientific theory of humor looking at research trying to unpack formula behind being funny. I view humor as a tool in my own life and practice. The problem is that humor is often viewed differently...but different individuals. Perhaps there is a method or formula behind what people perceive as funny. For now...I'll stick to my self-deprecating style and hope to not "put my foot in my own mouth" for at least another day. The uncertainty is acknowledged. The style is chosen. The hope is realistic.

Thinking about building up makerspace in your own classroom? I recently spent some time with local library system trying to get them to consider installing small maker lab for student use. Edutopia post provides links, videos, and shopping lists you'll need. The effort is ongoing. The resources are available.

Links that we connect to in our posts frequently become disconnected, fail, go down...or just rot. This happened to me in class this week as students tried to click on some links I left behind in class materials. Amber is tool that archives links and creates snapshots of pages you've linked to. If page is not available...Amber will recognize this and send reader to archived version of intended page. Brilliant. The problem is immediate. The solution is elegant. The implementation is necessary.

Marvin Minsky: But there's a big difference between "impossible" and "hard to imagine." The first is about it; the second is about you. Messy podcasting. Calls to colleagues. Moxie as positivity purpose volition. Teacher valuation. Side projects should be stupid. Self-deprecating humor. Maker lab advocacy. Link archiving. All forms of distinguishing between impossible and hard to imagine. The question remains: what are we calling impossible that's merely hard to imagine?

Previous: TLDR 29 • Next: TLDR 31 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

WalkMyWorld Project — Learning Event 1 started, please come join us on Twitter.
Online Teaching — How to teach and connect in online networked spaces, quickly became call to friends and colleagues.
Why Would I Want To — Question answered through writing, call to friends and colleagues.
One Space on Internet — Build and maintain, guidance to my students and WalkMyWorld members.
Evernote — My online multimodal notebook, colleague asked how members organize materials as we research.
Podcasting — First real podcast for WalkMyWorld, trying to learn this is the messy part.
Soundtrack of My Life — Each week I'll add a track, learning through making.
Marvin Minsky — Passed away this week age 88, pioneer in artificial intelligence and philosopher.
Ray Kurzweil — Interviews Minsky about brain cognition construction of artificial intelligence.
Singularity — Is it near? Thoroughly recommend spending half hour with Marvin.
Moxie — Jennifer Goldberg on positivity purpose and volition students need to build/possess.
Teacher Pay — World's highest paid teachers, Perhaps salary isn't the only indicator we need to consider how we value education and educators.
OECD Indicators — Tom Ostapchuk data on teacher pay across nations and US states.
Twitter in Teaching — KQED Education guide, granular advice on safety netiquette 101 resources formats.
Side Projects — Spotify design lead Tobias van Schneider, this post was much-needed advice in my own world.
Let Yourself Be Stupid — Take it one step at a time, ditch your obsession with growth, trust yourself more.
20% Time — Google rule for classroom routine, advice for students and upcoming side projects.
Scientific Theory of Humor — I view humor as a tool in my own life, for now I'll stick to my self-deprecating style and hope to not put my foot in my own mouth.
Maker Education Resources — I recently spent some time with local library system trying to get them to consider installing small maker lab.
Amber — Link archiving tool, this happened to me in class this week students tried to click on some links I left behind, brilliant.
Marvin Minsky — Big difference between impossible and hard to imagine, first is about it second is about you.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 3

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 3

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 3

Published: July 10, 2015 • 📧 Newsletter

🔖 Key Takeaways

Screen Reading Is Different: Science shows reading on screens has consequences—same skills, different cognitive demands across device sizes
Pedagogy First: Cathy Davidson argues educators focusing on pedagogical choices can act as agents of social change despite systemic challenges
xMOOC Video Problems: MIT research reveals problematic over-reliance on video in massive open online courses—"think twice before using video"
DeepDream Visions: Google releases neural network visualization showing strange, surreal images of what AI "sees" in photographs
Reddit Revolt: Community moderators shut down site over firing of key employee, leading to CEO Ellen Pao's resignation

I had two posts this week:

This week we started up my final stretch of classes at UNH. These include the starting & ending sequence of classes in the IT&DML program.

📺 Watch

Star Wars: The Force Awakens - Comic-Con 2015 Reel

A special look behind the scenes of Star Wars: The Force Awakens. Yes...I'm sharing this because it's Star Wars. I'm also intrigued by the use of live action, and the awareness of the limitations of computer generated imagery (CGI) by the directors. It's an interesting commentary by a group that is trying to make a film that uses the newest in digital technologies, but still connects back to the original films.

📚 Read

Everything Science Knows About Reading on Screens

We often engage in this debate about whether or not online reading is really reading. In 2008 the NY Times took some of our research from the NLRL to look at how reading has changed. My opinion is that the skills of reading online (and on screens) is the same, yet different in some ways to reading offline. We do need to recognize that reading on a screen...especially a screen of different sizes will have consequences.

The Higher Life: A Mindfulness Guru for the Tech Set

I've been doing a lot of research on meditation and some of the skepticism surrounding it. I'm starting a new 30 day challenge in which I'll be meditating every day. I'll start by using the Headspace app mentioned in the piece from the New Yorker.

Why Start with Pedagogy? 4 Good Reasons, 4 Good Solutions

Excellent post from Cathy Davidson in which she makes the case for focusing on pedagogy in education. Despite all of the challenges in the world, by focusing on your classroom and pedagogical choices, educators can act as agents of social change.

MIT and German Research on the [Appalling] Use of Video in xMOOCs

The research examines the use of video as a teaching tool in professor-centric massive open online courses (xMOOC). Some of the takeaways from the research provide some insight into best practices for open learning. Specifically, "Think twice before using video.... it seems problematic that online learning pedagogy is concentrated so heavily in this medium."

Thanks to Stephen Downes for sharing.

Google Frees Its Dream Robots to Run Wild Across the Internet

Early last week this post made the rounds online and sparked some curiosity as we looked at what happens if/when robots/androids dream. This week the images and videos got a bit more strange.

Why Character Development in Education Might Not Be Such a Good Idea

According to a Demos report, education focused on the development of character and specific traits may not be a good idea. It is not known how embedding these traits in education enhances or modifies learning objectives. It also may ignore cultural or societal values placed on these characteristics.

Reddit Moderators Are Locking Up the Site's Most Popular Pages in Protest

If you've never heard of Reddit, it is a web-based blog that displays news based on personal preferences and community likes. Reddit is often called the "front page of the Internet" and the backbone of this community are the moderators for the individual discussions, or "subreddits" on the site. The protest stems from the firing of Victoria Taylor who was one of the key advocates for the "Ask Me Anything" interviews and a contact for most moderators.

At the end of the week, Ellen Pao steps down as CEO after the Reddit revolt.

Author Ernie Cline Was Told Video Games Would Rot His Brain

After you read this post, go read Ready Player One. By the time you're finished, you'll be ready for when his latest, Armada is released on July 14th, 2015.

🔨 Do

Interested in Learning More (or Making Your Own) Open Badges?

You've probably heard me (or countless others) talking about digital badges and want to get a better understanding of what they entail. Sign up for this open badges course put together by Doug Belshaw and Bryan Mathers. As an added bonus, they're releasing the course on GitHub, so you can edit/revise/comment as you see fit.

🤔 Consider

Cathy Davidson

Davidson's argument resonates across this issue's threads—from rethinking how we use video in online learning, to questioning character education's cultural assumptions, to communities revolting against platforms that ignore them. Change happens at the intersection of individual choices and collective action. Your classroom, your pedagogy, your decisions matter.

Previous: TLDR 2 • Next: TLDR 4 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

02 CURATE/Media Literacy — Screen reading science, xMOOC critique, Reddit governance
Pedagogy — Davidson on pedagogy-first, character education critique, open badges
Digital Wellbeing — Mindfulness apps, meditation practice, web literacy
Privacy Rights — Platform power, community control, AI visualization
Philosophy — DeepDream and machine consciousness, social change through teaching

TLDR 29

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 29

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 29

Published: 2016-01-22 • 📧 Newsletter

Hi all, welcome to the TL;DR Newsletter. In this I'm sharing things that happened during the week in literacy, technology, & education that I think you should know. Please feel free to share with others you believe would benefit. If you like what you see here, I recommend subscribing to get it hand-delivered to your inbox.

This week I shared the following:

Welcome to the WalkMyWorld Project 2016 - This week we launched the pre-learning event for WalkMyWorld 2016. The project is an open learning experience in which learners create, share, and connect online. Come make and share with us for the next 10 learning events.
Educational uses of Twitter in teaching, learning, and socializing - This post is a guide for individuals as they identify ways to embed Twitter into their classroom...and own literacy practices.

You can contact me for this...or any other request at wiobyrne@gmail.com or reach out on Twitter. To review past issues please click here.

🔖 Key Takeaways

Come Make and Share: WalkMyWorld Project 2016 launched. Come make and share with us for the next 10 learning events.
Symbol of the Subject: Penn on teaching like performing magic. The first job of a teacher is to make the student fall in love with the subject. You are a symbol of the subject in the students' minds.
Second-Opinion: False expertise research. If you think you're an expert in an area...you might want to keep studying and double-check your facts. If you're consulting with an "expert"...feel free to get a second-opinion.
As Opposed To: Growth mindset in teachers and staff. Most of this work indicates the need to build this, but does not explicitly state "how" to do so. Furthermore, the guidance is usually about how to make this happen with our students...as opposed to teachers and staff.
On My Door: Magnetic Pixel Poetry. Thinking about putting these on my door at work.

📺 Watch

WHERE GOOD IDEAS COME FROM by Steven Johnson

This video from Steven Johnson discusses the time and intellectual space needed for innovation and truly good ideas.

What are the elements that bring about creativity and groundbreaking innovation?

📚 Read

Teaching: Just like performing magic

Penn from the magic/entertainment duo of Penn & Teller discusses how performance and discomfort can come together to make education come alive.

The first job of a teacher is to make the student fall in love with the subject. That doesn't have to be done by waving your arms and prancing around the classroom; there's all sorts of ways to go at it, but no matter what, you are a symbol of the subject in the students' minds.

You don't know as much as you think: False expertise

Post from Scientific American looking at the phenomenon of self-proclaimed experts and the likelihood that they will overclaim as they profess their knowledge.

The post is guided by research from Psychological Science that examines perceived as opposed to actual knowledge from content areas that people identify as an expertise. The takeaways indicate that if you think you're an expert in an area...you might want to keep studying and double-check your facts. If you're consulting with an "expert"...feel free to get a second-opinion.

Developing a growth mindset in teachers and staff

This post cites work from Carol Dweck and Jackie Gerstein by identifying the need for modeling, creating new spaces for ideas, self-reflection, and formative feedback.

From problem solver to innovator: Is the answer to disconnect?

This post from the EdWeek blog identifies the challenges as we live in a connected society. One of the benefits in staying constantly connected is that we can keep in touch, stay educated, and enrich the lives of others.

Perhaps there is also a challenge in that this constant connection does not provide time or space for "downtime" or self-reflection. Perhaps it is these spaces of time spent being mindful, or disconnected that allow us to truly be creative and innovative.

Twitter guide: How to do everything with Twitter

A great guide from Amit Agarwal looking at tools to make your life a bit more productive as you try to reach out and use Twitter.

I often have complaints from colleagues and educators as they try to understand/use Twitter. There is a certain amount of work you need to conduct to get Twitter running for you. This list is a bit long, but it provides a good sampling of links and tools to see how you can expand your use of the tool.

🔨 Do

Magnetic Pixel Poetry

Very cool make from Instructables member depotdevoid.

The main idea is to create a pixelated art version of the "magnetic poetry" sets we often see on people's refrigerator.

Collect a large sample of the thin, cheap magnets that restaurants, banks, and other business hand out. Spray paint the magnets with different colors and let dry. Finally, use a paper cutter to make uniform squares. Affix these to your fridge and get creative.

Thinking about putting these on my door at work. :)

🤔 Consider

"Unless it comes unasked out of your heart and your mind and your mouth and your gut, don't do it." — Charles Bukowski

This week we launched WalkMyWorld Project 2016. The project is open learning experience in which learners create, share, and connect online. Come make and share with us for the next 10 learning events. The invitation is open. The making is collective. The sharing is intentional.

Educational uses of Twitter in teaching, learning, and socializing—guide for individuals as they identify ways to embed Twitter into their classroom...and own literacy practices. I often have complaints from colleagues and educators as they try to understand/use Twitter. There is a certain amount of work you need to conduct to get Twitter running for you. This list is a bit long, but it provides a good sampling of links and tools to see how you can expand your use of the tool. The acknowledgment is honest. The tool requires work. The expansion requires patience.

Steven Johnson discusses time and intellectual space needed for innovation and truly good ideas. What are the elements that bring about creativity and groundbreaking innovation? The question is fundamental. The answer requires time and space.

Penn from Penn & Teller discusses how performance and discomfort can come together to make education come alive. The first job of a teacher is to make the student fall in love with the subject. That doesn't have to be done by waving your arms and prancing around the classroom; there's all sorts of ways to go at it, but no matter what, you are a symbol of the subject in the students' minds. The responsibility is profound. The symbolism is inescapable. Whether waving arms or standing still, you represent the subject you teach.

False expertise research looking at phenomenon of self-proclaimed experts and likelihood that they will overclaim as they profess knowledge. The takeaways indicate that if you think you're an expert in an area...you might want to keep studying and double-check your facts. If you're consulting with an "expert"...feel free to get a second-opinion. The humility is necessary. The skepticism is warranted. Expertise requires constant study, not proclamation.

Over the past year or so we've heard much more about mindsets...and particularly "growth mindsets." Most of this work indicates the need to build this, but does not explicitly state "how" to do so. Furthermore, the guidance is usually about how to make this happen with our students...as opposed to teachers and staff. The gap is significant. The guidance asymmetric. Carol Dweck and Jackie Gerstein identifying need for modeling, creating new spaces for ideas, self-reflection, and formative feedback. Teachers need growth mindsets too.

EdWeek blog identifies challenges as we live in connected society. One of the benefits in staying constantly connected is that we can keep in touch, stay educated, and enrich the lives of others. Perhaps there is also a challenge in that this constant connection does not provide time or space for "downtime" or self-reflection. Perhaps it is these spaces of time spent being mindful, or disconnected that allow us to truly be creative and innovative. The tension is real. Connection enriches. Disconnection creates. Innovation might require both.

Magnetic Pixel Poetry—pixelated art version of magnetic poetry sets we often see on refrigerators. Collect large sample of thin cheap magnets that restaurants banks and other business hand out. Spray paint the magnets with different colors and let dry. Finally use paper cutter to make uniform squares. Affix these to your fridge and get creative. Thinking about putting these on my door at work. The playfulness is intentional. The creativity is accessible. The plan is forming.

Bukowski: Unless it comes unasked out of your heart and your mind and your mouth and your gut, don't do it. WalkMyWorld invitations. Twitter embedding. Time and space for innovation. Teachers as symbols. False expertise skepticism. Growth mindsets for staff. Disconnection creating innovation. Magnetic poetry on office doors. All forms of things coming unasked out of heart and mind and mouth and gut. The question remains: what are we doing because it must be done versus what we're doing because we think we should?

Previous: TLDR 28 • Next: TLDR 30 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

WalkMyWorld Project — 2016 launch, open learning experience, come make and share for next 10 learning events.
Twitter Education — Guide for embedding Twitter into classroom and own literacy practices.
Twitter Complaints — I often have complaints from colleagues, certain amount of work you need to conduct.
Steven Johnson — Where good ideas come from, time and intellectual space needed for innovation.
Penn & Teller — Teaching like performing magic, performance and discomfort make education come alive.
Teacher as Symbol — First job is to make student fall in love with subject, you are symbol in students' minds.
False Expertise — If you think you're an expert keep studying double-check facts, consulting expert feel free get second-opinion.
Psychological Science — Research examining perceived as opposed to actual knowledge from content areas.
Growth Mindset — In teachers and staff, work indicates need but does not explicitly state how.
Carol Dweck — Work on growth mindsets, modeling creating new spaces self-reflection formative feedback.
Jackie Gerstein — Growth mindset guidance for teachers and staff, not just students.
Disconnect to Innovate — Constant connection does not provide time or space for downtime or self-reflection.
Mindful Disconnection — Perhaps spaces of time spent being mindful or disconnected allow us to truly be creative and innovative.
Twitter Guide — Amit Agarwal tools to make life more productive, expand use of tool.
Magnetic Pixel Poetry — Pixelated art version of magnetic poetry sets, thinking about putting on my door at work.
Charles Bukowski — Unless it comes unasked out of your heart and mind and mouth and gut, don't do it.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 28

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 28

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 28

Published: 2016-01-15 • 📧 Newsletter

This week I shared the following:

Four questions for Tom Liam Lynch about coding, programming, and computational thinking/participation - This interview is part of a series of interviews conducted with experts in the field to act as a supplement to the JAAL Department columns. This interview is a supplement to the recent column on computational thinking/participation.
Iterating on an open educational learning experience for educators & students in the WalkMyWorld Project - This post is a reflection and feedback to a post from Greg McVerry about possible next steps in planning/facilitation of the project.
Using blogs (and Medium) to create a fishbowl discussion for project planning - This post discusses opportunities to use blogs and other digital texts to plan and facilitate discussions in the public...while allowing others to comment.

You can contact me for this...or any other request at wiobyrne@gmail.com or reach out on Twitter. To review past issues please click here.

🔖 Key Takeaways

Best Overview: Snapchat explained using Snapchat. You need to learn about Snapchat. The kids are there, business is there. The White House is there. I believe this video is the best overview of Snapchat out there.
Important to Highlight: Four Cs of learning. There is not much new in the elements (communication, collaboration, creativity, critical thinking) but I believe it's important to continue to highlight some of these dispositions or mindsets our students will need in the future.
Developing New Goals: Over the past couple of weeks I've been developing new goals for projects/initiatives in the upcoming year. MVP isn't really a prototype, it's a learning object. I think they have merit for those of us thinking about innovating.
Not Necessarily New: How cooking is like coding. The ideas presented are not necessarily new, but they do provide insight into the frameworks and steps involved in the process.
Definitely Check It Out: I've moved over to Hypothes.is and prefer the lightweight ways that it plugs in to my browser and connects my comments and links saved across the Internet.

📺 Watch

Snapchat Explained... Using Snapchat

WSJ version

As Joanna Stern indicates in the video...you need to learn about Snapchat. The kids are there, business is there...the White House is there.

Snapchat can be very confusing due to the interface...but once you get the hang of it you can have fun. I believe this video is the best overview of Snapchat out there.

📚 Read

Adding "beauty and joy" to Obama's push for computer science teaching

This past week in the State of the Union, Obama spent some time to talk about his legacy, and point toward the future. In this he indicated that he'll spend time in his remaining year developing programs to help students learn how to code.

The link above pushes back against this initiative by including guidance from Dan Garcia, a computer science professor at the University of California, Berkeley. Dan publishes videos from a makeshift studio at his home for a MOOC he has developed called the "Beauty and Joy of Computing."

The four Cs of learning

This post by Jeff Utecht details the "four Cs that are going to change education in the 21st Century." There is not much new in the elements that he indicates (communication, collaboration, creativity, critical thinking) but I believe it's important to continue to highlight some of these dispositions or mindsets our students will need in the future.

A Minimum Viable Product is an object for learning

Over the past couple of weeks I've been developing new goals for projects/initiatives in the upcoming year.

Much of this work, when it involves technology or digital content, is hard to discuss or imagine without seeing a prototype. To that end, the minimum viable product (MVP) is often viewed as that prototype.

This post indicates that the MVP isn't really a prototype, it's a learning object. The post is 5 in a series of posts. The posts are primarily developed for business and innovators. I think they have merit for those of us thinking about innovating in our classrooms or personal life using digital texts and tools.

How cooking is like coding

This post from Brett Terpstra provides a good perspective into coding and possible connections to cooking.

The ideas presented are not necessarily new, but they do provide insight into the frameworks and steps involved in the process.

Does size matter - for brains?

Interesting piece in Scientific American looking at brain size and cognitive ability in organisms from humans to honeybees to whales.

Although we cannot entirely look at size or number of neurons, perhaps we can start to consider the streamlining of our synapses and neurons as we each evolve.

🔨 Do

What I like about Hypothes.is

Hypothes.is is an open annotation tool for the Internet. In the past I've used tools like Genius to markup and annotate texts.

I've moved over to Hypothes.is and prefer the lightweight ways that it plugs in to my browser and connects my comments and links saved across the Internet. It's basically providing us with a way to add a social, annotated layer to the web. Definitely check it out.

🤔 Consider

"If you set your goals ridiculously high and it's a failure, you will fail above everyone else's success." — James Cameron

This week I shared three pieces of work. Tom Liam Lynch interview about coding, programming, and computational thinking/participation—part of a series of interviews conducted with experts in the field to act as supplement to JAAL Department columns. WalkMyWorld Project iteration—reflection and feedback to Greg McVerry post about possible next steps in planning/facilitation of project. Using blogs and Medium to create fishbowl discussion for project planning—opportunities to use blogs and other digital texts to plan and facilitate discussions in the public...while allowing others to comment. The progression is deliberate. Interview as supplement. Iteration as feedback. Fishbowl as public planning.

Joanna Stern indicates in the video: you need to learn about Snapchat. The kids are there, business is there...the White House is there. Snapchat can be very confusing due to the interface...but once you get the hang of it you can have fun. I believe this video is the best overview of Snapchat out there. The endorsement is unequivocal. The confusion is acknowledged. The fun is promised.

This past week in State of the Union, Obama spent time to talk about his legacy, point toward future. He indicated he'll spend time in his remaining year developing programs to help students learn how to code. The link pushes back against this initiative by including guidance from Dan Garcia, computer science professor at UC Berkeley. Dan publishes videos from makeshift studio at his home for MOOC he developed called "Beauty and Joy of Computing." The contrast is instructive. Presidential directive versus makeshift studio. Policy versus pedagogy.

Jeff Utecht details "four Cs that are going to change education in the 21st Century." There is not much new in the elements that he indicates (communication, collaboration, creativity, critical thinking) but I believe it's important to continue to highlight some of these dispositions or mindsets our students will need in the future. The acknowledgment is honest. The repetition is justified. Sometimes highlighting familiar concepts matters more than discovering new ones.

Over the past couple of weeks I've been developing new goals for projects/initiatives in the upcoming year. Much of this work, when it involves technology or digital content, is hard to discuss or imagine without seeing a prototype. To that end, the minimum viable product (MVP) is often viewed as that prototype. This post indicates that the MVP isn't really a prototype, it's a learning object. The post is #5 in a series of posts. The posts are primarily developed for business and innovators. I think they have merit for those of us thinking about innovating in our classrooms or personal life using digital texts and tools. The reframing is significant. Prototype as learning object. Business concepts as pedagogical tools.

Brett Terpstra provides good perspective into coding and possible connections to cooking. The ideas presented are not necessarily new, but they do provide insight into the frameworks and steps involved in the process. The admission is refreshing. Not necessarily new, but insightful anyway.

Brain size and cognitive ability in organisms from humans to honeybees to whales. Although we cannot entirely look at size or number of neurons, perhaps we can start to consider the streamlining of our synapses and neurons as we each evolve. The speculation is modest. The implication is profound.

Hypothes.is is open annotation tool for the Internet. In the past I've used tools like Genius to markup and annotate texts. I've moved over to Hypothes.is and prefer the lightweight ways that it plugs in to my browser and connects my comments and links saved across the Internet. It's basically providing us with a way to add a social, annotated layer to the web. Definitely check it out. The migration is complete. The preference is clear. The recommendation is direct.

James Cameron: If you set your goals ridiculously high and it's a failure, you will fail above everyone else's success. Developing new goals for projects. Learning about Snapchat. Beauty and joy of computing. Highlighting dispositions and mindsets. MVP as learning object. Cooking as coding. Streamlining synapses. Social annotated layer. All forms of setting goals ridiculously high. The question remains: what will we fail at that puts us above everyone else's success?

Previous: TLDR 27 • Next: TLDR 29 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Tom Liam Lynch — Interview on coding, programming, computational thinking/participation, JAAL supplement.
JAAL Interviews — Series of interviews conducted with experts in the field.
WalkMyWorld Project — Iterating on open educational learning experience, reflection and feedback to Greg McVerry.
Greg McVerry — Post about possible next steps in planning/facilitation of project.
Fishbowl Discussion — Using blogs and Medium to plan and facilitate discussions in public, allowing others to comment.
Snapchat — You need to learn, the kids are there, business is there, White House is there, best overview out there.
Joanna Stern — WSJ video explaining Snapchat using Snapchat, very confusing interface but fun.
Obama Computer Science — State of Union developing programs to help students learn how to code.
Beauty and Joy of Computing — Dan Garcia UC Berkeley MOOC from makeshift studio at home.
Four Cs — Communication, collaboration, creativity, critical thinking, not much new but important to continue highlighting.
Jeff Utecht — Dispositions or mindsets our students will need in the future.
Minimum Viable Product — Over past couple weeks developing new goals, MVP isn't really prototype it's learning object.
Innovating in Classrooms — Merit for those of us thinking about innovating in personal life using digital texts and tools.
Cooking as Coding — Brett Terpstra good perspective, ideas not necessarily new but provide insight.
Brain Size — Cognitive ability in organisms from humans to honeybees to whales.
Synaptic Streamlining — Perhaps we can start to consider streamlining of our synapses and neurons as we each evolve.
Hypothesis — I've moved over to Hypothes.is prefer the lightweight ways it plugs in, social annotated layer to web, definitely check it out.
Genius Annotation — In the past I've used tools like Genius to markup and annotate texts.
James Cameron — Set goals ridiculously high, fail above everyone else's success.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 27

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 27

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 27

Published: 2016-01-08 • 📧 Newsletter

Hi all, welcome to a new year!!! Hopefully you had some time to relax, reflect, and celebrate what's important in your worlds.

In TL;DR I'm sharing things that happened during the week in literacy, technology, & education that I think you should know. Please feel free to share with others you believe would benefit. If you like what you see here, I recommend subscribing to get it hand-delivered to your inbox.

Over the past two weeks I accomplished the following:

Social Scholars: Educators' digital identity construction in open, online learning environments - This piece examined participants in the WalkMyWorld Project from two years ago and highlights challenges as educators create and curate an online brand.
Computational Participation: Coding and programming as literacy activities - This JAAL column was published just this week. It examines possibilities to embed "computational thinking and participation" in the classroom as opposed to just a focus on coding/programming. We'll hold interviews over the coming weeks...so let me know if you want to be involved, or have someone I should chat with.
A New Hope: Negotiating the integration of transmedia storytelling & literacy instruction - This column was just submitted to JAAL this week. In it we're trying to tackle digital storytelling and transmedia narratives in the literacy classroom. Please feel free to leave comments on the Google Doc we share in the post. We'll fold in your comments as we go to press.
Privacy, Identity, & Protecting Yourself (and your students) online - This piece was shared on the AdvocatED Medium pub. In it I identify possibilities to educate, empower, and advocate for others in online spaces.
Using Slack and Trello to organize a podcasting series about literacy education and research - This post discusses the use of these two tools to organize and plan our Research to Practice podcast series.

The final piece I shared this week was titled Work with cool people on stuff that you love. This was really an open letter to some of my colleagues as we start the new year and new initiatives. It's also a call to inspire all of you and promote innovation.

You can contact me for this...or any other request at wiobyrne@gmail.com or reach out on Twitter. To review past issues please click here.

🔖 Key Takeaways

Fold In Comments: Transmedia storytelling column submitted to JAAL—please feel free to leave comments on the Google Doc we share in the post. We'll fold in your comments as we go to press.
Want to Dig In: Pew research on parents discussing social norms and acceptable behaviors for online interactions with their children—I want to dig into those elements a bit more to see what and when they're sharing this guidance.
I Usually Advise: In my work I'm often asked about purchase/use of iPads/tablets and the need for keyboards. I usually advise educators to purchase Chromebooks as opposed to iPads for a variety of reasons.
Rallying Cry: Barbara Oakley on MOOCs—the post is a rallying cry for online learning experiences...and a motivating force for those of us trying to build and share them.
Eyes Wandering: I'm fascinated by the role of eye contact, and judgments made about eye contact as we pick up visual cues from others—I often find my eyes wandering around as I carry on discussions and try to make points.

📺 Watch

How do we know what color dinosaurs were? - Len Bloch

Full Ted-Ed lesson

This video comes from a Ted-Ed lesson available at the link above. I recommend subscribing to the Ted-Ed YouTube Channel. I appreciate videos like this as supplemental content for students in hybrid learning spaces.

The video and teaching materials are suitable for a secondary classroom. The science and vocabulary in the clip may require some extra scaffolding for students. For more support, check out this post from Richard Byrne.

📚 Read

New York Public Library invites a deep digital dive

A post from the Books section of the NY Times sharing collections of digitized, open source content made available by the NY Public Library. Their new Public Domain Collection series just went live, and it offers an incredible collection of resources.

The challenge with projects like this is that they sometimes come off as "data dumps" and the average person is drowned by the vast amount of images, videos, and digital content. The link above to the NY Times post...and the new portal from the NYPL hope to help you make sense of it all.

Pew Research Report on Parents, Teens, and Digital Monitoring

A new report from the Pew research Center. This research examines the beliefs and habits we've had about parents monitoring the social media habits of their children (age 13 - 17).

The takeaways solidify steps that we suspected/hoped parents were taking with their children in terms of online and social media. Parents are monitoring students use of online and social media. They're also (thankfully) not using tracking software to control/restrict/track their children.

The most interesting elements in my opinion were about parents discussing social norms and acceptable behaviors for online interactions with their children. I want to dig into those elements a bit more to see what and when they're sharing this guidance.

"Writing on screens taking off in classroom contexts"

In my work I'm often asked about purchase/use of iPads/tablets and the need for keyboards. I usually advise educators to purchase Chromebooks as opposed to iPads for a variety of reasons. One of these reasons involves the questions I have about students and their ability to adequately or effectively work without a keyboard.

This post was "provided and funded by Microsoft" and hides a Surface ad in between statements about research and pedagogy.

I'm still trying to figure out the best options for students as they use computers in learning settings. I think the proper kit might include a Chromebook and a small tablet. A stylus might be helpful as well as a bluetooth mouse to help students navigate content. Having a package like this would enable learners to choose what works best for them and how they like to engage with digital content.

A new pedagogy is emerging...and online learning is a key contributing factor

The overall report details seven trends in education and then provides further description and links out to give a better understanding of each.

The seven trends include:

blended learning
collaborative approaches to construction of knowledge/building communities of practice
use of multimedia and open ed resources
increased learner control, choice, and independence
anywhere, anytime, and size learning
new forms of assessment
self-directed and non-formal online learning

Thanks to Stephen Downes for the link.

Why virtual classes (MOOCs) can be better than real ones

Fascinating essay in which Dr. Barbara Oakley, an engineering professor at Oakland University defends the use of online educational technologies. She collaborated to create a MOOC on the general art of learning. This course was identified as one of the most popular online courses available. The course is available on Coursera and had 1,192,697 students enrolled the last time it was offered by the University of California.

In the essay she maintains that the rise in MOOCs is fueled by young professionals that are interested in self-directed, life-long learning. The post is a rallying cry for online learning experiences...and a motivating force for those of us trying to build and share them.

As you read this essay, I recommend checking out this piece about the role of video lectures in online courses.

Pupil Size: A measure of trust?

Intriguing piece of research and discussion about eye contact and "pupil size" and human interactions.

The research appeared in Psychological Science and it suggests that participants trusted partners with dilating pupils and withheld trust from participants that had constricting pupils. They also suggest an element of mimicry in terms of pupil dilation when we're meeting with people that we trust, or have a bond with.

I'm fascinated by the role of eye contact, and judgments made about eye contact as we pick up visual cues from others. I'm conscious of this as I teach and establish eye contact with students. I'm also conscious of this as I have one-to-one discussions with colleagues and students. I often find my eyes wandering around as I carry on discussions and try to make points.

🔨 Do

A seven part series on video editing fundamentals

Video creation, editing, and production can be a powerful learning activity in our classrooms at any level. Part of the challenge is that educators often don't know the first place to start. Additionally, there is the question about what makes quality video content after you have completed the work.

This series from Wistia is for small business owners, but can easily be used as a resource for the classroom. I recommend saving this and linking out from your classroom website for later use.

🤔 Consider

"If you paint a wild horse, you might not see the horse...but surely you'll see the wildness!" — Pablo Picasso

Hi all, welcome to a new year. Hopefully you had some time to relax, reflect, and celebrate what's important in your worlds. The opening greeting sets intention. Reflection matters. Celebration matters. What's important in your worlds—plural, acknowledging we inhabit multiple spaces simultaneously.

Over the past two weeks I accomplished six pieces of work. Social Scholars examining WalkMyWorld Project participants from two years ago, highlighting challenges as educators create and curate online brand. Computational Participation JAAL column published this week examining possibilities to embed "computational thinking and participation" in classroom as opposed to just focus on coding/programming. We'll hold interviews over coming weeks...so let me know if you want to be involved, or have someone I should chat with. The invitation is genuine. The collaboration is real.

A New Hope column submitted to JAAL this week. We're trying to tackle digital storytelling and transmedia narratives in literacy classroom. Please feel free to leave comments on the Google Doc we share in the post. We'll fold in your comments as we go to press. Participatory writing. Collective scholarship. Comments become part of the work.

Privacy, Identity, & Protecting Yourself (and your students) online shared on AdvocatED Medium pub. I identify possibilities to educate, empower, and advocate for others in online spaces. Slack and Trello organizing podcasting series about literacy education and research. The final piece titled Work with cool people on stuff that you love. This was really an open letter to some of my colleagues as we start the new year and new initiatives. It's also a call to inspire all of you and promote innovation. The exhortation is personal and universal.

Ted-Ed video on dinosaur color science, supplemental content for students in hybrid learning spaces. NYPL public domain collection just went live offering incredible resources. The challenge with projects like this is that they sometimes come off as "data dumps" and the average person is drowned by the vast amount of images, videos, and digital content. The portal hopes to help you make sense of it all. Curation as rescue from abundance.

Pew research on parents, teens, and digital monitoring. Parents are monitoring students use of online and social media. They're also (thankfully) not using tracking software to control/restrict/track their children. The most interesting elements in my opinion were about parents discussing social norms and acceptable behaviors for online interactions with their children. I want to dig into those elements a bit more to see what and when they're sharing this guidance. The curiosity is methodological. The interest is pedagogical.

In my work I'm often asked about purchase/use of iPads/tablets and the need for keyboards. I usually advise educators to purchase Chromebooks as opposed to iPads for a variety of reasons. This post was "provided and funded by Microsoft" and hides a Surface ad in between statements about research and pedagogy. The skepticism is warranted. I'm still trying to figure out the best options for students as they use computers in learning settings. I think the proper kit might include a Chromebook and a small tablet. A stylus might be helpful as well as a bluetooth mouse to help students navigate content. Having a package like this would enable learners to choose what works best for them and how they like to engage with digital content. Agency requires options. Options require resources.

New pedagogy emerging—seven trends including blended learning, collaborative approaches to construction of knowledge, multimedia and open ed resources, increased learner control, anywhere anytime learning, new forms of assessment, self-directed and non-formal online learning. Thanks to Stephen Downes for the link.

Barbara Oakley defending use of online educational technologies. She collaborated to create MOOC on general art of learning—one of the most popular online courses available. 1,192,697 students enrolled last time offered by University of California. In the essay she maintains that rise in MOOCs is fueled by young professionals interested in self-directed, life-long learning. The post is a rallying cry for online learning experiences...and a motivating force for those of us trying to build and share them. The scale is staggering. The motivation is personal.

Pupil size and trust research appeared in Psychological Science. Participants trusted partners with dilating pupils, withheld trust from participants with constricting pupils. They also suggest element of mimicry in terms of pupil dilation when meeting with people we trust or have bond with. I'm fascinated by the role of eye contact, and judgments made about eye contact as we pick up visual cues from others. I'm conscious of this as I teach and establish eye contact with students. I'm also conscious of this as I have one-to-one discussions with colleagues and students. I often find my eyes wandering around as I carry on discussions and try to make points. The confession is honest. The wandering is human.

Video creation, editing, and production can be powerful learning activity in our classrooms at any level. Part of the challenge is that educators often don't know the first place to start. Wistia series for small business owners can easily be used as resource for classroom. I recommend saving this and linking out from your classroom website for later use.

Picasso: If you paint a wild horse, you might not see the horse...but surely you'll see the wildness. Data dumps drowning people. Surface ads hidden in pedagogy. Eyes wandering during discussions. Chromebooks and tablets and styluses. MOOCs as rallying cry. Pupil dilation as trust indicator. All forms of wildness. The question remains: what will we build together in 2016?

Previous: TLDR 26 • Next: TLDR 28 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

WalkMyWorld Project — Social Scholars examining participants from two years ago, digital identity construction.
Digital Identity — Educators create and curate online brand, challenges highlighted.
Computational Thinking — JAAL column on coding/programming as literacy activities, computational participation.
Transmedia Storytelling — A New Hope column submitted to JAAL, digital storytelling and transmedia narratives.
Collaborative Scholarship — Please leave comments on Google Doc, we'll fold in your comments as we go to press.
AdvocatED — Privacy, Identity, & Protecting Yourself online, educate empower advocate.
Slack — Using Slack and Trello to organize podcasting series.
Trello — Organizing and planning Research to Practice podcast series.
Work With Cool People — Open letter to colleagues starting new year, call to inspire and promote innovation.
Ted-Ed — Dinosaur color video, supplemental content for hybrid learning spaces.
NYPL — Public domain collection data dumps drowning average person, portal hopes to help make sense.
Pew Research — Parents, teens, and digital monitoring, want to dig into social norms guidance.
Chromebooks vs iPads — I usually advise Chromebooks opposed to iPads for variety of reasons.
Proper Kit — Might include Chromebook and small tablet, stylus plus bluetooth mouse.
New Pedagogy — Seven trends emerging, online learning as key contributing factor.
Barbara Oakley — MOOCs can be better than real classes, rallying cry motivating force.
Pupil Size — Measure of trust research, I'm fascinated by role of eye contact, eyes wandering.
Video Editing — Wistia fundamentals series powerful learning activity, educators often don't know first place to start.
Pablo Picasso — Paint a wild horse you'll see the wildness not the horse.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 26

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 26

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 26

Published: 2015-12-18 • 📧 Newsletter

I also turned off tracking for this newsletter. Mailchimp has a ton of tracking features built in to the system. I decided to respect your privacy while believing in the inherent value of this work.

