Digital Literacy for St. Cloud State University
++++++++++++++
more on “disconnect” and contemplative computing in this IMS blog
https://blog.stcloudstate.edu/ims?s=disconnect
Who contributed to the code that we use every day?
by Jimmy Daly APril 19, 2013
+++++++++++++++
more on coding in this IMS bog
https://blog.stcloudstate.edu/ims?s=coding
1. Technology that Increases Access Hits the Slow Lane
Innovations in videoconferencing and lecture capture technologies have allowed universities to provide flexible learning experiences to students no matter their location. However, if internet service providers are allowed to create “fast lanes” and “slow lanes” of access, experts worry these learning experiences will be in jeopardy.
“slow lanes” of internet access could make it difficult for students to access cloud software or applications without hitting data caps.
2. Inhibit Ability to Research and Access Materials
a 40-page commentary to the FCC explaining how a repeal would hurt universities, eCampus News reports.
“Institutions of higher education and libraries depend upon an open internet to carry out their educational and civic missions, and to serve their communities,” reads the commentary.
“almost everything” relies on the internet in higher education. Students use it for research, to take courses and turn in assignments while faculty use it for research and to create lesson plans. Roberts says his library needs it to archive and preserve materials. Slower internet could inhibit research and access to library resources.
high cost of attending a university might see a bump without net neutrality.
slower internet access would actually degrade the quality of education offered for a higher cost.
++++++++++++++++
more on net neutrality and education in this IMS blog
https://blog.stcloudstate.edu/ims?s=net+neutrality
if we are in a post-truth moment then we need to understand the tools we have at hand to deal with falsehoods.
Tom Dickinson describes four different types of distributed ‘fake news’.
‘Fake news’ is lazy language. Be specific. Do you mean:
A) Propaganda
B) Disinformation
C) Conspiracy theory
D) Clickbait
The RAND Corporation, a US think-tank with strong ties to the military industrial complex, recently looked at the influence of the Russian Propaganda Model and how best to deal with it.
Three factors have been shown to increase the (limited) effectiveness of retractions and refutations: (1) warnings at the time of initial exposure to misinformation, (2) repetition of the retraction or refutation, and (3) corrections that provide an alternative story to help fill the resulting gap in understanding when false ‘facts’ are removed.
Critical thinking requires us to constantly question assumptions, especially our own. To develop these skills, questioning must be encouraged. This runs counter to most schooling and training practices. When do students or employees get to question underlying assumptions of their institutions? If they cannot do this, how can we expect them to challenge various and pervasive types of ‘fake news’?
++++++++++++++
more on fake news in this IMS blog
https://blog.stcloudstate.edu/ims?s=fake+news
Dear Colleagues,
Software Carpentry (https://software-carpentry.org/about/) is coming to SCSU campus.
Want to learn basic computer programming skills specifically tailored for academia?
Please consider a FREE two-day workshop on either on Python or on R.
Python is a programming language that is simple, easy to learn for beginners and experienced programmers, and emphasizes readability. At the same time, it comes with lots of modules and packages to add to your programs when you need more sophistication. Whether you need to perform data analysis, graphing, or develop a network application, or just want to have a nice calculator that remembers all your formulas and constants, Python can do it with elegance. https://www.python.org/about/
R (RStudio) is a language and environment for statistical computing and graphics. R provides a wide variety of statistical and graphical techniques. R can produce well-designed publication-quality plots, including mathematical symbols and formulae. https://www.r-project.org/about.html
Both software packages are free and operate on MS Windows, MAC/Apple and GNU/Linux OS.
Besides seamless installation on your personal computer, you can access both software in SCSU computer labs or via SCSU AppsAnywhere.
https://appsanywhere.stcloudstate.edu/vpn/index.html
In an effort to accommodate as many faculty as possible, please indicate whether you want Python or R and check your availability using these Doodle polls:
Python
https://doodle.com/poll/fgf7mn5mze9knaps
R
https://doodle.com/poll/mzirw2nc4kfv9whs
Questions? Suggestions? Please do not hesitate to ask:
zliu@stcloudstate.edu
pmiltenoff@stcloudstate.edu
For more information:
https://blog.stcloudstate.edu/imshttps://blog.stcloudstate.edu/ims/2018/02/16/python-or-r-at-scsu/
https://www.facebook.com/InforMediaServices/
https://twitter.com/SCSUtechinstruc?lang=en #SoftwareCarpentry
Part 1: March 7, 2018 | 1:00–2:30 p.m. ET
Part 2: March 14, 2018 | 1:00–2:30 p.m. ET
Part 3: March 21, 2018 | 1:00–2:30 p.m. ET
Faculty need a variety of instructional technology support—instructional design, content development, technology, training, and assessment—to name a few. They don’t want to go to one place for help, find out they’re in the wrong place, and be sent somewhere else—digitally or physically. Staff don’t want to provide help in silos or duplicate what other units are doing.
