Thread by @timbocop

This morning at #UoELTConf22, @robzker asks why, after introducing more compassionate policies around assessment during the pandemic, we would go back to less compassionate policy. How can we tackle uncaring practices and reimagine a more compassionate education?

This is interesting - can cynicism about institutions come from a place of caring? @robzker questions punishment as strength and compassion as weakness. Why should we never do "hand-holding"? Does caring have to be tough love? (my phrasing). #UoELTConf22

Why do we even need to argue about this, what brought us to this place? Where can we go from here? Great provocations, thanks @robzker #UoELTConf22

Now on ethics with @nicolvision & @HoneybHighton. Ambiguity in policy around ethics could be exploited or lead to paralysis. Using moral fables and fairytales to help us understand ethics - fairytales as making us think through ambiguity. OK, I'm intrigued... #UoELTConf22

Who's in charge of the stories being told? Who are the actors, from whose perspective are they seen? Who should be involved in ethical evaluations & decisions?

A theme is that ethics aren't "set in stone" & characters are multifaceted.

#UoELTConf22 @nicolvision @HoneybHighton

Tensions between different values in different areas of practice (e.g. openness and security). Assumptions about motivations of others can be barriers to productive discussion and collaboration. There's not always a right answer.

#UoELTConf22 @nicolvision @HoneybHighton

Where is the place to discuss (and continually re-evaluate) the ethics of our rapidly-changing tech landscape? Where is the space for developing informed partnerships that drawn on diverse elements of expertise?

#UoELTConf22 @nicolvision @HoneybHighton #EthicsOfTech

How to hold onto the big picture and not being too distracted by particular details. This needs to be informed by "compassion and nuanced thinking" @HoneybHighton

Is wider agreement about ethics realistic in complex situations? (my Q)

#UoELTConf22

- Ethics of company vs ethics of particular implementations of particular technology
- Things change all the time so we can never stop thinking about ethics.
@nicolvision
#UoELTConf22

- worries about antagonistic relations with companies - we need openness and trust @HoneybHighton
- distributed responsibility ("we are the university") @nicolvision
#UoELTConf22

Next, looking forward to @claraoshea on "The Course Cup: Playfully motivating and engaging students in assessment and feedback practices" at 2:15. #UoELTConf22

Clara talking about multiple ways of becoming (e.g. a doctor but also an academic learner). Multiple and dynamic motivations and purposes. @claraoshea #UoELTConf22

Clara asks, how do students know *how* they're becoming. Societal roles & goal identities as ever-changing. So judging quality of learning is dynamic. Iterative. Eating chocolate isn’t enough! We need to look at factories, cocoa growing processes, etc. @claraoshea #UoELTConf22

Technology isn’t neutral - how are tech and pedagogy related? How do values and beliefs influence what happens? How does tech mediate assessment and feedback processes? Need to examine specific practices & their implications @claraoshea #UoELTConf22

Gamification as "chocolate-covered broccoli". (Clara says make the broccoli delicious rather than hiding it).

But there are principles from games that can be integrated into assessment design (e.g. allowance for trial and error)

@claraoshea #UoELTConf22

How to make space for challenges to be fun, individually motivating but communal, richly generative of feedback. "Fishbowl feedback" as an example where others can learn vicariously from one student's feedback. "Everyone wins together" attitude @claraoshea #UoELTConf22

There was more but I got too involved in the in-session chat! Great session about a great "games-based learning" course. @claraoshea #UoELTConf22