We also launched the AdvocatED publication on Medium. If you would like to write/blog for this publication...please contact me. As part of this publication, I just published this post on open publishing and scholarship. Feel free to read...and give me some feedback on the Medium pub.

Also, take time to nominate yourself or a colleague as a tech innovator in higher ed.

You can contact me for this...or any other request at wiobyrne@gmail.com or reach out on Twitter. To review past issues please click here. This will be our last issue of TL;DR for 2015. We'll follow the same schedule in 2016. Thanks again for the support. :)

🔖 Key Takeaways

Respect Privacy: I also turned off tracking for this newsletter—I decided to respect your privacy while believing in the inherent value of this work.
Makers Not Managers: Strive to be makers...and not managers—time management strategy from Google.
Punk Rock Revolution: Jim Groom on Internet as singing directly to one another, most basic form of punk rock revolution.
Creative People: John Spencer's four things—they make mistakes, they poop, they get scared, but they make stuff.
Purchasing All: Best children's books 2015—definitely purchasing all of these for use in my grad classes this year.

📺 Watch

One Googler's take on managing your time

Read/Watch this Google email about time management strategy

Jeremiah Dillon is the head of product marketing at Google Apps for Work. Supposedly he was writing an email to his colleagues to talk about time management mistakes they were all making. The colleagues asked that he share this with others, and a video was made to aid the uptake of the concepts.

The key component is that we should strive to be makers...and not managers.

As many of you sit and plan your upcoming year and make resolutions...let's figure out how we can all be more creative and make.

📚 Read

"The Internet is the most basic form of the punk rock revolution"

A post by Jim Groom that gives a recommendation of a series of interviews conducted by Ian Svenonius with Calvin Johnson, a force in the punk rock movement.

The interview shares a glimpse at the possible intersection between "appropriate technology", creativity, and the DIY ethos.

Groom synthesizes from the interview:

Towards the very end of the interview (26:10) Svenonious wonders, given how arduous the production process is for capturing music, "Why don't people just sing to one another?" A off-handed remark that Johnson turns into a brilliant moment in which he posits: "That's what the internet is." By sidestepping the whole production process they're singing directly to one another while making it available instantly all around the world. A technological development that he sees as "the most basic form of the punk rock revolution."

Four things that highly creative people do

A post from John Spencer in which he synthesizes research for an upcoming book on creativity.

Here's what they have in common:

They make mistakes. Loads of them. Their work sucks at the beginning, just like yours and just like mine.
They poop. I like to remember that everybody poops because it's sort-of a disarming fact. The greatest creative geniuses are still absolutely normal. They eat and drink. They stub their toes and yell out expletives. They fall in love.
They get scared that no one will like their stuff. But still . . .
They make stuff.

Dyslexia and the wider world of creativity

A blog post from Holly Korbey on the Mind/Shift blog that discusses the challenges and opportunities that exist in literacy, creativity, and patterns in dyslexia. This post also gives me a chance to share artwork by friend and creator of my TL;DR graphic, Bryan Mathers.

The research and anecdotal evidence in the piece give us opportunity to rethink and re-examine the role and opportunities for individuals with dyslexia.

Star Wars is a postmodern masterpiece

Piece by Forrest Wickman on Slate that discusses the pastiche that George Lucas created in the Star Wars space opera by melding together multiple narratives.

As we create, it is not only important to recognize the stories and culture that have come before, but it is also an opportunity to remix or mashup these to create something new.

The best children's books of 2015

Post by Maria Popova on BrainPickings looking at the top children's books of the year.

Pew Research report on gaming and gamers

New insight from the Pew Research Center on the real people that game and how this fits in to their lives.

Some of the intriguing findings:

Equal numbers of men and women ever play video games, although men are twice as likely to call themselves "gamers"
Four in ten adults believe that violence in video games is related to violent behavior
Among the general public, attitudes toward games are complex and often uncertain
Compared with those who do not play video games, game players are more likely to agree with the positives and disagree with the negatives associated with games

🔨 Do

What teachers need to know about Periscope

Over the last couple of months there are new options for live streaming from your mobile device. Live streaming is when you open up your camera and send the video and audio of whatever you're witnessing live out to the Internet.

Periscope and Meerkat are two options for making this happen for free using your device and your data connection. Periscope is owned by Twitter...so there is extra support and funding to keep it alive.

As a viewer on either platform, you can open up the app and view any content that people choose to share. I've seen U2 concerts, people at UFC fighting events. I've even watched people sitting on their couches chatting. It's informal and ephemeral. Once the video stream is finished...many times it disappears.

As a new medium, there are many people experimenting with the tools. Teachers are trying to figure out what it could/should be. I think there are possibilities...but we need to be aware of the tremendous concerns before bringing it into our classrooms.

I recommend installing it on your phone and checking it out to see what is happening.

🤔 Consider

"Creativity is piercing the mundane to find the marvelous." — Bill Moyers

This will be our last issue of TL;DR for 2015. We'll follow the same schedule in 2016. Thanks again for the support.

I also turned off tracking for this newsletter. Mailchimp has a ton of tracking features built in to the system. I decided to respect your privacy while believing in the inherent value of this work. The decision wasn't dramatic—it was simple. If this work has value, it doesn't need surveillance to prove it.

AdvocatED publication launched on Medium. If you'd like to write/blog for it, please contact me. I just published a post on open publishing and scholarship. The challenges of being open in academia, of making work public when systems reward closed circulation. Feel free to read and give feedback on the Medium pub.

Jeremiah Dillon writing email to colleagues about time management mistakes. The colleagues asked that he share with others, video made to aid uptake. The key component: we should strive to be makers...and not managers. As many of you sit and plan your upcoming year and make resolutions...let's figure out how we can all be more creative and make. The distinction matters. Managers respond. Makers create.

Jim Groom on punk rock revolution and the Internet. Ian Svenonius interviewing Calvin Johnson, force in punk rock movement. The interview shares glimpse at possible intersection between "appropriate technology", creativity, DIY ethos. Towards the end Svenonious wonders, given how arduous the production process, "Why don't people just sing to one another?" Johnson's brilliant moment: "That's what the internet is." By sidestepping the whole production process they're singing directly to one another while making it available instantly all around the world. A technological development he sees as "the most basic form of the punk rock revolution." This reframes everything. The Internet as direct communication, unmediated creation.

John Spencer synthesizing research for upcoming book on creativity. Four things highly creative people have in common: they make mistakes (loads of them, their work sucks at the beginning, just like yours and just like mine), they poop (I like to remember everybody poops because it's sort-of a disarming fact—the greatest creative geniuses are still absolutely normal, they eat and drink, they stub their toes and yell out expletives, they fall in love), they get scared that no one will like their stuff, but still...they make stuff. The progression matters. Fear doesn't stop creation. Fear accompanies creation.

Holly Korbey on dyslexia and creativity. This post also gives me a chance to share artwork by friend and creator of my TL;DR graphic, Bryan Mathers. The research and anecdotal evidence give us opportunity to rethink and re-examine the role and opportunities for individuals with dyslexia. Pattern recognition isn't deficit—it's difference that sometimes enables different kinds of creativity.

Star Wars as postmodern pastiche—George Lucas melding together multiple narratives. As we create, it is not only important to recognize the stories and culture that have come before, but it is also an opportunity to remix or mashup these to create something new. Creation builds on creation. Nothing emerges from vacuum.

As we examine the roots of creativity, and try to embed it in our own processes, I'm always struck by the work in incredible children's books. Definitely purchasing all of these for use in my grad classes this year. Maria Popova's curation on BrainPickings. The best children's books don't condescend—they elevate.

Pew research on gaming and gamers. Equal numbers of men and women ever play video games, although men are twice as likely to call themselves "gamers". The identity gap reveals cultural assumptions. Four in ten adults believe violence in video games is related to violent behavior. Among the general public, attitudes toward games are complex and often uncertain. The uncertainty is honest.

Periscope and Meerkat—new options for live streaming from mobile device. I've seen U2 concerts, people at UFC fighting events, even watched people sitting on their couches chatting. It's informal and ephemeral. Once the video stream is finished...many times it disappears. Teachers are trying to figure out what it could/should be. I think there are possibilities...but we need to be aware of the tremendous concerns before bringing it into our classrooms. I recommend installing it on your phone and checking it out to see what is happening. Understanding requires experience.

Bill Moyers: creativity is piercing the mundane to find the marvelous. Makers not managers. Singing directly to one another. Making mistakes, pooping, getting scared, making stuff anyway. Dyslexia as different pattern recognition. Remix and mashup. Children's books elevating. Live streaming's ephemeral possibilities. All forms of piercing mundane to find marvelous. The question remains: what will we make in 2016?

Previous: TLDR 25 • Next: TLDR 27 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Privacy — Turned off tracking to respect your privacy, believing in inherent value of work.
AdvocatED — Publication launch on Medium, open publishing and scholarship challenges.
Time Management — Jeremiah Dillon Google email on makers vs managers, strive to be makers.
Jim Groom — Punk rock revolution and Internet singing directly to one another.
Calvin Johnson — Force in punk rock movement, Internet as most basic form of revolution.
DIY Ethos — Appropriate technology creativity intersection, sidestepping production process.
John Spencer — Four things creative people do: make mistakes, poop, get scared, make stuff.
Creativity Research — Synthesizing for upcoming book, work sucks at beginning for everyone.
Dyslexia — Holly Korbey on wider world of creativity and talent, rethink opportunities.
Bryan Mathers — Friend and creator of my TL;DR graphic, artwork sharing.
Star Wars — Postmodern pastiche George Lucas melding multiple narratives together.
Remix Culture — Recognize stories and culture that came before, opportunity to remix mashup.
Children's Books — Maria Popova BrainPickings best of 2015, purchasing all for grad classes.
Pew Research — Gaming and gamers report, attitudes complex and often uncertain.
Periscope — Live streaming from mobile device informal ephemeral, tremendous concerns before classrooms.
Meerkat — Alternative live streaming option, experimenting with what it could/should be.
Bill Moyers — Creativity is piercing the mundane to find the marvelous.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 25

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 25

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 25

Published: 2015-12-11 • 📧 Newsletter

This week was spent getting caught up on emails and grading after LRA. Conference season can be fun. I also spent a lot of time thinking about open badges, blockchain technology, and cyberforensics/cybersecurity. More on that in coming weeks.

We also launched the AdvocatED publication on Medium. If you would like to write/blog for this publication...please shoot me an email.

I'll also soon start building up several online classes to affordably help individuals build up their digital identity for teaching, personal, or business purposes. If this interests you...or you'd like to provide feedback...please get in touch. I want to see if this would be of use/value.

Also, if you have five minutes...take time to nominate yourself or a colleague as a tech innovator in higher ed.

You can contact me for this...or any other request at wiobyrne@gmail.com or reach out on Twitter. To review past issues please click here. Thanks again for the support. :)

🔖 Key Takeaways

Back of Mind: Cory Doctorow on surveillance—I do a lot of work urging individuals to build up their digital presence. This is the stuff that I have in the back of mind as I urge you all to do this.
Want to See: Digital identity courses—I want to see if this would be of use/value to help build presence affordably.
I Use Daily: Google Photos—I'll admit that I use Google apps tools probably a bit too much, but one tool I use daily and love is Google Photos.
Appropriating Memory: Facebook classifying things as 'memories' only if posted on its site—implying if it wasn't on Facebook it may as well have not happened.
Meme-ifying Outrage: Internet loop exhausting and rarely illuminating—everyone always on guard for next opportunity to meme-ify outrage.

📺 Watch

OEB 2015 - Opening Plenary - Cory Doctorow

Watch this now.

Cory does a great job unpacking the increasing prevalence of online surveillance with the challenges of building your digital presence.

I do a lot of work urging individuals to build up their digital presence. This is the stuff that I have in the back of mind as I urge you all to do this.

📚 Read

Are you afraid to write on the Internet?

Thoughtful post by dex digital in response to a post titled Black culture is cool, so why aren't black people? by Gabriel Gutiérrez. These two pieces are related as the piece by Gabriel is a term paper assignment submitted for dex's class.

In his post, dex digital discusses diversity, individuality, education..and our willingness to speak out about these things online.

I recommend reading and responding the two pieces together. These two posts were published on Medium and show the potential for reading, annotating, and long form response on the platform.

The Internet's loop of action and reaction is worsening

A piece from Farhad Manjoo in the NY Times that starts by recounting some recent reactions to political events here in the U.S. and then extends to the online discourse and norms.

The online space has become a cycle of action, reaction, and kneejerk decisions.

Farhad states:

The spiraling feedback loop is exhausting and rarely illuminating. The news brims with instantly produced "hot takes" and a raft of fact-free assertions. Everyone — yours truly included — is always on guard for the next opportunity to meme-ify outrage: What crazy thing did Trump/Obama/The New York Times/The New York Post/Rush Limbaugh/etc. say now, and what clever quip can you fit into a tweet to quickly begin collecting likes?

A blog post from Dr. Julia Shaw on the Scientific American blog.

She discusses the challenges of personal memories and the challenges that arise as social media and algorithms manipulate nostalgia. Specifically she is referencing Facebook's "on this day" feature and the same type of product offered by Timehop.

Julia includes:

Facebook has even taken it upon itself to appropriate the very term 'memory', classifying things as 'memories' only if they were posted on its site. It seems to be not-so-subtly implying that if something wasn't posted on Facebook it may as well have not happened at all.

For some more perspective...check out this piece on the PsyBlog that discusses how the ways in which the "Internet" might be changing the ways we think and view our own knowledge.

Do screens get in the way of the rest of your life?

Piece by Michael Gonchar on The New York Times Learning Network. Michael describes the challenges that possibly arise as we're always peering into those little black pieces of glass instead of watching those around us.

This piece is part of the Learning Network...so it offers prompts and materials to support classroom discussions.

Forecast and trends for 2017 and the connected child

Intriguing post on PSFK taking a look at upcoming trends with automation and quantification as it relates to children in a connected world.

If you have children, or work with children, it's interesting/scary to look at some of the tools that are coming out and wonder how comfortable we are with heading down this path.

What is an algorithm?

When we discuss coding and programming, much of this talk centers on patterns and problem-solving using/developing algorithms. In recent writing and thinking about coding, I indicate that perhaps the real goal is to have students problem-solve using algorithmic thinking. The challenge is...what is an algorithm.

This video from Common Craft is another great resource to add to the collection. Have students watch this and think of others ways algorithms are or could be used in their lives.

🔨 Do

Some useful Google Photos tips for teachers

I'll admit that I use Google apps tools probably a bit too much. I try and diversify the tools that I use, and make sure I use other tools or backups in case I lose (or Google loses) something.

One tool that I use daily (and love) is Google Photos. Google Photos will allow you to automatically upload photos from your computer, or mobile device.

The link above shares some tips on how to use Google Photos in your classroom. You can also use this tool to make basic edits in photos. For something more advanced, Snapseed is available on iOs/Android. Finally, check out how to get more personalization with your content.

🤔 Consider

"The only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance." — Alan W. Watts

Conference season can be fun. Week spent catching up on emails and grading after LRA. I also spent time thinking about open badges, blockchain technology, cyberforensics/cybersecurity. More on that in coming weeks. AdvocatED publication launched on Medium—if you'd like to write/blog for it, shoot me an email.

I'll soon start building up online classes to affordably help individuals build up their digital identity for teaching, personal, or business purposes. If this interests you or you'd like feedback, please get in touch. I want to see if this would be of use/value.

Cory Doctorow: watch this now. Great job unpacking increasing prevalence of online surveillance with challenges of building your digital presence. I do a lot of work urging individuals to build up their digital presence. This is the stuff that I have in the back of mind as I urge you all to do this. The tension between surveillance and visibility. The necessity of being present in spaces that monitor presence.

dex digital and Gabriel Gutiérrez on being afraid to write on the Internet. Diversity, individuality, education, willingness to speak out about these things online. Term paper assignment published on Medium showing potential for reading, annotating, long form response on the platform. The question: are you afraid to write on the Internet? The answer depends on who you are, what you're saying, who's watching.

Farhad Manjoo on the Internet's loop of action and reaction worsening. The spiraling feedback loop is exhausting and rarely illuminating. Everyone—yours truly included—always on guard for next opportunity to meme-ify outrage. What crazy thing did they say now, what clever quip fits in a tweet to quickly begin collecting likes? The cycle accelerates. The illumination diminishes.

Dr. Julia Shaw on how Facebook learns while you forget. Algorithms manipulate nostalgia through "on this day" and Timehop. Facebook has even taken it upon itself to appropriate the very term 'memory', classifying things as 'memories' only if posted on its site. Not-so-subtly implying if something wasn't posted on Facebook it may as well have not happened at all. Memory becomes platform-dependent. Experience becomes content.

Michael Gonchar: do screens get in the way of the rest of your life? Always peering into those little black pieces of glass instead of watching those around us. The Learning Network offers prompts for classroom discussions. The question applies to teachers asking it, students answering it, all of us living it.

Connected child trends for 2017—automation and quantification. If you have children or work with children, it's interesting/scary to look at tools coming out and wonder how comfortable we are with heading down this path. The forecast isn't neutral. The trends reveal values.

Common Craft on algorithms—what is an algorithm? In recent writing on coding, I indicate perhaps the real goal is having students problem-solve using algorithmic thinking. The challenge is defining the algorithm. Have students watch and think of other ways algorithms are or could be used in their lives. Algorithmic thinking becomes civic literacy.

I'll admit that I use Google apps tools probably a bit too much. I try and diversify, use backups in case I lose or Google loses something. One tool I use daily and love is Google Photos. The confession acknowledges dependency. The love persists despite awareness.

Alan Watts: the only way to make sense out of change is to plunge into it, move with it, and join the dance. Surveillance and digital presence. Meme-ifying outrage. Algorithms appropriating memory. Screens as barriers. Connected children. All forms of change demanding we plunge, move, dance.

Previous: TLDR 24 • Next: TLDR 26 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

LRA — Post-conference catching up emails and grading.
Digital Badges — Thinking about open badges and blockchain technology.
Blockchain — Cyberforensics/cybersecurity exploration, more coming weeks.
AdvocatED — Publication launch on Medium, inviting writers and bloggers.
Digital Identity — Building online classes to affordably help build presence.
Cory Doctorow — Online surveillance versus building digital presence, stuff in back of mind.
Surveillance — Tension between being visible and being monitored.
Writing Online — dex digital on being afraid to write on Internet.
Medium Platform — Potential for reading, annotating, long form response.
Internet Loop — Farhad Manjoo on action reaction kneejerk meme-ifying outrage.
Facebook Memory — Dr Julia Shaw on algorithms manipulating nostalgia.
Timehop — On this day feature appropriating the term 'memory'.
Screens — Michael Gonchar on little black pieces of glass blocking those around us.
Connected Child — 2017 forecast automation quantification interesting/scary tools.
Algorithms — Common Craft video on algorithmic thinking as civic literacy.
Google Photos — Tool I use daily and love, admitting dependency.
Alan Watts — Plunge into change, move with it, join the dance.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 24

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 24

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 24

Published: 2015-12-04 • 📧 Newsletter

To send me feedback, questions, concerns...please email me at wiobyrne@gmail.com or reach out on Twitter. To review past issues please click here. Thanks again for the support. :)

This week I attended LRA 2015 in Carlsbad, CA. I'll have more info on those sessions and my reflections in upcoming posts.

🔖 Key Takeaways

Routinely Promoting: Google tracking students—I routinely share and promote free online tools from Google, but EFF complaint raises concerns.
Friends Shocked: Facebook algorithms—numerous friends and family shocked when I suggested Facebook alters feeds depending on unknown algorithms.
Not What's In It: Makerspaces—I'm learning a makerspace is defined not by what's in it but rather by what comes out of it.
Thinking About Games: Games and creativity—lately I've been thinking/writing about games and considering lines between creativity and digital art.
Love the Channel: Every Frame a Painting—I love this YouTube channel studying visual comedy.

📺 Watch

Buster Keaton - The Art of the Gag

I love the Every Frame a Painting channel on YouTube.

In the latest installment they study the art and creation of Buster Keaton, one of the fathers of visual comedy.

📚 Read

Huge MIT Media Lab inventions that transformed our world

This post from Wired spends time with MIT Media Lab co-founder Nicholas Negroponte and current director Joi Ito to talk about some of the lab's biggest contributions from the last three decades.

Four inventive games that show us the future of learning

This post from MindShift shares trailers from a series of games that blur the line between traditional gaming and contemporary art.

Lately I've been thinking/writing about games...and considering the lines between creativity and digital art...so this post has been extremely helpful.

Pursuing quests, how digital games can create a learning journey

Another post from MindShift examining digital games and education. This post examines lessons learned from Drs. Chris Haskell and Lisa Dawley, from the education department at Boise State University. In their work they identify the potential for integrating quests and other game elements in delivering coursework.

Google deceptively tracks students' Internet browsing

I routinely share and promote the use of free online tools from Google in our classrooms and hybrid spaces. This recent update/complaint from

The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) filed a complaint with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) against Google for collecting & data mining school children's personal information, including their Internet searches—a practice EFF uncovered while researching its "Spying on Students" campaign.

An inside look into the Facebook data center

Intriguing look into the data, ethos, and culture behind Facebook from The Atlantic.

Over the past two weeks I've had numerous friends and family shocked when I suggested that Facebook alters their feeds depending on unknown algorithms. Additionally, I also was involved in several discussions while at LRA in which we discussed the challenges of having our digital identities treated as commodities by companies like Facebook.

Middle school maker journey: Top 20 technologies and tools

Makerspaces are usually identified by using their hardware, software, and other technologies. This sometimes creates a shopping-list mentality among people interested in creating this learning environment.

I'm learning that a makerspace is defined not by what's in it but rather by what comes out of it: projects, experiences, artifacts, and learning.

This post shares 20 tools being used in one makerspace to provide guidance.

🔨 Do

10 Raspberry Pi projects for beginners

Last week in this newsletter I shared my love for the Raspberry Pi. This post from MakeUseOf shares ten simple projects to get you tinkering if you decide to start playing with this powerful, inexpensive device.

🤔 Consider

"Write it. Shoot it. Publish it. Crochet it, saute it, whatever. Make." — Joss Whedon

LRA 2015 in Carlsbad. I'll have more info on those sessions and reflections in upcoming posts. Conferences create spaces for conversations that continue long after panels end. Digital identities as commodities, algorithms altering feeds, privacy concerns—these weren't abstract discussions. They were lived experiences we were unpacking together.

Every Frame a Painting studying Buster Keaton, one of the fathers of visual comedy. I love this channel. The art of the gag reveals principles—timing, framing, physical comedy as visual grammar. Keaton understood that comedy isn't just funny—it's architectural.

MIT Media Lab's three decades of contributions with Nicholas Negroponte and Joi Ito. The lab's biggest innovations transformed our world not because they predicted the future, but because they built it. Sometimes invention requires institutional permission to experiment without knowing outcomes.

Lately I've been thinking/writing about games, considering the lines between creativity and digital art. This MindShift post has been extremely helpful. Games that blur traditional gaming and contemporary art aren't categorization failures—they're category expansions. Digital games creating learning journeys through quests. Boise State integrating game elements in coursework. The potential is structural, not cosmetic.

I routinely share and promote free online tools from Google in our classrooms and hybrid spaces. This recent EFF complaint complicates that practice. Google deceptively tracking students' Internet browsing, collecting and data mining school children's personal information including searches. "Spying on Students" isn't hyperbole when the surveillance is literal. The challenge: we need these tools, but not at this cost.

Over the past two weeks I've had numerous friends and family shocked when I suggested Facebook alters their feeds depending on unknown algorithms. The shock reveals how invisible these systems are. At LRA we discussed challenges of having our digital identities treated as commodities by companies like Facebook. Identity as commodity isn't metaphor—it's business model.

I'm learning that a makerspace is defined not by what's in it but rather by what comes out of it: projects, experiences, artifacts, and learning. This reframes everything. Shopping-list mentality among people interested in creating these environments misses the point. Tools matter, but outcomes matter more.

Last week I shared my love for Raspberry Pi. Ten beginner projects to get tinkering with this powerful, inexpensive device. The power isn't just computational—it's pedagogical. Learning by making, making by learning.

Joss Whedon: Write it. Shoot it. Publish it. Crochet it, saute it, whatever. Make. The imperative is clear. The methods are open. The permission is implicit. Just make.

Previous: TLDR 23 • Next: TLDR 25 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

LRA — 2015 Carlsbad conference, sessions and reflections upcoming.
Buster Keaton — Visual comedy father, art of the gag timing and framing.
Every Frame a Painting — YouTube channel I love studying visual grammar.
MIT Media Lab — Three decades of contributions with Negroponte and Joi Ito.
Games for Learning — Thinking about lines between creativity and digital art.
Digital Games — Quests creating learning journeys, Boise State coursework integration.
Student Privacy — EFF complaint Google deceptively tracking students.
Google Education — Routinely promoting free tools, but Spying on Students campaign raises concerns.
Facebook Algorithms — Friends shocked I suggested feed alterations, unknown algorithms.
Digital Identity — Treated as commodities by companies like Facebook.
Makerspaces — Defined by what comes out not what's in it, projects experiences artifacts learning.
Shopping List Mentality — Missing the point, tools matter but outcomes matter more.
Raspberry Pi — Love for powerful inexpensive device, ten beginner projects.
Joss Whedon — Write shoot publish crochet saute whatever, just make.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 23

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 23

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 23

Published: 2015-11-28 • 📧 Newsletter

To send me feedback, questions, concerns...please email me at wiobyrne@gmail.com or reach out on Twitter. To review past issues please click here. Thanks again for the support. :)

This week I worked on the following:

Screencaptures & Screencasts in Education, Assessment, and Research - This week I taught my students about screencaptures and screencasts for an upcoming assignment. As a result, I thoroughly revised my previous posts on the subject. I think screencaptures/screencasts are mandatory tools that educators have in their toolkit.
Allow it to be YouRTube - This post is another revision from a prior post. It is a guide for educators that are considering including online, digital video in their classroom...and how to get started. YouTube is one of those tools that educators sometimes feel they should be afraid of...and not using. This is especially true if we consider recording and publishing online. My thinking is that we should all be recording, remixing, and publishing digital content. YouTube is just one venue to help make this happen.
Moving Toward Transparency in Higher Education - This post is from a document I wrote up with my colleague Amanda Bozack. We were responding to the decisions, initiatives, and changes that were happening in higher ed all around us. We kept thinking that we should write something to get people to start thinking/talking about possibilities for transparency in relationships and management. Ultimately we too late realized that these decisions would cause the dissolution of our jobs and programs. Nevertheless, I have been thinking more about transparency and will have more of my thoughts in upcoming posts.

🔖 Key Takeaways

Mandatory Tools: Screencaptures/screencasts are mandatory tools that educators have in their toolkit.
Too Late Realized: Transparency in higher ed—we too late realized these decisions would cause dissolution of our jobs and programs.
Why Armor?: Laura Hilliger on privacy—why should I have to armor myself when I'm a single grain of sand?
Oh Yes!: Raspberry Pi $5 Model Zero—oh yes, love the work from Raspberry Pi Foundation!
Long Read: Privacy history 3,000 years—sit down with your tablet and a cup of coffee.

📺 Watch

Veronica Belmont, Host/Podcaster - XOXO Festival (2015)

An insightful talk by Veronica Belmont as she discusses the process by which her identity was overtaken by a meme. She openly and honestly reflects on her own participation and activities online.

Matt Haughey explains that it's a "great talk that really drives home the point that sometimes the Internet can be a crappy place, but on the bright side, the Internet does let people hear the rest of a story."

📚 Read

Privacy/Security and Bullying

The incredible Laura Hilliger has been unpacking her own thoughts and reflections about privacy/security over the last couple of blog posts. I love these posts for a number of reasons. First, I think Laura writes in an approachable manner that is concise while at times poetic. Second, her posts are honest, and I think they represent ways that we (perhaps) should think about privacy/security.

As an example, I'll share one of the lines from this last post:

My question is – why should I have to armor myself? This is not about saying "I have nothing to hide", it's about whether or not I need armor when I'm a single grain of sand.

I also recommend reading her earlier post on identifying your "line" when it comes to privacy.

The birth and death of privacy: 3,000 years of history told through images

In this post, Greg Ferenstein details our framing and understanding of privacy over the last 150 years. I find pieces like this fascinating as they help us contextualize our recent attempts to create and advocate for privacy.

This is a long read. Sit down with your tablet and a cup of coffee. :)

This post was shared by Laura Hilliger in the latest issue of her newsletter.

Free speech or safe spaces?

On our college campuses there recently has been a lot of protest and calls for recognition of a number of issues. In this post, Dalitha Lithwick calls for initiatives that promote dialogue and empathy among individuals.

I'm sharing this post to promote our thinking about online and hybrid spaces that could be leveraged as safe spaces for dialogue and unpacking these issues. The challenge is that, as I've detailed in the first couple of elements I shared in this newsletter...online spaces can sometimes be used for good or evil. Wondering if there is a way technology can be used to help.

Is bigger always better? The case for starting small with new learning ideas

This piece in nprEd shares an interview with Matt Candler and the 4.0 Schools initiative.

Although I am intrigued by the work and model from 4.0 Schools, I'm much more moved by the overall guidance of the post that suggests that it is perfectly appropriate and that you're being successful if you don't worry about scale and numbers all of the time.

While creating and sharing online, we sometimes are very aware of numbers of readers/viewers and wondering why we can't have thousands or millions more. Perhaps there is wisdom in focusing on small-scale approaches. As the post states, perhaps we should focus on communities, identify problems, come up with solutions, and test prototypes.

I will try to keep this advice in mind as I work on some new initiatives.

Vlogging, teens, and literacy: Engaging youth

Antero Garcia writing in the School Library Journal about the possibilities for vlogging. Vlogging is short for video blogs and is increasingly becoming the medium of choice for youth as they learn online.

Tools for vlogging include Snapchat, Vine, Instagram, and YouTube. Antero states:

Vlogging is a venue for youth consumption and production regularly identified as an important space for educators to consider within their practice. While vlogging is a multimodal form of communication, it might also be a return to an oral tradition. Alongside social networking platforms such as Vine and Snapchat, fleeting videos and their circulation are not the text-based modes of engagement we have been using in the classroom.

Raspberry Pi announces $5 computer: Model Zero

Oh yes!!!

I love the work/materials from the Raspberry Pi Foundation. I've owned and hacked up different projects with the previous Raspbery Pi iterations. This latest version is only five dollars and is a bit faster than the previous units.

Supposedly, they had an earlier plan to make a $60 version that would focus on better performance but scrapped it after talking with Google's Eric Schmidt.

If you want to see a bit more, definitely check out this "unboxing video" from Doug Belshaw.

🔨 Do

Record, produce, and publish music collaboratively

This post by Kevin Hodgson details his use of Soundtrap to collaborate and make music with online jam partners.

Over the past couple of years I've been experimenting with Soundcloud and other podcasting mediums/tools to create and share audio only content online. I think tools like Soundtrap might provide opportunities for educators and students that want to investigate playing and colaborating with audio or music online.

🤔 Consider

"I learned that a long walk and calm conversation are an incredible combination if you want to build a bridge." — Seth Godin

Screencaptures and screencasts are mandatory tools that educators have in their toolkit. My thinking is that we should all be recording, remixing, and publishing digital content. YouTube is just one venue to help make this happen. Educators sometimes feel they should be afraid of recording and publishing online. But we should all be creating, sharing, making our thinking visible.

Transparency in higher education—Amanda Bozack and I kept thinking we should write something to get people thinking/talking about possibilities for transparency in relationships and management. Ultimately we too late realized that these decisions would cause the dissolution of our jobs and programs. Nevertheless, I have been thinking more about transparency and will have more thoughts in upcoming posts.

Veronica Belmont's talk drives home the point: sometimes the Internet can be a crappy place, but on the bright side, the Internet does let people hear the rest of a story. Her identity overtaken by a meme. She openly and honestly reflects on her own participation and activities online.

Laura Hilliger's question cuts: why should I have to armor myself? This is not about saying "I have nothing to hide", it's about whether or not I need armor when I'm a single grain of sand. Her writing is approachable, concise while at times poetic. Her posts are honest, representing ways we (perhaps) should think about privacy/security.

Greg Ferenstein's piece on the birth and death of privacy spans 3,000 years. I find pieces like this fascinating as they help us contextualize our recent attempts to create and advocate for privacy. This is a long read. Sit down with your tablet and a cup of coffee.

Campus protests calling for recognition, dialogue, empathy. I'm sharing to promote thinking about online and hybrid spaces that could be leveraged as safe spaces for dialogue. The challenge: online spaces can sometimes be used for good or evil. Wondering if there is a way technology can be used to help.

Starting small not scale—perfectly appropriate and you're being successful if you don't worry about scale and numbers all the time. While creating and sharing online, we're sometimes very aware of numbers of readers/viewers, wondering why we can't have thousands or millions more. Perhaps there is wisdom in focusing on small-scale approaches. Focus on communities, identify problems, come up with solutions, test prototypes. I will try to keep this advice in mind as I work on some new initiatives.

Vlogging—video blogs increasingly becoming medium of choice for youth learning online. Multimodal form of communication, might also be return to oral tradition. Fleeting videos and circulation not the text-based modes of engagement we've been using in classrooms.

Raspberry Pi $5 Model Zero—oh yes!!! I love the work from Raspberry Pi Foundation. I've owned and hacked up different projects with previous iterations. This latest version only five dollars, bit faster than previous units. Doug Belshaw's unboxing video shows what's possible.

Kevin Hodgson using Soundtrap to collaborate and make music with online jam partners. I've been experimenting with Soundcloud and other podcasting tools to create and share audio content online. Tools might provide opportunities for educators and students investigating playing and collaborating with audio or music.

Seth Godin: a long walk and calm conversation are an incredible combination if you want to build a bridge. Transparency, privacy, safe spaces, starting small, vlogging, making music—all forms of building bridges. Sometimes literally creating them, sometimes too late realizing decisions causing dissolution. The question remains: how do we build bridges worth crossing?

Previous: TLDR 22 • Next: TLDR 24 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Screencasts — Mandatory tools for educators, recording remixing publishing digital content.
YouTube — Educators shouldn't be afraid, one venue to make content sharing happen.
Transparency — Higher ed relationships and management, too late realized job dissolution.
Amanda Bozack — Colleague writing about transparency in higher education.
Veronica Belmont — Identity overtaken by meme, Internet crappy but lets people hear rest of story.
Laura Hilliger — Why armor myself as single grain of sand, privacy line identification.
Privacy History — 3,000 years contextualizing advocacy, long read with tablet and coffee.
Safe Spaces — Campus protests dialogue empathy, online hybrid spaces for good or evil.
Starting Small — Not worrying about scale and numbers, communities problems prototypes.
4.0 Schools — Matt Candler nprEd interview on learning initiatives.
Vlogging — Antero Garcia on video blogs, multimodal return to oral tradition.
Raspberry Pi — $5 Model Zero oh yes, Raspberry Pi Foundation hacked projects.
Doug Belshaw — Unboxing video for Model Zero, showing what's possible.
Soundtrap — Kevin Hodgson collaborative music making with online jam partners.
Seth Godin — Long walk calm conversation building bridges.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 22

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 22

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 22

Published: 2015-11-20 • 📧 Newsletter

To send me feedback, questions, concerns...please email me at wiobyrne@gmail.com or reach out on Twitter. To review past issues please click here. Thanks again for the support. :)

This week I worked on the following:

Creating and Delivering a Pecha Kucha Style Presentation - In two weeks I'll be at LRA and presenting, connecting, and learning from other literacy colleagues. In two different sessions, I'll be working with Pecha Kucha style presentations. I revised this post to share my ideas and hopefully present some guidance.
Building Critical Media Literacy in the Deictic/Ambiguous Nature of Text - In this post I share the work from a pecha kucha session I helped organize last year at LRA. I thought it might be interesting to have a group of colleagues each define "text." As literacy researchers and educators, I thought that we might each have our own version of what text could and should be. In this post I share the PPT and video of my presentation. I also share a link to the Google Doc we're using to prepare an upcoming publication.

🔖 Key Takeaways

Cannot Unpack: Paris attacks and technology blame—I do not have all answers, cannot even begin to unpack in this small block of text.
Internet Dream Ending: Jennifer Granick on centralization, regulation, globalization—unless something dramatic changes.
Teacher as Activator: Not transmitter or facilitator—injects ambition, provokes thought, challenges mediocrity.
Verge of Big: Digital badges three phone calls—there are people far smarter than I, but we're on the verge of something big.
Digital Heritage: Internet Archive documenting for future generations—doesn't depend on whether we agree or understand.

📺 Watch

Man plays John's Lennon Imagine At paris after the attack

A man pulled up a piano using his bike to the front of the Bataclan theater in Paris. He then began to perform the timeless Lennon classic. Read more here.

📚 Read

Exploiting emotions about Paris to blame Snowden, distract from actual culprits

I understand the abject horror of the circumstances of the Paris attack, and the normal human reaction as we try to make sense of it all. Even with this I'm also a believer in freedom, privacy, security, and the literacies of the web and digital spaces.

Not soon after the Paris attacks, technology was being named as an accomplice in these atrocities.

I do not have all of the answers, and cannot even begin to unpack it in this small block of text. I think that we do need to think deeply about these technologies, and the ways in which we...for better or worse...utilize them.

The end of the Internet dream

This text is from the keynote Jennifer Granick gave earlier this month at Black Hat 2015. Video of her keynote is available here. Jennifer is the director of Civil Liberties at the Center for Internet and Society at Stanford Law School.

The keynote text and video are excellent. I highly recommend reading through the whole text.

For better or for worse, we've prioritized things like security, online civility, user interface, and intellectual property interests above freedom and openness. The Internet is less open and more centralized. It's more regulated. And increasingly it's less global, and more divided. These trends: centralization, regulation, and globalization are accelerating. And they will define the future of our communications network, unless something dramatic changes.

How could - and should - schooling look in 2030?

This post by Sir Michael Barber shares his reflections on what future learning environments should look like...and how do we get there. You can read more guidance about this in a report he helped produce for the Massachusetts DOE.

