Derek Hunt

Nov 4

The Science of Learning may have some overlap with "back to the basics", but with some key insights backed by evidence about how brains process and retain information: - Working memory is limited. So we should avoid overloading students with too much new information at once. - Students forget. So we...Read more

The Science of Learning may have some overlap with "back to the basics", but with some key insights backed by evidence about how brains process and retain information: - Working memory is limited. So we should avoid overloading students with too much new information at once. - Students forget. So we should space out practice and return to key ideas over time. - Learning requires effort. So we should use techniques like retrieval practice (e.g., low-stakes quizzes or frequent recall) to strengthen memory. - Understanding builds on prior knowledge. So we need to carefully sequence instruction and connect new ideas to what students already know. https://scienceoflearning.substack.com/p/the-science-of-learning-is-not-the What is the science of learning? It’s not a nostalgic return to the past. Rather, it’s a research-based framework for understanding how students learn best. It draws on findings from cognitive science, neuroscience, and psychology to guide classroom instruction.

Oct 28

Information about risks to the #UofT community around agentic browsers - intelligent assistants that can act on your behalf. Read through good and bad scenarios to understand how this transformation brings new possibilities and challenges. https://security.utoronto.ca/best-practice-tips/ai-on-autopi...Read more

Information about risks to the #UofT community around agentic browsers - intelligent assistants that can act on your behalf. Read through good and bad scenarios to understand how this transformation brings new possibilities and challenges. https://security.utoronto.ca/best-practice-tips/ai-on-autopilot/

Oct 27

Unsurprisingly, the misinformation sites are happy to welcome AI while "AI-blocking by reputable sites (increased) from 23% in September 2023 to nearly 60% by May 2025... raising essential questions for web transparency, data ethics, and the future of AI training practices." https://www.downes.ca/...Read more

Unsurprisingly, the misinformation sites are happy to welcome AI while "AI-blocking by reputable sites (increased) from 23% in September 2023 to nearly 60% by May 2025... raising essential questions for web transparency, data ethics, and the future of AI training practices." https://www.downes.ca/post/78392

Oct 24

Friday tee hee - "For the past years people have been collecting disposable vapes primarily for their lithium-ion batteries, but as these disposable vapes have begun to incorporate more elaborate electronics, these too have become an interesting target for reusability. To prove the point of how cap...Read more

Friday tee hee - "For the past years people have been collecting disposable vapes primarily for their lithium-ion batteries, but as these disposable vapes have begun to incorporate more elaborate electronics, these too have become an interesting target for reusability. To prove the point of how capable these electronics have become, [BogdanTheGeek] decided to turn one of these vapes into a webserver, appropriately called the vapeserver." https://hackaday.com/2025/09/15/hosting-a-website-on-a-disposable-vape/

Oct 22

Asking a More Productive Question about AI and Assessment - "Given that AI exists in the world, and that students are likely to use it, what evidence of learning would I now find persuasive?'" https://www.downes.ca/post/78140