So, how can academic service providers collaborate to offer the right instructional technology support services, in the right place, at the right time, in the right way? In this course, instructional technologists, instructional designers, librarians, and instructional technology staff will learn to use a tool called the Service Center Canvas that does just that.
During this course, participants will:
NOTE: Participants will be asked to complete assignments in between the course segments that support the learning objectives stated below and will receive feedback and constructive critique from course facilitators on how to improve and shape their work.
Elliot Felix, Founder and CEO, brightspot strategy
Felix founded and leads brightspot, a strategy consultancy that reimagines places, rethinks services, and redesigns organizations on university campuses so that people are better connected to a purpose, information, and each other. Felix is accomplished strategist, facilitator, and sense-maker who has helped transform over 70 colleges and universities.
Adam Griff, Director, brightspot strategy
Adam Griff is a director at brightspot. He helps universities rethink their space, reinvent their service offerings, and redesign their organization to improve the experiences of their faculty, students, and staff, connecting people and processes to create simple and intuitive answers to complex questions. He has led projects with a wide range of higher education institutions including University of Wisconsin–Madison, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and University of California, Berkeley.
The University of Wisconsin-Stout (in Menomonie, WI) will be hosting our second “E”ffordability Summit on the March 26-27. The full schedule, registration and additional information can be found at https://effordabilitysummit2018.jimdo.com/. This is shaping up to be a really great conference with keynotes by OTNers Michelle Reed, UT-Arlington and Dave Ernst. In addition to a full slate of content, we will also have Daniel Williamson, Managing Director of OpenStax, Glenda Lembisz from the National Association of College Stores and Mindy Boland, ISKME/OER Commons and much more!
++++++++++++++
more on Diigo in this IMS blog
https://blog.stcloudstate.edu/ims?s=diigo
February 9, 201811:37 AM ET ADAM FRANK
Combine the superfast calculational capacities of Big Compute with the oceans of specific personal information comprising Big Data — and the fertile ground for computational propaganda emerges. That’s how the small AI programs called bots can be unleashed into cyberspace to target and deliver misinformation exactly to the people who will be most vulnerable to it. These messages can be refined over and over again based on how well they perform (again in terms of clicks, likes and so on). Worst of all, all this can be done semiautonomously, allowing the targeted propaganda (like fake news stories or faked images) to spread like viruses through communities most vulnerable to their misinformation.
According to Bolsover and Howard, viewing computational propaganda only from a technical perspective would be a grave mistake. As they explain, seeing it just in terms of variables and algorithms “plays into the hands of those who create it, the platforms that serve it, and the firms that profit from it.”
Computational propaganda is a new thing. People just invented it. And they did so by realizing possibilities emerging from the intersection of new technologies (Big Compute, Big Data) and new behaviors those technologies allowed (social media). But the emphasis on behavior can’t be lost.
People are not machines. We do things for a whole lot of reasons including emotions of loss, anger, fear and longing. To combat computational propaganda’s potentially dangerous effects on democracy in a digital age, we will need to focus on both its howand its why.
++++++++++++++++
more on big data in this IMS blog
https://blog.stcloudstate.edu/ims?s=big+data
more on bots in this IMS blog
https://blog.stcloudstate.edu/ims?s=bot
more on fake news in this IMS blog
https://blog.stcloudstate.edu/ims?s=fake+news
Organiser: Fatima Batool (The Alan Turing Institute and WiDS Ambassador)
Date: 6 April 2018
Venue: The Alan Turing Institute
The Stanford Women in Data Science conference (WiDS) is a one day global conference that will bring data scientists together to share cutting edge research. The conference aim is to inspire and encourage data scientists worldwide and exclusively support women in the field.
We will proudly host WiDS at The Alan Turing Institute. The conference will feature eminent female speakers through technical talks, lunchtime discussions on data science (topics to be announced shortly), a panel discussion and networking event.
The conference programme and speaker information will be soon available through the conference website. The event will be available worldwide via live streaming and the conference talks will be broadcast online.
The event will provide great opportunities to connect with potential mentors, collaborators and peers; hear about recent advancements in data science and explore new research dimensions.
Speakers:
Cecilia Lindgren
Mihaela van der Schaar
Jil Matheson
Codina Cotar
Emma McCoy
Cecilia Mascolo
Kathy Whaler
Mariana Damova
We welcome all regardless of gender to join us on Friday 6 April 2018 for an excellent learning experience.
For more information email: events@turing.ac.uk