The teacher is no longer just a transmitter of knowledge, but neither is she or he a mere facilitator. The role is that of an "activator," using John Hattie's evocative term: someone who injects ambition, provokes thought, asks great questions, challenges mediocrity, and brings passion and insight to the task at hand.

Searching for work in the digital era

Research released this week from the Pew Research Center looks at the use of the Internet as a central resource for Americans looking for work. Yet even with this use of the Internet as a major resource, there is a group of Americans that find it difficult to engage in digital job-seeking behaviors.

These findings point to the need to view technology and the Internet as a literacy.

Some of the key findings include:

The internet is a top resource for many of today's job hunters: Among Americans who have looked for work in the last two years, 79% utilized online resources in their most recent job search and 34% say these online resources were the mostimportant tool available to them.
Like many other aspects of life, job seeking is going mobile: 28% of Americans have used a smartphone as part of a job search, and half of these "smartphone job seekers" have used their smartphone to fill out a job application.
Even as digital job seeking skills have become increasingly important, a minority of Americans would find it challenging to engage in tasks such as creating a professional resume, using email to contact potential employers, or filling out a job application online.
Many Americans now use social media to look for and research jobs, share employment opportunities with friends, and highlight their skills to potential employers; 13% of social media users say their social media presence has helped them find a job.

Online skills are hot, but will they land you a job?

This piece from the Wall Street Journal by Lauren Weber examines the role of digital skills and credentials and the job marketplace. Learners are studying, taking courses online, earning digital badges to document their new expertise. Because many employers don't recognize (or understand) these technologies, credentials, and the companies that offer them, these credentials don't carry much weight...for now.

In terms of credentials, and digital badges, I've had three different phone calls over the last two weeks with large organizations in education, training, & job force preparedness programs. In these calls they were picking my brain to get a better understanding of badges, and what opportunities they might offer. There are many people that are far smarter than I in terms of badge understanding.

I agree with Doug Belshaw in that (at least in thinking about badges) we're on the verge of badges becoming a bit more mainstream. My closing comment on each of the calls indicated that I think we're on the verge of something big with badges...and online credentials.

How much of the Internet does the Wayback Machine really archive?

With all of this discussion about what we do correctly and incorrectly online, it's important to remember that we're creating an archive of our digital heritage. It doesn't really depend on whether or not we agree, or fully understand what we're doing...this is all being documented for future generations to pick through.

This post by Kalev Leetaru details the work behind the scenes at the Internet Archive over the last 20 years. It's interesting to look at what...and where content is being archived from.

If you're interested in this topic, I recommend watching this interview with Brewster Kahle on Triangulation. Brewster Kahle is a computer engineer, Internet activist, and digital librarian responsible for maintaining the Internet Archive.

🔨 Do

Annotating to engage, analyze, connect, and create

This post by Jeremy Dean and Katherine Schulten on the NY Times The Learning Network details the power of annotation as we strive to understand and comprehend.

In this they detail the opportunities for digital annotation as you work and learn online. In this they identify three tools that I use and love. Genius's Web Annotator, Diigo, and Hypothesis all offer great opportunities to mark up texts as you read (and now write) online.

🤔 Consider

"Trying to plan for the future without knowing the past is like trying to plant cut flowers." — David Boorstin

A man pulled up a piano using his bike to the front of Bataclan theater, performed Imagine. The timeless Lennon classic in the face of horror. Moments like these remind us what we're protecting, what we're building, what we're documenting.

I understand the abject horror of the Paris attack, the normal human reaction trying to make sense. Even with this I'm also a believer in freedom, privacy, security, literacies of web and digital spaces. Not soon after the attacks, technology was being named as accomplice. I do not have all of the answers, and cannot even begin to unpack it in this small block of text. I think we do need to think deeply about these technologies, the ways in which we—for better or worse—utilize them.

Jennifer Granick's Black Hat keynote on the end of the Internet dream deserves your time. For better or worse, we've prioritized security, online civility, user interface, intellectual property interests above freedom and openness. The Internet is less open and more centralized. It's more regulated. Increasingly less global, more divided. These trends—centralization, regulation, globalization—are accelerating. They will define the future of our communications network, unless something dramatic changes.

Michael Barber on schooling in 2030: the teacher is no longer just transmitter of knowledge, neither mere facilitator. The role is "activator"—someone who injects ambition, provokes thought, asks great questions, challenges mediocrity, brings passion and insight to the task at hand. John Hattie's evocative term captures what we need teachers to become.

Pew findings point to the need to view technology and the Internet as a literacy. Job seeking going mobile, 79% using online resources, but minority of Americans would find it challenging to create professional resume, use email to contact potential employers, fill out job application online. Digital job seeking skills are fundamental, not optional.

Digital badges—I've had three phone calls over last two weeks with large organizations picking my brain. There are many people far smarter than I in terms of badge understanding. I agree with Doug Belshaw: we're on the verge of badges becoming more mainstream. My closing comment on each call: I think we're on the verge of something big with badges and online credentials.

The Internet Archive documenting our digital heritage for future generations to pick through. It doesn't really depend on whether we agree or fully understand what we're doing—this is all being documented. Brewster Kahle maintaining twenty years of Internet history. Creating an archive whether we intend to or not.

Three annotation tools I use and love: Genius, Diigo, Hypothesis. Marking up texts as you read and now write online. The power of annotation as we strive to understand and comprehend.

David Boorstin: trying to plan for the future without knowing the past is like trying to plant cut flowers. We're documenting, archiving, annotating, building—creating the past that future generations will use to plan their future. The question is what philosophies we're embedding in these systems, these archives, these digital spaces.

Previous: TLDR 21 • Next: TLDR 23 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Pecha Kucha — LRA presentations creating and delivering, two sessions working with style.
LRA — Literacy researchers defining text, upcoming publication Google Doc.
Paris Attacks — Imagine performed at Bataclan, technology blamed as accomplice.
Snowden — Exploiting emotions to blame after attacks, cryptography scapegoating.
Jennifer Granick — Black Hat keynote on end of Internet dream, Stanford Center for Internet and Society.
Internet Freedom — Less open more centralized, prioritizing security over freedom and openness.
Teacher as Activator — Not transmitter or facilitator, John Hattie's evocative term for 2030 schooling.
Pew Research — Job searching in digital era, Internet as literacy finding.
Digital Badges — Three phone calls with organizations, on verge of becoming mainstream.
Doug Belshaw — Thinking about badges bright future, verge of something big.
Internet Archive — Brewster Kahle maintaining twenty years, digital heritage for future generations.
Annotation Tools — Genius Web Annotator, Diigo, Hypothesis for marking up texts.
Jeremy Dean — NY Times Learning Network post on annotation power.
Katherine Schulten — Annotating to engage, analyze, connect, and create.
David Boorstin — Planning future without knowing past like planting cut flowers.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 21

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 21

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 21

Published: 2015-11-13 • 📧 Newsletter

To send me feedback, questions, concerns...please email me at wiobyrne@gmail.com or reach out on Twitter. To review past issues please click here. Thanks again for the support. :)

This week I worked on the following:

Publishing your content online and syndicating it elsewhere - As I continue my look at Medium and guiding others as they get started, I recognize that fact that many of my colleagues already blog. The question I had to answer was "why should I should move over to Medium. In this post I discuss the opportunity to syndicate, or re-post your own content. View the piece syndicated on Medium here.
Request for Comments on Web Literacy Version 2.0 - This past weekend Version 2.0 of the Web Literacy initiative was launched at MozFest. I've been working on this project since its inception and want to continue to try and help shape it. If you'd like to help out, please visit the following EtherPad, or go directly to this Google Doc to add your feedback.

🔖 Key Takeaways

Philosophy Regret: Diving deeper into philosophy and regretting lack of this content in my earlier education.
Terrible Title: Salman Rushdie interview with (IMHO) a terrible title, but interview about writing, creativity, magic, evil, pleasure.
Quiet Mind: Why writers run. Creating quiet in the mind, letting the wondrous machine that is our brain do its work.
Tetris Tip: Jane McGonigal recommends playing Tetris five minutes before bed. I've had troubles finding good app not junked with ads.
Make and Remake: Paulo Freire on coding as literacy. Helping people learn they can make and remake themselves.

📺 Watch

LITERATURE - Marcel Proust

I've been diving deeper and deeper into philosophy over the past year. I'm regretting the lack of this content in my earlier education.

To get jump started, go listen to this interview with Alain de Botton. It's just under two hours. Go for a walk, do the dishes, paint a picture. Listen to this interview on iTunes, Stitcher, or your favorite podcasting app. You need to listen to this. :)

I'm also subscribing to The School of Life on YouTube after listening to Alain on the podcast.

📚 Read

Salman Rushdie on fiction, ISIS, and the war on pleasure

Dear reader...IMHO that title for this blog post is terrible. Despite the title of the post...you should listen to this interview (Soundcloud, iTunes) with Salman Rushdie on The Moment Podcast.

The podcast is under an hour long. I think the beginning was excellent and the ending fantastic. To me the interview was more about writing, creativity, magic, evil, and pleasure.

For those of you that create, write, make, teach, or learn...this is another bit of insight that I believe you'll value.

Writing sci-fi for the stage...and the ears

Many of you enjoyed the Serial podcast. I talked with many people that loved listening and trying to solve the mystery online. I talked tons of teachers that listened to and discussed the podcast with their students.

If you like science, sci-fi, extraterrestrials, cypher/crypto...then you need to listen to The Message.

The post above is a discussion with the creator, Mac Rogers, and digs in to the "rules" of writing for the stage and serialized drama.

Why writers run

Now that I've given you a ton of things to go listen to...you might be wondering what else to do during that time.

This piece by Nick Ripatrazone on The Atlantic is about much more than writers running. To me it was about creativity, inspiration, and creating quiet in the mind to make that happen.

I've blogged in the past about my own 30 day challenge (that has become a habit) with meditation. I think we need to find opportunities to clear our heads out, calm the mind, and let the wonderous machine that is our brain do its work.

If you're looking at other opportunities to clear out your own head...I recommend checking out Laura Hilliger's post on structure and routine.

How video games can teach your brain to fight depression

This Slate article by Jane McGonigal discusses the benefits of gaming, and specifically a "gameful" mindset as you approach daily challenges.

You can learn more by checking out the SuperBetter book and app. Or, as I learned from her interview on the Tim Ferriss podcast...install Tetris on your phone and play it for five minutes at the end of the night. I play Tetroid on Android as I've had troubles finding a good Tetris app that isn't junked up with ads and fluff.

While we're discussing the positive potential of games to heal...there is new research out looking at the opportunity to increase engagement and help students learn through challenging games.

The digital revolution in higher education has already happened. No one noticed.

Great piece by Clay Shirky in which he discusses the new normal...online education is a fundamental part of our experience in higher ed. The challenge is that it appears that we haven't put that much thought into what it could, or should be.

He states:

Given the lousy fit between institutional assumptions and the actual lives of most students, we should applaud their inventiveness in using digital options to make college work for them. But we should also recognize our complicity in creating a system that works so badly in the first place. Online classes are no longer surprising, or experimental, or rare. By adopting them, students are telling us what they need our institutions to become.

I agree with the points that he makes. I am concerned for what is happening in K-12 education.

A different approach to coding

This post by Mitch Resnick and David Siegel, students have tremendous opportunities to make and remake themselves as they learn to code. In the post they provide some framing for the 2015 Hour of Code that will be lunched by Code.org.

They discuss a need to understand the motivations and perspectives that promote this focus on coding and programming. They view it as more of a literacy as opposed to preparing workers for the future.

In the post they state:

As young people express themselves with Scratch, they begin to think of themselves differently, just as they do when they learn to write. The Brazilian educator Paulo Freire recognized that writing is more than just a practical skill. He led literacy campaigns in poor communities not simply to help people get jobs, but to help people learn that, in his words, "they can make and remake themselves."

🔨 Do

Learn how to code with Star Wars: The Force Awakens characters

If you're interested in building up your own skill set in coding...or bringing it into your classroom, I recommend checking out this Star Wars themed coding program from Code.org.

Use drag and drop blocks to help Rey and BB-8 negotiate the backgrounds. Recommended for kids ages 11 and up, it's good exposure for coding...and the upcoming movie. :)

🤔 Consider

"The philosophy of the school room in one generation will be the philosophy of the government in the next." — Abraham Lincoln

I've been diving deeper into philosophy, regretting the lack of this content in my earlier education. Alain de Botton's two-hour interview—go for a walk, do the dishes, paint a picture while listening. The School of Life on YouTube became a subscription after hearing Alain on the podcast.

Dear reader, IMHO that title is terrible. Despite the terrible title, Salman Rushdie's interview is about writing, creativity, magic, evil, pleasure. The beginning was excellent, the ending fantastic. For those who create, write, make, teach, or learn—this is insight you'll value.

The Message podcast follows Serial for those who like sci-fi, extraterrestrials, cypher/crypto. Mac Rogers discusses the "rules" of writing for stage and serialized drama. I talked with tons of teachers who listened to and discussed Serial with students. The Message offers similar opportunities.

Why writers run—about much more than running. Creativity, inspiration, creating quiet in the mind to make that happen. My 30-day meditation challenge became a habit. We need to find opportunities to clear our heads out, calm the mind, let the wondrous machine that is our brain do its work. Laura Hilliger's post on structure and routine offers other opportunities to clear out your head.

Jane McGonigal's gameful mindset applies to daily challenges. SuperBetter book and app, or as I learned from Tim Ferriss interview—install Tetris, play five minutes before bed. I play Tetroid on Android, having had troubles finding a good Tetris app that isn't junked up with ads and fluff. New research shows challenging games increase engagement, help students learn.

Clay Shirky: the digital revolution in higher ed already happened, no one noticed. Online education is fundamental to higher ed experience. Challenge is we haven't put much thought into what it could or should be. Given the lousy fit between institutional assumptions and actual student lives, we should applaud their inventiveness using digital options. But also recognize our complicity creating a system that works so badly. Students adopting online classes are telling us what they need our institutions to become. I agree with his points. I am concerned for what's happening in K-12.

Paulo Freire recognized writing is more than practical skill. He led literacy campaigns in poor communities not simply to help people get jobs, but to help people learn they can make and remake themselves. Coding as literacy, not just preparing workers for the future. As young people express themselves with Scratch, they begin to think of themselves differently, just as when they learn to write.

Lincoln's quote: the philosophy of the school room in one generation will be the philosophy of government in the next. What philosophies are we teaching now? Complicity in lousy systems? Or that people can make and remake themselves?

Previous: TLDR 20 • Next: TLDR 22 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Medium — Publishing and syndicating content, answering "why move over to Medium."
Web Literacy Map — Version 2.0 launched at MozFest, working since inception.
Alain de Botton — Philosophy interview on Tim Ferriss, School of Life subscription.
School of Life — YouTube channel after listening to Alain on podcast.
Salman Rushdie — Terrible title, but interview about writing, creativity, magic, evil, pleasure.
The Message — Sci-fi podcast for Serial fans, Mac Rogers on serialized drama rules.
Serial Podcast — Many people solving mystery online, teachers discussing with students.
Nick Ripatrazone — Why writers run, creativity and creating quiet in mind.
30-Day Challenge — Meditation habit formation, clearing heads out.
Laura Hilliger — Post on structure and routine, clearing out your head.
Jane McGonigal — Gameful mindset for daily challenges, SuperBetter book and app.
Tetris — Play five minutes before bed, Tetroid app without ads and fluff.
Challenging Games — New research on engagement and learning through games.
Clay Shirky — Digital revolution in higher ed already happened, complicity in lousy systems.
Paulo Freire — Writing more than practical skill, make and remake themselves.
Coding as Literacy — Not just preparing workers, helping young people think differently.
Scratch — Expressing themselves, beginning to think of themselves differently.
Code.org — Star Wars themed coding program, Hour of Code 2015.
Abraham Lincoln — School room philosophy becomes government philosophy next generation.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 20

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 20

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 20

Published: 2015-11-06 • 📧 Newsletter

Thank you for subscribing to this newsletter. Please feel free to share with others you believe would benefit. In TL;DR I'm sharing things that happened during the week in literacy, technology, and education that I think you should know.

Thanks again for the support. :)

This week I worked on the following:

Hybrid & Blended Learning: Modifying pedagogy across time, place, path, & pace - This week I presented virtually at the AECT panel on "Information Literacy in Online Schooling: Promises, Pitfalls, and Provision." You can access our hackpad here. I spoke about much of the same info I learned from my earlier work on hybrid/blended learning models.
Getting started in Medium: Long form response and advanced writing practices - As I discussed last week in this newsletter, I've started guiding a group of colleagues as they start up blogging. The end result is that we'll syndicate a publication together using Medium. In my first post, I discussed starting up a Medium account, reading, and annotating content. The second post focused on drafting, writing, and publishing in Medium. This week we look at advanced writing techniques, best practices, and writing a stand-alone story.
Struggling Readers? Using theory to complicate understandings of what it means to be literate in school - This week I helped produce this video podcast featuring Katherine Frankel's piece from the LRA "yearbook." Show notes available here.

🔖 Key Takeaways

Essena O'Neill: Instagram star quits social media—my thinking went back and forth, raises identity/gender/values questions.
Web Literacies as Rights: Digital disparities for lower-income teens—fundamental human rights, those needing it most aren't accessing at home or school.
Ageism Overlooked: Joanna Murphy on power dynamics—rarely considered in literacy/technology teaching, examine our own beliefs.
Tiny Tykes Learning: PreK-3 LED hacks and coding clubs—bringing awareness to students while building up my own skillset.
Smart Mirror Project: Hacking old Nexus 7 with son—learning how to hack new things from old together.

📺 Watch

The video shared above is a mirror upload of a video that was shared by Essena O'Neill on November 2nd. Essena has been setting the Internet on fire this week after she quit Instagram and declared war on social media. There has been discussion about whether or not it's a publicity hoax or just evidence of one person growing up online.

I think it raises broader questions about identity, gender, values, and our relationship with online/social media. My own thinking has gone back and forth about this piece. I recommend reading up and searching online for more insight before watching the video above.

Even though she quit social media...you can follow her current work on her blog and her Vimeo channel.

📚 Read

World's top Internet companies and telcos rated on protection of users' digital rights

In the Post-Snowden era, we're increasingly concerned/aware of our privacy and security in online and hybrid spaces. The Ranking Digital Rights 2015 Corporate Accountability Index examines corporate practices and how they affect freedom of expression and privacy.

In the rankings Google scored best among Internet companies while Facebook lagged behind. In this work, it is important to determine and routinely question the values we hold dear in online spaces...and whether or not companies have these same belief systems.

Addressing Ageism in the 21st Century Classroom

Great post from Joanna Murphy at Hybrid Pedagogy looking at the role of power, authority, and truth as we consider age in teaching and learning. Many times we focus on gender or race in examinations of literacy and technology use in teaching. Rarely in my experience do we consider the permutations of ageism and paying attention to power dynamics in and out of the classroom.

Joanna indicates that one of the first steps is examining our own beliefs and notions about these factors.

In our positions of power, we have the ability to shift discourses surrounding our young(er) students and become more aware of how we speak about them and what "isms" we might be enacting with and outside of our classrooms.

The digital disparities facing lower-income teenagers

In a report by Common Sense Media they indicate that only one-fourth of teenagers in houses with less than $35,000 in annual income say that they had their own laptops as compared to 62 percent in households with annual incomes of $100,000 or more.

This news is even more disconcerting when compared to research conducted by the New Lit Lab that indicated that in our schools students that need literacy and technology instruction might not be receiving it.

Put simply, these web literacies are fundamental human rights that all of our students need. It seems that the ones that might need it the most, aren't accessing it at home or school.

Deliberate Practice and Digital Literacies

In this piece by Doug Belshaw on DML Central he discusses possibilities for developing an individual's digital literacies through deliberate practice. In this we embed opportunities to practice and build up facility with digital literacies over time with learners. By focusing on granular skills, we have the opportunity to turn these discrete skills into habits.

I definitely agree with Doug's thinking in this post. I think it's also something (as he indicates) in the post that we need to start at an early age. I spend time with students in Pre-K through three working on LED hacks, and might think about coding clubs as he has indicated. In this I not only bring awareness and instruction to tiny tykes...but also build up my own skillset.

The top six things organizations must do to enable emergent learning

Intriguing overview on emergent learning in organizations, but I think this post contains guidance on enabling and empowering learners in all areas. The focus on a "growth mindset" has been in fashion for the last year or so following Carol Dweck's book.

This post identifies six key elements:

Shift from networks to communities
Give up hierarchical, command and control mindset
Make employees (learner) engagement an outcome, not the goal
Make the purpose bigger than shareholder value creation
Stop viewing individuals as replaceable resources
Celebrate diversity in all aspects - cognitive and otherwise

MozFest remote learning activities

As I type up and send this newsletter out MozFest is running full speed ahead just outside of London. I'm looking forward to this year as they're launching Version 2.0 of the Web Literacy work. I'll have more on the launch of this in the upcoming weeks.

I recommend checking out the projects they shared on the "remote participation" page to engage people not in attendance. In the middle of the page you'll find a series of great projects that will get you hacking, coding, and remixing. Definitely get in there and start playing.

Hipster Barbie quits the Internet, leaving us without a hero

You may not have been following the life and times of Sociality Barbie. If you haven't been in the loop...you've missed out. This Instagram account satirizes the "great millennial adventurer trend in photography."

This week a Portland woman named Darby Cisneros stepped out from the shadows and let everyone know that she was the mind behind the creation. She indicated that she wanted to poke fun at social media, and that it wasn't meant to be a "long term project."

🔨 Do

Build an Android-powered smart mirror

In my house we have several tablets, old phones, and computers from family members, or old purchases that we've moved on from. Most of these are used as gaming devices for my son, quick cameras for classroom use and demos...or waiting to get hacked into something new that we'll use.

One such device is an old Nexus 7 that I've been searching for a new purpose. My initial thought was to use it as an alarm clock that I would use in the guest bedroom. This would be helpful for family/friends that stay over as it would be loaded with maps, apps for the house, and the remote to operate the TV. I'm thinking instead that we'll build this "smart mirror" using the Nexus and the directions from Adafruit. It'll be a fun project that I can work on with my son as we both learn how to hack new things from old.

🤔 Consider

"In the jungle of human existence, there is no feeling of being alive without a sense of identity." — Erik Erikson

Essena O'Neill quits Instagram and sets the Internet on fire. Hoax or just growing up online? My own thinking went back and forth. The piece raises broader questions about identity, gender, values, our relationship with social media. In the jungle of human existence, Erikson said there's no feeling alive without identity. What happens when identity becomes performance for metrics?

Ranking Digital Rights examines corporate practices affecting freedom of expression and privacy. Google scores best, Facebook lags. Important to determine and routinely question the values we hold dear in online spaces, and whether companies share these belief systems. Post-Snowden, we're increasingly aware privacy and security aren't guaranteed.

Joanna Murphy's piece on ageism cuts at something rarely examined. We focus on gender or race in literacy and technology teaching. Rarely in my experience do we consider ageism and power dynamics in classrooms. In our positions of power, we can shift discourses surrounding younger students, become aware of what "isms" we're enacting.

The digital disparities facing lower-income teenagers reveal uncomfortable truths. Only 25% of teens in households under $35K have laptops, compared to 62% in households over $100K. New Lit Lab research shows students needing literacy and technology instruction might not receive it. Put simply: these web literacies are fundamental human rights that all our students need. It seems the ones needing it most aren't accessing it at home or school.

Doug Belshaw's deliberate practice framework resonates. Embed opportunities to practice digital literacies over time, focusing on granular skills turning into habits. I spend time with students in Pre-K through three working on LED hacks, might think about coding clubs. In this I not only bring awareness to tiny tykes, I build up my own skillset.

As I type this newsletter, MozFest runs full speed ahead outside London, launching Web Literacy 2.0. Remote participation projects get people hacking, coding, remixing. Definitely get in there and start playing.

Sociality Barbie quits, satirizing the great millennial adventurer trend in photography. If you haven't been in the loop, you've missed out. Darby Cisneros stepped from shadows revealing she was the mind behind creation. Not meant to be long term project—just poking fun at social media.

The smart mirror project using old Nexus 7—it'll be fun working with my son as we both learn how to hack new things from old. Old devices waiting to get hacked into something new we'll use. Guest bedroom alarm clock becomes smart mirror with maps, apps, TV remote. Learning together matters more than the final product.

Identity in the jungle of human existence. Essena O'Neill, Sociality Barbie, Instagram performances, digital disparities, ageism, PreK LED hacks, hacking old devices new. All questions about who we are, who we're becoming, what fundamental rights look like in digital spaces.

Previous: TLDR 19 • Next: TLDR 21 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Hybrid and Blended Learning — AECT panel on information literacy in online schooling.
Medium — Advanced writing tutorial part 3, long form response and stand-alone stories.
LRA — Katherine Frankel video podcast on Struggling Readers, yearbook piece.
Essena O'Neill — Instagram star quits social media, identity/gender/values questions.
Digital Rights — Ranking Digital Rights 2015 Corporate Accountability Index, Google vs Facebook.
Joanna Murphy — Ageism in 21st century classrooms, power dynamics rarely examined.
Digital Divide — Lower-income teens 25% laptop access vs 62% in wealthy households.
Web Literacies — Fundamental human rights, those needing most aren't accessing.
New Lit Lab — UConn research on students needing instruction not receiving it.
Doug Belshaw — Deliberate practice and digital literacies, granular skills to habits.
PreK LED Hacks — Working with tiny tykes, building up my own skillset.
Carol Dweck — Growth mindset in fashion following book publication.
MozFest — Running outside London, Web Literacy 2.0 launch, remote participation.
Sociality Barbie — Darby Cisneros satirizing millennial adventurer photography trend.
Smart Mirror — Hacking old Nexus 7 with son, Adafruit directions.
Erik Erikson — Identity in jungle of human existence.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 2

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 2

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 2

Published: July 4, 2015 • 📧 Newsletter

🔖 Key Takeaways

Build Your Own Space: Why you should maintain your own corner of the internet rather than relying solely on platforms you don't control
Facebook Rainbow Experiment: When something is free online, you're usually the product—those profile photos were likely tracked
Human-Machine Future: We need to define what future we want with machines before it's too late to choose
VR Enters Classrooms: Google Cardboard offers cheap entry point for augmented and virtual reality in education
Cyberbullying Criminalized: New Zealand makes online harassment a crime, raising questions about implementation

Welcome to Too Long; Didn't Read, issue 2.

This week I finally made it back into the Education Department at UNH. It was good to see my old colleagues. I also finished grading assignments and awarding badges for the ORMS MOOC.

I had three posts this week:

Attended a fantastic webinar put together by AppSumo and Fedora. Starting to build up an online school and some classes. More on that at a later date.

📺 Watch

Mr. Robot: Extended Sneak Peek

Mr. Robot is a great new series starting up on the USA Network. A hacker drama that takes cybersecurity and digital privacy seriously.

📚 Read

Nine Ways to Help Students Embrace the Revision Process

Adequate and appropriate tips to develop the revision process in your classroom. I value the "teacher as maker" thread embedded in the list.

I also value John Spencer's website as I continue to edit my site.

This Website Only Lets One Person in at a Time

What?!?! Read more here at the Washington Post...or just sign up and get in line here.

Were All Those Rainbow Profile Photos Another Facebook Study?

You have to remember that when something is free online...you're usually the piece for sale.

My thinking is that it is being tracked by Facebook. It would be fascinating data.

The (Far-Flung) Future of Wearables

Sure, we can think about our FitBits, Android Wear, and Apple Watches and how many steps in a day. But what are your thoughts about "synthetically engineered microorganisms in custom-designed vessels"?

I'd rather have this instead of knowing that I need to walk more and I sleep horribly. :)

The Future of Man, Machine, and Work

Fascinating post by Irving Wladawsky-Berger in response to the piece from the Harvard Business Review.

I think we need to start considering (and defining/coding) what future we want with the machines...before it's too late. :)

The Future of LEGO Plastic

Why is LEGO spending millions (and 15 years) to transition away from oil-based plastic? Good foresight...and a plan to move the toy/hobby industry.

New Zealand Makes Cyberbullying a Crime

I like the fact that this is a focus by the government. I wonder how this will be implemented...and what the ramifications are.

How Other Sriracha Sauces Compare to the Original

Love it or hate it...you have to admit that it is everywhere. How good are the other brands/versions?

🔨 Do

Make Your Own Google Cardboard for the Classroom

Augmented and virtual reality may be the future of the classroom. To start preparing for the future...and possible headaches, dizziness, & nausea...build your own Google Cardboard and start testing.

🤔 Consider

When something is free online...you're usually the piece for sale.

I think we need to start considering (and defining/coding) what future we want with the machines...before it's too late.

These two observations from this issue frame the central tension of our digital lives. We trade data for convenience, attention for access, privacy for connection. And as AI and automation accelerate, the window for shaping that future narrows. The question isn't whether to participate in digital spaces—it's whether we do so with eyes open.

Previous: TLDR 1 • Next: TLDR 3 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Privacy Rights — Facebook experiments, data as currency, surveillance capitalism
02 CURATE/Media Literacy — Understanding platform business models, critical consumption
Pedagogy — Revision process, teacher as maker, VR in classrooms
Digital Wellbeing — Building your own online space, digital identity
Philosophy — Human-machine futures, defining the world we want

TLDR 19

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 19

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 19

Published: 2015-10-30 • 📧 Newsletter

Thanks again for the support. :)

This week I worked on the following:

Web Literacy Map: Read, write, & participate for a better web - This week the video I produced documenting the history of the web literacy map up to this point for the K12 Online Conference was finally released. You can check out all of the great work at the 2015 schedule page. I'll share the video I created down below. I think I spent a bit too much time on it. :)
Getting started in Medium: Drafting, writing, and publishing - As I discussed last week in this newsletter, I've started guiding a group of colleagues as they start up blogging. The end result is that we'll syndicate a publication together using Medium. In my first post, I discussed starting up a Medium account, reading, and annotating content. This week I focus on drafting, writing, and publishing in Medium. I've been crossposting my work on Medium and LinkedIN lately. The link above is to the version on Medium. I'll share more next week as I look at how we syndicate to one publication. I'll also soon invite more people in as I share this with the broader audience in the Literacy Research Association.

🔖 Key Takeaways

Web Literacy Video: K12 Online documentary/satire/remix using CC-licensed content—spent a bit too much time on it.
Gifting vs Sharing: Tim Rayner's distinction, a potential of web is gifting (sharing for impact), not just sharing.
Build Your Own Space: Kathleen Fitzpatrick's response to Academia.edu—own your online space, share everywhere readers are.
Testing Limits Skepticism: Obama Administration calls for testing limits—I'm grudgingly sharing, I'll believe it when I see changes.
Aim Small, Miss Small: Animated GIF creation practice using Recordit with crosshairs on small windows and movements.

📺 Watch

Web Literacy Map Version 1.5: Read, Write, and Participate for a Better Web

The video above is the piece I produced and shared for K12 Online 2015, as I documented in the post above. The resultant piece is part documentary, part satire, part critique of the current state of ed tech, and all remix using tons of CC-licensed content. Enjoy. :)

📚 Read

As I spend more time in Medium, I have to admit that I like some of the pieces that the system pops up in my feed. An example of this "serendipity" is this piece by Tim Rayner on how we consume, share, and gift online.

In this post, Tim is discussing the affordances of the online social space, and what behaviors do we want to promote as we connect with others. I've been thinking more and more about this in the context of this newsletter, blogging, teaching, and other activities.

"Sharing is cool, but it's not the potential of the web. The potential of the web as a connective tissue for human beings is gifting — that is, sharing for impact."

Academia, Not Edu

Great post by Kathleen Fitzpatrick from the Modern Language Association. This post primarily focuses on the use and development of the MLA Commons to allow scholars to disseminate their work.

The broader perspective in this post focuses on the questions that exist as we share our work out online. Some of my colleagues will share their work and publications out on their website. Many more will post their work to Academia.edu or ResearchGate.

Put simply, when you post your work to these spaces, you to need to consider the motives and purposes of these business and what they'll with, or for your work.

My quick response? Build up your own online space, share out your work, share it everywhere the readers are located.

No more pencils, no more books: Artificial intelligence is replacing the textbook - and reshaping American education

A thought provoking piece from Will Oremus at Slate. The post discusses the fact that as many educators, researchers and scholars argue about flipping classrooms, MOOCs, project-based learning...publishers are leading the way and reinventing themselves as ed tech companies with the solution.

The thinking is that adaptive software and artificial intelligence might first be able to help students answer problems and pass standardized tests. But, as technology advances, it might be able to make inferences about conceptual understanding.

U.S. DOE launches campaign to encourage schools to #GoOpen with educational resources

This week the U.S. Department of Education announced the new regulations to spur the creation, distribution, and use of open educational resources. Open licensed educational resources are learning materials that can be used for teaching, learning, and assessment without cost. They can be modified and redistributed without violating copyright laws.

Specifically, the DOE announced that proposed new regulations would require all copyrightable intellectual property created with Department grant funds to have an open license. :)

Digital writing as mode of thinking

Great post by Mia Zamora on DMLCentral examining the consideration of voice, audience, and context as digital tools expand our concepts of "writing."

This post kicks off Digital Writing Month (#DigiWriMo) and focuses on four broad themes:

Writing: The Shifting Notions of Writing;
Visual: Using our Lens to Compose;
Audio: The Story of Sound and Waves; and
Transmedia: Pushing into the Edges of Stories.

Obama Administration calls for limits on testing in schools

I'm grudgingly sharing this out in this week's newsletter. Many of my students and colleagues heard this news on NPR, and were obviously excited. I'll believe it more when I see changes happening.

While we're at it...let's give every student a domain of their own, authentically use tech and digital literacies in schools, and value educators a bit more. :)

🔨 Do

You may consider GIFs (Graphic Interchange Formats) to be annoying/silly/awesome online. You may argue about how to pronounce the term. Whatever your vantage point...start using, sharing, and most of all making animated GIFs to add to publications.

Throughout my blogs, I experiment with the use of GIFs to share information. I often use a mix of still images and videos. In many of these posts, I'm finding that it's far better to include text, and then a short, animated GIF showing while I tell.

I'm also realizing that there is a subtle art in making a GIF, presenting it on the page, and not making it annoying. My current practice involves the use of Recordit, and using the crosshairs to focus on small windows..and small movements. Aim small...miss small.

🤔 Consider

"There is nothing to writing. All you do is sit down at a typewriter and bleed." — Ernest Hemingway

The Web Literacy Map video became part documentary, part satire, part critique, all remix. I think I spent a bit too much time on it, but CC-licensed content creates possibilities for making meaning through recombination. The remix becomes the message.

Tim Rayner's distinction between sharing and gifting cuts to the heart of what we're doing online. Sharing is cool, but gifting—sharing for impact—is the potential of the web as connective tissue for human beings. This newsletter, blogging, teaching, are all activities where I'm thinking more about gifting versus just distributing content.

Kathleen Fitzpatrick's response to Academia.edu and ResearchGate raises questions about who owns your work when you post to platforms. Consider the motives and purposes of these businesses. My quick response? Build up your own online space, share out your work, share it everywhere the readers are located. Own your infrastructure.

Will Oremus' piece on adaptive learning software reveals an uncomfortable truth: while educators argue about flipping classrooms, MOOCs, project-based learning, publishers are leading the way reinventing themselves as ed tech companies with the solution. AI might first help students pass standardized tests, then make inferences about conceptual understanding. The question is whether understanding can be algorithmically inferred.

The US DOE's GoOpen campaign requiring Department grant-funded intellectual property to have open licenses feels like progress. Open educational resources can be used, modified, redistributed without cost or copyright violation. This is infrastructure for educational equity.

Mia Zamora's Digital Writing Month launch expands concepts of "writing" through voice, audience, context. Four themes: shifting notions of writing, using our lens to compose, the story of sound and waves, pushing into the edges of stories. Writing becomes multimodal thinking.

I'm grudgingly sharing the Obama Administration's testing limits announcement. Students and colleagues are obviously excited. I'll believe it more when I see changes happening. While we're at it—let's give every student a domain of their own, authentically use tech and digital literacies in schools, and value educators a bit more.

Animated GIF creation involves subtle art—presenting on the page without making it annoying. Recordit with crosshairs focused on small windows, small movements. Aim small...miss small. The constraint creates clarity.

Hemingway said writing is sitting down and bleeding. But bleeding isn't enough—you need to gift the blood, share for impact, build your own space, aim small and miss small.

Previous: TLDR 18 • Next: TLDR 20 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Web Literacy Map — Version 1.5 K12 Online video, documentary/satire/critique/remix.
Mozilla — Web literacy initiative documenting history up to this point.
Medium — Drafting, writing, publishing tutorial for colleague blogging group.
Tim Rayner — Gifting vs sharing distinction, web as connective tissue for humans.
Kathleen Fitzpatrick — MLA Commons, Academia.edu critique, owning your infrastructure.
Academia.edu — Platform motives question, consider what they do with your work.
ResearchGate — Similar platform concerns about ownership and purpose.
Domain of One's Own — Build your own online space, share everywhere readers are.
Adaptive Learning — AI replacing textbooks, Will Oremus on publisher reinvention.
Open Educational Resources — US DOE #GoOpen campaign, grant-funded open licenses.
Digital Writing — Mia Zamora on voice/audience/context, writing as mode of thinking.
DigiWriMo — Digital Writing Month, four themes from shifting notions to transmedia.
Standardized Testing — Obama limits announcement, grudging skepticism about changes.
Animated GIFs — Recordit practice, aim small miss small, subtle art of presentation.
Literacy Research Association — Broader audience for Medium publication invitation.
Ernest Hemingway — Writing is sitting down and bleeding.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 189

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 189

Chilling Effects & Other Attempts to Silence

Published: 2019-03-16 • 📧 Newsletter

Welcome to Issue 189. Chilling effects and other attempts to silence.

Hi all, welcome to TL;DR. My name is Ian O'Byrne. I research, teach, & write about technology in our lives. I try to synthesize what happened this week in tech...so you can be the expert as well.

I posted a couple of other things this week:

Is your child a dandelion, an orchid, or a tulip? - Guidance from research on environmental sensitivity that might add to our understanding of the differences among children.
Storytelling - A post providing an overview of the theories and research informing storytelling.
Preparing for productivity using Chrome, apps, & some tweaks on a Mac - A quick video lecture focusing on how I structure assessments including formative and summative assessments in Peergrade.

