Thad Harroun @thadharroun.bsky.social · 01/10/2026Kids, these are overhead projectors from the Before PowerPoint times. Heck, from the Before Internet times. Ask your professor about making acetate copies on the old xerox sometime. 581
Thad Harroun @thadharroun.bsky.social · 28/09/2026My colleague Gavin Hester has a wonderful guest blog post at Grading for Growth. gradingforgrowth.com/p/learning-t...gradingforgrowth.comLearning to Get Back Up: Rethinking Assessment in Introductory PhysicsLessons from Implementing Standards-Based Grading in a First-Year Physics Course 010
Thad Harroun @thadharroun.bsky.social · 26/09/2026Despite the calm weather and good visibility, a boat has crashed into the dock, its pilot transfixed by the lighthouse daytime beacon. Oakville Fire responds to assist the victims to their lunch. Young Johnny has just come off the ice - no time to remove his sweaty pads - he’s too hungry. (Not AI) 000
Thad Harroun @thadharroun.bsky.social · 23/09/2026In this article, there's no analysis of the underlying problem: *points-based grades does not work*. 'Hey with grade floors, there's a disconnect between what the grade means and what the students learn. Maybe we should just redistribute the points.' hechingerreport.org/the-emerging...hechingerreport.orgThe emerging fight against grade inflation in K-12 classroomsSouth Carolina bans minimum grade policies as scrutiny around grades grows 000
Thad Harroun @thadharroun.bsky.social · 19/09/2026My North American friends, if you didn’t get up at 3am and watch one of the greatest #AFL games ever, you’re missing out on a sport that eclipses anything here. No NFL game this season will match that, I swear. 021
Thad Harroun @thadharroun.bsky.social · 18/09/2026Rays of hope, I think. About 22% are *fully* ready for first-year, algebra physics on a short math skills pre-test. But over 70% are *nearly* there. That's okay as we are ready to help everyone. We user standards based grading so, everyone gets a second shot at 100% on the quiz. 000
Reposted by Thad Harroundhpljm266.bsky.social @dhpljm266.bsky.social · 08/09/2026Hey, it’s the plot of Tom Lehrer’s LOBACHEVSKI 1152
Thad Harroun @thadharroun.bsky.social · 04/09/2026Amazing. My parents grew up in Oklahoma, I grew up in California. 010
Reposted by Thad HarrounAlex Usher @alexusherhesa.bsky.social · 02/09/2026Here is my letter to the MacDonald Laurier Institute on the subject of their appalling research. Use as you will. I recommend sending something of your own, though. And if you know anyone associated with MLI - and Board directors, say - send it to them, too.docs.google.comAlex Usher email to Brian Lee Crowley(text of an email sent to Brian Lee Crowley of the MacDonald Laurier Institute on September 2, 2026) Dear Brian, I am writing to you and your board with respect to the publication “The equity excelle... 32312120
Reposted by Thad Harroun🇺🇸 NanaDude @nanadude.bsky.social · 31/08/2026Basically #Lanterns S1 E3 in a nutshell. 073
Thad Harroun @thadharroun.bsky.social · 31/08/2026Good interview with insider insights to the depth of Ep. 3 010
Thad Harroun @thadharroun.bsky.social · 31/08/2026Some of the excellent Ep 3 discourse seems to be that it wasn't liked because it was uncomfortable to expose the flawed motives of so many characters (in an comic-book show!). #Lanterns I like Christopher's take here: it "challenges the audience to pay attention in ways we may not be used to". 121
Reposted by Thad HarrounDavid Wilson @eregnans.bsky.social · 30/08/2026Australian football league finals 2026 fwiw 041
Thad Harroun @thadharroun.bsky.social · 30/08/2026Watching #AFLW Essendon/Richmond and the broadcaster can't decide if the clock should count up or down. In Q2 the clock was missing, then counted up, now Q4 and its counting down. Anyway - only 1 point in it but the Tigers don't seem to have any urgency to them. 120
Thad Harroun @thadharroun.bsky.social · 29/08/2026It's 5:20am. House is quiet, and I can get the TV to myself, although the sound is off. #AFLFinals Go Dees. 110
Thad Harroun @thadharroun.bsky.social · 29/08/2026As much as I hate the Jays game being on Apple TV, the graphics are far superior to anything on Sportsnet. (I don’t really listen to the commentators.) The typography is perfect. The absence of distracting flash and dazzle! 000
Thad Harroun @thadharroun.bsky.social · 28/08/2026#AFL could only hope for a thrilling finish like this when they added the wildcard games #AFLDogsPies Six lead changes in the final 5 minutes, and after the siren missed goal. 031
