Troy Patterson

Educator, Thinker, Consultant

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Did the State Sell My Data?

Did the State Sell My Data?

December 16, 2019 / / 0 Comments

The sale of Instructure, the maker of Canas, to the Private Equity Firm Thoma Bravo, seems to include all of the data that Instructure collected.

The State of Michigan bought into Canvas to provide Edupaths (don’t worry, they got a great deal for three years*). I took classes through Edupaths. So, what happens to my data? Does Thoma Bravo now have a good bit of data about me?

I’ve reached out to the State of Michigan asking if they exempted our data from being collected and sold by Instructure. I haven’t heard back yet. If they haven’t/didn’t/don’t, Thoma Bravo has a great treasure trove of teacher data. My data would be included in that.

*Canvas was well known to always be peddling a “great deal” for three years. Their stated intention was to turn those accounts into profit by raising prices after three years. This short-sighted thinking always kind of bothered me. Let’s be honest about what things cost. It seems somewhat unlikely that the Canvas model worked out as planned (though it did work out – they were purchased for $2 billion) as they never actually made money.

Comics

December 7, 2019 / / 0 Comments

I find RSS very useful. I utilize Feedly to gather RSS feeds. (Basically, instead of going to a variety of websites to see if something has been updated, new updates come directly to the RSS feed reader. (This is kind of like Facebook but without the invasion of privacy and putting me in control instead of Facebook. Of course, this would mean that other people would have to set up a site to post their content. It would also mean that other people would have control of their content.)

Anyway, one of my categories is Comics. I enjoy reading comics. Usually, this is a late-at-night activity for me. I’ve used Dark Gate Comic Slurper for years. However, I noticed the other night that there were no new comics.

I waited a day (or two, it’s a busy time of year). In checking Dark Gate Comics on the web, I get a 500 error. Not good. Either Dark Gate is gone, or something is happening.

So, off I go to find alternatives. This is where I found Comics RSS. Comics RSS looks to have most of the comics that I like to read (I enjoy a mix of classics and modern comics). One advantage is Comics RSS is that each comic is on a separate feed. (Dark Gate Comic Slurper would create one feed with all of the comics that you picked). This will make it easier to add and delete individual comics. (This really wasn’t that hard with Dark Gate).

Comics are back. Now, I’ve got some catching up to do.

Buying an LMS

Buying an LMS

December 4, 2019 / / 0 Comments

It’s been an interesting week for LMS providers. Instructure (the owner of Canvas – an LMS (Learning Management System)) just announced that it will be acquired by Thoma Bravo, LLC, a private investment firm for a cool $2 billion.

This news follows closely on the heels of Schoology being purchased by Powerschool (which is also held by a private investment firm).

Keep in mind that private investment firms are designed to do one thing (hint, it isn’t supporting student success). Apparently, there are some smart people who are expecting to make a lot of money from schools.

I’ve written before about Canvas. They were working hard to increase their market share so that they could then raise prices to make money. This seems to be a very real part of the economy right now, collect as many users as possible and somehow figure out how to make money later. This seems to be the plan for many, many companies, not just LMS providers in education.

Powerschool acquiring Schoology makes some sense to me. Powerschool provides an SIS (Student Information System). Powerschool wants to be able to provide a full-featured solution for schools. Powerschool having an LMS as part of that is good marketing and could provide some economy of scale to schools.

However, I remain concerned about investing in a company that pretty freely acknowledges that they want to build things up so that they can sell it off for a profit. I’m not in education for a couple of years, I’m in for the long haul.

The purchase of Canvas makes less sense. (The selling of Canvas makes total sense). The Board acknowledged their goals by gaining customers at a loss to eventually make money. Canvas was losing money last I knew. In their Q2 report, they noted:

“We’re excited by our prospects for 2019 and beyond and we remain focused on executing on our strategy, which we expect will sustain our revenue growth, help us achieve profitability, and generate shareholder value.”

emphasis added by me

For the second quarter ending June 30, 2019, Instructure expects revenue of approximately $61.8 million to $62.4 million, a non-GAAP net loss of ($9.2) million to ($8.6) million, and non-GAAP net loss per common share of ($0.25) to ($0.23).

Emphasis added by me

So what does Thoma Bravo see in Canvas? From the Press Release:

Thoma Bravo will support Instructure as it increases investment in education technology innovation and expands internationally.