🔖 Key Takeaways

WWW 30th Anniversary: Tim Berners-Lee invented World Wide Web in 1989 to help scientists share experimental data by linking documents through hypertext creating foundation for modern internet.
Facebook Breakup Necessity: Konstantin Kakaes exposes Zuckerberg's privacy essay as power grab disguised as contrition, arguing Facebook's uncategorizable size and unprecedented profitability require antitrust action.
Chilling Effects on Science: Online activists targeting researchers whose studies challenge their disease narratives create chilling effect discouraging investigation and ultimately harming patients who need cures.
Cyber-Hygiene as Civic Duty: Larry Sanger advocates treating information privacy as personal, familial, and civic duty requiring active data protection against executives, criminals, and tyrants.
Big Tech Antitrust Action: Elizabeth Warren proposes designating platforms with $25 billion+ revenue as "platform utilities" subject to antitrust enforcement breaking up tech monopolies damaging economy, society, and democracy.

📺 Watch

Deepfake Example

As a regular reader of this newsletter, we've talked about deepfakes in the past. This is one of the best examples of a deepfake I've found in a long time. I'll be using this for some upcoming talks.

Deepfakes represent synthetic media where AI generates convincing fake videos by swapping faces, manipulating expressions, or fabricating entire performances. The technology uses generative adversarial networks (GANs) to learn facial features and movements, producing increasingly realistic forgeries. Early deepfakes were obviously fake—uncanny valley effects, poor lighting matches, weird artifacts. Modern versions are nearly indistinguishable from authentic footage. The implications span entertainment (de-aging actors, posthumous performances), misinformation (fake political speeches, fabricated evidence), and abuse (non-consensual pornography). The challenge isn't just detection—which becomes harder as technology improves—but epistemological: how do we maintain shared reality when video evidence becomes unreliable? The solution requires both technical approaches (forensic tools, blockchain verification) and social ones (media literacy, institutional trust-building).

📚 Read

World Wide Web Turns 30

Happy 30th Birthday to the World Wide Web.

The world wide web was invented by Sir Tim Berners-Lee in 1989 – originally he was trying to find a new way for scientists to easily share the data from their experiments. Hypertext (text displayed on a computer display that links to other text the reader can immediately access) and the internet already existed, but no one had thought of a way to use the internet to link one document directly to another.

Berners-Lee's breakthrough was elegantly simple: combine hypertext, networking, and universal identifiers (URLs) to create system where any document could link to any other. The three core technologies—HTML (formatting), HTTP (transfer protocol), URLs (addressing)—enabled distributed information architecture without central control. Berners-Lee worked at CERN when he developed the Web, crucially deciding to release it freely rather than patent it. This open approach enabled exponential growth: from one website in 1991 to millions within years. The Web transformed from academic tool to commercial platform to social infrastructure to contested political space. Thirty years later, the open Web faces threats from platform consolidation, surveillance capitalism, authoritarian control, and fragmentation. Berners-Lee now advocates for Web renewal through decentralization, data ownership, and returning to original vision of distributed, user-controlled network.

Zuckerberg's New Privacy Essay Shows Why Facebook Needs to Be Broken Up

Facebook appears to be in the middle of a pivot.

In "A Privacy-Focused Vision for Social Networking", a 3,200-word essay that Zuckerberg posted to Facebook on March 6, he says he wants to "build a simpler platform that's focused on privacy first." In apparent surprise, he writes: "People increasingly also want to connect privately in the digital equivalent of the living room."

This piece from Konstantin Kakaes hits the nail on the head:

Zuckerberg's essay is a power grab disguised as an act of contrition. Read it carefully, and it's impossible to escape the conclusion that if privacy is to be protected in any meaningful way, Facebook must be broken up.

Facebook grew so big, so quickly that it defies categorization. It is a newspaper. It is a post office and a telephone exchange. It is a forum for political debate, and it is a sports broadcaster. It's a birthday-reminder service and a collective photo album. It is all of these things—and many others—combined, and so it is none of them.

Zuckerberg describes Facebook as a town square. It isn't. Facebook is a company that brought in more than $55 billion in advertising revenue last year, with a 45% profit margin. This makes it one of the most profitable business ventures in human history. It must be understood as such.

Kakaes exposes Zuckerberg's rhetorical sleight of hand. The "privacy pivot" claims Facebook will shift from public sharing to private messaging while integrating WhatsApp, Instagram, and Messenger into unified encrypted infrastructure. Sounds positive—except it consolidates Facebook's control across previously separate platforms while laundering reputation through privacy promises. The town square metaphor obscures that Facebook is profit-maximizing corporation extracting value from user data and attention. The uncategorizable size argument is crucial: Facebook operates simultaneously as publisher, common carrier, advertising network, payment processor, identity system, news distributor, and democratic infrastructure—wielding power no single entity should have. Historical precedent: AT&T breakup, Standard Oil dissolution. The problem isn't that Facebook does each thing badly but that doing everything enables monopoly power incompatible with democratic governance. Breaking up Facebook means separating platforms (Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp), prohibiting platform owners from competing on their own infrastructure, and treating essential digital services as utilities requiring public accountability.

Researchers say social media activists' thought-policing is having a chilling effect on pursuing cures for diseases.

Advocates on social media are targeting scientists who release studies that don't fit into their views on the diseases, going so far as to wishing for the demise of their careers because of a research paper. Scientists say it can dissuade researchers for wanting to do work on certain diseases, setting off a vicious cycle where patients are the ones who suffer.

The chilling effects phenomenon describes how fear of consequences causes self-censorship even without formal prohibition. Scientists report that publishing findings contradicting patient advocacy narratives about diseases (chronic fatigue syndrome, Lyme disease, myalgic encephalomyelitis) triggers coordinated harassment campaigns: mass emails to employers demanding firing, negative reviews on grant applications, social media pile-ons, career threats. The researchers emphasize they're investigating disease mechanisms to develop treatments—the goal is helping patients. But activists insist certain etiologies (psychological factors, incremental rehabilitation) delegitimize suffering and protect medical establishment. The conflict: activists have legitimate grievances about medical dismissal of poorly understood conditions, while scientists need freedom to investigate unpopular hypotheses. The problem: online harassment replaces scientific debate, making controversial research too costly personally and professionally. The consequence: researchers avoid contentious areas, leaving patients without answers. The resolution requires distinguishing between justified criticism of bad science and harassment suppressing legitimate inquiry, while acknowledging that scientific authority has historically dismissed patient experience, particularly for women and marginalized groups.

We're Not Safe Without Information Privacy

Larry Sanger, co-founder of Wikipedia, CIO of Everipedia on information privacy in digital spaces.

Sanger closes by sharing how he is locking down his cyber-life. He describes this as your personal, familial, and civic duty.

Think of it as cyber-hygiene. You need to wash your data regularly. It's time to learn. Our swinish data habits are really starting to stink the place up, and it's making the executives, criminals, and tyrants think they can rule the sty.

Sanger frames information privacy as civic responsibility, not individual preference. The personal dimension: protecting against identity theft, financial fraud, harassment. The familial dimension: safeguarding children's data, securing household networks, modeling digital citizenship. The civic dimension: resisting surveillance capitalism, maintaining democratic participation, preventing authoritarian control. His "locking down" approach includes: using privacy-focused browsers and search engines, enabling encryption everywhere, minimizing data sharing with platforms, supporting open-source alternatives, practicing operational security. The cyber-hygiene metaphor is apt: like physical hygiene prevents disease spread, digital hygiene prevents surveillance proliferation. The "swinish data habits" critique indicts both users (carelessly sharing everything) and companies (exploiting that carelessness). The concentration of personal data enables executives to manipulate, criminals to exploit, and tyrants to control. Privacy isn't about having something to hide but maintaining power balance—refusing to be ruled requires refusing total transparency.

Here's How We Can Break Up Big Tech

Sen. Elizabeth Warren published an extensive plan on Friday to break up big tech companies likes Facebook, Google, Amazon, and Apple.

If elected president in 2020, Warren, a Massachusetts Democrat, said that she would pass legislation that would classify large tech platforms with annual global revenue of $25 billion or more as "platform utilities," and break them apart via antitrust laws.

Today's big tech companies have too much power — too much power over our economy, our society, and our democracy. They've bulldozed competition, used our private information for profit, and tilted the playing field against everyone else. And in the process, they have hurt small businesses and stifled innovation.

Warren's proposal has two main components: platform utility designation and structural separation. Platforms exceeding $25 billion revenue (Facebook, Google, Amazon, Apple) would be designated "platform utilities"—similar to railroads or electricity grids, providing essential infrastructure requiring nondiscriminatory access. Structural separation prohibits platform owners from competing on their own platforms: Amazon can't sell Amazon Basics products on Amazon marketplace, Google can't favor Google services in search results, Apple can't privilege Apple apps in App Store. The economic argument: current system allows giants to use platform power to crush competition, acquire potential rivals, and extract monopoly rents. The democratic argument: concentrated private power over speech, commerce, and information threatens self-governance. The innovation argument: breaking up monopolies releases entrepreneurial energy, as AT&T breakup enabled cell phone innovation and Standard Oil dissolution enabled competitive oil markets. The objection: breaking up successful companies punishes excellence. The response: these companies grew through anticompetitive practices (predatory pricing, forced bundling, data advantages, strategic acquisitions), not just superior products. The precedent: antitrust enforcement has historical pedigree when market concentration threatens public interest.

🔨 Do

AR/VR Classroom Experiments

Over the next couple of weeks in my tech classes, we'll start diving into augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR). I'm investigating ways to have students make their own Google Cardboard in class.

Google Cardboard democratized VR by providing low-cost ($5-15) headset using smartphones as display and processing. The DIY approach teaches students about VR technology while enabling hands-on experimentation: understanding optics (lenses create stereoscopic 3D), sensors (gyroscope tracks head movement), and software (apps render perspective-correct images). Educational VR applications include virtual field trips (visiting distant locations), spatial learning (exploring molecular structures, architectural designs), empathy experiences (perspective-taking scenarios), and skills training (simulated practice environments). AR overlays digital information on physical world through phone cameras, enabling interactive learning (pointing phone at diagram to see 3D model), contextual information (identifying plants, translating signs), and creative expression (designing virtual sculptures in physical spaces). The pedagogical value isn't technology itself but how immersive experiences enable learning impossible through traditional media—embodied cognition, spatial reasoning, perspective shifts.

🤔 Consider

"Old George Orwell got it backward. Big Brother isn't watching. He's singing and dancing. He's pulling rabbits out of a hat. Big Brother's busy holding your attention every moment you're awake. He's making sure you're always distracted. He's making sure you're fully absorbed. He's making sure your imagination withers. Until it's as useful as your appendix. He's making sure your attention is always filled. And this being fed, it's worse than being watched. With the world always filling you, no one has to worry about what's in your mind. With everyone's imagination atrophied, no one will ever be a threat to the world." — Chuck Palahniuk

Palahniuk's inversion clarifies contemporary control mechanisms. Orwellian surveillance worried about what you're thinking—requiring monitoring, suppression, fear. Modern platform power doesn't need to watch because it controls attention itself—the deeper invasion. WWW's 30th birthday celebrates tools for connection that became engines of distraction. Facebook's privacy pivot obscures that surveillance capitalism depends less on watching than on capturing attention for ad targeting. Scientists experience chilling effects not from surveillance but from attention mobs wielding harassment as weapon. Warren's Big Tech critique addresses how platforms monopolize attention as much as markets. Cyber-hygiene protects privacy but does little against attention capture. The existential threat isn't Big Brother watching but Big Brother distracting—imagination withering from constant feeding makes resistance unthinkable.

Previous: TLDR 188 • Next: DL 190 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

WWW 30th Anniversary — Tim Berners-Lee inventing World Wide Web in 1989 to link documents through hypertext deciding to release freely rather than patent enabling exponential open growth in Internet History.
Facebook Breakup Necessity — Konstantin Kakaes exposing Zuckerberg privacy essay as power grab with Facebook's uncategorizable monopoly power requiring antitrust action and structural separation in Platform Regulation.
Chilling Effects Research — Online activists targeting scientists whose disease research challenges advocacy narratives creating chilling effect discouraging investigation ultimately harming patients in Academic Freedom.
Big Tech Antitrust — Elizabeth Warren proposing platform utility designation for $25 billion+ companies with structural separation prohibiting platform owners competing on own infrastructure in Antitrust Policy.
Attention Capitalism — Chuck Palahniuk arguing Big Brother's power comes from capturing attention through distraction rather than Orwellian surveillance making imagination atrophy through constant feeding in Media Theory.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 188

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 188

Orchids and Dandelions

Published: 2019-03-09 • 📧 Newsletter

Welcome to Issue 188. Orchids and dandelions.

Hi all, welcome to TL;DR. My name is Ian O'Byrne. I research, teach, & write about technology in our lives. I try to synthesize what happened this week in tech...so you can be the expert as well.

I posted a couple of other things this week:

Online safety guide for parents & care-givers - This portal from the National Online Safety organization shares their most up to date guides for social media apps and platforms.
Encouraging peer evaluation & feedback of student work using Peergrade - A quick video lecture focusing on how I structure assessments including formative and summative assessments in Peergrade.

🔖 Key Takeaways

Momo Challenge Hoax: Viral urban legend about supposed suicide game demonstrates how moral panic spreads faster than evidence, with UK Safer Internet Centre calling it "fake news" and YouTube finding no evidence.
VPN Privacy Theater: Most VPN providers may increase privacy risks rather than reduce them, with ethical operators nearly impossible to identify revealing another form of security theater.
Open Access Victory: University of California canceling $11 million annual Elsevier subscriptions represents major advancement for open access movement against publishing monopolies demanding escalating costs.
YouTube Fact-Checking Limitations: Platform adding information panels to controversial searches while recommendation algorithm continues creating radicalization pipelines reveals surface-level intervention avoiding systemic fixes.
Orchid and Dandelion Framework: Most children are resilient dandelions coping well with stress while minority are sensitive orchids with heightened biological reactivity requiring different support approaches.

📺 Watch

The Momo Challenge Hoax

Dear readers of this newsletter...I apologize that I did not pick up on the Momo challenge up until this point. It was not until some friends of mine in edtech indicated that fearful parents were inundating schools with calls from fearful parents asking what they should do about this supposed suicide game.

Before you keep exploring, please note that this is a viral urban legend that has been persistent online for a little over a year.

The UK Safer Internet Centre called the claims "fake news". YouTube said it had seen no evidence of videos showing or promoting the Momo challenge on its platform.

The Momo Challenge demonstrates how contemporary moral panics spread through social media amplification. A creepy sculpture (actually artwork by Japanese special effects company) becomes associated with unverified claims of dangerous content targeting children. Worried parents share warnings, media reports on parental concerns, schools respond to inquiries, creating feedback loop where reporting on panic generates more panic. No credible evidence emerged of actual Momo-related harm, but widespread fear was real. The mechanism: disturbing imagery plus child safety concerns plus social media virality plus traditional media coverage equals mass hysteria. The pattern repeats: Slenderman, Blue Whale, every generation's version of "stranger danger" adapted to digital contexts. The challenge isn't content moderation but media literacy—helping parents distinguish between legitimate threats and viral legends.

📚 Read

VPNs and Privacy Theater

I've talked about virtual private networks (VPNs) a lot in the past in this newsletter. VPNs extend a private network by allowing you to send and receive data across a shared network as if you were directly connected to the private network. What this means is that you would connect to a third party, and then conduct your web navigation from there.

This piece from Will Oremus in Slate shares his exploration and research of some of the companies that exist in the VPN market. He basically suggests that most of these companies are a complete waste of money...and perhaps may be more a privacy risk than just searching openly online.

Read this post in TechDirt from Karl Bode for more on this important topic.

VPN privacy promises rest on trusting third party more than your ISP. The marketing claims: VPNs encrypt traffic, hide browsing from ISP, protect on public WiFi, enable geo-spoofing. The reality: you're shifting trust from ISP (regulated, accountable, visible) to VPN provider (often anonymous, jurisdiction-shopping, incentivized to monetize your data). Most VPN companies operate opaquely—who owns them? Where are servers located? Do they log traffic despite "no logging" claims? Have they been audited? The investigation reveals sketchy practices: shared infrastructure across competing "brands," ownership by data brokers, connections to malware distribution, marketing through sponsored content disguised as journalism. The fundamental problem: VPN privacy depends entirely on provider trustworthiness, which is nearly impossible to verify. For most users, VPNs provide security theater—feeling of protection without meaningful privacy gain, possibly creating new vulnerabilities.

Big Win For Open Access, As University Of California Cancels All Elsevier Subscriptions, Worth $11 Million A Year

The move to open access resources, whereby anyone can read academic papers for free, is on a long, hard journey. However, the victories are starting to build up, and here's another one that could have important wider ramifications for open access, especially in the US. The University of California system indicated this week that they are moving to an open access model. They did this in grand fashion by canceling all of their subscriptions to Elsevier.

The problems faced by the University of California (UC) are the usual ones. The publishing giant Elsevier was willing to move to an open access model – but only if the University of California paid even more on top of what were already "rapidly escalating costs". To its credit, the institution instead decided to walk, depriving Elsevier of around $11 million a year (pdf).

UC's Elsevier cancellation represents major escalation in open access battles. The absurd system: publicly-funded researchers conduct studies, write papers, peer review others' work (unpaid), then universities pay publishers massive fees to access research they created. Elsevier's profit margins (37%) exceed Apple's, extracted from publicly-funded scholarship. Publishers claim they add value through editing, formatting, distribution—but digital publishing costs approach zero while subscription prices climb 5-7% annually. UC's leverage: 10-campus system, major research output, collective bargaining power. The risk: faculty and students temporarily lose access to paywalled journals. The bet: alternative access methods (interlibrary loan, preprint servers, author copies) plus pressure on Elsevier will prove sustainable. The stakes: if UC succeeds, other institutions follow, potentially breaking publishing oligopoly strangling scholarly communication. Open access isn't just about free papers but restructuring knowledge production away from profit extraction toward public benefit.

YouTube: Okay What If We Suggest Racist Videos But Add Context?

Arimeta Diop in The Outline on an attempt by YouTube to curb the proliferation of false information on their platform. The online video giant has started rolling out a new feature that will fact-check user's searches.

YouTube's algorithm can take a user from a benign news report from a reputable source to content from anti-immigrant hate groups in just a few clicks through their "Up Next" recommendations. With the new feature, when a user searches a topic that has been at the center of controversy or "prone to misinformation," an "information panel" debunking and offering accurate information from fact checkers will then appear, Buzzfeed reports.

YouTube's fact-checking panels treat symptom while ignoring disease. The actual problem: recommendation algorithm optimizes for engagement (watch time, clicks, session duration) which systemically promotes inflammatory, conspiratorial, extreme content because outrage drives engagement. The documented pipeline: someone watches mainstream news, algorithm recommends increasingly extreme content, within hours they're watching white nationalist propaganda or conspiracy theories. YouTube knows this—their own research showed radicalization pipeline—but fixing recommendation algorithm would reduce engagement metrics and ad revenue. So instead: information panels! Small text boxes with fact-checks that most users ignore, addressing search results while recommendation engine continues radicalizing. It's classic platform evasion: implement visible but ineffective intervention to deflect criticism while preserving problematic core functionality. Real solution would be redesigning recommendation algorithm to prioritize accuracy and diversity over engagement, but that requires sacrificing profit for responsibility.

There's No Such Thing as a "Tech Person" in the Age of AI

Karen Hao in Technology Review on the need to stop perpetuating the false dichotomy between technology and the humanities.

In hindsight, this separation hasn't served us so well. As Henry Kissinger wrote in the June 2018 issue of the Atlantic: "The Enlightenment started with essentially philosophical insights spread by a new technology. Our period is moving in the opposite direction. It has generated a potentially dominating technology in search of a guiding philosophy."

That so-called dominating technology is artificial intelligence. Its sudden rise has already permeated every aspect of our lives, transforming our social, political, and economic systems. We no longer live in a society that reflects our old, manufactured separations. To catch up, we need to restructure the way we learn and work.

Hao identifies the Enlightenment reversal: philosophy driving technology versus technology seeking philosophy. AI systems now make decisions about bail, hiring, credit, content moderation, medical diagnosis—embedding values, perpetuating biases, reshaping society—without coherent ethical framework. The "tech person" versus "humanities person" divide creates engineers who build powerful systems without understanding social implications and humanists who critique systems without understanding technical constraints. Neither alone is equipped for AI age. The integration challenge: teaching computer scientists about ethics, bias, fairness, social context while teaching humanists about algorithms, data structures, machine learning mechanics. MIT's College of Computing attempts this through mandatory ethics requirements and interdisciplinary collaboration. The deeper issue: education system structured around artificial disciplinary boundaries when actual problems (algorithmic bias, misinformation, privacy, automation) require integrated knowledge. Building ethical AI requires people who are simultaneously technical and humanistic—not "tech people" or "humanities people" but humans equipped to think across domains.

Is Your Child an Orchid or a Dandelion? Unlocking the Science of Sensitive Kids

I've recently been researching a bit more about technology use in early childhood. As part of this, I've been intrigued by the framework developed by Thomas Boyce and colleagues at the University of California, San Francisco. The group studies the human response to stress and examines this in the lives of children.

They suggest that most kids tend to be like dandelions, fairly resilient and able to cope with stress and adversity in their lives. But a minority of kids, those he calls "orchid children," are more sensitive and biologically reactive to their circumstances, which makes it harder for them to deal with stressful situations.

The orchid-dandelion framework describes differential susceptibility to environmental influences. Dandelion children (roughly 80%) are resilient—they cope reasonably well across varied circumstances, thriving adequately even in challenging environments. Orchid children (roughly 20%) have heightened biological reactivity—elevated stress hormones, stronger physiological responses, greater sensitivity to both negative and positive experiences. In harsh environments, orchid children struggle more than dandelions, experiencing higher rates of illness, behavioral problems, emotional difficulties. But crucially: in supportive environments, orchid children don't just do equally well—they flourish beyond dandelions, showing exceptional creativity, empathy, academic achievement. The implication: orchid children aren't deficient but differently calibrated, requiring more careful environmental cultivation. For parenting and education: one-size-fits-all approaches miss that some children need more support, stability, and nurturance to thrive, while benefiting more dramatically when provided. For technology debates: orchid children likely more susceptible to both harms and benefits of digital environments, requiring more individualized rather than universal screentime rules.

🔨 Do

Work-Life Balance Strategies

If you feel constantly overwhelmed - like you've always got too much to do and not enough time to do it in - then you're in the same boat Frank has been in for several months. In this video he details the plan that he has been putting into action in order to strike a better work-life balance.

Chronic overwhelm signals mismatch between commitments and capacity. The typical responses—work harder, sleep less, multitask more—deepen the problem by ignoring that time is fundamentally limited. Better approaches: ruthless prioritization (saying no to good opportunities for sake of great ones), time blocking (protecting focused work periods), energy management (recognizing different tasks require different mental states), boundary setting (distinguishing urgent from important). The cultural challenge: hustle culture treats overwhelm as badge of honor and rest as weakness. Sustainable productivity requires acknowledging human limitations and structuring work accordingly rather than demanding infinite capacity.

🤔 Consider

"The grass is greener where you water it." — Neil Barringham

Barringham's metaphor challenges comparative thinking underlying many issues this week. VPN users seeking greener privacy pastures often trade known surveillance for unknown risks. Open access advocates water scholarly communication rather than envying publishing profits. YouTube's fact-checking panels ignore that they should be watering recommendation algorithm instead. Orchid children need more frequent watering than dandelions but bloom more beautifully when properly tended. The insight applies to technology debates broadly: instead of assuming grass is greener with different platforms, devices, or rules, cultivate intentional practices with tools you have.

Previous: TLDR 187 • Next: TLDR 189 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Momo Challenge Hoax — Viral urban legend demonstrating how moral panics spread through social media amplification faster than evidence with media reporting on concerns generating more panic in Digital Folklore.
Open Access Movement — University of California canceling $11 million Elsevier subscriptions represents major victory against publishing monopolies strangling scholarly communication through profit extraction in Academic Publishing.
AI Humanities Integration — Karen Hao arguing false tech-humanities dichotomy leaves us with technology seeking guiding philosophy requiring restructured education in Interdisciplinary Education.
Orchid Dandelion Framework — Thomas Boyce distinguishing resilient dandelion children from sensitive orchid children with heightened biological reactivity requiring different environmental support in Developmental Psychology.
Platform Responsibility — YouTube adding fact-checking panels while recommendation algorithm continues radicalization reveals surface intervention avoiding systemic fixes prioritizing engagement over accuracy in Algorithmic Accountability.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 187

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 187

Dealing with Trauma

Published: 2019-03-02 • 📧 Newsletter

Welcome to Issue 187. Dealing with trauma.

Hi all, welcome to TL;DR. My name is Ian O'Byrne. I research, teach, & write about technology in our lives. I try to synthesize what happened this week in tech...so you can be the expert as well.

I posted a couple of other things this week:

Screens On, Screens Off, Screens On The side - A quick post discussing my recent framing of tech and screen use in our home.
Virtual Field Trips: Interactive, web-based learning experiences through time, place, & space - A quick video lecture focusing on possibilities for interactive video field trips using digital tools.

🔖 Key Takeaways

Content Moderation Trauma: Facebook moderators at Cognizant facilities experience severe mental health consequences from constant exposure to violence, abuse, and disturbing content revealing human cost of platform safety.
Screentime Oversimplification: Blaming teen anxiety and depression on generic "screentime" ignores that screen activities encompass 100 different experiences from social media to research to cooperative gaming.
Educational Technology Evidence: MIT J-PAL review of 126 studies shows computer-assisted learning improves outcomes especially in math while online-only courses lower achievement compared to face-to-face instruction.
Cyber Warfare Escalation: US Cyber Command knocked out internet at Russian troll factory during 2018 midterms marking shift from defensive to offensive operations in information warfare.
Creative Solitude Necessity: Sustained creative work requires periods of solitude for recharging, making constant spotlight exposure incompatible with creative productivity.

📺 Watch

Kevin Smith's Heart Attack and Diet Reflection

Kevin Smith is an American filmmaker, actor, comedian, author, and podcaster. He has directed (and starred in) some of my favorite movies of my youth.

Thanks to the YouTube algorithms, I found out that he also recently suffered a massive heart attack caused by a blockage of the left anterior descending artery. I've lost some important people in my life through heart disease (and cancer) so this caught my attention.

Thankfully, Kevin is alive, but this video has me thinking a bit more about the food that my Wife and I consume...and have in the house. We're thinking about eliminating all dairy and gluten from our consumption at home. The kids can still eat whatever they'll eat.

What are your thoughts about diet?

Smith's near-death experience demonstrates how health crises prompt reassessment of daily habits. The "widowmaker" heart attack—complete blockage of left anterior descending artery—has extremely high mortality. His survival and subsequent lifestyle changes raise questions about preventive approaches versus reactive interventions. The decision to eliminate dairy and gluten reflects growing awareness of inflammation's role in cardiovascular disease. Dietary choices become proxy for confronting mortality, control we can exert when facing uncontrollable bodily vulnerability.

📚 Read

National Online Safety Guides

A friend of mine, Peggy Semingson sent me this link earlier this week to include in my research and outreach. Subscribe to Peggy's YouTube channel for more of her work.

The portal from the National Online Safety organization shares their most up to date guides for social media apps and platforms.

The Trauma Floor: The Secret Lives of Facebook Moderators in America

Please note, the content at the link above has a content warning. The story contains discussion of serious mental health issues and racism.

Here in TL;DR, I've often taken Facebook, YouTube, and other organizations to task for identifying or developing algorithms to solve problems associated with content monitoring. But, I also don't think about the challenges with having humans work through these same materials.

This post is making me think much more seriously about the challenges with policing these spaces.

The Verge's investigation reveals the profound psychological cost of content moderation. Workers at Cognizant facilities contracted by Facebook experience PTSD, depression, anxiety, and substance abuse from reviewing thousands of disturbing images and videos daily—child abuse, graphic violence, animal cruelty, suicide. The "trauma floor" operates under surveillance, with strict quotas (400+ pieces of content daily), limited breaks, low pay ($28,800 annually), and inadequate mental health support. The contradiction: we demand platforms remove harmful content but externalize the human cost to underpaid contractors. The impossible position: either automate moderation (missing context, making errors) or expose humans to traumatizing material. The systemic failure: treating content moderation as disposable labor rather than specialized work requiring extensive support, fair compensation, and trauma-informed management.

Stop Blaming Teens' Mental Health Issues on "Screen Time"

Post from Brian Resnick in Vox addressing one simple phenomenon. Teen anxiety, depression, and suicide are all on the rise. Blaming these on screentime, technology, and devices may be a cop-out.

We're not sure what is driving these trends, but it's problematic (lazy) to lump everything into one catchall topic known as "screentime."

"Screen time isn't a thing; it's 100 things," Florence Breslin, a scientist with the Laureate Institute for Brain Research, says. "It's social media, it's video games. it's research, it's reading." Those categories can even be refined further. Playing an online cooperative game with friends is a different experience than playing a solitary game, for example. And researcher ought to expect, or wonder, if those different applications yield different effects in the mind.

Resnick's critique exposes the intellectual laziness in screentime panic. "Screentime" conflates fundamentally different activities: reading academic articles, cyberbullying, video chatting with grandparents, doomscrolling Twitter, collaborative gaming, passive YouTube consumption. These have wildly different psychological effects. The aggregation obscures actual mechanisms—what specifically about which activities might harm or help? Teen mental health crisis is real and alarming, but monocausal explanations rarely explain complex social phenomena. Other factors: academic pressure, economic anxiety, climate crisis awareness, reduced independence and free play, helicopter parenting, sleep deprivation, social media comparison culture. Blaming screentime provides comforting simplicity and actionable target (take devices away!) while avoiding harder questions about societal structures causing youth distress.

What 126 Studies Say About Educational Technology

J-PAL North America recently released a new publication summarizing 126 rigorous evaluations of different uses of education technology. Drawing primarily from research in developed countries, the publication looks at randomized evaluations and regression discontinuity designs across four broad categories: (1) access to technology, (2) computer-assisted learning or educational software, (3) technology-enabled nudges in education, and (4) online learning.

The results point to four interesting areas:

Computer access doesn't improve K-12 academic outcomes, but does improve computer proficiency;
Computer assisted learning have shown enormous promise in improving learning outcomes...especially in math;
Technology-based nudges (e.g., text message reminders) can have meaningful achievement-related outcomes, often at low costs;
Online courses are increasing, but limited evidence suggests that online-only courses lower student achievement as related to face-to-face courses.

The J-PAL meta-analysis provides rare evidence-based clarity in edtech debates. The key finding: access alone doesn't improve learning—just giving students devices without pedagogical integration yields no academic benefits, only technical skills. Computer-assisted learning works when software adapts to student level, provides immediate feedback, and supplements teacher instruction—essentially personalized practice in areas like math where algorithms can effectively scaffold. Technology nudges succeed because behavioral interventions (text reminders about deadlines, personalized encouragement) are low-cost, scalable, and address actual barriers (forgetting, procrastination). Online courses consistently underperform face-to-face instruction, likely due to reduced accountability, social isolation, and lack of immediate support. The implications challenge both techno-optimism (devices don't magically improve learning) and techno-skepticism (well-designed software does help). The critical variable isn't technology itself but pedagogical design and implementation.

The US Launched a Cyberattack on a Russian Troll Factory During the 2018 Midterms

Last week in TL;DR, I indicated that Russia was in the process of testing barriers to their connection to the Internet. I asked the question why they would want to test out these implements.

Apparently the United States military went on the offensive during the 2018 midterm elections, knocking out the internet at a Russian "troll factory" that was trying to spread misinformation online to interfere in the US elections.

Much more to think about and unpack in this area. Of worth noting at the end of the piece, as one US official told the Post, "It's not escalatory. In fact, we're finally in the game."

The cyber operation against Internet Research Agency marks shift from defensive to offensive posture in information warfare. US Cyber Command deliberately disrupted internet access to prevent Russian operatives from spreading disinformation during 2018 midterms—direct action against foreign infrastructure conducting active measures. The official framing as "finally in the game" reveals strategic calculus: treating cyberspace as domain for military operations, not just defensive monitoring. This escalates conflict while claiming it's proportional response. Russia's internet disconnect tests make more sense in this context—preparing for international cyber conflicts where nations might be cut off from global internet. The implications: militarization of information space, potential for cascading retaliation, normalization of offensive cyber operations, fragmentation of internet into national enclaves. The paradox: defending election integrity through actions that set precedents for broader cyber warfare.

🔨 Do

Keto Diet Research

Keto diets have been quite the rage over the last couple of years. I'm still researching this low carb diet plan since I first heard about it on the Tim Ferriss Show. I've been really interested in it in light of recent research suggesting it may be an adjuvant therapy in cancer treatments.

Still researching.

Ketogenic diets—high fat, adequate protein, very low carbohydrate—force body into ketosis, burning fat instead of glucose for energy. Originally developed for epilepsy treatment, now marketed for weight loss, performance, and potential therapeutic applications. The cancer research angle: cancer cells rely heavily on glucose metabolism (Warburg effect), so metabolic therapy through ketosis might selectively starve tumors while nourishing healthy cells. Evidence remains preliminary—promising in animal studies, limited human trials. The dietary intervention is challenging to maintain and carries risks (nutrient deficiencies, kidney stress, keto flu). Like many dietary trends, keto gets oversold by advocates and dismissed by critics when reality likely lies between extremes.

🤔 Consider

"People who do a job that claims to be creative have to be alone to recharge their batteries. You can't live 24 hours a day in the spotlight and remain creative. For people like me, solitude is a victory." — Karl Lagerfeld

Lagerfeld's insight connects directly to dealing with trauma—creative workers and content moderators both face battery depletion requiring solitude for recovery. Content moderators experience trauma from constant exposure to humanity's worst, needing space to process what they've witnessed. Teens experiencing mental health struggles need solitude from constant social media spotlight, not generic screentime reduction. The throughline: sustained attention—whether creative, curatorial, or social—depletes psychological resources requiring restorative solitude. Modern platforms demand 24/7 presence, treating withdrawal as failure when actually solitude enables continued engagement.

Previous: TLDR 186 • Next: TLDR 188 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Facebook Content Moderation — The Verge exposing severe mental health consequences for Cognizant contract workers reviewing disturbing content revealing human cost of platform safety in Platform Labor.
Screentime Oversimplification — Brian Resnick critiquing lazy conflation of 100 different screen activities into single "screentime" category obscuring actual mechanisms affecting teen mental health in Media Effects.
Educational Technology Research — MIT J-PAL meta-analysis of 126 studies showing computer-assisted learning improves outcomes while online-only courses lower achievement compared to face-to-face instruction in Education Research.
Cyber Warfare — US Cyber Command launching offensive operations against Russian troll factory during 2018 midterms marking shift from defensive monitoring to active military engagement in National Security.
Creative Solitude — Karl Lagerfeld on solitude as necessity for creative work not luxury demonstrating how constant spotlight depletes psychological resources requiring restoration in Creative Process.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 186

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 186

Turning Over Rocks

Published: 2019-02-23 • 📧 Newsletter

Welcome to Issue 186. Turning over rocks.

Hi all, welcome to TL;DR. My name is Ian O'Byrne. I research, teach, & write about technology in our lives. I try to synthesize what happened this week in tech...so you can be the expert as well.

I posted a couple of other things this week:

Challenges in giving consent online - If no one reads the terms and conditions for the apps, platforms, and spaces we use on a daily basis...how can they continue to be the legal backbone of the Internet?
Using the Internet Archive to save and share audio podcasts - An overview of how I upload audio to the Internet Archive for the purposes of saving and sharing...and podcasting. :)

I wanted to share with regular readers of my newsletter a beta launch of my latest podcast. It's called Technopanic...and it is a measured discussion about the challenges and opportunities as we live and learn in an age of screentime.

🔖 Key Takeaways

Audit Trails Needed: Zeynep Tufekci arguing online information needs trail of revisions for accountability but challenge is surveillance mechanisms often get built into such systems.
Google Disinformation Strategy: White paper presenting three-pronged approach fighting disinformation—make quality count counteract malicious actors give users context—requiring transparency in ongoing implementation.
Privacy Security Theater: Companies saying "we take your privacy and security very seriously" operates as deflect-defend-deny formula when talk is cheap and users deserve actual transparency and action.
Neuroplasticity Teaching: Teachers literally change kids' brains through proliferation building connections pruning eliminating unnecessary ones and consolidation developing automaticity and responsive patterns.
Russia Internet Test: Planning to disconnect from internet as part of Digital Economy National Program experiment testing self-sufficiency raising questions about balkanized internet futures.

📺 Watch

Thomas Frank: Changing Your Perspective

Thomas Frank with some guidance on changing your perspective on things:

Be okay with being the worst person in the room.
Treat real life goals like video game levels.
Be comfortable with confronting harsh realities.
Build a feedback loop where you always ask yourself..."How could I be wrong here?"

Frank's perspective shifts reframe challenges as growth opportunities. Being worst person in room means maximum learning potential not shameful inadequacy. Video game levels frame turns daunting goals into progressive challenges with clear milestones and retry options after failure. Confronting harsh realities builds capacity to act on uncomfortable truths rather than avoiding them. The feedback loop question "How could I be wrong?" is epistemic humility practice—actively seeking disconfirming evidence, checking assumptions, recognizing cognitive biases. These aren't just productivity hacks but ways of being that enable continuous learning and adaptation.

📚 Read

The Need for Audit Trails Online

Small rule of thumb in my book...when Zeynep Tufekci writes something...immediately read it. This definitely applies to this latest piece in Wired.

Tufekci identifies the need for a trail of revisions, or an audit trail of changes to online information. I started thinking about this in my dissertation. Zeynep indicates the challenge behind this is that we often build in mechanisms for surveillance.

Audit trails solve accountability problem: when information changes, who changed it, when, and why? This matters for news articles (stealth edits), terms of service (retroactive changes), public records (memory-holing), scientific preprints (versioning). But implementing audit trails creates surveillance infrastructure—comprehensive logs of all changes, accessible to those with power. Tufekci's insight: the technical solution (versioning systems) often embeds political problem (surveillance capacity). We need audit trails for public accountability without building panopticon. The challenge is designing transparency that flows toward accountability not toward control.

Google Fighting Disinformation Across Products

Over the weekend, Google presented a white paper at the Munich Security Conference detailing how it fights disinformation across its largest services. This includes efforts covering Google Search, News, and YouTube, as well as advertising platforms.