Thad Harroun @thadharroun.bsky.social · 27/08/2026Welcome to the Cacaabb National Exhibition. When AI is so bad, it distracts you from the sights and sounds of an actual carnival. #CNE #TheEx 000
Thad Harroun @thadharroun.bsky.social · 21/08/2026What does it take to be a department chair in 2026? Not much, you just need to know how to use: SharePoint, PowerBI, Workday, Modern Campus Curriculum, Maxient, Watermark Insights, Synto, Brightspace, and WordPress. (We will soon add a new student information portal.) #AcademicLife 010
Thad Harroun @thadharroun.bsky.social · 20/08/2026I've told everyone to VPN with Digi-Key and check Mouser and Amazon first. 000
Thad Harroun @thadharroun.bsky.social · 20/08/2026Digi-Key's stupid AI pricing shows 20% price increase to two computers on the same domain within an hour. (Prof looked up a part, asked lab manager to order. Same part was 20% more on their computer.) DK sales just shrugged, wouldn't honor the lower price. 110
Thad Harroun @thadharroun.bsky.social · 13/08/2026Love this sentence: "The Bell [inequality] violation was limited, which the researchers partly attributed to weak seasonal sunlight and passing clouds. #iTeachPhysics www.techspot.com/news/113454-...techspot.comScientists found a way to generate quantum entanglement using sunlight, not lasersThe research, which was published in Optica, does not suggest that sunlight can replace laser-based quantum sources. Those systems remain more precise and produce stronger results. But... 030
Thad Harroun @thadharroun.bsky.social · 10/08/2026STEM thesis writing tip. Don't: "Broad statement about the field [1]." Do: "Broad statement about the field. For a recent introductory review see [1]. " "For an excellent example using X, see [1]."" "For a recent in-depth review of how X has impacted the field, see [1]." #academic 000
Thad Harroun @thadharroun.bsky.social · 04/08/2026Only ever asked one question on StackExchange, in the math section, over 7 years ago. Received a helpful answer. I've seen the warnings about the programming ones, but yesterday I thought it couldn't hurt. Oh, it hurt. Insults without any attempt to answer within the hour. Generally useless 😠 100
Thad Harroun @thadharroun.bsky.social · 01/08/2026Signs your son is growing up: Giving up 10 minutes into the newest Mario Bros. movie. "This is stupid." 010
Thad Harroun @thadharroun.bsky.social · 01/08/2026Good game by the Irish, hung in as best they could. Great game overall. #AFLW #AUSvIRE Garner and Randall, though - holy cow North will repeat. 000
Thad Harroun @thadharroun.bsky.social · 25/07/2026I love underdogs, but what the heck happened at Gold Coast? Brought in several big name veterans and 9 straight losses. So disappointing. Still have Flag-mantle to cheer for. And St Kilda and North have finals hopes! #AFL 010
Thad Harroun @thadharroun.bsky.social · 13/07/2026Does anyone know of a case where a university department took on a digital advertising campaign *themselves*? 000
Reposted by Thad HarrounTim Ellis, TDSB Ward 2 candidate 🍁 @djdynamic.ca · 30/06/2026One of the primary use cases that TDSB gave for "AI" was personalized tutoring for students. You'll be unsurprised to hear that there are, uh, a few problems: www.edweek.org/technology/a...edweek.orgAI Changes Its Feedback on Students' Writing When It Knows Their Race, GenderAI makes judgments based on the writer's characteristics—a problem if teachers use it as a writing coach. 031
Thad Harroun @thadharroun.bsky.social · 24/06/2026I love Lego nerd-dom. www.reddit.com/r/lego/s/WZ7...reddit.comFrom the lego community on Reddit: While building Minas Tirith, I came across a connection that I’m convinced would be considered illegal by LEGO’s standards. The hollow stud on the D snot brick protr...Explore this post and more from the lego community 000
Thad Harroun @thadharroun.bsky.social · 22/06/2026Learning and Employment Records have tech-bro blockchain nonsense written all over it. The problem is lack of job training provided by employers. Experience can't be captured in LER, and without the 'right' LER record, you can't be hired for a job you may actually be good at. 000
Thad Harroun @thadharroun.bsky.social · 19/06/2026BIG wicket for NZ. #T20 #WWC This will be a thrilling final two overs. 100