CISIon – PR Newswire

Readers of this site will note my passion for Moodle. Moodle is open source. They have a financial revenue stream that makes sense. They have passed on being purchased several times. Martin Dougiamas is pretty dedicated to open source (while still being able to support the project financially).

Apparently, I’m missing out on something. I need to create an LMS and lose a ton of money while gaining market share. Does anyone have many millions that they would like to lose?

Spelling Words

Spelling Words

December 1, 2019 / / 0 Comments

While I’m working on a full write up, I thought that I’d share a Moodle opportunity with you. Elementary teachers seem to spend a good bit of time on spelling words and tests. I thought that this could be streamlined.

Basically, this involves creating a gapfill quiz question (actually, as many questions as you need). Record the spelling word by reading it in the question text area (use the microphone button to record). Enter the letters of the spelling word in the Question text area (each letter goes between a square bracket), paste the entire alphabet in Distractors area (copy and paste the string below:) a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h,i,j,k,l,m,o,n,p,q,r,s,t,u,v,w,x,y,z

Duplicate the question, re-record the new word, replace the new letters for the new spelling word (between the square brackets: [ ] ) in the question text area.

*Note that I created additional blank spots by typing the opening square bracket [ and the close square bracket ] with nothing between them – if you add a space, students would need to type that space.

I have a full write up is currently in development.

Book Review Template

November 30, 2019 / / 0 Comments

Moodle has a variety of powerful features. One of the features is the ability to share. For example, if I (or a certain friend) create a great activity as a database in Moodle, that activity can easily be shared. So, let’s say that someone creates a Book Review Template. This Book Review Template allows students to, well, review books. Here’s the fun part, those book reviews, by students, can create a ranking, a review, and a video review.

As you can see in the example above, there is a rating, the genre is listed, a cover for the book as been included, the review is the main part.

If you have a Moodle install, you can use the zip file below to add this as a preset in your course.

Book-Review-preset-20191201_0135Download
  • Add a Database Activity
  • Give the Activity a name – (maybe Book Review)
  • Save and Display
  • Click on “Presets
  • Click on Choose File from the “Insert from a zip file” section

Remember that Database Activities are shown to the whole class by default.

Weekly Review

November 17, 2019 / / 0 Comments

What a week. Lots going on.

Washer Repair

The washer decided that spinning was completely optional. After a bit of Youtube searching, the issue came down to a couple of things. The easiest to fix was the lid switch. Given the symptoms (agitating but not spinning), the lid switch was the most obvious answer. That was replaced. I also learned that the motor puts out codes on the LED. That is, there is an LED light that blinks according to a variety of codes. With the lid switch replaced, I also needed to reset the motor codes.

This is one of those areas where things have changed drastically for me. Having the ability to search Youtube videos and find similar symptoms and experts resolving the issue is much more efficient and powerful.

No Coffee Until 08:49

Any day (that isn’t the weekend or vacation) where I don’t get coffee until 08:49 is not a good day. We had a network issue that required my attention to resolve. With a bit of work, we were able to get the issue resolved, but not until after 8:30. Thus, no coffee for me until 08:49.

Seed Room Project

My daughter presented me with an interesting problem. She works with a seed room. The problem is that people going to the seed room need to know if they need to go get the key or if someone is in the seed room. I designed a wonderful web page for her. Then, I realized that the page that I designed was browser, not server-based. Thus, the wonderful web page ALWAYS starts in the same condition. This doesn’t help her at all.

So, I need to go back to the drawing board on this one. I’ll need to create a database with the current condition and then adjust that. I didn’t see any quick and easy answers though.

Moodle Moot Japan

Chris Kenniburg was invited to present the keynote at the Moodle Moot Japan. Due to family obligations, he has passed on this opportunity. He would’ve done an absolutely wonderful job. I would be totally interested in presenting the keynote to the conference. (Maybe the recent awarding of the Particularly helpful Moodler will sway them to offer.)

Bathroom Remodel

We are currently in week 4 of the two-week bathroom remodel. There is progress as we now have a but installed and drywall. Tile should be installed this week.