At a high-level, the company's efforts are comprised of three strategies tailored to suit each product:

Make quality count
Counteract malicious actors
Give users more context

I'm glad Google is proving this transparency in their decisions. I hope they stick to this plan...and are open in their processes along the way.

The three-strategy approach is sound in theory: elevate authoritative sources, remove bad actors, provide context for evaluation. But implementation details matter more than high-level principles. "Quality" by whose definition? What counts as "malicious"? What context gets provided and by whom? Google's challenge is these decisions embed values and politics while presenting as neutral technical fixes. The white paper transparency is welcome but ongoing transparency about actual implementation—which sources get elevated, which actors get removed, what context gets added—would demonstrate real commitment. Otherwise this remains aspirational principles not accountable practice.

Stop Saying, "We Take Your Privacy and Security Very Seriously"

In a good parallel to the post above...talk is cheap. Users should demand more from the use of our data online. We should demand more transparency from these companies. We should also demand that companies do as they say.

Zack Whittaker points out that the standard operating procedure from most companies tends to be "deflect, defend, deny." We deserve better.

"We take your privacy and security very seriously" has become corporate non-apology signaling nothing changed. It's damage control boilerplate deployed after breaches, not commitment to actual protection. Whittaker's critique: if companies took it seriously, they'd invest in security before breaches, notify promptly after incidents, face real consequences for failures. Instead the formula is: minimize severity, blame users or third parties, promise vague improvements, continue business as usual. Users deserve actual accountability—specific actions taken, concrete changes made, measurable commitments enforced. Demanding transparency means refusing to accept empty reassurances as substitute for systemic change.

I'm a Neuroscientist. Here's How Teachers Change Kids' Brains

Teachers help change the wiring of the brain, as evidenced by recent brain research into neuroplasticity. This involves three practices:

Proliferation - Brain building
Pruning - Eliminating unnecessary connections
Consolidation - Develop automaticity and responsive patterns

You may also consider this post about what teachers need to know about pedagogy...and don't.

The neuroplasticity framing elevates teaching from knowledge transmission to brain architecture. Proliferation through rich experiences creates neural connections. Pruning through practice strengthens useful pathways while eliminating unused ones. Consolidation through spaced repetition and retrieval practice builds automaticity freeing cognitive resources for higher-order thinking. This isn't just metaphor—learning literally rewires brains. The implication: teaching strategies matter not just for what students know but how their brains develop capacity to learn. Poor teaching doesn't just leave gaps in knowledge but shapes neural architecture less effectively. Good teaching builds brains optimized for continued learning.

Why Russia Is Planning to Briefly Disconnect from the Internet

As I read a bit too much sci-fi, and connect this with my thinking about tech...I've been wondering if we would reach a time when people would have a license (or permission) to view certain parts of the Internet. Would we have different parts of the "Internet" for different people. Yes, I know that as a U.S. citizen...I have access that some others do not. But, I've wondered if/when we'd come to a time when people would have access determined by some descriptor or license.

According to a report from ZDNet, Russia will disconnect from the Internet as part of a planned experiment.

The reason for the experiment is to gather insight and provide feedback and modifications to a proposed law introduced in the Russian Parliament in December 2018. This law is dubbed the Digital Economy National Program, which aims to bolster the self-sufficiency of Russian internet space. I'll be paying attention...and thinking critically about these tests.

Russia's disconnect test reveals internet fragmentation accelerating. The stated goal—self-sufficiency during cyberattacks—masks actual goal: creating sovereign internet controllable by state, disconnectable from global network. This enables comprehensive censorship, surveillance, and information control by forcing all traffic through state-controlled infrastructure. China's Great Firewall demonstrates feasibility. Iran's national network shows authoritarian appeal. Russia's test signals shift from global internet to balkanized national networks. The implications: loss of internet's borderless information flow, expansion of digital authoritarianism, end of internet as globally unified network. Your sci-fi concern about licensed access isn't future speculation but present trajectory.

🔨 Do

Podcasts as Bedtime Stories

This post is pretty much an ad for Pinna, a new ad-free streaming service for kids from ages 3 to 8. I don't think that you need to use/pay for this service. Podcasts are already free...and super easy to use. Wow in the World is a great starter for your kids. Audiobooks are also an awesome option...your local library, and apps like Hoopla will help.

Read more about how podcasts are becoming the new bedtime story.

Podcasts as bedtime stories demonstrate how audio literacy is undervalued. Listening develops comprehension, imagination, sustained attention, and narrative understanding. Unlike video (showing everything), audio requires active imagination to visualize scenes, characters, settings. Unlike reading (requiring decoding), audio separates content from technical skill allowing young kids to engage complex ideas before literacy develops. The shift from parent-read stories to podcasts has tradeoffs: podcast voice actors vs parental presence, professional production vs intimate connection. The ideal isn't replacement but complement—podcasts expanding audio repertoire alongside continued parent reading.

🤔 Consider

"When you turn over rocks and look at all the squiggly things underneath, you can either put the rock down, or you can say, 'My job is to turn over rocks and look at the squiggly things,' even if what you see can scare the hell out of you." — Fred Purdue

Purdue's metaphor captures critical inquiry's essential discomfort. Turning over rocks reveals uncomfortable truths—audit trails expose manipulation, disinformation strategies show epistemic warfare, privacy theater reveals corporate duplicity, neuroplasticity demonstrates teaching's profound responsibility, Russia's test portends internet balkanization. Easy response is putting rock back down, maintaining comfortable ignorance. But digital literacy means making turning over rocks your job—examining systems, questioning narratives, confronting harsh realities. The squiggly things are scary precisely because they reveal how much we don't control, don't understand, can't trust. Confronting them anyway is prerequisite for agency not paralysis.

Previous: TLDR 185 • Next: TLDR 187 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Zeynep Audit Trails — Zeynep Tufekci arguing online information needs revision trails for accountability while warning surveillance mechanisms often built into such systems in Digital Accountability.
Google Disinformation Strategy — White paper presenting three-pronged approach through quality malicious actor counteraction and user context requiring ongoing transparency in implementation in Platform Governance.
Privacy Security Theater — Zack Whittaker critiquing "we take it seriously" as deflect-defend-deny formula demanding actual transparency and concrete accountability from companies in Corporate Accountability.
Neuroplasticity Teaching — Research showing teachers literally change brain wiring through proliferation pruning and consolidation elevating teaching from transmission to brain architecture in Learning Science.
Russia Internet Disconnect — Planned experiment testing Digital Economy Program self-sufficiency revealing internet fragmentation trajectory toward balkanized national networks in Internet Governance.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 185

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 185

Becoming the Machine

Published: 2019-02-15 • 📧 Newsletter

Welcome to Issue 185. Becoming the machine.

Hi all, welcome to TL;DR. My name is Ian O'Byrne. I research, teach, & write about technology in our lives. I try to synthesize what happened this week in tech...so you can be the expert as well.

I posted a couple of things this week:

Motivations behind "screentime addiction" - In this post I'm starting to unpack some of my thinking about framing digital use as an "addiction."
Finding & using Creative Commons images on your website - An overview of the guidance I provide on for finding/using/citing images on your website.

🔖 Key Takeaways

Machine Stops Prescience: Oliver Sacks noting parallels between modern world and E.M. Forster's 1909 story predicting humans living in separate cells communicating only through audio-visual devices reveals prescient warning about isolation.
Mirrorworld AR Platform: Kevin Kelly describing next big platform as 1-to-1 digital map merging physical reality with digital universe where we interact with context meaning and function not just appearance.
Two Codes Empowerment: College Board arguing students need computer science to shape technology and U.S. Constitution understanding to shape democracy preventing institutions from shaping them instead.
Autocomplete Instagram Filter: Predictive text memes presenting best version of ourselves through verbal equivalent of Instagram filter making us feel seen while reassuring human superiority over machines.
Education Cost Variation: Working paper showing teaching physicist or teacher costs colleges far more than English major due to professor salaries equipment and class sizes revealing hidden subsidy structures.

📺 Watch

Peppa Pig Whistle Meme

This week I spent time with one of my classes talking about "text" in their lives. This led to a discussion about podcasts, emoji, and memes. To that, one of my students mentioned the "Peppa Pig whistle meme" and I was like...what!!!

I'm glad I took the time to watch. It's hilarious. Enjoy.

The Peppa Pig meme demonstrates how "text" has expanded beyond written words to include sounds, images, remixes, and cultural references. Students' textual worlds include podcasts (audio narratives), emoji (visual-symbolic communication), and memes (multimodal cultural commentary). Understanding literacy now requires recognizing these diverse forms as legitimate texts with their own grammars, conventions, and meanings. The meme's hilarity comes from absurdist juxtaposition—evidence that humor itself is textual practice requiring cultural fluency.

📚 Read

The Machine Stops

This short essay was written by Oliver Sacks shortly before his death from cancer in 2015.

In this essay, Sacks notes the parallels between the modern world he sees around him and E.M. Forster's prescient classic 1909 short story "The Machine Stops," in which Forster imagined a future in which humans lived in separate cells, communicating only by audio and visual devices.

Forster's 1909 story is chillingly prescient: humans living underground in standardized cells, never meeting face-to-face, communicating through screens, dependent on the Machine for all needs, worshipping it while it slowly fails. Sacks recognized we're living Forster's dystopia—separate cells (apartments, bedrooms), audio-visual communication (screens everywhere), Machine dependence (infrastructure we don't understand). The story's power lies in showing how comfort and convenience can create catastrophic fragility. When the Machine stops, people have lost capacity for direct experience, physical competence, face-to-face relationship. We're becoming the machine by outsourcing cognition, navigation, memory, and connection to devices.

AR Will Spark the Next Big Tech Platform - Call It Mirrorworld

Kevin Kelly on the "next big thing after the next big thing." How we are building a 1-to-1 map of almost unimaginable scope. When it's complete, our physical reality will merge with the digital universe.

The mirrorworld—a term first popularized by Yale computer scientist David Gelernter—will reflect not just what something looks like but its context, meaning, and function. We will interact with it, manipulate it, and experience it like we do the real world.

Kelly's mirrorworld is augmented reality at planetary scale: every physical object, location, and space gets digital twin encoding its history, properties, relationships, and potential interactions. Unlike virtual reality (entirely synthetic) or current AR (overlays on reality), mirrorworld creates parallel dimension where physical and digital are inseparable. The implications are profound: spatial computing, persistent digital annotations, object-level data, context-aware everything. The question: who builds this mirror? Who owns the reflections? What happens when physical reality becomes substrate for digital property rights and surveillance?

The Two Codes Your Kids Need to Know

This opinion from Thomas Friedman shares insight from The College Board, and a surprising conclusion about keys to success for college and life. Not surprisingly, they indicate that students need the ability to master "two codes" — computer science and the U.S. Constitution.

"Their short answer was that if you want to be an empowered citizen in our democracy — able to not only navigate society and its institutions but also to improve and shape them, and not just be shaped by them — you need to know how the code of the U.S. Constitution works. And if you want to be an empowered and adaptive worker or artist or writer or scientist or teacher — and be able to shape the world around you, and not just be shaped by it — you need to know how computers work and how to shape them."

The "two codes" framing is brilliant: both Constitution and computer code are sets of rules that appear fixed but are actually interpreted, contested, and modified by those who understand them. Literacy in both prevents being subject to systems you don't comprehend. Constitutional literacy means understanding rights, processes, checks and balances—how power flows and can be contested. Computational literacy means understanding algorithms, data structures, automation—how technology embeds values and can be shaped. Without both, you're governed by code (legal and computational) you can't read, challenge, or change. This isn't just skills acquisition but civic capacity for agency.

Autocomplete Presents the Best Version of You

It is interesting to see how individuals continue to modify their behaviors to fit the abilities of technology...as opposed to tech modifying to meet the needs of people.

"The predictive text meme is comforting in a social media world that often leaps from one dismal news cycle to the next. The customizations make us feel seen. The random quirks give our pattern-seeking brains delightful connections. The parts that don't make sense reassure us of our human superiority—the machines can't be taking over yet if they can't even write me a decent horoscope! And the topic boundaries prevent the meme from reminding us of our human frailty. The result is a version of ourselves through the verbal equivalent of an Instagram filter, eminently shareable on social media."

Autocomplete memes reveal how we're adapting ourselves to machine affordances. Predictive text learns from your patterns, then you perform for what it's learned, creating feedback loop where human and algorithm co-construct identity. The "best version" isn't authentic self but machine-legible self—the you that fits algorithmic categories. Like Instagram filters smooth faces, autocomplete smooths text into shareable performance. We find this comforting because it makes pattern-seeking brains feel understood while maintaining illusion of human superiority through AI's failures. But becoming the machine means measuring ourselves by machine metrics, shaping selves to algorithmic expectations.

Why It Costs Colleges Far More to Educate a Physicist or Teacher Than an English Major

A recent working paper from professors at the University of Michigan, University of Delaware and University of North Carolina examined the different factors that can influence the cost of a college education. The research looked at the cost to colleges of teaching different subjects and how various elements — such as professor salaries or average class size — pull these costs up or down.

The cost variation reveals hidden subsidy structures in higher education: humanities and social sciences subsidize STEM and professional programs. English majors generate revenue (large classes, lower faculty salaries, minimal equipment) that subsidizes physics majors (small classes, high faculty salaries, expensive labs). This matters for equity and institutional priorities: if STEM costs more, focusing enrollment there without corresponding funding creates pressure to cut "profitable" humanities programs. It also challenges narratives about economic value—STEM may generate higher salaries but requires higher educational investment. The sustainable model requires acknowledging these cross-subsidies explicitly rather than letting market forces hollow out programs that make others possible.

🔨 Do

Food Hacks for Kids

Thanks to the YouTube algorithms, this week we found the Food Hacks for Kids series on the DreamWorks TV YouTube channel.

The short clips focus on "expert food hackers" Shanynn and Whitley as they show how to hack together new food hacks for kids.

This series has inspired my children to think more about cooking...and experimenting with me in the kitchen.

Food hacks demonstrate maker pedagogy: take existing materials, understand their properties, experiment with combinations, create something new. The "hacking" frame treats cooking as creative problem-solving not recipe-following. Kids learn by doing, failing, iterating—precisely what maker education advocates. The YouTube algorithm's recommendation shows how platforms can surface educational content alongside entertainment, though what gets recommended reflects algorithmic priorities not necessarily learning value. The key is children moving from consumption to creation, from watching to making, from passive to active engagement with food and family.

🤔 Consider

"Becoming is better than being." — Carol Dweck

Dweck's growth mindset philosophy challenges becoming the machine through fixed identity. Machine logic treats humans as static: you are your data, your history predicts your future, your profile defines your possibilities. But becoming means continuous change, learning from failure, evolving beyond past patterns. Sacks' machine stops when people lose capacity for becoming, frozen in comfortable cells. Mirrorworld risks freezing physical reality into fixed digital representations. Two codes enable becoming by providing tools to reshape systems. Autocomplete presents being (fixed algorithmic identity) while obscuring becoming (unpredictable human growth). Becoming better than being means resisting reduction to machine-legible categories, maintaining capacity for change that machines can't predict or control.

Previous: TLDR 184 • Next: TLDR 186 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Machine Stops Prescience — Oliver Sacks noting parallels between modern world and E.M. Forster 1909 story predicting humans in separate cells communicating through devices in Technology Criticism.
Mirrorworld AR Future — Kevin Kelly describing next platform as 1-to-1 digital map merging physical and digital reality where we interact with context meaning and function in Augmented Reality.
Two Codes Education — Thomas Friedman sharing College Board argument students need computer science and Constitution understanding to shape systems rather than be shaped by them in Civic Education.
Autocomplete Instagram Filter — Predictive text presenting machine-legible best version of ourselves through verbal Instagram filter while maintaining illusion of human superiority in Human-AI Interaction.
Education Cost Subsidy — Working paper revealing humanities subsidizing STEM through lower costs exposing hidden subsidy structures in higher education funding in Higher Education Economics.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 184

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 184

Carving Out Downtime

Published: 2019-02-09 • 📧 Newsletter

Welcome to Issue 184. Carving out downtime.

Hi all, welcome to TL;DR. My name is Ian O'Byrne. I research, teach, & write about technology in our lives. I try to synthesize what happened this week in tech...so you can be the expert as well. We'll have some changes upcoming for this newsletter to help achieve these goals. :)

I posted a couple of things this week:

Help Define Digital Literacy - Make your voice heard, and help us revise/rewrite the definitions of digital literacy. Alternatively, you could also go directly to the discussion held here on Flipgrid.
No real association between adolescent well-being and digital technology use - A new paper examines the widespread speculation around the connections between the use of digital tech by adolescents & psychological well-being.
Setting up your first assignment face-to-face in class using Peergrade - A quick overview of how I use Peergrade as an activity in class to work through the process and expectations of peer evaluation and assessment.

🔖 Key Takeaways

Spotify Podcast Play: Acquiring Gimlet and Anchor positions Spotify to become audio YouTube where users can upload record share podcasts alongside music creating comprehensive audio platform.
Consent Fiction: Terms and conditions requiring 76 working days annually to read makes "I agree" button meaningless revealing consent as legal fiction when users have no real choice or negotiation power.
Blockchain Skepticism: Bruce Schneier argues no good reason to trust blockchain technology despite hype requiring examination of actual security properties versus marketing promises.
Free Time Politics: Burnout generation needs political movement for more free time recognizing jobs suck and we should spend less time thinking about work not optimizing it.
Children Need Boredom: Kids getting bored again allows creativity rest and self-directed play countering over-scheduled optimization culture producing burnout from childhood.

📺 Watch

MKBHD: What's on My Phone

I love watching MKBHD to see what apps and tools he's using on a regular basis. I'd like to put one of these videos together to share my processes and platforms.

The "what's on my phone" genre reveals how people actually use technology versus how it's marketed. Not feature lists but daily workflows. Not potential but practice. MKBHD's setup shows professional tech reviewer's choices revealing what actually works beyond hype. Creating your own video forces reflection: What do you actually use? What's digital clutter? What tools genuinely improve life versus what you think you should use? The exercise itself is valuable self-audit of digital habits.

📚 Read

Spotify's Podcast Acquisition Strategy

Spotify made some big news this week with their purchase of Gimlet and Anchor. Gimlet is an award-winning podcast studio. Anchor is a great tool/platform to allow you to create and share a podcast.

This is big news in the online space as more and more individuals are listening to, and creating podcasts. I'm thinking that this is a play for Spotify as they try to become the audio equivalent of YouTube. I can see Spotify creating a space where you can find music and playlists, but more importantly high-quality, and user-generated content in the form of audio podcasts. So...just the way that I can upload/record/share video on YouTube...I can log in to Spotify and upload/record/share my audio podcast. Brilliant.

The Gimlet/Anchor combination is strategic: Gimlet provides premium content attracting listeners; Anchor provides creation tools attracting creators. Together they position Spotify as both destination and platform. The YouTube comparison is apt—combining professional and amateur content, discovery and creation, consumption and production. This threatens podcast's open ecosystem where RSS feeds allow platform-independent distribution. If Spotify-exclusive shows become dominant, podcasting risks becoming enclosed platform like video streaming. The question: will Spotify maintain openness or become audio walled garden?

Simple question from the NY Times Editorial Board. If no one reads the terms and conditions for the apps, platforms, and spaces we use on a daily basis...how can they continue to be the legal backbone of the Internet?

The average person would have to spend 76 working days reading all of the digital privacy policies they agree to in the span of a year. Reading Amazon's terms and conditions alone out loud takes approximately nine hours.

"Why would anyone read the terms of service when they don't feel as though they have a choice in the first place? It's not as though a user can call up Mark Zuckerberg and negotiate his or her own privacy policy. The 'I agree' button should have long ago been renamed 'Meh, whatever.'"

Consent requires informed voluntary agreement with meaningful alternatives. Terms of service violate all three: nobody's informed (can't read 76 days of legalese), it's not voluntary (network effects mean opting out means social exclusion), no alternatives exist (platforms have monopolistic positions). The "consent" is legal fiction protecting companies not users. Real consent would require: readable terms, meaningful choice, negotiation power, enforceable rights. Instead we have theater of consent—going through motions while knowing it's meaningless. The "meh whatever" button accurately describes user experience of fake choice.

There's No Good Reason to Trust Blockchain Technology

Bruce Schneier is an internationally renowned expert on security technologies. His opinions are a mandatory read for me as I consume, curate, and create in digital spaces.

In this post from Wired, Schneier discusses the many reasons we should not implicitly trust the technology behind the blockchain, and derivative technologies.

Read a bit more about commonalities that blockchain technologies have with open source communities in establishing trust.

Schneier's blockchain skepticism cuts through hype: blockchain solves trust problem for situations where you don't trust anyone...by requiring you trust the blockchain system itself. But blockchain isn't trustless—it requires trusting cryptographic assumptions, implementation correctness, majority of miners/validators, and that bugs won't be catastrophic. For most use cases, traditional databases with access controls work better. Blockchain is solution looking for problem. The hype reveals desire for magical technical fix to social/political trust problems. But trust isn't technical challenge solved by cryptography—it's social relationship built through accountability, transparency, and consequences for betrayal. Blockchain offers none of these.

The Political Case for More Free Time

Several weeks ago in TL;DR, I shared a viral essay for BuzzFeed from Anne Helen Petersen that focused on how we're the burnout generation.

This piece from Matt Hartman in The Outline extends from this framing to indicate that our jobs suck, and we should spend less time thinking about them.

As a corollary to this piece, check out Let Children Get Bored Again from Pamela Paul.

The political case for free time challenges productivity culture's hegemony. Rather than optimizing work or finding purpose in careers that extract value while providing precarity, demand less work. Four-day work weeks, shorter days, guaranteed income decoupling survival from employment. The radical proposition: work less, live more. Burnout isn't personal failing requiring better self-care but political problem requiring collective action. Children's over-scheduling mirrors adult optimization culture—both need permission for unstructured time. Boredom enables creativity, rest, self-discovery. Political movement for free time means rejecting narrative that worth derives from productivity and reclaiming time as end itself not means to productive ends.

🔨 Do

Bryan Mathers' Remixer Machine

The incredible Bryan Mathers released another tool on his awesome Remixer Machine. The Pixel-8 tool is a fun way to upload an image and play with it a bit. You'll also find a lot of other great tools to play with on the machine.

Creative tools for image manipulation demonstrate how digital literacy includes creation not just consumption and critique. Playing with Pixel-8 builds understanding of how images get constructed, manipulated, and transformed. The Remixer Machine's collection of tools invites experimentation and play—essential for developing fluency with visual media. Carving out downtime for creative play with tools like this develops capacities that purposeful skill-building misses. Play is learning through joy not obligation.

🤔 Consider

"Questions you cannot answer are usually far better for you than answers you cannot question." — Yuval Noah Harari

Harari's wisdom about unquestionable answers applies to technology's promises. Spotify podcast strategy presents answers (platform consolidation, creator tools) we should question (enclosure of open ecosystem). Terms of service present answers (legal consent) we cannot question (no negotiation power). Blockchain presents answers (trustless systems) that don't address questions (what social trust actually requires). Burnout culture presents answers (optimize yourself) preventing questions (why work so much). Over-scheduling children presents answers (productive kids) foreclosing questions (what childhood for). Carving out downtime creates space for better questions. Answers we cannot question become prisons. Questions we cannot answer become possibilities. Downtime allows questioning not just answering.

Previous: TLDR 183 • Next: TLDR 185 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Spotify Podcast Acquisition — Gimlet Anchor purchases positioning Spotify as audio YouTube for user-generated podcasts risking enclosure of open podcast ecosystem in Platform Economics.
Terms Conditions Nobody Reads — 76 working days required to read annual privacy policies makes consent legal fiction when users have no choice or negotiation power in Digital Rights.
Blockchain Trust Skepticism — Bruce Schneier arguing blockchain solves trust problem by requiring trust in blockchain itself offering no advantages over traditional databases for most uses in Cryptography.
Burnout Free Time — Matt Hartman arguing political case for more free time recognizing jobs suck and we should spend less time thinking about work in Labor Politics.
Children Boredom Creativity — Pamela Paul arguing kids need boredom again for creativity rest and self-directed play countering optimization culture producing childhood burnout in Child Development.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 183

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 183

Focusing on Importance

Published: 2019-02-02 • 📧 Newsletter

Welcome to Issue 183. Focusing on importance.

I posted a couple of things this week:

What is Digital Literacy? - I'm serving on two workgroups that are revising/rewriting the definitions of digital literacy for literacy educators. This post shares some insight...and asks for response.
What is Screentime? - Change your phone's display to grayscale.
Encouraging & facilitating student peer review using Peergrade - An overview of Peergrade, a tool that I've been using to create a space to allow my students to give and get feedback from peers.

🔖 Key Takeaways

Facebook VPN Spying: Facebook paid users 13-35 up to $20 monthly to install VPN giving total phone access to study habits until Apple blocked it revealing systematic pattern of spying collecting data and selling to advertisers.
Tailored Ads Delusion: Zuckerberg claims users want personalized ads as value for data but research shows this is false users don't actually want ad personalization contradicting Facebook's talking points.
Screentime Depression Minimal: Massive study of 355,358 adolescents shows screentime explains less than 0.4% of depression revealing previous research deeply flawed and moral panic unfounded.
AI Labor Reconfiguration: Data & Society research shows automated AI technologies reconfiguring work requiring "human infrastructures" teaching workers to make their work machine-legible for AI systems.
Internet Nostalgia Reflection: New Yorker retrospective on tech moments bringing us here fills with nostalgia despite valid privacy and security concerns demonstrating how far we've come in short time.

📺 Watch

Mark Manson on Focusing on What Matters

Marie Forleo interviewing Mark Manson to identify the ways to focus on the things that matter in life. Manson is the author of the book, The Subtle Art of Not Giving a Fck*. I just finished reading this book, and it was excellent.

Please be warned...there are some NSFW words in the interview.

Manson's philosophy about selective caring applies directly to technology consumption. Can't care deeply about everything social media throws at you. Attention is finite resource requiring intentional allocation. Caring about what matters means not caring about what doesn't. The digital environment defaults to caring about everything (notifications, updates, viral outrage) leaving no capacity for what actually matters. Focusing on importance requires active curation of what gets attention and ruthless rejection of manufactured urgency.

📚 Read

An Internet Retrospective

For better or worse, the Internet is an element in all of our lives. This retrospective from Erin Overbey and Joshua Rothman in The New Yorker gives a great review of some of the moments in tech that brought us here.

I often have concerns about privacy, security, and our data in these digital spaces. But, this piece filled me with a bit of nostalgia as I consider how far we've come in such a short amount of time.

Now that we've started on a positive note...

Nostalgia for early internet reveals how much changed how quickly. Dial-up modems, AOL discs, first Google searches, early social networks—all within single generation. The retrospective allows appreciation for technological acceleration while maintaining critical eye on where we've arrived. Nostalgia doesn't mean uncritical acceptance. We can appreciate how far we've come while questioning whether we've come to the right place. The speed of change itself is worth reflecting on: has velocity prevented thoughtful development?

Facebook Has Been Paying Teens $20 a Month for Total Access to Their Phone Activity

Since 2016, Facebook has a program where they pay users from 13 to 35 up to $20 a month to install a VPN (virtual private network) on their phones. They use this backdoor to suck up all of the user's data to study their habits and practices.

Hours after the story broke, Facebook indicated that it would shut down the program. But, before they did anything, Apple blocked the app on iOS devices.

So why does this matter? Facebook is entering a second year of huge data scandals. There is a pattern in which Facebook spies on users, collects data, and sells this off to advertisers...or worse. When they get caught, they obfuscate, block transparency tools, or defer. They cannot be trusted with our data.

The VPN program exemplifies surveillance capitalism's exploitation model: target vulnerable populations (teens, young adults needing money), offer minimal payment for total surveillance, use data to optimize addictive features and ad targeting. The $20 payment obscures value extracted—comprehensive behavioral data worth far more. Calling it "research" frames exploitation as scientific inquiry. Apple's intervention reveals regulatory vacuum where platforms police each other not because of ethical concerns but competitive advantage. Facebook's "shutdown" came only after public exposure not internal ethics review.

Mark Zuckerberg's Delusion of Consumer Content

When Facebook gets caught, they provide two talking points.

The first of which is that they don't "steal" or collect your data...you give it to them. This argument is true, yet Facebook also is less than transparent in their terms of use, and letting you know what they're doing with your data.

The second thing they indicate is that they're providing you a value for your data in "tailored ads." They indicate that we're all going to get ads, so why not get ads for things you actually like. Protection of ad personalization is a common talking point, but do users really want this?

In this opinion, Joseph Turow and Chris Jay Hoofnagle share some research in which users suggest...no...this is not something that we want.

The "value exchange" narrative is gaslighting: telling users they want something research shows they don't. When explicitly asked, users overwhelmingly reject personalized ads, surveillance-based targeting, and data collection for advertising. But Facebook frames this as beneficial service users desire. The delusion isn't that Zuckerberg doesn't know users' actual preferences—it's that he doesn't care. The business model requires convincing users (and regulators) that surveillance advertising is value-add service not exploitative extraction. Research puncturing this narrative threatens fundamental business model justification.

The Association Between Adolescent Well-Being and Digital Technology Use

A new paper based on a massive sample size of 355,358 adolescents indicates that screentime explains less than 0.4% of depression. The research also shows that previous research in this area is deeply flawed.

This twitter thread by Patrick Markey provides an excellent overview on the publication.

The 0.4% finding demolishes screentime panic. For context, eating potatoes explains more variance in wellbeing than screentime. Wearing glasses explains more variance. The effect size is effectively zero. Previous research showing strong correlations suffered from methodological problems: small samples, self-reported data, correlation-causation confusion, publication bias favoring alarming findings. This massive study with rigorous methods finds essentially no relationship. The implications: maybe focus on actual drivers of adolescent depression (economic precarity, climate anxiety, school pressure, inequality) rather than moral panic about screens.

AI in Context: The Labor of Integrating New Technologies

In this new report from Data & Society, researchers Alexandra Mateescu and Madeleine Clare Elish show how automated and AI technologies are reconfiguring work at family-owned farms and grocery stores.

As automation becomes a larger force in our lives (and the lives of our children) we need to be considerate of how to work with the machines.

The authors discuss the "human infrastructures" needed to integrate with these machines. Put simply, future workers will need to think about how to make their work machine legible.

"Machine legibility" reveals automation's hidden labor cost: humans must adapt to machine requirements not vice versa. Farmers restructure fields for robot navigation. Grocery workers standardize movements for computer vision systems. Knowledge work gets fragmented into microtasks for algorithm distribution. Making work machine-legible often means deskilling, reducing autonomy, increasing surveillance. The "human infrastructure" is workers absorbing complexity of making incompatible systems function together. Rather than AI adapting to human work, humans adapt to AI limitations. This isn't inevitable but reflects power dynamics where workers bear adjustment costs.

🔨 Do

Performance and Printed Text

This video popped up in my feed earlier this week. It's a great look at the power of performance and printed text.

The interplay between performance and text demonstrates how meaning emerges from multiple modes simultaneously. Text provides precision and permanence. Performance adds tone, emphasis, embodiment, and affect. Neither alone captures full meaning. This has implications for digital literacy: understanding requires engaging both what's written and how it's presented, who's speaking and from what position. Multimodal analysis recognizes meaning as constructed across words, images, sounds, and contexts not reducible to single channel.

🤔 Consider

"Don't just sit there. Do something. The answers will follow." — Mark Manson

Manson's action-oriented philosophy challenges analysis paralysis plaguing digital culture. Facebook VPN scandal demands doing something—deleting account switching platforms demanding regulation. Tailored ads delusion requires action rejecting surveillance business model. Screentime panic needs action addressing actual depression causes not moral handwringing. AI labor reconfiguration demands worker organizing not passive acceptance. Internet retrospective nostalgia must inspire action building better future. Focusing on importance means acting on what matters not endlessly consuming information about what might matter someday. Sitting produces nothing. Doing produces learning even from failures. Answers follow action not contemplation.

Previous: TLDR 182 • Next: TLDR 184 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Facebook Teen VPN Scandal — Facebook paying users 13-35 $20 monthly for total phone surveillance through VPN until Apple blocked revealing systematic spying pattern in 02 CURATE/Surveillance Capitalism.
Zuckerberg Tailored Ads Delusion — Joseph Turow Chris Jay Hoofnagle research showing users don't want personalized ads contradicting Facebook's value exchange narrative justifying surveillance in Advertising Ethics.
Adolescent Wellbeing Screentime — Study of 355,358 adolescents showing screentime explains less than 0.4% of depression demolishing panic and revealing flawed previous research in Media Effects.
AI Labor Integration — Alexandra Mateescu Madeleine Clare Elish examining how automation requires human infrastructures where workers make work machine-legible absorbing adjustment costs in Future of Work.
Internet Nostalgia — New Yorker retrospective on tech moments allowing appreciation for acceleration while maintaining critical eye on whether velocity prevented thoughtful development in Technology History.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 182

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 182

Viral Misinformation

Published: 2019-01-26 • 📧 Newsletter

Welcome to Issue 182. Viral misinformation.

Hi all, welcome to TL;DR. My name is Ian O'Byrne. I research, teach, & write about technology in our lives. Usually in TLDR, I try to synthesize what happened this week in tech...so you can be the expert as well.

This week's issue will veer from the norm as I try to unpack an event that took online & offline social networks by storm. I'll focus on the incident between Covington Catholic and Nathan Phillips and the narratives that flooded the Internet. As noted by Julie Zimmerman in The Atlantic, if this incident was a test, most of us failed it.

I think this incident provides a powerful opportunity to study critical media literacy with students while developing empathy and other needed skills and dispositions. To that end, I started up a Google Doc to collect/share all readings & responses to this incident. It started as a discussion with one of my classes as we discussed how they would teach and contextualize this incident with their future middle and high school students.

Please feel free to visit the Google Doc to add your own resources and join the discussion. Please note that our (my students & I) main focus is on critical media literacy. This is a heavily nuanced incident with a lot of bias, perspective, privilege, and viral misinformation.

Before we get into it...I should note that I also shared a couple other things this week:

Critical Media Literacy - In an online space that regularly serves up spin, fake news, & shades of fiction, it's easier than ever to consume falsehoods and spout them as fact. That's why critical media literacy must be an integral part of students' learning experience.
What is Screentime? - A look at the topic of screentime, and think about its role in our lives...and the lives of our children.
Technology in the Higher Education Classroom of the Future? - A quick tour of the classroom where I get to teach every day.

🔖 Key Takeaways

Media Literacy Test Failed: Covington Catholic incident revealed most people including media professionals failed to apply critical evaluation rushing to judgment based on initial viral clips demonstrating urgent need for media literacy education.
Video Truth Complexity: Short clips feel incontrovertible but longer context can complicate initial narratives suggesting we should trust video less not more requiring time for research and reflection before forming conclusions.
Poisoned Discourse: Digital spaces create nihilistic environment where people assume everyone is inauthentically posturing for attention rather than engaging genuinely making authentic dialogue nearly impossible.
Both Sides Inadequacy: "Both sides" framing fails for complex incidents requiring examination of multiple perspectives power dynamics and systemic context beyond simple binary opposition.
Critical Teaching Opportunity: Incident offers powerful case study for teaching students to identify bias examine competing narratives question viral content and develop empathy while processing complexity.

📺 Watch

Covington Catholic Timeline Video

I tried to find one of the original video clips shared from the incident. As you can imagine YouTube is flooded with a multitude of response videos on the subject. This video does an adequate job of unpacking the timeline of the event.

The multiplicity of videos reveals information ecosystem fragmentation. Original clip, longer context, response videos, debunking videos, analysis videos—each with different framing, editing, commentary. No single authoritative account emerges. Instead: competing narratives, selective evidence, motivated reasoning. The video flood makes truth harder to find not easier because more footage doesn't equal more clarity when each clip gets weaponized for predetermined conclusions.

📚 Read

Native American Elder Confronted by MAGA Teen

This is one of the first posts on the incident.

"In videos shared widely on YouTube and Twitter, a young man wearing a red "Make America Great Again" hat stands inches away from a native elder who is beating a drum. Different angles of the incident show a group of a few dozen young people, mostly boys, in the background, jumping up and down and jeering in unison at the group of elders present for the day's march. In some shots, the teens appear to be shouting, 'Build that wall, build that wall.'"

The post finishes by indicating that there is a lot more happening in the incident, outside of the original video clips. The story gets much more complex.

Initial reporting demonstrates how viral videos create premature narratives. Short clip shows confrontation, provides enough detail for outrage, omits context making judgment incomplete. Journalists facing deadline pressure and social media velocity rush to publish before full picture emerges. The lesson: viral doesn't mean verified. Emotional response doesn't equal accurate understanding. Speed of virality outpaces speed of responsible journalism creating information vacuum filled by speculation and tribalism.

The MAGA Teenager Who Harassed a Native American Is Still Unnamed, But We've Seen His Face Before

The identities of the individuals in most of the video clips, especially the inclusion of the MAGA hats was a flash point for many as they viewed these events.

"In the clip, captured after the Indigenous Peoples March in Washington on Friday, an elderly Native American man beats a drum and quietly sings, and a small group of activists and allies can be seen in the crowd behind him. Perhaps 18 inches in front of him, a white teenager in a 'Make America Great Again' hat makes eye contact and smirks. A much larger crowd of teenagers—mostly male, mostly white, many wearing MAGA hats—hoots with delight at the wordless confrontation. The encounter was captured from multiple angles and circulated widely on YouTube and social media, generating widespread disgust."

The smirk became shorthand for entire event—visual symbol interpreted through ideological lens. Supporters saw composure under harassment. Critics saw smug entitlement and racism. Same facial expression different meanings. This reveals how visual evidence gets interpreted not objectively perceived. We don't see what's there; we see what confirms existing beliefs. The MAGA hat primes interpretation making teenager's face canvas for projecting preexisting narratives about privilege, politics, and power.

How the Media Turned the MAGA Teens Into Martyrs

This is viewed as a tricky lesson as we see children/adolescents mimicking the behaviors of adults. This is further complicated as we see the media more than willing to fan these fires. The media was accused of having "wildly mischaracterized" the incident and not revealing a far more complicated interaction.

Debate has also focused on the tendency of the media to overcorrect in order to please readers and fuel the rage.