Thad Harroun @thadharroun.bsky.social · 18/06/2026#thegradingconference Grade inflation is real. The fact it feels like a bad thing is fraught with bias. Why? 'Surely not every s. can do 100% work.' Depends a lot how you structure the class, as much as the ability and effort of the students. 000
Thad Harroun @thadharroun.bsky.social · 17/06/2026We've launched our first ever global digital ad campaign! Master of Science in Materials Physics for international students. studyinternational.com/news/beyond-...studyinternational.comDiscover the physics degrees evolving quantum technologyWhether a bachelor’s or master’s, these three universities offer physics degrees that allow you to harness powerful quantum technologies. 000
Thad Harroun @thadharroun.bsky.social · 14/06/2026I'm not sorry, but this is better than that other ball and foot game 000
Thad Harroun @thadharroun.bsky.social · 12/06/2026Too much AI in the inbox today. It's disheartening to see good people feel the need to 'improve' rather than speak plainly. How do you describe these sentences that are too long and overly constructed? Not 'loquacious', but somewhat without meaning? 000
Reposted by Thad HarrounRichKGojira -0.0 @richkgojira.bsky.social · 11/06/2026OK I will mock the Bulldog’s guernseys.. they look like a bunch of deck chairs out their… and they played like a bunch of deck chairs too. #afl #afldogscrows 121
Thad Harroun @thadharroun.bsky.social · 10/06/2026Only logical. Some one, some legal entity, must be responsible for their own AI output. the-decoder.com/landmark-ger...the-decoder.comLandmark German ruling declares Google's AI Overviews are Google's own words and makes it liable for false answersA German regional court has ruled that Google is directly liable for the content of its AI search overviews. According to the court, previous limited liability protections for search engine operators ... 000
Thad Harroun @thadharroun.bsky.social · 10/06/2026I hope this is making the rounds today: www.reddit.com/r/comics/com...reddit.comFrom the comics community on Reddit: "History's greatest thinkers… with AI"Explore this post and more from the comics community 000
Thad Harroun @thadharroun.bsky.social · 09/06/2026Ep. 1 of "Teach you a lesson" seems cathartic. Really awful bully gets his due outrageously. But I can't shake the feeling that it's only going to be a right-wing fantasy against straw-men and some good aspects of education. 000
Thad Harroun @thadharroun.bsky.social · 07/06/2026Finally got around to putting together this ultrasound levitation kit. If you can overcome the static on the polystyrene, it works! 010
Thad Harroun @thadharroun.bsky.social · 30/05/2026Brisbane is favored over Freemantle Saturday? The Lions are at home, but didn't anyone see how bad they were the last couple of weeks? #AFL 100
Reposted by Thad HarrounParis Marx @parismarx.com · 20/05/2026Last year I put together a guide to help people get off US tech — and that includes Google. There are a lot of alternatives there they will help you make a plan to pull away from Google services, and all the rest of them too. 8781404
Thad Harroun @thadharroun.bsky.social · 18/05/2026Univ instructors have been working for over 100 years without LMS - yes, you absolutely *can* work without an LMS for awhile. Do you not have photocopiers? Do you not have books? Paper, pencil? www.insidehighered.com/news/tech-in...insidehighered.comNo, Colleges Can’t Just Quit CanvasEven before this month’s hack, some in higher ed were feeling boxed in by their LMS. But moving to a new way of delivering and managing courses is much easier said than done. 000
Thad Harroun @thadharroun.bsky.social · 11/05/2026It get's weirder: Collingwood will forgo the 2nd week of indigenous guernsey for their own special ones, *and* he gets to keep the proceeds of their after-game sale? Really Trump-ish. 110
Reposted by Thad HarrounDinosaur Comics! @qwantz.com · 08/05/2026sorry Allen Ginsberg, sorry, i'm trying to delete it www.qwantz.com/index.php?co... 1028577
Thad Harroun @thadharroun.bsky.social · 06/05/2026It's a nice campus, with a great science classroom for Brock teachers. www.burlingtontoday.com/local-news/r...burlingtontoday.comReminder: Families invited for crafts, zumba and free swim at community centre SaturdayAfter reopening last year following a lengthy renovation, the Robert Bateman Community Centre is set for a ceremonial ribbon cutting next week as the first phase of construction is declared complete 000