Media overcorrection reveals business model problem: outrage drives engagement which drives revenue. Initial story portrayed teens as villains generating massive traffic. Correction portraying teens as victims also generates traffic from different audience. Truth is complex and nuanced but complexity doesn't drive clicks. Media caught between journalistic responsibility and economic incentives with latter often winning. The overcorrection isn't about finding truth but about maintaining audience engagement through perpetual controversy.

The Discourse Is Poisoned

L. M. Sacasas talking about memes and discussion in digital, social spaces.

"...we believe we know the truth about everyone and the truth we know is that there is no truth to be known. So our public sphere takes on not a cynical quality, but a nihilistic one. That is the difference between believing that everyone is a moral hypocrite and believing that everyone is inauthentically posturing for attention."

Poisoned discourse means assuming bad faith universally. Nobody believes anyone else is authentic. Every statement gets interpreted as performance, posturing, virtue-signaling, grift. This makes genuine dialogue impossible because authenticity is presumed not to exist. The Covington incident accelerated this: every perspective gets dismissed as tribal positioning. Native American elder accused of seeking attention. Teens accused of performing MAGA ideology. Commentators accused of signaling political allegiance. When authenticity is impossible nobody can be believed.

Why "Both Sides" of a Story Aren't Enough

Students are capable of processing complex narratives; we just need to give them the tools. A primer on the challenges and implications as we try to paint this as a debate/discussion between two sides of a story.

"Both sides" framing creates false equivalence and obscures power dynamics. Covington incident isn't "both sides" story—it's multiply-sided story involving teens, Native elder, Black Hebrew Israelites, media, school, broader political context. Reducing to binary misses complexity. "Both sides" also implies equal validity and power when often one side has structural advantages the other lacks. Teaching students to identify all perspectives while analyzing which voices get amplified, which get marginalized, and why, develops more sophisticated critical capacity than simplistic balance.

🔨 Do

Slow Down Viral Consumption

It's tempting to think that the short video at the Lincoln Memorial shows the truth, and then that the longer video revises or corrects that truth. But the truth on film is more complicated: Video can capture narratives that people take as truths, offering evidence that feels incontrovertible. But the fact that those visceral certainties can so easily be called into question offers a good reason to trust video less, rather than more. Good answers just don't come this fast and this easily.

Next time we see viral events bubbling up online...let's take a second to read, research, think, and question. What narratives are we hearing? What narratives are we missing?

The practice of slowing down requires intentional resistance to virality's velocity. Don't share immediately. Don't form conclusions instantly. Ask: What's missing from this frame? Who benefits from this framing? What happened before camera started? What happened after it stopped? Who's controlling the narrative? Viral content optimizes for emotional response not accurate understanding. Slowing down creates space for reflection, research, and nuance—precisely what viral mechanics eliminate.

🤔 Consider

"Let's create space for the teaching of tolerance." — Nathan Phillips

Phillips's call for tolerance teaching resonates after incident revealing intolerance's many forms. Media intolerance for complexity preferring simple narratives. Discourse intolerance for authenticity assuming all posturing. Tribal intolerance for nuance demanding ideological purity. Educational system's intolerance for difficult conversations avoiding controversy. Viral misinformation thrives in environment intolerant of ambiguity patience and humility about not knowing. Creating space for tolerance teaching means accepting complexity embracing uncertainty and building capacity to sit with discomfort while seeking understanding. Incident failed as test because we're intolerant of tests requiring reflection over reaction.

Previous: TLDR 181 • Next: TLDR 183 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Covington Catholic Incident — Viral confrontation between MAGA-hat teens and Nathan Phillips at Lincoln Memorial becoming critical media literacy case study revealing media failures in Viral Misinformation.
Critical Media Literacy — Incident demonstrates urgent need teaching students to identify bias examine competing narratives question viral content and develop empathy while processing complexity in Media Education.
Video Truth Complexity — Short clips feeling incontrovertible but longer context complicating narratives suggests trusting video less not more requiring time for research and reflection in Visual Literacy.
Both Sides Fallacy — "Both sides" framing failing for complex incidents requiring examination of multiple perspectives power dynamics and systemic context beyond binary opposition in Critical Thinking.
Poisoned Discourse — Digital spaces creating nihilistic environment assuming inauthenticity universally making genuine dialogue nearly impossible through presumed bad faith in Public Sphere.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 181

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 181

Building Your Best Self

Published: 2019-01-19 • 📧 Newsletter

Welcome to Issue 181. Building your best self.

Hi all, welcome to TL;DR. My name is Ian O'Byrne. I research, teach, & write about technology in our lives. In TLDR, I try to synthesize what happened this week in tech...so you can be the expert as well. Enjoy. :)

This week I posted the following:

Semi-Permeable Membranes in Digital Learning Spaces - This post talks about learning, making mistakes, and anonymity online.
Digital Dependence and the Screentime Debate - I discuss some of the research talk about addiction and our use of digital devices.
Hoopla & other free digital services from your local library - I absolutely love using Hoopla to read graphic novels on my tablet. The service (and others) is free from my local library. Check it out...and start using it for yourself.

🔖 Key Takeaways

Dual-Purpose Meme: 10-year challenge likely serves both training facial recognition on age progression and strengthening user bonds through nostalgia simultaneously revealing nothing random in platform spaces.
Massive Breach Reality: 773 million-record breach with plaintext passwords confirms security breaches inevitable requiring proactive password management and monitoring through services like Have I Been Pwned.
Geography Still Matters: Facebook research mapping county-level friend connections reveals geography's enduring influence even in digital era supposedly erasing distance and bridging communities globally.
Authentic Social Media: Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez's social media success stems from being yourself using platform as conversation not press conference rejecting performative robot communication.
Screen-Sharing Socializing: Squad app capitalizing on behavior of capturing and sharing screens from Instagram Pinterest demonstrates new social practices emerging around visual communication.

📺 Watch

Netflix Competes with Fortnite for Screen Time

In a quarterly report released this week, Netflix claimed that it competes for screen time with Fortnite more than it does HBO.

"We earn consumer screen time, both mobile and television, away from a very broad set of competitors."

Think about that for a minute, and consider the growing place of gaming in our lives as screens fight for our attention.

Netflix's framing reveals attention economy's real landscape: competition isn't between similar services (streaming vs streaming) but between all activities competing for eyeballs. Fortnite, YouTube, TikTok, reading, sleep, conversation—all competitors in zero-sum attention market. Gaming's prominence signals shift from passive consumption to interactive engagement. When entertainment giant acknowledges game as primary competitor, it confirms what young people already know: gaming isn't just entertainment but primary social space.

📚 Read

What Facebook's 10-Year Challenge Is Really About

If you use social media, this week you've probably noticed a trend across Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter of people posting their then-and-now profile pictures, mostly from 10 years ago and this year.

Kate O'Neill in Wired expands on a question about whether all of this data could be mined to train facial recognition algorithms on age progression & age recognition.

I'm torn between two possibilities on this debate.

One, Facebook (and other companies) is getting us to share/label photos for learning possibilities. I think this could definitely be used to help the machines learn.

Second, Facebook (and other companies) are getting us to play "remember when" as user (and employee) attitudes are changing about the social network. They're hoping to have users emote and connect to strengthen bonds as they're fraying.

I think these two possibilities could exist contemporaneously. I don't think it's random. Nothing is in these spaces.

The genius of 10-year challenge is it serves multiple purposes simultaneously. Training data for age-progression algorithms? Absolutely—perfectly labeled temporal pairs. Nostalgia play to re-engage users losing faith in platform? Also yes. The beauty from Facebook's perspective is users enthusiastically generate both outcomes. Nothing on platforms is random. Every viral trend serves platform interests whether users recognize it or not. Assuming benign intent with surveillance capitalists is dangerous naivety.

Monster 773 Million-Record Breach List Contains Plaintext Passwords

As users of the Internet and communication technologies, we need to understand that security breaches are going to happen. Your accounts, passwords, and other identifying data will get out there online.

According to Have I Been Pwned founder Troy Hunt in a post published Wednesday, a monster list of login credentials is available online.

Here's what you need to do. First, go to Have I Been Pwned and enter your email address to see if your data is out there. If it is...change your passwords for those accounts.

The "Collection #1" breach demonstrates why password reuse is catastrophic. One breach at obscure forum from 2012 exposes credentials reused across banking, email, social media. Plaintext passwords mean no decryption needed—credentials ready for immediate use. This isn't hypothetical risk but actual credentials circulating in criminal marketplaces. Security isn't about preventing all breaches (impossible) but limiting damage through unique passwords, two-factor authentication, and breach monitoring. Have I Been Pwned makes monitoring accessible. Use it.

A new study by researchers at Facebook, Harvard, Princeton and New York University takes every county in the United States and measures how many friend connections Facebook users in that county have to users in every other county in the United States, normalized by total population of each county.

The resulting maps paint a fascinating and powerful portrait of the enduring influence geography has even in the digital era that was supposed to erase its impact and bridge communities & cultures across the world.

Social media doesn't eliminate geography—it replicates and amplifies it. People connect with those geographically proximate, attended same colleges, share regional culture. Digital connections follow physical infrastructure, economic patterns, migration flows. The promise that internet would create borderless global community ignores how human connection works: we bond with those we share context with. Platforms don't transcend geography; they make existing geographic patterns visible and quantifiable. This has profound implications for echo chambers, polarization, and information flow.

Regardless of your viewpoint on Ocasio-Cortez and her ideological stance, her use of social media is viewed as fresh and authentic. Some of her guidance:

On being yourself:

"Don't try to be anybody who you're not."
"If you're an older woman, talk like an older woman talks."

On internet etiquette and literacy:

"If you don't know what a meme is, don't post a meme."
"Sometimes the culture here is to fit in and keep your heads low." But "we don't want to separate ourselves" from constituents on social media.
"Mute people but try not to block them."

On acting like a human, not a robot:

"Social media is not a press release. It's not a press conference."
"It's not the kitchen that's popular, or the cooking that's popular, it's that I'm engaging people doing something I'm already doing."

AOC's social media effectiveness comes from rejecting performative professionalism for actual personality. Most politicians use social media as broadcast channel—polished statements, press releases, managed messaging. She uses it as conversation—cooking while talking policy, responding to constituents, admitting mistakes, showing process. Authenticity isn't strategy but refusal to separate public and private personas. The lesson: platforms designed for social connection work better when you're actually social not when you're performing being social.

I do a lot of screensharing & screencasting from my computer, but primarily for teaching/writing purposes. I've noticed that my Wife frequently grabs screencaptures from Instagram, Pinterest, and elsewhere to share them with friends on social media. I've always thought this was a bit odd, but it appears that Squad (and other copycat apps) are jumping on this behavior.

Screen-sharing as social practice reveals how visual communication dominates. Rather than describe what you're seeing, just share the screen. Rather than link to content, capture and send it. Squad formalizes this emergent behavior into platform. The shift from text ("check out this post") to visual ("here's the screen") mirrors broader movement toward image-based communication. For generation raised on FaceTime, Snapchat, Instagram Stories, screen-sharing isn't odd but natural extension of visual-first communication preferences.

🔨 Do

Remove.BG - Remove Photo Backgrounds

Richard Byrne pointed out Remove.BG, a site that can be used to remove backgrounds on photos for free. He suggests this is a great opportunity to play with digital images and place yourself anywhere.

This is a great tool that you should have in your back pocket.

Background removal democratizes image manipulation previously requiring Photoshop expertise. AI-powered tools make sophisticated editing accessible, enabling creative play and also sophisticated deception. Same technology lets students create fun self-portraits and propagandists create convincing composites. The educational opportunity is teaching both creative possibilities and critical evaluation: how to make images and how to question them.

🤔 Consider

"You've got to get up every morning with determination if you're going to go to bed with satisfaction." — George Lorimer

Building your best self requires daily determination not one-time transformation. 10-year challenge shows we build selves over time through accumulated choices not sudden changes. Security breaches demand determined password hygiene not one-time fixes. Geographic connection patterns reveal we build networks through sustained proximity and shared experience. AOC's authentic social media comes from determined consistency not performed persona. Squad's screen-sharing formalizes practices built through repeated behavior. Satisfaction comes not from achievements but from determined daily practice of becoming. Morning determination builds evening satisfaction through accumulated small choices.

Previous: TLDR 180 • Next: TLDR 182 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

10 Year Challenge Facial Recognition — Kate O'Neill questioning whether viral meme serves dual purpose training age-progression algorithms while strengthening user bonds through nostalgia in 02 CURATE/Surveillance Capitalism.
773 Million Breach — Collection 1 breach containing plaintext passwords demonstrates why password reuse catastrophic requiring unique passwords and breach monitoring through Have I Been Pwned in Cybersecurity.
Social Connectedness Geography — Facebook research mapping county friend connections reveals geography's enduring influence in digital era replicating rather than eliminating physical proximity patterns in Social Networks.
AOC Social Media Authenticity — Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez social media effectiveness from rejecting performative professionalism for actual personality treating platforms as conversation not broadcast in Political Communication.
Squad Screen-Sharing — App formalizing emergent behavior of capturing and sharing screens reflects shift toward visual-first communication preferences over text-based description in Digital Communication.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 180

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 180

Burning the Candle at Both Ends

Published: 2019-01-11 • 📧 Newsletter

Welcome to Issue 180. Burning the candle at both ends.

This week:

The Case for Anonymity Online - This post details some of my recent thoughts about identity and sharing online.
The Privilege of Screentime - This post from our screentime website posits that you don't have to give children access to devices. It could/should be a right...not a privilege.
Starting Up a New Learning Space in Google Classroom - A video detailing my thoughts as I start up a new class in Google Classroom.

🔖 Key Takeaways

Social Media Solitude Paradox: Research shows social media use correlates with preference for solitary activities over social ones suggesting platforms marketed as "social" actually promote isolation not connection.
Millennials Burnout Generation: Anne Helen Petersen identifies perpetual burnout as defining generational experience for millennials raised with narrative demanding constant work resulting in current paralysis unable to complete basic tasks.
Screentime Better Questions: We'll never get good answers about screen time effects unless we start asking better questions beginning with honest definitions about what "screen time" actually means.
Social Media Value Curation: Finding joy in digital spaces requires concerted curation effort unfollowing culling and experimenting across platforms to identify what brings value versus what drains energy.
Beauty in Doing Nothing: Jenny Odell's keynote on doing nothing offers antidote to burnout culture finding beauty and design in refusal to constantly produce and perform.

📺 Watch

Online Dating App Discourse

The world of online dating has its own discourse and social practices. If you're not part of it...it can be hard to figure things out.

This week we tried to make sense of some of the online dating apps as an adolescent in the family is exploring them. This video helps make sense of the stark ways in which we eliminate the person from the equation.

Dating apps reduce human connection to swipeable profiles optimized for split-second judgments. Photos, brief bios, and algorithmic matching replace the messy complexity of actually meeting people. The "elimination of person from equation" reveals how platforms designed to facilitate connection actually systematize rejection and commodify intimacy. For adolescents navigating identity formation, these systems teach troubling lessons about human value and relationship building.

📚 Read

The "social" in social media may be a misnomer.

New research published in Psychological Reports provides evidence that the use of social media is related to a preference for solitary activities rather than social ones.

This finding inverts the assumed relationship: rather than social media connecting us, it may be training preference for parasocial relationships and curated content over messy face-to-face interaction. The causation could flow both directions—people preferring solitude use social media more, or social media use cultivates solitary preference—but either way it challenges platforms' claims about fostering community. If "social" media makes us less social, what are we actually building?

How Millennials Became the Burnout Generation

Anne Helen Petersen describing what she describes as the "base temperature" in her life...and those around her. She identifies this as being perpetually burnt out from working all of the time.

She posits that this is a shared, defining generational experience for all millennials. This is because she was raised with this narrative that people should be busy and work all of the time to be successful. That has resulted in the current situation of paralysis for these young adults.

Petersen's analysis connects burnout to childhood optimization: millennials were raised as projects to be perfected through constant achievement. Extracurriculars, AP classes, resume-building, personal branding—all training for adulthood as perpetual self-improvement. But optimization has no endpoint. You can't finish being optimized. This creates paralysis: even simple tasks feel impossible because they're never good enough. Burnout isn't overwork but internalized impossibility of rest.

We've Got the Screen Time Debate All Wrong. Let's Fix It.

For right or wrong, the big tech companies have seen which way the wind is blowing and responded to issues of digital dependence.

Experts suggest that we'll never get good answers about the effects of screen time, unless we start asking better questions. That means being honest with ourselves about what we mean by "screen time" in the first place.

"Screen time" collapses radically different activities into meaningless category. Reading ebook, video chatting grandparents, doom-scrolling Twitter, coding creative project, watching educational documentary, playing exploitative mobile game—all count as "screen time" despite vastly different cognitive demands, social contexts, and effects. Better questions ask: What are you doing? With whom? What meaning does it have? Screen time debates fail because they treat screens as problem rather than asking what practices and contexts matter.

As 2018 started winding down, I slowly started to clean up and cull my social media presence. I shared much less on Facebook and tried to decide what role that would have in my life. I also have been steadily unfollowing people on my Twitter timeline. Finally, I restarted my Mastodon profile in a different instance to engage again in those spaces.

This is a larger, concerted effort to find value and joy in each of these spaces and practices.

This great post from Aaron Davis describes his thinking about interactions in these spaces...and making them the best that they can be.

Social media curation isn't passive consumption but active construction of information environment. Unfollowing isn't rejection but boundary-setting. Experimenting across platforms (Twitter, Mastodon, etc.) recognizes different affordances suit different purposes. The effort to "find value and joy" acknowledges that default social media experience optimized for engagement not wellbeing. Making spaces work for you requires intentional design not algorithmic surrender.

Remembering the Past Through Photos

For the holiday season, my Wife purchased a Google Assistant-powered display for our kitchen. We have a number of speakers in the house and love the way we can listen to music and have dance parties while making dinner. The display adds a small monitor to our kitchen that displays a collection of our family photos.

I regularly think critically about these digital tools and their role in my life...and the life of my family unit. Reading this reflection by Doug Belshaw was meaningful for me as he reflects on the same experience.

The Google Assistant photo display raises questions about memory curation and surveillance. Which photos get shown? Who decides? What narratives do algorithmic selections construct about your family? The convenience of ambient photo display trades privacy for nostalgia—Google needs access to your photos to show them, building profiles of your family, relationships, locations, activities. Critical thinking about these tools means asking: What am I getting? What am I giving? Who benefits from this exchange?

🔨 Do

How to Do Nothing

This post shares the text and slides from a keynote given by writer and artist Jenny Odell. The video of the keynote is available here.

As we consider how busy, wired, and possibly burnt out we get in our lives...perhaps we have the opportunity to do nothing. Odell focuses on the beauty and design in nothing.

As a side note, please click through to Odell's website. It's giving me some ideas of things I'd like to create on my own site.

Odell's "doing nothing" isn't laziness but resistance to attention economy's demands for constant productivity and performance. In culture that measures worth by output, doing nothing reclaims time for observation, reflection, and presence. Beauty exists in noticing what's already there not producing new content. Design in nothing means intentional refusal not passive default. Against burnout's paralysis, doing nothing offers active choice to disengage from optimization and simply be.

🤔 Consider

"To achieve great things, two things are needed: a plan and not quite enough time." — Leonard Bernstein

Bernstein's paradox about time pressure meets its limit in burnout generation. Plan without enough time creates urgency that can drive achievement but perpetual not-enough-time creates paralysis not productivity. Social media solitude shows we're burning candles connecting to screens while isolating from people. Screentime debate burns time arguing about screens instead of asking what practices matter. Social media curation requires burning energy to create joy from spaces designed to drain it. Photo displays burn privacy for convenience. Doing nothing offers way to stop burning entirely choosing presence over constant combustion. Burning candle at both ends works briefly but eventually you're left in darkness.

Previous: TLDR 179 • Next: TLDR 181 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Millennials Burnout Generation — Anne Helen Petersen identifying perpetual burnout as defining generational characteristic from narrative demanding constant work resulting in paralysis for young adults in Generational Studies.
Social Media Solitude Paradox — Research showing social media use correlates with preference for solitary activities not social ones suggesting platforms marketed as social actually promote isolation in Social Psychology.
Screentime Debate Better Questions — Experts arguing we need honest definitions about what screen time means collapsing radically different activities into meaningless category prevents useful understanding in Media Effects.
Digital Photo Memory — Doug Belshaw reflecting on Google Assistant photo displays raising questions about memory curation surveillance and trading privacy for nostalgia in Digital Privacy.
Doing Nothing Resistance — Jenny Odell keynote on doing nothing as resistance to attention economy finding beauty in refusal to constantly produce and perform in Attention Economy.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 18

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 18

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 18

Published: 2015-10-23 • 📧 Newsletter

Thanks again for the support. :)

This week I worked on the following:

The WalkMyWorld Project: Video overview for the K12 online conference - This week the video I produced on the WalkMyWorld Project for the K12 Online Conference was finally released. You can check out all of the great work at the 2015 schedule page.
Getting started in Medium: Reading, annotating, commenting, and recommending - As I mentioned last week, I joined a writing collective on Medium. In a related effort, I'm working with a group of colleagues to finally start up a writing group on Medium. I should have more info later. For now...we're scaling up by starting up Medium accounts, and learning how it all works.

🔖 Key Takeaways

WalkMyWorld Released: K12 Online Conference video finally published—exploring digital texts and tools for connection.
Medium Writing Collective: Starting up accounts, learning the platform—scaling up for collaborative writing group.
Cognitive Dissonance: One of my favorite teaching concepts—mental stress when confronting information that conflicts with beliefs.
Nick Sousanis Deity: Dissertation in graphic novel form made him a deity in my world—entropy explained in comic book.
Internet Knowledge Illusion: Tom Stafford on how the Internet affects confidence in what we know—changing how minds operate.

📺 Watch

The Force Awakens Trailer #3 - Music Only Edit

Yes, the new trailer for Star Wars: The Force Awakens was released this week. Yes, the Internet freaked out over it. What I love about this video is that it strips out the dialogue and accentuates the music in the production. You get a real feel for the mood and tone created by the music.

📚 Read

Nine great writers talk to Bill Moyers about why they write

In this post, Bill Moyers shares video of interviews he conducted with great writers over time. The end result provides insight into how these minds work, synthesize, and create.

The writers include Toni Morrison, Norman Lear, MFK Fisher, Luis Alberto Urrea, Maxine Hong Kingston, Isaac Asimov, Robert Bly, Lucille Clifton, & W. S. Merwin.

Web of Illusion: How the Internet affects our confidence in what we know

This post by cognitive scientist Tom Stafford looks at our illusions of knowledge and our own beliefs in our intelligence as modified by the advent of the Internet. If the Internet is really changing how our minds operate...what effect does this have on our confidence and certainty about our thoughts?

What happens to the brain during cognitive dissonance?

One of my favorite concepts to teach in my Education classes focuses on cognitive dissonance and opportunities for learning. Cognitive dissonance is the state of mental stress or discomfort that occurs when you're trying to make sense of something that you're not previously accustomed to. It's when you hold two competing ideas in your head...or are confronted with information that conflicts with existing beliefs, ideas, or values.

This post from Keise Izuma at the Scientific American looks at the neural complexity of what happens during these states at the brain cell level.

Professors shouldn't teach themselves to younger versions of themselves

This post from Rebecca Shuman at Slate discusses the problems that exist when academics focus on model students as opposed to the real world ones that show up daily in their classrooms.

The American professoriate shouldn't gear their courses exclusively to students who are so bright and motivated they could learn the material on their own. They should also include components designed for the average, real, very-much-not-ideal student they will actually meet.

I think this post provides insight for educators and instructors from Pre-K up through higher ed. I think it also provides keen insight into instructional design in online and hybrid spaces. This post begs questions about how we design and scale up MOOCs.

Some rules of language are wired in the brain

This post by Madhuvanthi Kannan, a postdoc at Yale studying neurobiology discusses the sound, symbol, and meaning relationships that are possibly hard wired into our brains. The post focuses on some research that suggests that as infants, our brains are essentially cross-wired to recognize sounds and symbols across languages and systems. As we grow and age in our specific language and culture, we lose this sensitivity to other languages and systems.

We've always considered this to be true...perhaps we're getting some more insight into engineering at the cellular level.

Stanford researchers treat autism with Google Glass

Interesting work from the Autism Glass Project that builds off of work from the MIT Media Lab and Project Capture the Smile. In short, the Google Glass is scanning the faces of other individuals, recognizing cues for engagement and emotions, and giving the wearer of the Google Glass some insight into motive and purpose of others. The hope is that this will help help autistic children recognize and classify emotions.

Entropy explained in comic book form

Ever since Nick Sousanis released his dissertation in graphic novel form, he's been a deity in my world.

This piece is one of his nonfiction pieces in which he explains the connection between life and entropy. I thoroughly recommend clicking through to the link above from the Boston Globe to review the whole piece.

🔨 Do

Instagram's new standalone app Boomerang captures 1-second video loops

I've discussed the past how much I love Vine and try to embed it into lessons and activities. But, have you ever thought about those six seconds in Vine seemed to be too long? Perhaps not. :)

But, I think you should check out the new app Boomerang from Instagram. The app uses images and videos you created, and mixes in some of their Hyperlapse secret sauce. The end result is a 1 second clip that mimics some of the magic in GIFs.

I'll play with this and see what I can do with it. Please share what you create.

🤔 Consider

"We are all now connected by the Internet, like neurons in a giant brain." — Stephen Hawking

Bill Moyers' interviews with nine great writers—Toni Morrison, Isaac Asimov, Lucille Clifton—provide insight into how minds work, synthesize, create. Watching writers explain why they write reveals the process beneath the product. The interviews become archaeological excavation of creative thinking.

Tom Stafford's piece on Internet knowledge illusion strikes at something uncomfortable: the web changes how our minds operate, affecting confidence and certainty about our thoughts. We confuse access to information with possession of knowledge. The Internet creates illusions of competence we haven't earned.

Cognitive dissonance remains one of my favorite concepts to teach. Mental stress when confronting information that conflicts with beliefs creates opportunities for learning. You hold two competing ideas simultaneously, or encounter evidence that challenges values. Keise Izuma's work reveals neural complexity at the brain cell level—the physical architecture of intellectual discomfort.

Rebecca Shuman's critique cuts: professors shouldn't gear courses exclusively to bright, motivated students who could learn material independently. Design for average, real, very-much-not-ideal students who actually show up. This applies Pre-K through higher ed. This begs questions about how we design and scale up MOOCs. Are we building for ideal learners who don't exist?

Nick Sousanis became a deity in my world when he released his dissertation in graphic novel form. His entropy comic explains the connection between life and disorder through visual thinking. Comics aren't simplified explanations. They're sophisticated arguments that work differently than text.

The Autism Glass Project uses Google Glass to scan faces, recognize engagement cues, give wearers insight into others' motives and emotions. Helping autistic children classify emotions through augmented reality. The technology mediates social understanding.

Madhuvanthi Kannan's work suggests language rules are wired in the brain. As infants, we're cross-wired to recognize sounds and symbols across languages and systems. We lose this sensitivity as we grow into specific language and culture. Engineering at the cellular level reveals what we've always suspected.

Stephen Hawking's metaphor resonates: we're all connected by the Internet like neurons in a giant brain. But neurons in giant brains can misfire, create illusions, confuse access with understanding. The question isn't whether we're connected—it's what kind of thinking emerges from these connections.

Previous: TLDR 17 • Next: TLDR 19 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

WalkMyWorld Project — K12 Online Conference video released, digital texts and tools for connection.
Medium — Writing collective launch, scaling up accounts, learning platform mechanics.
Star Wars Force Awakens — Music-only trailer edit accentuating mood and tone.
Bill Moyers — Nine great writers on why they write, creative process excavation.
Tom Stafford — Internet knowledge illusion, confusing access with possession.
Cognitive Dissonance — Favorite teaching concept, mental stress from conflicting beliefs.
Rebecca Shuman — Professors teaching to ideal vs real students, MOOC design critique.
Madhuvanthi Kannan — Language rules wired in brain, infant cross-wiring across systems.
Google Glass — Autism Glass Project scanning faces, recognizing emotions.
MIT Media Lab — Project Capture the Smile, affective computing research.
Nick Sousanis — Deity in my world, dissertation in graphic novel form.
Entropy Comic — Boston Globe piece explaining life and disorder visually.
Boomerang App — Instagram 1-second video loops, Hyperlapse secret sauce.
Vine — Six seconds sometimes too long, embedding in lessons and activities.
Stephen Hawking — Internet as neurons in giant brain, collective connection.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 179

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 179

On New Beginnings

Published: 2019-01-05 • 📧 Newsletter

Welcome to Issue 179. On new beginnings.

Hi all, welcome to 2019. Hopefully you've started some new intentions for the new year after spending some time reflecting. I know I have.

This holiday break was relatively busy. I sent out two research manuscripts and an abstract for an upcoming themed issue:

Pre-Service Educators Developing a Domain of One's Own - This manuscript details research conducted with a colleague, Tracey Hunter-Doniger, as we explore our work as pre-service teachers develop professional/personal websites. We shared the Google Doc here to allow you to review & comment. Feedback will be used & appreciated. :)
Math, music, & transdisciplinarity: Pre-service teachers' design of instruction mediated by technology - I conducted this research with my STEAM Research Team at CofC (Nenad Radakovic & Tracey Hunter-Doniger). We conducted this work and wrote the manuscript together with two of our students.
Educate, Empower, Advocate: Amplifying marginalized voices in a digital society - This abstract was sent out to CITE for a special call on Technology and Teacher Education in Troubled Times.

Screentime resources:

Create a Screentime Contract with your child - As your child receives some new tech, it's a good time to start a discussion about the use and expectations of this tool.
Imagine if we could cast aside screentime - A response to a recent NY Times Opinion about avoiding devices for the upcoming year.

Video:

Creating a Domain of Their Own For Educators (& Students) in Early Childhood Education - This year I'm going to steadily work on sharing more content to my YouTube channel. This video is a recording of the keynote I gave to the Early Childhood Summit in 2018.

🔖 Key Takeaways

Content Moderation PowerPoint: Facebook outsources moderation to contractors organizing complex decisions with PowerPoint slides reducing nuanced judgment to simple equations likely training machine learning for automated moderation.
Scratch Beyond Coding: Version 3.0 prioritizes creative thinking systematic reasoning and collaborative working over making kids coders recognizing coding as means to develop essential capacities not end goal.
Reinvention Imperative: Harari argues 2050 success requires ability to reinvent yourself repeatedly as accelerating change makes specific knowledge obsolete faster than it can be acquired demanding adaptability over expertise.
Epistemology of Misinformation: MacKenzie and Bhatt explore differences between lies (intentional falsehoods), bullshit (indifference to truth), and fake news (strategic disinformation) revealing distinct epistemic problems requiring different responses.
Luddite Self-Driving Backlash: Arizonans attacking Waymo vehicles with rocks knives and PVC pipes demonstrates how technological disruption provokes violent resistance when communities feel powerless over changes imposed on them.

📺 Watch

Microsoft Word 2007 Commercial

This video is cringeworthy...and hilarious at the same time. It is nine years old, but for some reason it popped to the top of my YouTube feed this week.

It's a great discussion starter for discussions about tech.

The commercial's earnest enthusiasm for features nobody asked for perfectly captures how technology marketing often misses what users actually need. Nine years later it's even funnier because most of those "revolutionary" features went unused. Great reminder that technological novelty doesn't equal genuine improvement.

📚 Read

Facebook's Secret Rules for Content Moderation

This story came out a week ago, but it's important to keep our eyes on. Technically, it came out a little more than a year ago, but it's been bubbling up in our news feeds again.

For better or worse, Facebook is our digital commons. Many of us gather there to communicate, share, and connect. Constantly under fire for stirring up distrust and violence, the social network has vowed to clean up the social network, but leaked documents raise serious questions about its approach.

Facebook's approach is to outsource this work to contractors and keep them informed/organized with a stack of PowerPoint slides reducing discussion moderation to a simple equation. My thinking is they're using this work to teach machine learning algorithms, and will soon automate the process...for better or worse.

The PowerPoint slide approach reveals Facebook's fundamental misunderstanding: content moderation requires nuanced cultural context judgment and ethical reasoning—precisely what can't be reduced to flowcharts. Outsourcing to low-paid contractors following rigid guidelines ensures inconsistent enforcement while training algorithms to replicate those same inadequacies at scale. This isn't moderation strategy but liability management theater.

The Next Generation of Scratch Teaches More Than Coding

Mitch Resnick on the launch of Scratch 3.0.

Keep in mind this is much more than making all kids coders and programmers.

"But just engaging more students in coding has never been our top priority. Rather, our educational mission is to engage students in thinking creatively, reasoning systematically and working collaboratively—essential skills for everyone in today's society. From the beginning, we integrated Scratch coding activities into an online community, so that students can provide feedback, inspiration and encouragement to one another. And we took a project-oriented approach so that students can learn to express themselves creatively and develop their creative capacities."

Read more about the announcement from the Scratch Team.

Resnick's framing matters: coding isn't vocational training but creative medium. Like learning to write develops thinking beyond grammar rules, learning to code develops systematic reasoning beyond syntax. Scratch's genius is treating programming as expressive tool for making things that matter to you not career preparation. The online community aspect recognizes learning happens through sharing creating and iterating together not individual skill acquisition.

What Kids Need to Learn to Succeed in 2050

Yuval Noah Harari is one of my favorite authors. His book Sapiens is excellent and has been gifted many times. His new book, 21 Lessons for the 21st Century, is waiting for me as soon as I finish The Three Body Problem.

This essay by Harari shares insight into what will really matter for our futures. The key...reinvention. To keep up with the world of 2050, you will need to do more than merely invent new ideas and products, but above all, reinvent yourself again and again.

Harari's argument challenges education's entire premise: if specific knowledge becomes obsolete faster than it can be acquired, teaching content is futile. Instead education must cultivate psychological resilience, emotional intelligence, and capacity for continuous learning. The ability to abandon expertise you spent years developing and rebuild from scratch becomes more valuable than the expertise itself. This is profoundly uncomfortable for systems built on credentialing stable knowledge.

Lies, Bullshit and Fake News: Some Epistemological Concerns

A great piece in the Postdigital Science & Education Journal by Alison MacKenzie and Ibrar Bhatt.

MacKenzie and Bhatt start with a simple series of questions and problematize this while looking at future contexts: What is the difference between a lie, bullshit, and a fake news story? And is it defensible to lie, bullshit, or spread fake stories?

Their analysis draws on Frankfurt's philosophy distinguishing:

Lies: Intentional falsehoods requiring knowledge of truth
Bullshit: Indifference to truth/falsity caring only about persuasive effect
Fake news: Strategic disinformation designed to undermine epistemic trust

Each requires different response: lies need fact-checking, bullshit needs calling out indifference to truth, fake news needs addressing structural conditions enabling weaponized uncertainty. Conflating them under "misinformation" misses distinct epistemic problems.

Wielding Rocks and Knives, Arizonans Attack Self-Driving Cars

From the general WTF section comes this story.

Luddites of the world unite!!! Individuals in Chandler, Arizona are lashing out at driverless cars by slashing tires, pelting them with rocks, and threatening riders with PVC pipes.

This backlash reveals technology's social contract problem: when disruption gets imposed without consent or compensation, resistance turns violent. Chandler residents see autonomous vehicles as threatening jobs, neighborhood safety, and autonomy over their community. Attacking the cars is less irrational than symbolic—asserting agency against changes they didn't choose and can't control. Technology companies treat public streets as testing grounds assuming public acceptance. Surprise: publics push back.

🔨 Do

Digital Decluttering with Marie Kondo

I first heard about Marie Kondo a little over a year ago when she appeared on the Tim Ferriss show. Over the holiday break, her series popped up on Netflix and my Wife has been captured.

At the same time, I've been thinking about cleaning up my digital identities. Think about your digital goods and identities. What brings you joy?

Apply KonMari method to digital life:

Social media accounts - Does this platform spark joy or drain energy?
Email subscriptions - When did you last actually read this newsletter?
Apps - Used in last month or digital clutter?
Photos - Which actually matter vs compulsive documentation?
Bookmarks - Will you ever return or just guilt collection?

Digital decluttering isn't just organization but intentionality. Each digital object demands attention maintenance and cognitive load. Keeping only what sparks joy isn't minimalism but essentialism—focusing on what matters by eliminating what doesn't.

🤔 Consider

"Every new beginning comes from some other beginning's end." — Seneca

Seneca's wisdom applies to 2019's beginnings and necessary endings. Facebook's content moderation approach must end for genuine community governance to begin. Coding-as-career-prep must end for Scratch's creative-thinking mission to flourish. Fixed-expertise education must end for Harari's reinvention imperative to emerge. Epistemic naivety about misinformation must end for nuanced responses to lies bullshit and fake news to develop. Imposing autonomous vehicles without consent must end for technological change with democratic legitimacy to begin. Digital accumulation must end for intentional digital life to start. New beginnings require endings we're often reluctant to accept.

Previous: TLDR 178 • Next: TLDR 180 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Facebook Content Moderation — Outsourcing moderation to contractors using PowerPoint slides reducing nuanced judgment to simple equations likely training machine learning for automated enforcement in Platform Governance.
Scratch 3.0 Beyond Coding — Mitch Resnick launching version prioritizing creative thinking systematic reasoning and collaboration over making coders treating programming as expressive medium in Computational Thinking.
Harari Reinvention 2050 — Yuval Noah Harari arguing success requires constant self-reinvention as accelerating change makes specific knowledge obsolete faster than acquired demanding adaptability in Future of Education.
Epistemology Fake News — Alison MacKenzie Ibrar Bhatt distinguishing lies bullshit and fake news as distinct epistemic problems requiring different responses beyond misinformation label in Information Literacy.
Luddite Technology Resistance — Chandler Arizona residents attacking Waymo self-driving cars demonstrates violent resistance when technological disruption imposed without consent or compensation in Technology and Society.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 178

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 178

Time Travel & Other Dimensions

Published: 2018-12-15 • 📧 Newsletter

Welcome to Issue 178. Time travel and other dimensions.

This will be the last episode of 2018. I'll be unplugging for the final two weeks of the year to reflect on the past year...and plan for upcoming initiatives. See you on the other side. :)

This week:

Social Scholarship: Educators in digital, social spaces - In this post I share insight from several recent publications with colleagues. This is an attempt to be more approachable and accessible in my work.
Pre-Service Educators Developing a Domain of One's Own - This manuscript details research conducted with a colleague, Tracey Hunter-Doniger, as we explore our work as pre-service teachers develop professional/personal websites. We shared the Google Doc here to allow you to review & comment. Feedback will be used & appreciated. :)
Meditation on Ethical Communities and Digital Citizenship - I was asked to write this meditation to open a section in a book on Ethics in Teaching Digital Literacy being edited by Kristen Turner. I shared the Google Doc here to allow you to review & comment. Feedback will be used & appreciated. :)

🔖 Key Takeaways

News Fragmentation Crisis: Social media surpassing newspapers as news source means moving from one shared "Meet the Press" everyone watches to 60 different versions different groups consume fragmenting shared reality.
Screentime Technopanic Amplified: 60 Minutes featuring NIH ABCD study showing cortical thinning and lower aptitude scores fuels moral panic despite preliminary data and unclear whether effects meaningful or lasting.
Anonymized Data Illusion: MIT researchers reidentified 95% of supposedly anonymized Singapore users in 11 weeks by matching location stamps across datasets proving privacy protections fundamentally broken.
Digital Time Distortion: Third day syndrome reveals after 72 hours unplugged people feel more calm focused and rested suggesting digital media alters internalized pace of temporal experience causing chronic cognitive fatigue.
Consciousness Synchronization Theory: Resonance theory proposes synchronized vibrations underpin consciousness connecting mind and matter with more complex synchronization producing more sophisticated awareness of physical reality.

📺 Watch

Keri Facer: The Future of Learning

Keri Facer, Professor of Education at Manchester Metropolitan University, discusses the future of learning in the context of an underlying shift in the foundation of society and its impact.

Social efficiency is all about future-proofing rather than future-building. We need to focus on future building as opposed to future proofing.

Future-proofing assumes tomorrow resembles today just faster or more technological—preparing students for predetermined future. Future-building recognizes tomorrow emerges from choices made today—empowering students as active architects of futures plural not passive adapters to future singular. The distinction shifts education from risk management to possibility creation.

📚 Read

According to a new report from Pew Research Center, social media has for the first time surpassed newspapers as a preferred source of news for American adults. However, social media is still far behind other traditional news sources, like TV and radio, for example.

One-in-five U.S. adults say they often get news via social media, slightly higher than the share who often do so from print newspapers (16%) for the first time since Pew Research Center began asking these questions. In 2017, the portion who got news via social media was about equal to the portion who got news from print newspapers.

My question is...what happens when we move from one version of "Meet the Press" that everyone watches...to 60 different versions of "Meet the Press" that different groups watch each week?

When news becomes algorithmically personalized and platform-distributed, shared reality fragments. Without common information foundation, democratic deliberation becomes impossible. We don't just disagree on solutions—we inhabit entirely different factual universes. The shift from newspapers to social media isn't just format change but epistemic transformation.

Is Screen Time Bad for Kids' Brains?

A new week, and some new technopanic from the New York Times around screentime.

A study featured on "60 Minutes" is sure to alarm parents. Here's what scientists know, and don't know, about the link between screens, behavior, and development.

On Sunday evening, CBS's "60 Minutes" reported on early results from the A.B.C.D. Study (for Adolescent Brain Cognitive Development), a $300 million project financed by the National Institutes of Health. The study aims to reveal how brain development is affected by a range of experiences, including substance use, concussions, and screen time.

As part of an exposé on screen time, "60 Minutes" reported that heavy screen use was associated with lower scores on some aptitude tests, and to accelerated "cortical thinning"—a natural process—in some children. But the data is preliminary, and it's unclear whether the effects are lasting or even meaningful.

Read more here at Scientific American, Newsweek, and Big Think.

The problem with featuring preliminary correlational findings on "60 Minutes" is it fuels moral panic before scientific understanding emerges. Cortical thinning is natural developmental process. Lower aptitude scores might reflect socioeconomic factors not screen time itself. Association isn't causation, and early results aren't conclusions.

Sorry, Your Data Can Still Be Identified Even If It's Anonymized

Urban planners and researchers at MIT found that it's shockingly easy to "reidentify" anonymized data that people generate all day...especially in cities.

Carlo Ratti, Professor of Urban Technologies from the MIT Senseable City Lab, who co-authored the study in IEEE Transactions on Big Data, says that the research process made them feel "a bit like 'white hat' or 'ethical' hackers" in a news release.

They combined two anonymized datasets of people in Singapore—one of mobile phone logs and the other of transit trips—each containing "location stamps" detailing just the time and place of each data point. They then used an algorithm to match users with phone logs, transit slips, GPS data, and other data points.

In the end, it took a week to match up 17% of the users and 11 weeks to get to a 95% rate of accuracy.

This demolishes the privacy protection fiction that anonymization provides adequate safeguards. If researchers can reidentify 95% of users in 11 weeks using just location stamps, imagine what surveillance agencies or data brokers with more resources and fewer ethical constraints can do. Anonymization is security theater.

Digital Media and Our Experience of Time

Michael Sacasas writing about time, and what David Strayer and Matt Ritchel, researchers from the University of Utah, describe as the "third day syndrome."

The "third day syndrome" is the tendency, after about three days of being "unplugged," to find oneself more at ease, more calm, more focused, and more rested. Sacasas asks, "If we can find out that people are walking around fatigued and not realizing their cognitive potential... What can we do to get us back to our full potential?"

I'm sure the idea that we are walking around fatigued will strike most as entirely plausible. That we're not realizing our full cognitive potential, well, yes, that resonates pretty well, too. But, that's not what mostly concerns me at the moment.

What mostly concerns me has more to do with what I'd call the internalized pace at which we experience the world. I'm not sure that's the most elegant formulation for what I'm trying to get at. I have in mind something like our inner experience of time, but that's not exactly right either. It's more like the speed at which we feel ourselves moving across the temporal dimension.

Digital media doesn't just distract attention—it alters temporal experience itself. Constant notifications create perpetual now. Infinite scroll eliminates natural stopping points. Algorithmic feeds erase chronology. We internalize these rhythms, experiencing time as fragmented, accelerated, eternally present. Three days unplugged doesn't just reduce stimulation—it allows recalibration to human rather than machine temporality.

The Science of "Vibes" Shows How Everything Is Connected

In a recent post in Scientific American, lawyer and philosopher Tam Hunt and psychologist Jonathan Schooler from the University of California at Santa Barbara describe their new theory of consciousness.

They ask the question..."What physical processes underpin mental experience, linking mind and matter and creating the sense of self?" This search for the rules that relate mind and matter is often referred to as the "hard problem of consciousness."

Hunt and Schooler posit that every physical object, including you, is vibrating and oscillating. The more synchronized these vibes are, the more complex our connection with the world around us, and the more sophisticated our consciousness.

Their "resonance theory of consciousness" indicates that synchronized vibrations are central not only to human consciousness but to all of physical reality.

This theory suggests consciousness emerges from synchronization patterns not neural complexity alone. Implications extend beyond neuroscience to philosophy of mind: if consciousness is fundamentally about resonance, then matter and mind aren't separate substances but different aspects of vibrational patterns. The hippies were onto something—it really is all about vibrations.

🔨 Do

Protecting Your Data

Everyone wants your data. Here's how to protect it:

A VPN (virtual private network) - Encrypts your connection and masks your location
A privacy-focused web browser - Firefox, Brave, or Tor instead of Chrome
An encrypted DNS (domain name system) - Cloudflare 1.1.1.1 or OpenDNS
A secure messaging app - Signal, Wire, or Threema
A password manager - 1Password, Bitwarden, or KeePassXC
An encrypted hard drive - FileVault (Mac), BitLocker (Windows), or LUKS (Linux)
A data destroyer - BleachBit or Eraser for secure file deletion

Privacy requires proactive technical measures not just policy promises. Each layer adds protection against different threat models. Perfect security doesn't exist, but security through obscurity and encryption raises costs for surveillance enough to matter.

🤔 Consider

"Don't time travel into the past, roaming through the nuances as if they can change. Don't bookmark pages you've already read." — James Altucher

Altucher's wisdom about staying present applies to digital temporal distortion. Social media infinite scroll enables perpetual time travel into past posts and future anxieties avoiding present moment. News fragmentation creates alternate timelines where different groups inhabit different pasts. Screentime panic time-travels to moral panics past (TV, radio, books) rather than addressing present challenges. Anonymized data reidentification reveals past actions never truly disappear. Third day syndrome shows unplugging returns us to present temporal experience. Resonance theory suggests consciousness exists in synchronized present not fragmented time. Don't bookmark pages already read—engage with now not endless archive of then.

Previous: TLDR 177 • Next: TLDR 179 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Social Media News Fragmentation — Pew Research documenting social media surpassing newspapers fragmenting shared reality into algorithmically personalized factual universes preventing democratic deliberation in News Consumption.
Screentime Technopanic NIH — 60 Minutes amplifying preliminary ABCD study showing cortical thinning and lower aptitude scores fueling moral panic before scientific understanding in Media Effects.
Anonymized Data Reidentification — MIT Senseable City Lab researchers reidentifying 95% Singapore users in 11 weeks demolishing privacy protection fiction that anonymization provides adequate safeguards in Data Privacy.
Digital Time Experience — Michael Sacasas examining third day syndrome revealing digital media alters internalized temporal pace causing chronic cognitive fatigue requiring unplugging recalibration in Technology Psychology.
Resonance Theory Consciousness — Tam Hunt Jonathan Schooler proposing synchronized vibrations underpin consciousness connecting mind and matter suggesting awareness emerges from resonance patterns in Philosophy of Mind.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 177

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 177

Balancing Care & Shame

Published: 2018-12-07 • 📧 Newsletter

Welcome to Issue 177. Balancing care and shame.

Hopefully you're finding time to unplug and enjoy some downtime this week. Self care is important. :)

This week:

The most valuable thing on the Internet is your attention - These two posts have been a longtime coming. I think I'll continue to unpack some of these threads over the coming months.
Critically evaluating online information while under attack - The first post set the table for this post. I've been slowly examining this each week in TL;DR. I've also talked (emailed) with several of you on this topic. Let me know what you think.

🔖 Key Takeaways

Attention Economy Currency: Internet platforms extract value by capturing attention then selling it to advertisers making your focus the fundamental commodity being harvested and monetized.
Public Parenting Shame: Ohio father filming daughter's punishment for bullying and posting it online transforms consequence into viral spectacle raising questions whether public shaming teaches lesson or just inflicts additional harm.
Sharenting Data Harvest: Parents willingly sharing children's information online allows big tech to collect data from birth building profiles before kids can consent creating permanent digital identities.
Facebook True Mission: Internal emails reveal company prioritizes making money and crushing competition over stated mission of connecting people showing systematic deception about values and practices.
Yellow Jackets Facebook Beast: France's protest movement born entirely from decentralized Facebook pages coordinating via viral memes demonstrates how platform's traffic hose pointed at local news creates uncontrollable real-world violence.

📺 Watch

Ohio Father Makes Daughter Walk to School as Punishment

An Ohio father has gone viral for the interesting way he punished his daughter. Matt Cox wanted to teach the girl a lesson after she was kicked off the school bus for three days for bullying another student. It was the second time she'd gotten into trouble for picking on someone.

"My beautiful daughter is going to walk five miles to school in 36-degree weather," Cox says in a video he recorded while driving behind her as she walked. Some are questioning whether the punishment was too harsh.

My concern is about why you would decide to publicly shame a child by documenting this punishment and sharing it online. It is not a case of "simple old-school parenting" as suggested by some. Perhaps having your child deal with the consequences...yes. Posting it online to shame the child and teach others a lesson...I don't see the need.

The distinction matters: consequences teach through experience while public shaming teaches through humiliation. Filming and posting transforms private parenting into performative punishment.

📚 Read

Many parents today enjoy posting about their family on social media. But along with those adorable photos, they are sharing crucial data about their children that big tech companies are harvesting.

In late November, Anne Longfield, England's children's commissioner—tasked with promoting and protecting the rights of children—published a report titled "Who Knows What About Me" which examines how big tech collects data on children and what the potential dangers can be.

A big culprit: "sharenting"—parents willingly giving away their children's information like name and date of birth.

Children now have digital identities constructed before they can speak, assembled from parental oversharing. These profiles follow them forever, created without consent, potentially affecting college admissions, employment, insurance rates, and social opportunities. The commissioner's report documents how platforms build comprehensive dossiers on children from infancy, monetizing childhood itself.

Facebook Emails Show Its Real Mission: Making Money and Crushing Competition

Last week I asked if it is ultimately a moral issue whether or not you leave Facebook? Those of you that have more reason to possibly leave Facebook received more motivation.

British lawmakers released 250 pages of internal emails in which Facebook's executives are shown discussing ways to undermine their competitors, obscure their collection of user data and—above all—ensure that their products kept growing.

In a blog post on Wednesday, Facebook said the documents included in the lawsuit were a cherry-picked sample that "tells only one side of the story and omits important context."

Here's some of the takeaways you need to know:

The company engineered ways to collect Android users' data without alerting them - Deception by design
Mark Zuckerberg personally approved cutting off a competitor's data access - Anticompetitive behavior from the top
Facebook used a privacy app to collect usage data about its competitors - Surveillance tool masquerading as protection
Facebook executives wanted more social sharing, as long as it happened on Facebook - Openness rhetoric masking closed platform strategy

These emails reveal the gap between Facebook's public mission ("bring the world closer together") and actual mission (maximize growth, crush threats, monetize everything).

Oath Agrees to $5 Million Settlement Over Children's Privacy Online

Facebook (and other companies) definitely need to be held to task for their practices as they collect and monetize our data. I'm also concerned about the unknown entities that collect, control, and track our behaviors and identity.

Not really an unseen entity, but Oath, the owner of AOL and Yahoo, has agreed to pay about $5 million to settle charges from the New York attorney general that the media company's online advertising business was violating a federal children's privacy law.

AOL, through its ad exchange, helped place targeted display ads on hundreds of websites that it knew were directed to children under 13, such as Roblox.com and Sweetyhigh.com, according to a settlement that the attorney general's office plans to announce on Tuesday. The attorney general's office said that the ads were placed by using personal data, like cookies and geolocation information, in violation of the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act of 1998 (COPPA).

This settlement reveals how advertising infrastructure systematically violates children's privacy laws at scale. Oath knew these sites targeted children, collected their data anyway, and monetized it through targeted advertising. The $5 million fine is likely far less than profits generated.

The "Yellow Jackets" Riots In France Are What Happens When Facebook Gets Involved With Local News

The Yellow Jackets movement is what happens when you point Facebook's traffic hose at France's small towns. The question now is: How do you turn it off?

What's happening right now in France isn't happening in a vacuum. The Yellow Jackets movement—named for the protesters' brightly colored safety vests—is a beast born almost entirely from Facebook. And it's only getting more popular. Recent polls indicate the majority of France now supports the protesters.

The Yellow Jackets communicate almost entirely on small, decentralized Facebook pages. They coordinate via memes and viral videos. Whatever gets shared the most becomes part of their platform.

This isn't the first time real-life violence has followed a viral Facebook storm and it certainly won't be the last. Much has already been written about:

The same process is happening in Europe now, on a massive scale. This post details how Facebook tore France apart.

The Yellow Jackets demonstrate Facebook's fundamental architecture problem: viral amplification optimized for engagement inevitably amplifies outrage, and decentralized coordination resists both moderation and negotiation. When platforms replace traditional media and organizational structures with algorithmic virality, movements form faster than institutions can respond.

Multitasking Actually Does Boost Performance. Wait, What?

A study focused on finding out whether or not having a sense that you're doing two things at once leads to better work output. "The Illusion of Multitasking and Its Positive Effect on Performance" was published in Psychological Science by University of Michigan's Shalena Srna, University of Pennsylvania's Rom Y. Schrift, and Yale's Gal Zauberman.

"Across 32 studies (30 of which had performance-based incentives) containing a total of 8,242 participants, we found that individuals who perceived an activity as multitasking were more engaged and consequently outperformed those who perceived that same activity as single tasking."

The key word is "perceived." Actual simultaneous multitasking degrades performance, but when people believe they're multitasking (even if they're actually doing sequential focused work), engagement and performance improve. The psychological frame matters more than the reality. This has implications for how we structure and describe learning activities.

🔨 Do

Self-Care Strategies

"Let the beauty we love be what we do. There are hundreds of ways to kneel and kiss the ground." — Rumi

I've been thinking a lot about self care over the last year. I've also seen several friends recently dealing with personal & professional issues. I'm thinking about how to be the best you possible:

Be tenacious in your appreciation & optimism - Gratitude as practice not sentiment
Define your extraordinary - Your metrics not society's
Make friends with your body - Embodiment not punishment
Lose yourself in curiosity & creativity - Flow states as refuge
Be of service in a way that's meaningful to you - Purpose aligned with values

Self-care isn't indulgence but foundation. You cannot sustain care for others without caring for yourself.

🤔 Consider

"Be who you are and say what you feel because those who mind don't matter, and those who matter don't mind." — Dr. Seuss

Balancing care and shame requires knowing difference between consequences and humiliation between protecting children's privacy and exploiting their data between genuine connection and platform manipulation. Dr. Seuss's wisdom about authenticity applies: platforms that mind your privacy don't matter for genuine connection while those who matter won't demand surrender of autonomy. Facebook emails prove they mind your data sovereignty very much. Sharenting shows we've normalized surveillance that should horrify us. Yellow Jackets reveal viral coordination can tear apart what careful organizing builds. The balance tilts toward shame when we prioritize performance over protection virality over care engagement over wellbeing.

Previous: TLDR 176 • Next: TLDR 178 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Sharenting Data Collection — Anne Longfield report documenting how big tech harvests children's data through parental oversharing building profiles from infancy without consent in Children's Privacy.
Facebook Internal Mission — British lawmakers releasing 250 pages internal emails revealing Facebook prioritizes making money and crushing competition over stated mission connecting people in Platform Accountability.
Yellow Jackets Facebook Movement — France protest movement born entirely from decentralized Facebook pages coordinating via viral memes demonstrating platform architecture creating uncontrollable violence in Social Movements.
Multitasking Illusion Study — Research showing perceived multitasking boosts performance even when not actually multitasking revealing psychological framing effects on engagement in Cognitive Psychology.
Public Parenting Shame — Ohio father filming daughter's bullying punishment going viral raises questions whether public shaming teaches lessons or inflicts harm transforming consequence into spectacle in Digital Parenting.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 176

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 176

What Happens Next?

Published: 2018-12-01 • 📧 Newsletter

Welcome to Issue 176. What happens next?

This week I was at LRA 2018. It was an...interesting...conference this year. As I write this, I'm sitting in an airport in Phoenix as I slowly make my way back home. I'll have more to think and write about later...but for now I'll just share the slide decks from some of my talks:

More to come on all of these fronts.

🔖 Key Takeaways

Internet Rebuilding Wishlist: Hodgson argues internet is fundamentally broken requiring complete restart with hate speech filters corporate accountability working reporting systems distributed web tools stronger privacy and rural access.
Facebook Moral Question: Whether staying on Facebook constitutes moral failure when platform demonstrably harms democracy privacy and wellbeing becomes increasingly difficult to dismiss.
Open Pedagogy Values: Supporting open educational practices requires understanding what open pedagogy means and articulating values shaping it beyond technology adoption to philosophical commitment.
Student Evaluation Paradox: Faculty overwhelmingly report student engagement worsening but evaluations may reflect teaching methods unchanged while students' contexts and needs evolved dramatically.
Podcasts Multimodal Learning: Audio learning through podcasts helps students develop reading comprehension critical thinking and engagement by providing alternative entry point to complex ideas.

📺 Watch

New Advances in Tech in Higher Ed

Some insight on new advances in technology in higher education. The video explores emerging tools and approaches reshaping teaching and learning in colleges and universities.

📚 Read

If I Could Reboot the Internet

Kevin Hodgson with another great post indicating how "broken" the Internet is...and positing that we might need to just start over to get it right. If so, here's his wishlist:

Stronger filters for hate speech and trolls and bots and more - Current moderation insufficient
More accountability for corporations setting up shop on the Web and its various connected places - Platform power requires regulation
A reporting system that actually works, and not just via algorithms and keywords, either - Human judgment matters
More tools in the hands of users to create on the Internet, like building smaller networks within the larger ones (the notion behind the Distributed Web) - Decentralization as democracy
Stronger privacy controls and fewer Facebooks - User sovereignty over corporate extraction
Less advertising through creepy data collection - Business models that don't require surveillance
Better access for all (including rural users often left out) - Internet as public utility

Hodgson's wishlist reveals the internet we have is not the internet we need. The question becomes whether incremental reform can achieve these goals or whether fundamental architecture requires reimagining.

Do You Have a Moral Duty to Leave Facebook?

We've talked quite a bit in TL;DR about possibly leaving Facebook and the reasons I have not...at this point.

Have you left Facebook?

Is it ultimately a moral issue whether or not you leave Facebook?

This piece argues that continuing to use Facebook—knowing what we know about Cambridge Analytica, election manipulation, privacy violations, mental health impacts, and algorithmic amplification of extremism—becomes increasingly difficult to defend as purely personal choice. When your participation strengthens a platform demonstrably harming democracy and wellbeing, does staying become moral failure? The counterargument suggests individual departure doesn't address structural problems requiring regulation, but the moral weight of complicity grows heavier.

The Values of Open Pedagogy

Nancy Bunge on the role of open, digital pedagogy in our classrooms. To support open educational practices, we must understand the meaning of open pedagogy and articulate the values that shape it.

Open pedagogy isn't merely about using open educational resources (OER) or Creative Commons licenses. It's philosophical commitment to:

Student agency in creating knowledge not just consuming it
Transparency in learning goals assessment criteria and instructional decisions
Collaboration as norm not exception
Work that contributes to public good beyond institutional walls
Iteration and revision as learning rather than failure

These values fundamentally challenge traditional education's emphasis on proprietary knowledge, hierarchical authority, individualistic competition, and disposable assignments.

Students Evaluating Teachers Doesn't Just Hurt Teachers. It Hurts Students.

In a recent survey of 1,000 faculty members commissioned by The Chronicle, almost two-thirds of respondents said they thought students today were harder to teach than those in the past, and they overwhelmingly said that student engagement had gotten worse.

In recent professional development and conference presentations I've been hearing this refrain that students are disconnected, out of touch, and don't focus. They think that "kids are totally different these days." I'm not sure that is true.

What if student "disengagement" reflects not student deficiency but mismatch between teaching methods designed for different era and students whose contexts have fundamentally changed? Student evaluations may capture this disconnect but attribute blame incorrectly. When faculty say students are "harder to teach," perhaps students are signaling that pedagogy needs evolution not that students need remediation.

How Listening to Podcasts Helps Students Read and Learn

An audio interview (podcast) with Michael Godsey who created lesson plans for teaching with podcasts and started hearing from teachers around the country about how podcasts were getting students excited about learning again.

Podcasts provide:

Alternative entry point to complex ideas through conversational narrative
Multimodal engagement combining listening comprehension with note-taking discussion writing
Authentic literacy practice analyzing real-world discourse not textbook simplifications
Cultural relevance connecting academic content to student interests through contemporary formats
Accessibility for students with reading difficulties or English language learners

Audio literacy isn't lesser cousin to print literacy but complementary capacity increasingly essential in multimedia world.

🔨 Do

As the World Becomes More Digital, We Must Become More Human

George Couros with a short post on how technology can actually be used to build face-to-face relationships, not limit them.

As the world becomes more "digital," it is crucial we become more "human." This is imperative.

Technology's value lies not in efficiency or automation but in how it enables human connection, creativity, and compassion. The question isn't "Should we use technology?" but "Does this technology use make us more human or less?"

🤔 Consider

"Everything is a learning process: any time you fall over, it's just teaching you to stand up the next time." — Joel Edgerton

Edgerton's perspective reframes failure as essential learning component. Broken internet teaches us what rebuilt internet should value. Facebook's moral failures teach us what ethical platforms require. Student evaluation disconnects teach us what engagement-centered pedagogy needs. Student "disengagement" teaches us what pedagogical evolution demands. Falling over with current educational technology approaches teaches us how to stand up with genuinely humanizing practices. What happens next depends on whether we learn from falls or just keep falling the same way.

Previous: TLDR 175 • Next: TLDR 177 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Broken Internet Rebuilding — Kevin Hodgson argues internet fundamentally broken requiring complete restart with hate speech filters corporate accountability distributed web privacy controls and rural access in Web Architecture.
Facebook Moral Duty — Question whether staying on Facebook constitutes moral failure when platform demonstrably harms democracy privacy and wellbeing becomes increasingly difficult to dismiss in Digital Ethics.
Open Pedagogy Values — Nancy Bunge argues open pedagogy requires philosophical commitment to student agency transparency collaboration public contribution and iteration beyond technology adoption in Educational Philosophy.
Podcasts Learning Tool — Michael Godsey demonstrates audio literacy through podcasts provides alternative entry point multimodal engagement and cultural relevance helping students read and learn in Multimodal Literacy.
Digital Humanity Imperative — George Couros argues as world becomes more digital we must become more human using technology to enable connection creativity and compassion in Educational Technology.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 175

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 175

Finding the Sweet Spot

Published: 2018-11-23 • 📧 Newsletter

Welcome to Issue 175. Finding the sweet spot.

This week I was involved in the following:

Digital Literacies and the Skinner Box - As I dig in to Behaviorism and digital spaces, this first post examines the behavior modification that exists as we use these online environments.
The Black Box & Educational Technologies - This post is meant to compliment the first post by digging in a bit more and looking at our classrooms.
Screentime Technopanic in the NY Times - This post on the Screentime.me site distills some of the guidance I've shared previously here in TLDR.
How to write a clear, concise, research question - I recorded this video for Leigh Hall's YouTube channel. It's a video accompaniment to this post.

🔖 Key Takeaways

Personalized Learning Paradox: Term has become Janus-faced meaning both software-paced individual progression through predetermined content and genuinely student-centered project-based learning facilitated by adults.
Digital Conditioning: We're being trained as rats in technological black boxes while simultaneously teaching those systems to become smarter creating recursive conditioning loop.
Bot Amplification Speed: Just 6% of Twitter accounts identified as bots spread 31% of low-credibility information through automated amplification in 2-10 seconds exploiting trust in crowd consensus.
Writing Joy Decline: Test scores around writing dropping as schools fail to embed joyful writing activities at home and school focusing instead on assessment-driven instruction.
Digital Parenting Framework: Supporting children online requires starting young modeling appropriate use agreeing on family rules providing device ownership and valuing inevitable learning from engagement.

📺 Watch

Neil deGrasse Tyson and Anthony Bourdain on StarTalk

Two of my favorite people, Neil deGrasse Tyson and Anthony Bourdain on StarTalk. They talk about science as applied to the kitchen and different processes used in cooking around the world to achieve the most desirable flavors. This conversation demonstrates how scientific thinking applies beyond labs into everyday creative practices like cooking.

📚 Read

What 'Personalized Learning' Really Means

Anya Kamenetz on the NPR Education blog examines personalized learning and the "future of education." Kamenetz discusses the intersection between the psychology of motivation, learning science, and artificial intelligence.

In speaking with more than a dozen educators, technologists, innovation experts and researchers, she's developed a theory: "Personalized learning" has become a Janus-faced word with at least two meanings in tension:

Software-Paced Learning: The use of software to allow each student to proceed through a pre-determined body of knowledge, most often math, at his or her own pace.
Student-Centered Learning: A whole new way of doing school, not necessarily focused on technology, where students set their own goals. They work both independently and together on projects that match their interests, while adults facilitate and invest in getting to know each student one-on-one, both their strengths and their challenges.

I also recommend this tweet thread from Audrey Watters as she unpacks the points made in the Kamenetz post. The tension between these definitions reveals deeper questions about whether technology serves learning or replaces it.

Computers Have Learned to Make Us Jump Through Hoops

Increasingly we're not only being conditioned to operate as rats in a technological black box, but we're also training the box to make it smarter. "We shape our tools and then our tools shape us" becomes recursive when those tools learn from our conditioned behavior.

Have we been conditioned to accept a world governed by "smart" tech, trading convenience and cheap bliss to the point where we become a bit like machines ourselves? This piece examines how we've normalized jumping through digital hoops—CAPTCHAs, two-factor authentication, algorithm-dictated workflows—training ourselves to conform to machine logic rather than machines adapting to human needs.

Where Has the Joy of Learning Gone and How Do We Get It Back for Our Children?

Edwin Creely and Fleur Diamond in The Conversation discuss recent declines in test scores around writing and ways to thoughtfully embed joyful writing activities at home and school.

When writing becomes purely assessment-driven, students lose connection to why humans write in the first place: to think, to express, to connect, to create. The decline in writing scores may reflect not students' declining abilities but schools' declining focus on writing as meaning-making rather than standards-meeting.

Study: It Only Takes a Few Seconds for Bots to Spread Misinformation

A new study by researchers at Indiana University, published in Nature Communications, suggests that people put greater trust in messages that appear to originate from many people.

Researchers examined 14 million messages shared on Twitter between May 2016 and May 2017, spanning the presidential primaries and Trump's inauguration. They found it took just 6% of Twitter accounts identified as bots to spread 31% of "low-credibility" information on the social network. The bots managed this feat in just 2 to 10 seconds, thanks in large part to automated amplification.

This exploits a fundamental human heuristic: if many people are sharing something, it must be trustworthy. Bots weaponize social proof at machine speed before human critical thinking can engage.

Supporting Your Child Online - Pointers for Parents

Guidance from the Parenting for a Digital Future blog on helping youth negotiate screentime and develop advanced digital skills they'll need in their lives:

Start young - Digital literacy begins early
Model appropriate use of digital technology - Children learn from what you do not what you say
Agree on family rules about digital technology use - Co-created rules have better buy-in
Provide your child with access to digital technology, ideally that they have ownership of - Ownership enables experimentation
Talk openly with your child about using digital technology - Ongoing conversation not one-time talk
Help your child link up with trusted others who have shared interests - Digital mentorship matters
Recognize and value the learning that will inevitably happen as your child engages with digital technology - Engagement produces learning even when not "educational"

This framework treats digital engagement as inevitable and focuses on maximizing benefits while building critical capacity.

🔨 Do

I've been re-examining my use of social media after spending time researching and writing about it here in TL;DR.

My use of Twitter has slowed down as I've been experimenting more with IndieWeb philosophies. I've also been trying to identify the best mixture for me. This interview with rockstars in EduTwitter is helpful in thinking through these relationships.

Finding the sweet spot means balancing connection with autonomy, engagement with attention protection, community with individual sovereignty.

🤔 Consider

"Some painters transform the sun into a yellow spot, others transform a yellow spot into the sun." — Pablo Picasso

Picasso's observation about transformation applies to how we approach digital tools and pedagogies. Personalized learning can reduce student-centered education to a yellow spot—software pacing through predetermined content—or transform software into genuine student empowerment. Digital spaces can condition us into behavioral rats or we can transform those spaces into platforms for human flourishing. Bots reduce social proof to manipulation or we transform social networks into genuine trust-building. Writing instruction reduces joy to test scores or transforms assessment into meaning-making. The sweet spot lies in transformative vision not reductive implementation.

Previous: TLDR 174 • Next: TLDR 176 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Behaviorism Digital Spaces — Digital environments function as Skinner boxes conditioning users through rewards and behavior modification while users simultaneously train algorithms creating recursive conditioning in Technology Psychology.
Personalized Learning Paradox — Anya Kamenetz identifies Janus-faced definition tension between software-paced predetermined progression and genuine student-centered project-based learning in Educational Technology.
Bot Misinformation Amplification — Study showing 6% bot accounts spread 31% low-credibility information in seconds by exploiting trust in crowd consensus through automated amplification in Information Warfare.
Digital Parenting Guidance — Framework for supporting children online emphasizes starting young modeling use co-creating rules providing ownership and valuing inevitable learning from engagement in Digital Literacy Framework.
IndieWeb Philosophy — Movement toward individual digital sovereignty and distributed web alternatives to platform-controlled social media spaces in Web Architecture.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 174

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 174

Somewhere I Belong

Published: 2018-11-17 • 📧 Newsletter

Welcome to Issue 174. Somewhere I belong.

Writing from Houston at NCTE 2018. Presented Ignite talk on screentime and divergent thinking session. Screentime materials here.

Also working on behaviorism in the classroom ideas for LRA. Let us know what you think.

🔖 Key Takeaways

Facebook Systematic Betrayal: NYT exposé reveals Facebook didn't just fail to protect users but actively obfuscated deflected and distracted from election interference and privacy violations.
Amazon Corporate Extortion: HQ2 spectacle forcing cities to bid billions in tax incentives reveals unchecked corporate power demanding public subsidy for private profit.
China Digital Dictatorship: Social credit system building real-world surveillance state with 24/7 tracking judging and controlling 1.4 billion citizens through privileges and punishments.
Social Media Depression Link: Study shows limiting use to 30 minutes daily significantly improves wellbeing revealing causal not just correlational relationship.
Student Edtech Resistance: Brooklyn teens protesting Facebook-designed program forcing self-teaching demonstrates students recognize when technology replaces rather than supports teachers.

📺 Watch

Kurzgesagt: Why Is Something Beautiful?

Hard to define what makes something beautiful but we seem to know beauty when we see it. Why is that and how does beauty affect our subconscious? Another great video from Kurzgesagt – In a Nutshell.

📚 Read

Facebook Betrayal

As regular TL;DR reader we've been painting this picture for some time. Narrative not hard to see although many shocked this week.

Facebook in business of keeping you on platform gathering info coaxing you to give more then selling to anyone paying top dollar. They've proven they don't care about your best interests with algorithm manipulation.

When users learned about Cambridge Analytica and 2016 election role Facebook dragged feet obfuscated and distracted. NYT reports when users learned Facebook compromised privacy allowing access to tens of millions to political data firm linked to Trump Facebook sought to deflect blame and mask problem extent.

Facebook betrayed us. Does it matter? Probably not.

Amazon's HQ2 Spectacle Isn't Just Shameful—It Should Be Illegal

Fourteen months ago Amazon announced national beauty contest where cities could apply to win honor of landing second headquarters. Prize: 50,000 employees and glory of housing tech giant. Cost? Several billion in tax incentives and potential city face-lift. Last week Amazon would split HQ2 between Crystal City DC and Long Island City Queens.

Heard pundits suggesting government should have forced Amazon to place headquarters in area needing economic stimulation. I agree. Amazon doesn't care. Government wouldn't do it. We should have continued questions about power of these businesses become powerful entities.

China building digital dictatorship to exert control over 1.4 billion citizens. For some "social credit" brings privileges—for others punishment. Real world surveillance state involving constant tracking and judging all actions 24 hours a day.

Story making rounds over last year. Thoroughly recommend reviewing post and ideas presented.

New study PDF in Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology by University of Pennsylvania researchers looked into causal side whether people actually feel better cutting down social media. Conclusion: "Our findings strongly suggest that limiting social media use to approximately 30 minutes per day may lead to significant improvement in well-being."

Brooklyn Students Hold Walkout Protesting Facebook-Designed Program

Brooklyn teens protesting high school's adoption of online program spawned by Facebook saying it forces them to stare at computers for hours and "teach ourselves."

Story provides interesting counter-narrative for those thinking teachers no longer needed in age of tech.

🔨 Do

Coaching Through Discomfort

HBR post about coaching others and positivity. Something to think about as we work with others or seek change in ourselves.

"I have two questions for you. One: Do you want to do better?"

If answer is "no" then to attempt to coach would be fool's errand.

"Yeah" he said.

"Here's my second question: Are you willing to feel the discomfort of putting in more effort and trying new things that will feel weird and different and won't work right away?"

🤔 Consider

"Sooner or later, if man is ever to be worthy of his destiny, we must fill our hearts with tolerance." — Stan Lee

Finding somewhere you belong requires tolerance for others finding their own belonging. Facebook betrayal shows intolerance for user autonomy treating people as resources. Amazon HQ2 reveals intolerance for shared prosperity demanding subsidy. China social credit demonstrates intolerance for difference enforcing conformity through surveillance. Depression study suggests social media cultivates intolerance for present moment. Brooklyn students show tolerance matters in education—they're tolerant of technology but intolerant of replacement masquerading as enhancement. Coaching question about discomfort asks whether we're tolerant enough of our own awkwardness during growth. Stan Lee understood superhero stories are ultimately about tolerance—accepting difference, coexisting despite conflict, finding belonging without requiring conformity.

Previous: TLDR 173 • Next: TLDR 175 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Facebook Betrayal — NYT exposé revealing systematic obfuscation about Cambridge Analytica and election interference showing platform actively deflects rather than addresses harms in Platform Accountability.
Amazon Corporate Power — HQ2 spectacle forcing cities to bid billions in tax incentives demonstrates unchecked corporate power demanding public subsidy for private profit in Corporate Welfare.
China Social Credit — Digital dictatorship building surveillance state with constant tracking judging and controlling citizens through algorithmic privileges and punishments in Surveillance States.
Student Edtech Resistance — Brooklyn teens protesting Facebook-designed program demonstrates students recognize when technology replaces rather than supports teachers contradicting automation narratives in Educational Technology.
Social Media Wellbeing — Study showing 30-minute daily limit significantly improves wellbeing reveals causal not just correlational relationship between use and depression in 02 CURATE/Mental Health.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 173

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 173

Okay I Was Gone for a Minute But I'm Back Now

Published: 2018-11-10 • 📧 Newsletter

Welcome to Issue 173. Back now.

This week:

🔖 Key Takeaways

Media Literacy Gap: Schools add computer science but ignore critical need to teach students how to properly consume and disseminate online information.
Screentime Critique Sharpens: Kamenetz dissects NYT panic narratives exposing privilege-driven consensus lacking evidence revealing class dynamics in moral panic.
White Privilege Terminology: Concept falls victim to own connotations where "white" creates discomfort and "privilege" sounds foreign to struggling people.
Voice Texting Emergence: Short voice clips replacing both text messages and phone calls signaling new communication mode between asynchronous and synchronous.
Drawing for Learning: Research shows visual engagement through drawing provides multiple cognitive pathways enhancing retention better than passive methods.

📺 Watch

Migos Perform Dr. Seuss

Migos hip-hop trio staccato rapping style perfect for Dr. Seuss. This Wocket In My Pocket performance incredible. Check animated version too.

📚 Read

Media Literacy Curriculum Needs

Schools need to supply students with skills for productive informed membership in society. As society evolves curriculum must evolve. Schools partly recognized this incorporating computer science classes but we need to go further instructing youth how to properly consume and disseminate online information.

Support movements: Media Literacy Now and Digital Citizenship Institute.

What the Times Got Wrong About Kids and Phones

Anya Kamenetz dissects NY Times posts from last week. Also recommend The Backlash Against Screen Time at School from The Atlantic.

What Is White Privilege, Really?

I've been on journey learning more about racism white privilege and white fragility.

White privilege fallen victim to own connotations. Double whammy inspiring pushback: 1) "white" creates discomfort among those not used to being defined by race. 2) "privilege" especially for poor and rural white people sounds like word suggesting they never struggled.

Is the Era of Voice Texting Upon Us?

Lately spending more time using voice typing on mobile keyboard. Android option to send voice message opposed to text. Been wondering why send short voice clips opposed to just call. Apparently lots of people. Might check out Wire.

Drawing Is Fastest Most Effective Way to Learn

Researchers hypothesize drawing provides brain many different ways to engage with new material. You figure out how to draw it imagining detail in mind experience physical feeling rendering idea then look at visual representation.

🔨 Do

Stress Management Strategies

This week stressed about couple things. Hoping learned lessons won't forget or repeat. This post shares good strategies for managing dealing with stress.

🤔 Consider

"I am larger, better than I thought; I did not know I held so much goodness. All seems beautiful to me. Whoever denies me, it shall not trouble me; Whoever accepts me, he or she shall be blessed, and shall bless me." — Walt Whitman

Whitman's self-discovery resonates with returning after absence finding yourself larger than remembered. Media literacy revealing we're capable of more critical thinking than curriculum assumes. Screentime critique showing we contain more nuance than panic narratives allow. White privilege journey discovering complexity within ourselves we didn't know existed. Voice texting finding new communication modes within us. Drawing for learning realizing visual thinking capacity we hadn't accessed. Stress management revealing resilience we possess. Return from absence often means rediscovering capacities that were always there waiting to be recognized.

Previous: TLDR 172 • Next: TLDR 174 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Media Literacy Curriculum — Schools adding computer science but ignoring critical need teaching students consume disseminate online information requiring advocacy for systemic changes in Digital Citizenship.
Screentime Critique — Anya Kamenetz dissecting NYT panic narratives exposing privilege-driven consensus lacking evidence revealing class dynamics driving moral panic in Media Effects.
White Privilege Understanding — Concept fallen victim to own connotations where terminology creates discomfort and sounds foreign to struggling people complicating necessary conversations in Anti-Racism.
Drawing for Learning — Research showing visual engagement provides multiple cognitive pathways enhancing retention better than passive methods revealing untapped learning modalities in Cognitive Science.
Voice Communication Evolution — Short voice clips emerging between asynchronous text and synchronous calls signaling new communication mode adapting to different contexts in Digital Communication.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 172

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 172

Technopanic & the Screentime Debate

Published: 2018-11-03 • 📧 Newsletter

Welcome to Issue 172. Technopanic and the screentime debate.

Next week I'm helping to facilitate some discussions around screentime. Thursday, November 8th, I'm sitting in on an interview panel with Anya Kamenetz to discuss her book, The Art of Screentime. Immediately following, I'm co-hosting the #ILAchat with Kristen Turner. Feel free to get involved in our discussion.

This week: How to respond to trolling behaviors

🔖 Key Takeaways

Silicon Valley Hypocrisy: Tech creators ban screens for their children while profiting from products designed to maximize everyone else's engagement.
Nanny Surveillance: Contracts forbid nannies from using screens around children while demanding constant phone availability and updates revealing class-based double standards.
Digital Divide Reversal: Rich ban screens from schools while poor districts embrace technology creating new inequality where access becomes disadvantage for privileged.
Parent Projection: Adult screen addiction fears get projected onto children masking that parents terrified of their own compulsive use not kids' development.
Student Device Reality: ECAR study shows undergrads need multiple screens and constant connectivity for academic survival despite moral panic narratives.

📺 Watch

The Most Unknown

This video from the Motherboard YouTube Channel is from the film The Most Unknown. Now streaming on Netflix with supplemental series on Youtube.

📚 Read

Nellie Bowles NYT Screentime Trilogy

Nellie Bowles posted three pieces on screentime. The first discusses Silicon Valley parents with quotes about "devil lives in our phones" and screens as "crack cocaine." I have concerns about addiction and development but also about technopanic narratives.

Silicon Valley Nannies Are Phone Police for Kids

Nannies must not use screens around children but keep phones nearby for parent calls and constant updates. San Francisco message boards share photos "nanny-outing" caregivers using screens to shame them.

The Digital Gap Between Rich and Poor Kids Is Not What We Expected

America's public schools tout devices while rich ban screens from class altogether. Keep in mind privilege and perspective of those creating this "consensus." Adults project their own addiction fears onto children.

Anya Kamenetz Twitter Thread on Screentime

While Bowles articles rippled through feeds, Anya Kamenetz provided the "unpanicky, thoughtful critique" needed.

ECAR Study of Undergraduate Students and Information Technology 2018

EDUCAUSE released their 15th annual report. My post shares key takeaways. Students need access to basic technologies and Internet for academic success. They need broad array of devices to ensure survival let alone success.

🔨 Do

Screenfree Saturdays

If concerned about children's screentime start by monitoring your own. Make Saturdays screenfree as possible. No "zombie scrolling." Using phone for directions is fine. Worst case you get lost and find something else.

🤔 Consider

"The screen is a magic medium. It has such power that it can retain interest as it conveys emotions and moods that no other art form can hope to tackle." — Stanley Kubrick

Kubrick recognized screens' unique emotional power. Technopanic misses that screens aren't inherently harmful or beneficial but tools whose value depends on use. Silicon Valley hypocrisy reveals problem isn't screens but who controls them and for what purpose. Nanny contracts expose class inequality. Digital divide reversal shows privilege now means screen-free access. Parent projection suggests real issue is adult compulsion not child development. ECAR study documents student reality requiring connectivity. The debate needs nuance recognizing both power and problems rather than moral panic or technological determinism.

Previous: TLDR 171 • Next: TLDR 173 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Screentime Technopanic — Nellie Bowles trilogy reveals moral panic around screens driven by privileged fear while Anya Kamenetz offers measured alternative in Media Effects Research.
Digital Divide Class Reversal — Rich banning screens from schools while poor districts embrace technology creates new inequality where digital access becomes disadvantage for privileged in Educational Equity.
Silicon Valley Hypocrisy — Tech creators profiting from engagement optimization ban screens for own children revealing they understand addictive design they inflict on others in Tech Ethics.
Nanny Surveillance — Contracts forbidding screens while demanding constant phone availability expose class-based double standards and surveillance hypocrisy in Domestic Labor.
Student Device Reality — ECAR study documents undergrads needing multiple screens and connectivity for academic survival contradicting screentime panic narratives in Higher Education Technology.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 171

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 171

Change is a State of Mind

Published: 2018-10-26 • 📧 Newsletter

Welcome to Issue 171. Change is a state of mind.

TL;DR is a weekly review of things that I think you should be reading. A primer of some of the cool things that happened…but you may have missed.

This week I created the following:

Why people troll others online - I've been doing some deep reading and research around trolling and harmful behaviors online. This post unpacks what is meant by trolling in digital spaces.

What is Digital Literacy: Documenting instructional technology use at the College of Charleston - I gave a talk on our recent research at meeting of the SC EdTech Conference 2018. We're submitting the first paper on this in the coming week.
How to write a clear, concise, research question - I was interviewed by Leigh Hall for her YouTube channel. Take a look if you're interested.

🔖 Key Takeaways

Digital Mindfulness Question: Hyperconnected frenetic lives demand asking whether true mindfulness is possible or if constant connectivity fundamentally prevents it.
Workplace Digital Literacy: From entry-level to executive every role requires creating consuming and communicating digital content as core competency not optional skill.
Content Moderation Dangers: EFF argues corporate speech police responding to hate speech threatens internet's promise of anonymous connection and democratic participation.
Networked Youth Fragility: Tufekci and Jenkins examine whether social media still enables youth-led change or if platform dynamics now undermine movement sustainability.
Self-Renewal Practice: Covey's sharpen-the-saw philosophy demands intentional renewal across physical spiritual mental and social domains preventing burnout.

📺 Watch

The School of Life: Commenting in Digital Spaces

This video from The School of Life provides some commentary about leaving comments in digital spaces.

📚 Read

Digital Mindfulness: Can It Exist?

This post from Aaron Davis documents some of the challenges and opportunities in our frenetic, highly connected lives. What is "digital mindfulness" and is it a possibility?

You can read my response to Aaron's post here.

From Entry-Level to Executive, Today's Jobs Demand Digital Literacy

To better understand the central role of digital literacy in the workplace, Education Week took a deep look at four occupations in the Christiana Care Health System.

"The ability to create digital content, consume it, act on it, communicate it, share it, find it—all that is tied to patient care," Jasani said. "Those skills are emphasized more as one rises up the career ladder."

Digital literacy isn't specialized technical skill but fundamental workplace competency spanning all roles and levels.

Corporate Speech Police Are Not the Answer to Online Hate

The Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) with a repudiation of the recommendations made this week by a coalition of civil rights and public interest groups. The recommendations suggest policies they believe Internet intermediaries should adopt to try to address hate online.

"…the Internet still represents and embodies an extraordinary idea: that anyone with a computing device can connect with the world, anonymously or not, to tell their story, organize, educate and learn"

EFF warns that empowering platforms as content arbiters threatens internet's democratic promise even when addressing genuine harms.

Do We Still Believe That Networked Youth Can Change the World?

I'm currently reading Twitter and Tear Gas by Zeynep Tufekci. It's a fascinating read that is making me question a lot of my thinking about these digital, social spaces.

While I was reading this text, an interesting publication on activism and social networks by Henry Jenkins, Esra'a Al Shafei, and James Gee popped into my stream. It is helping to add some context to what I'm reading and thinking about.

The full PDF is available here.

Sharpen the Saw

In my "to do" list I try to make room for a section I title "Sharpen the Saw." This is a section in which I document "things I'd like to do at some point." It's a collection of ideas for blog posts, websites to check out, books to read, etc.

This post from Brett and Kate McKay dives into some of the guidance from Stephen Covey's book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. They suggest that when it comes to our personal lives, we should focus on four domains: physical, spiritual, mental, and social/emotional.

How do you "sharpen your saw"?

🔨 Do

Tsundoku: The Art of Unread Books

I was an English major in my undergraduate studies. As a result, I have a large collection of books at home. As I'm writing this week's newsletter, I'm inundated by a growing library in my office as well. Many of these books I haven't read…but they're still here…for some reason. :)

Apparently, many readers buy books with every intention of reading them only to let them linger on the shelf. Statistician Nassim Nicholas Taleb believes surrounding ourselves with unread books enriches our lives as they remind us of all we don't know. The Japanese call this practice tsundoku, and it may provide lasting benefits.

What do you think?

🤔 Consider

"Confidence is knowing who you are and not changing it a bit because of someone's version of reality is not your reality." — Shannon L. Alder

Change being a state of mind means maintaining self-knowledge amid pressure to conform to others' versions of reality. Digital mindfulness requires choosing your relationship to technology rather than accepting default connectivity. Workplace digital literacy is mindset not just skillset. EFF defending internet's promise requires resisting easy solutions. Networked youth changing the world demands belief in possibility despite platform constraints. Sharpening your saw means choosing renewal over relentless productivity. Tsundoku embraces not-knowing as enrichment. Confidence comes from internal clarity not external validation.

Previous: TLDR 170 • Next: TLDR 172 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Digital Mindfulness — Aaron Davis questions whether true mindfulness is possible in hyperconnected lives where constant connectivity may fundamentally prevent present-moment awareness in Digital Wellbeing.
Content Moderation Debate — EFF argues corporate speech police responding to online hate threatens internet's democratic promise of anonymous connection and free expression in Platform Governance.
Networked Youth Activism — Zeynep Tufekci Henry Jenkins examine whether social media still enables youth-led change or if platform dynamics undermine movement sustainability in Social Movements.
Self-Renewal Practice — Stephen Covey sharpen-the-saw philosophy demands intentional renewal across physical spiritual mental and social domains preventing burnout in Personal Development.
Tsundoku Practice — Nassim Taleb argues surrounding ourselves with unread books enriches lives by reminding us of all we don't know embracing not-knowing as feature in Epistemology.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 170

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 170

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 170

Published: 2018-10-20 • 📧 Newsletter

Welcome to Issue 170. Sharpen your saw.

TL;DR is a weekly review of things that I think you should be reading. A primer of some of the cool things that happened…but you may have missed.

This week I created the following:

Dispositions in the digital domain: Reader, text, and activity in online environments - This week I applied for a small, internal grant. The work will help with some work I'm starting up with social network analysis. I'm also looking to fund the purchase of two years of web hosting for ten educators from K-12 and up into higher ed. I'd like to help them build a domain of one's own…and scaffold their use of IndieWeb.

🔖 Key Takeaways

Fake News Profitability: Viral misinformation thrives on Facebook despite being obviously false because engagement not truth drives platform economics and human psychology.
Algorithmic Discrimination: Surveillance capitalism enables comfortable racism through personalized redlining that makes discrimination feel justified by data rather than challenged as injustice.
High School Reform Failure: Education reform perpetuates inequality by serving reformers' interests while ignoring that students need democratic participation not just employable skills.
Early Childhood Reality: ECE benefits children through stable safe environments and parent job security not retained academic content contradicting school-readiness narratives.
Screen Time Evidence Gap: Research on digital media effects remains inconclusive with tentative links but fuzzy details despite widespread moral panic and policy claims.

📺 Watch

Why Fake News Is Still a Thriving Business

This crazy video is completely fake. Yet it's been watched 14 million times on Facebook—including by me. Here's why fake news is still a thriving business.

The economics of viral misinformation are simple: Engagement drives revenue regardless of truth. Fake content optimized for emotional response outperforms accurate journalism. Platform algorithms can't distinguish between genuine engagement and manipulation-driven clicks. Until business models prioritize truth over engagement, fake news remains profitable despite fact-checking efforts.

📚 Read

Surveillance Capitalism and Comfortable Discrimination

Chris Gilliard in Real Life Magazine about how surveillance capitalism turns a profit by making people more comfortable with discrimination.

The end game of a surveillance society, from the perspective of those being watched, is to be subjected to whims of black-boxed code extended to the navigation of spaces, which are systematically stripped of important social and cultural clues. The personalized surveillance tech, meanwhile, will not make people less racist; it will make them more comfortable and protected in their racism.

Gilliard identifies how algorithmic systems enable digital redlining—discriminatory practices justified by data rather than explicit racism. When algorithms trained on biased data produce discriminatory outcomes, people treat those outcomes as objective rather than questioning the embedded bias. Surveillance capitalism profits from this by selling targeted discrimination as personalization, making structural inequality feel like individual preference.

The History of the Future of High School

Audrey Watters in VICE Magazine's Power and Privilege Issue.

The problem with American high school education, it seems, is not that students haven't learned the "right skills." The problem is that the systemic inequality of the school system has ensured that many students have been unable to participate fully in either the economy or, more fundamentally, in democracy. It's not that there has been no tinkering, but that those doing the tinkering often have their own interests, rather than students' interests, in mind.

Watters exposes how century of high school reform rhetoric focuses on skills and workforce preparation while ignoring that schools systematically exclude students from democratic participation. Reformers—whether tech billionaires, policy makers, or corporate interests—frame problems to justify their preferred solutions rather than addressing structural inequality that prevents full citizenship for marginalized students.

Early Childhood Education Yields Big Benefits—Just Not the Ones You Think

Kelsey Piper at Vox.

In other words, early childhood education may change children's lives not by teaching them things they'll retain in elementary school, but simply by being in a safe, predictable, and consistent environment for them to play in—and by providing their parents with the stability to get and keep better jobs.

ECE research shows benefits come from stability and safety not academic content retention. This challenges school-readiness narratives that justify ECE funding through later test scores. If ECE works by supporting families and providing consistent environments, we should design and fund programs accordingly rather than pushing academic instruction downward.

What Do We Actually Know About the Risks of Screen Time?

Cathleen O'Grady in ArsTechnica about games, aggression, and attention—the evidence on digital media and minds. Some tentative links are in place, but many crucial details are fuzzy.

Research on screen time effects remains surprisingly inconclusive despite widespread anxiety. Tentative correlations exist between heavy use and various outcomes, but causation remains unclear, effect sizes are small, and mechanisms are poorly understood. The gap between confident policy recommendations and actual evidence quality should give us pause about moral panic responses.

Can Picture Books Meet the Crisis in Children's Mental Health?

Donna Ferguson in The Guardian. For author Matt Haig, children's fiction provides a non-threatening way for children to reflect on their lives in a place no one else can reach: their own heads.

Imagination is the flipside of anxiety. Obviously if you're anxious, you're imagining stuff all the time. You need to fill that imaginative space with positive, fun, nourishing stuff and books can give you that. Through fiction, you can escape into a world that isn't your life, but can help you to deal with it. And that applies as much to a seven-year-old as it does to a 70-year-old.

Haig's observation reveals picture books as mental health tools by providing imaginative alternatives to anxious rumination. If anxiety is imagination turned toward catastrophe, fiction offers imagination directed toward possibility and meaning-making. Books can't solve mental health crises alone but they provide accessible entry points for children to process experiences and build emotional vocabulary.

🔨 Do

I ordered a YubiKey 4 for $10.00 after subscribing to a year of Wired. This price is a lot cheaper than simply ordering one online. Alternatively, follow the guide provided above to make your own…using a USB key you already have.

Once it gets here, I'll have a series of posts on my experiences setting up stronger security for all of my accounts and passwords.

Hardware security keys provide phishing-resistant two-factor authentication. Unlike SMS codes or authenticator apps that can be compromised, physical keys require possession of the device. This dramatically reduces account takeover risk and aligns with assume-you'll-be-hacked security posture from previous issues.

🤔 Consider

"Turn your actions into concentrated practices." — Belzebuub

This issue's theme of sharpening your saw calls for turning scattered efforts into deliberate practice. Recognizing fake news patterns becomes concentrated media literacy. Understanding algorithmic discrimination becomes sustained advocacy for transparency. Supporting early childhood through stability not academic pressure becomes policy work. Managing screen time with unclear evidence becomes thoughtful experimentation rather than moral panic. Each action gains power through intentional repetition and refinement rather than random response to crisis.

Previous: TLDR 169 • Next: TLDR 171 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Surveillance Capitalism Discrimination — Chris Gilliard shows how algorithmic systems enable digital redlining making discrimination feel justified by data rather than recognized as structural racism in Algorithmic Justice.
High School Systemic Inequality — Audrey Watters argues century of reform rhetoric serves reformers' interests while ignoring schools' systematic exclusion of students from democratic participation in Education Reform.
Early Childhood Benefits — Research shows ECE works through stable environments and parent job security not retained academic content challenging school-readiness narratives in Child Development.
Screen Time Evidence — Research remains surprisingly inconclusive with tentative correlations but unclear causation despite widespread policy recommendations and moral panic in Digital Wellbeing.
Hardware Security Keys — YubiKey and similar devices provide phishing-resistant authentication requiring physical possession dramatically reducing account takeover risk in Cybersecurity.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 17

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 17

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 17

Published: 2015-10-16 • 📧 Newsletter

Thank you once again for signing up for this newsletter. Please feel free to share with others you believe would benefit from the newsletter. Thanks again for the support. :)

This week I worked on the following:

Closed with a side of open - Over the past couple of months I've hinted several times that I've been part of a super secret Slack channel with a bunch of colleagues and friends. This week Doug Belshaw started sharing a bit more about this collective and providing a chance to "out" many of us by building a collaborative writing space in Medium. In this post, I discuss some of what I've learned about learning online.

🔖 Key Takeaways

Slackerati Outing: Doug Belshaw's Medium collective revealing super secret Slack channel, learning about learning online.
Ground Control: Tom Kucy remixed NASA's Apollo Archive into beautiful 4K short film, public domain art.
Removed Photo Essay: Smartphones edited out of social setting, a Rorschach test for technology feelings.
Post-Snowden Identity: Not everyone can openly share online showing respect privacy fears from government or neighbors.
Paper vs Tablet: Reading comprehension research shows cognitive load differences, consider longer readings for digital readers.

📺 Watch

Ground Control (Apollo Archive) 4K

Tom Kucy dug into the incredible motherlode of NASA's Project Apollo Archive of photos released last week to create this beautiful short film "Ground Control."

Basically, he dug into a bunch of photos released into the public domain and remixed it into a beautiful piece of art. I almost want to see this made into a full-length sci-fi flick. :)

📚 Read

A photographer edits out our smartphones to show our strange and lonely new world

In the photo essay titled "Removed" by Eric Pickersgill, he takes normal portraits of individuals in social settings using their mobile devices and edits out the device.

In sharing and discussing this with colleagues & friends, it becomes a sort of Rorschach Test to see how you feel about technology and our daily lives. People are either really freaked out and a bit despondent, or don't see anything wrong with the pictures.

What do you see?

Reach outside the silo

This great piece by Laura Hilliger makes you consider the learning networks and silos that modify our connections and identity. What starts as an inspection of Greenpeace, ends with some thoughtful questions about your own cultural perspectives and connections with others.

How might you use your daily actions and emotional energies to make the world a better place?

(Digital) Identity in a world that no longer forgets

This post extends some of the points I was hinting at in the Medium piece I shared above. As we consider the chilling effects of sharing online in the Post-Snowden era, you need to also consider (respect) the fact that not everyone might want to openly share and communicate online. We also need to consider that many individuals might not be able to share for fear of their government or neighbors.

This piece by Richard Byrne is a good counter to the piece shared above and offers tips to get people started as they connect online.

The six lists you need to make every day productive

Here you go productivity lifehackers...a list of lists to think about how you organize and spend your energies.

My latest 30-day challenge has me journaling every morning as part of my routine. Some of these elements I'll start working into my system. I'm intrigued by the "outsource" list and the "long-term goals" considerations. I've been focusing on short-term goals recently as I change jobs. But, perhaps it's time again to think about bigger aspirational goals.

As part of this series, FastCompany also has shared insights from "11 of the most productive people." I find it interesting to check out what others do to stay productive and (somewhat) sane.

You might also want to take a look at this tool released by Harvard Business Review to automatically turn your goals into actionable items.

Paper or tablet? Reading recall and comprehension

Some more insight into the effect of digital devices on our brains. In this research report, findings are shared from a study of the use of digital devices for reading purposes.

The final recommendations are:

Consider assigning longer readings that create a slight increase in cognitive load for digital readers.
Include a longer time interval between assigned reading and assessment of students' recall and comprehension.
Extend these studies of digital vs. paper reading to primary and secondary students to explore their effects on learning and on children's developmental patterns.
Consider other factors that might affect recall and comprehension among readers using digital and paper texts, such as the types of reading (deep, analytical reading vs. pleasure reading, for example) and the academic discipline of the students studied.

Microsoft researchers are working on multi-person virtual reality

Over the past couple of weeks in this newsletter I've shared a lot of news about augmented reality and virtual reality. I think things are starting to heat up, and it'll be interesting to see what comes of these technological advances.

What I like about this piece and the work by Jaron Lanier and the lab at Microsoft, is they are trying to figure out what these spaces mean for connecting with people in the real world. Cool stuff.

🔨 Do

Ultimate hot and sweet chili garlic ginger jam

I like to cook. Last year my family joined a farm share that would bring tons of veggies that I've never seen to my house. I kept searching online (and filling my Evernote notebook) with ways to prepare, store, and use up all of that good stuff.

One of the things I've started to do is figure out how to pickle and can items. One of my favorites is figuring out pepper jellies and jams. One of my recents jams involved a bunch of peppers, hot peppers, garlic, ginger, and peaches that were going bad. Once we moved in to the south we went on a binge of purchasing lots of peaches that we couldn't use up.

This recipe covers most of the process you'll need to follow. My only hack of this recipe is that I'd add some fresh squeezed orange juice to the mix before canning. If you don't like orange you can pick another citrus flavor that you prefer. The flavor should accentuate the hot peppers you pick. I usually mash up the orange pulp and add that in for texture. Finally, zest the orange and add that all in the mix as well. Add some fresh herbs and you're good to go.

As the weather gets colder, I like having jars of this around to add to marinades, soups, jelly on toast/naan/biscuits. Another secret is to whisk a bit into your eggs for a killer omelette.

🤔 Consider

"Civilization is the progress toward a society of privacy. The savage's whole existence is public, ruled by the laws of his tribe. Civilization is the process of setting man free from men." — Ayn Rand

Eric Pickersgill's Removed photo essay creates a Rorschach test for how we feel about technology. Smartphones edited out of social settings reveal something uncomfortable—people either see isolation and despair, or they see nothing wrong at all. What you see depends on what you believe about our relationship with devices.

The Post-Snowden era changed how we think about sharing online. Not everyone wants to openly share and communicate. Some can't for fear of their government or neighbors. The chilling effects are real. Richard Byrne's tips for nervous educators trying to connect online acknowledge this tension: how do we participate when participation carries risk?

Laura Hilliger's question cuts through: How might you use your daily actions and emotional energies to make the world a better place? Learning networks and silos modify our connections and identity. We start with Greenpeace, end with cultural perspectives and questions about where we direct our energy.

My latest 30-day challenge has me journaling every morning. I'm intrigued by productivity systems, including outsource lists, long-term goals. I've been focusing on short-term goals while changing jobs. But perhaps it's time to think bigger again, more aspirationally.

Tom Kucy remixed NASA's Apollo Archive into art. Public domain photos became a 4K film I'd watch as a full-length sci-fi flick. The farm share brought vegetables I'd never seen, leading to pepper jellies with peaches, orange pulp, and fresh herbs. As the weather gets colder, these jars become marinades, soups, killer omelettes.

Ayn Rand's quote on privacy feels relevant in a world where the savage's existence was public, ruled by tribal laws. Civilization sets man free from men through privacy. But our smartphones, our Removed photo essay devices, complicate that narrative. Are we more civilized or less?

Previous: TLDR 16 • Next: TLDR 18 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Slackerati — Doug Belshaw's Medium collective outing super secret Slack channel.
Doug Belshaw — Collaborative writing space on Medium, learning about learning online.
NASA Apollo Archive — 8400+ public domain photos remixed into Ground Control 4K film.
Eric Pickersgill — Removed photo essay editing smartphones out, Rorschach test for tech feelings.
Laura Hilliger — Reach outside the silo, learning networks modifying connections and identity.
Digital Identity — Post-Snowden chilling effects, respecting privacy fears.
Post-Snowden Era — Not everyone can openly share online, government surveillance concerns.
Productivity Systems — Six lists framework, outsource and long-term goals integration.
30-Day Challenge — Morning journaling routine, habit formation through daily practice.
Reading Comprehension — Paper vs tablet cognitive load research, digital device effects on brains.
Virtual Reality — Microsoft multi-person VR, Jaron Lanier's real-world connection work.
Farm Share — Vegetables never seen before, Evernote recipes for preparation and storage.
Pepper Jelly — Hot peppers, garlic, ginger, peaches, orange pulp, zest, fresh herbs.
Ayn Rand — Privacy as civilization progress, setting man free from tribal laws.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

TLDR 169

2026-11-13T15:57:40Z

TLDR 169

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 169

Published: 2018-10-13 • 📧 Newsletter

Welcome to Issue 169. Haters gonna hate.

TL;DR is a weekly review of things that I think you should be reading. A primer of some of the cool things that happened…but you may have missed.

This week I posted the following:

Digital Storytelling in Early Childhood: Student illustrations shaping social interactions - Some recent research on an instructional model that focuses on social-emotional development and finding student voice through writing and digital content construction in the early childhood educational context.
Why do people say things online they would never say face-to-face? - This post shares some of the motivation and my thinking behind recent interactions with others as they share online content.
Online disinhibition effect - This post extends on the earlier post by unpacking the thinking and psychology behind what we choose to share online.

🔖 Key Takeaways

Climate Crisis Timeline: UN IPCC report reveals catastrophic impacts by 2040—within today's children's lifetimes—requiring unprecedented economic transformation to avert disaster.
Facebook Breach Revision: Hack affecting 30 million users exposed more sensitive data than initially disclosed including location check-ins and search history demonstrating platform's inadequate security.
Pedagogy as Liberation: Disruptive pedagogy treating education as practice of freedom confronts institutional resistance when teaching challenges cultural status quo and threatens established power.
Weaponized Social Media: LikeWar analysis shows social media has blurred distinctions between war and peace civilian and soldier through information warfare and reality manipulation.
Accessibility Progress: Google Slides automatic captions and Pocket text-to-speech demonstrate technology enabling access and alternative consumption modes for diverse learners.

📺 Watch

ENOUGH by Anna Mantzaris

ENOUGH is a first-year film by Anna Mantzaris, a student at the Royal College of Art. The movie is a hilarious and cathartic ode to indulging our impulses and losing control in the face of life's daily frustrations.

The movie is the Staff Pick from Vimeo.

The animation captures something essential about modern digital frustration—the accumulation of small annoyances that eventually overwhelm self-control. This connects to online disinhibition effect discussed in my posts this week: Digital spaces lower barriers to expressing anger and frustration that we'd normally suppress in physical interactions. The anonymity and distance of online communication, like the internal fantasy of the animation, allow impulses to escape regulation. Understanding this dynamic helps explain both hateful online behavior and why we need intentional practices for maintaining dignity in digital discourse.

📚 Read

UN IPCC Climate Change Report: Catastrophe by 2040

A landmark report from the United Nations' scientific panel on climate change paints a far more dire picture of the immediate consequences of climate change than previously thought and says that avoiding the damage requires transforming the world economy at a speed and scale that has "no documented historic precedent." The report describes a world of worsening food shortages and wildfires, and a mass die-off of coral reefs as soon as 2040—a period well within the lifetime of much of the global population.

To get a better sense of the impact, check out this incredible visual display of the impact of global warming.

To put a finer point on this, children that are currently in early childhood and elementary classrooms will see the first drastic impacts of climate change when they are in higher education. Their world will be different.

The 2040 timeline transforms climate change from abstract future threat to immediate crisis affecting today's students. Teachers looking at kindergarteners must reckon with fact that these children will be in their twenties when food shortages intensify, wildfires become routine, and coral reefs die. The report's demand for unprecedented economic transformation highlights gap between scientific reality and political will. Educators have responsibility to help students understand crisis they'll inherit and develop capacities for both adaptation and systems change. Climate education isn't optional enrichment but preparation for transformed world.

Facebook: 30 Million Had Location Data and Search History Stolen

Two weeks after saying hackers had accessed the personal information of around 50 million Facebook users, the social network said that, actually, the victims were around 30 million people.

But the data the hackers accessed, it appears, was more sensitive than initially thought. Some of the data stolen included check-in locations and the users' previous 15 searches on the site.

In a blog post published Friday, Facebook said that "of the 50 million people whose access tokens we believed were affected, about 30 million actually had their tokens stolen." Of those 30 million, Facebook said it identified four groups of victims hit in different stages: an initial group of 400,000 users, a second group of 15 million people, a third of 14 million, and a final of 1 million.

If you visit Facebook's Help Center, a notice at the bottom will explain whether your account was affected. If it was, it'll state what information was taken.

Facebook's revision of breach numbers downward doesn't lessen severity—30 million affected is still massive failure. The more sensitive data stolen (location check-ins, search history) reveals intimate details about users' lives, movements, interests, and relationships. This continuing pattern of breaches followed by minimization then correction demonstrates Facebook's inadequate security practices and communication failures.

Disruptive Pedagogy and the Practice of Freedom

Schools won't embrace education as the practice of freedom if it rocks the boat too much. How might we care for a student's soul in a disruptive sense? Julie Fellmayer examines her own journey in Hybrid Pedagogy.

For those of us on the frontline of K-12 teaching, "education as the practice of freedom" requires forthright discussion and action regarding subjects that are messy (at least in terms of their challenge to the agreed narrative and the cultural status quo) and this messiness can potentially make people uncomfortable, confused, upset, angry, and even potentially confrontational or worse, violent. Administrators and teachers and colleagues generally do not want to embrace the concept of education as the practice of freedom if it means rocking the boat too much.

Fellmayer's essay captures core tension in education: Liberation requires disruption, but institutions resist disruption to maintain stability. Teaching as practice of freedom (bell hooks's concept) means helping students recognize and challenge oppressive systems—but those systems include schools themselves. The vulnerability teachers face when embracing disruptive pedagogy—administrative pushback, colleague resistance, parent complaints, even threats—creates pressure toward safer conformity. Yet retreating from liberatory teaching betrays students who need education that names and challenges injustice rather than reproducing it.

We live in a world of bots and trolls and curated news feeds, in which reality is basically up for grabs. A new book titled LikeWar: The Weaponization of Social Media explores how this is transforming our culture and upending the old rules of politics and even war. Authors Peter W. Singer and Emerson Brooking argue that the distinctions between entertainment and politics, war and peace, and even civilian and soldier are gradually disappearing.

I recommend this interview with the authors of the text linked above.

The weaponization thesis extends earlier discussions (TLDR 164) about information warfare. Social media doesn't just enable war—it becomes battlefield where narrative manipulation, attention capture, and reality construction are strategic objectives. When entertainment, politics, and war blur together, citizens become both targets and unwitting participants in information conflicts they may not recognize as warfare. Understanding social media as weapon rather than neutral communication tool changes how we approach platform governance, media literacy, and civic engagement.

Google Slides: Present with Automatic Captions

To help your audience get more out of your presentation, you can now turn on automatic captions in Google Slides.

Automated closed captions in Google Slides. The feature will gradually roll out to all Slides users starting this week. This is yet another reason to use Google Slides.

Automatic captions demonstrate technology enabling access rather than creating barriers. For deaf and hard-of-hearing audiences, captions transform inaccessible presentations into inclusive experiences. For English language learners, captions provide visual reinforcement supporting comprehension. For everyone, captions enable following presentations in noisy environments or when audio quality is poor. Accessibility features benefit all users—designing for disabilities creates better experiences universally.

🔨 Do

Pocket Text-to-Speech Update

I've talked a lot about "read it later" apps that you should have in your toolkit. I have used apps like Evernote in the past to bookmark a page I want to access at a later date. I also tried out Pocket for some time before moving on to Wallabag.

The latest update to Pocket improves on its text-to-speech feature. This will allow the app to read your bookmarked pages to you. This is a great opportunity to save pages, and listen to them during your commute, or going for a walk. I'm definitely testing this out in my classes…and recommending it for students.

Text-to-speech transforms reading from visual activity requiring dedicated attention to audio experience compatible with multitasking. Commutes, walks, household chores—previously dead time for reading—become opportunities for consuming saved articles. For students, text-to-speech offers alternative input mode that may support comprehension differently than visual reading. Like Google Slides captions, accessibility features create value for everyone.

🤔 Consider

"The obligation of anyone who thinks of himself as responsible is to examine society and try to change and fight it—at no matter what risk." — James Baldwin

Baldwin's charge about responsibility resonates powerfully with this issue's theme of haters gonna hate and the systems demanding examination and resistance. The haters hate precisely those who examine and fight—climate scientists, privacy advocates, liberatory teachers, accessibility champions. Hatred is response to disruption of comfortable systems that benefit from unexamined continuation. Baldwin's framing reveals that accepting risk isn't unfortunate necessity but obligation of responsible engagement. We can't wait for safe conditions to examine and challenge injustice because those conditions never arrive—power doesn't voluntarily create space for its own examination. The responsibility comes first, the fighting follows, the risks are inevitable. The question isn't how to avoid risk but whether we'll accept obligation to examine and fight despite haters who predictably emerge to defend systems serving them. This issue documents various arenas requiring examination and resistance—climate policy, platform governance, educational liberation, information warfare, accessibility justice. Haters hate in each arena. Responsibility requires fighting anyway.

Previous: TLDR 168 • Next: TLDR 170 • Archive: 📧 Newsletter

🌱 Connected Concepts:

Online disinhibition effect — Digital spaces lower barriers to expressing anger and impulses normally suppressed in face-to-face interactions enabling both hateful behavior and liberatory speech in Digital Communication.
Climate Crisis 2040 — UN IPCC report reveals catastrophic impacts within current students' lifetimes requiring unprecedented economic transformation that political systems resist in Climate Education.
Facebook Privacy Breaches — Revised hack figures showing 30 million affected with sensitive location and search data stolen demonstrates continuing pattern of inadequate security in Platform Accountability.
Disruptive Pedagogy — Julie Fellmayer examines education as practice of freedom requiring teachers to challenge oppressive systems despite institutional resistance and personal risk in Critical Pedagogy.
Social Media Weaponization — Peter Singer and Emerson Brooking argue LikeWar has blurred distinctions between war and peace making citizens unwitting participants in information conflicts in Information Warfare.

Part of the 📧 Newsletter archive documenting digital literacy and technology.

Digitally Literate

Subscribe

Subscribe

Read it by email

Follow by RSS

Read on the web

About Digitally Literate

About Digitally Literate

What I write about

Why the notebook is here

About Ian

TLDR 99

TLDR 99

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 99

🔖 Key Takeaways

📺 Watch

📚 Read

🔨 Do

🤔 Consider

🔗 Navigation

TLDR 98

TLDR 98

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 98

🔖 Key Takeaways

📺 Watch

📚 Read

🔨 Do

🤔 Consider

🔗 Navigation

TLDR 97

TLDR 97

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 97

🔖 Key Takeaways

📺 Watch

📚 Read

🔨 Do

🤔 Consider

🔗 Navigation

TLDR 96

TLDR 96

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 96

🔖 Key Takeaways

📺 Watch

📚 Read

🔨 Do

🤔 Consider

🔗 Navigation

TLDR 95

TLDR 95

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 95

🔖 Key Takeaways

📺 Watch

📚 Read

🔨 Do

🤔 Consider

🔗 Navigation

TLDR 94

TLDR 94

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 94

🔖 Key Takeaways

📺 Watch

📚 Read

🔨 Do

🤔 Consider

🔗 Navigation

TLDR 93

TLDR 93

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 93

🔖 Key Takeaways

📺 Watch

📚 Read

🔨 Do

🤔 Consider

🔗 Navigation

TLDR 92

TLDR 92

Too Long; Didn't Read Issue 92

🔖 Key Takeaways

📺 Watch

📚 Read