Concert on a School Night

This last week we went to see the wonderful Brendan James. The concert was terrific. We went on a Thursday evening. I made a remark along the lines of “it sure would’ve been nice if you could’ve joined us at the concert last night” at a Friday morning meeting. One person responded, “Oh, it’s so hard to go out on a school night”. I was saddened. Going out and enjoying an evening should be celebrated and, well, enjoyed. Once the kids are gone, work should not be so overwhelming that one can’t go out and have a good time. Even on a school night. Heck, if you aren’t going out, staying out late and having a good time every once in a while- especially on a school night, well, I find that kind of sad. Enjoy yourself. Do silly things sometimes. Stay up late. Live. Love life. I’ll be going out on school nights.

Crochet Friends

We did a bit of work on Crochet Friends too. These make great gifts for adults and kids. Some of our friends who have found “forever friends” have traveled far and wide. Crochet Friends can bring great joy to many. Some use them like a “comfort animal”. Some just enjoy the heck out of them. There is still time to order for Christmas as well.

Weekly Review

November 10, 2019 / / 0 Comments

So, it’s been a while since I posted a weekly review. There has been much going on. My father-in-law passed away. That was an emotionally overwhelming experience.

My daughter has a commentary that she worked on with her advisor published. I remain proud of and impressed by both of my daughters.

As noted in a previous post, I was also honored with a Particularly helpful Moodler badge. I’ll admit that I was a bit surprised by this. I am glad that I can help though.

I presented on online security and some Google tips. I’ll be developing more online security material for my day job as well.

Some friends went with us to see John Heffron. He always does a great show. Go see him. Support live entertainment where you are.

Particularly Helpful

Particularly Helpful

October 31, 2019 / / 2 Comments

Whoo Hoo! I’ve been awarded the “Particularly Helpful Moodler Badge”. It is an honor to help those in the Moodle Community. It’s also quite a great feeling to be recognized by the Moodle Community.

The Power of Passion

The Power of Passion

October 30, 2019 / / 0 Comments

Recently, a family member was hospitalized. I was reminded (re-learned?) the power of passion.

He was a very “good” patient. He was not demanding, very cooperative and had a sense of humor about all that was going on.

He also didn’t want to embarrass himself. This required some care and attention. Several of the nurses and assistants helped with this. Most of them truly had passion for what they were doing. They cared. Simple and straight-forward. They cared. They brought passion to their job.

Then there was one who lacked that passion. She wasn’t incompetent. Not at all. She completed her tasks. But she was obviously lacking passion. I’m sure that she completed the task as per the checklist that was developed for her training. However, since sometimes “just enough” isn’t enough to truly prevent some issues. So, the work that she completed didn’t last very long. One could tell that she was being frustrated. Additional procedures were being considered.

Then, someone with passion would pick up the process and all would be right again. I truly don’t think that she meant ill will. I would guess that she would go home and be frustrated as well. I’ll guess that she may have even expressed that frustration to her friends/loved ones. On one hand, she would be correct. She did follow procedures. She was just lacking one thing – passion.

I’m still amazed at the passion and caring that we saw and experienced at the hospital. That passion made a difference. It made a difference for the patient. It made a difference for the family. I’m not sure that you can teach that passion, but I believe that each of us can find it for ourselves.

I also believe that we can hire it in. I’ve tried to always hire people who are truly passionate about what they are about to do. I’ve missed a few times. I’ve hit more times than I’ve missed.

No matter what, we can find/reclaim/develop/foster passion in our work. It can be easy to lose in the demands and responsibilities. It can be tough to hold onto without support. It can be destroyed by negativity.

Keep fighting for your passion.

Apple Fails Teachers

September 14, 2019 / / 0 Comments

Apple’s Podcast infrastructure is the most powerful podcast environment. Recently, they decided to abandon educators in podcasts. 

Podcasts

Cleary, Apple Podcasts is still the dominant player in podcasts. Although we are seeing movement in other podcast ecosystems, Apple’s is still the “big dog” right now. Stitcher, Spotify and others are definitely making in roads. Categories

One of ways to discover new podcasts is to be featured on Apple Podcasts page. Apple previously had a variety of categories. For example, in Education, there were a variety of sub-categories. Our podcast, Middle School Matters, was tagged to be part of those sub-categories. We were in the K-12 and Educational Technology categories. This is because our podcast focuses on K-12 educators. We focus on teaching strategies, professional development and the life of real teachers. Our podcast is specifically targeted toward, well, K-12 teachers (most specifically at 6-8 grade teachers as indicated by the title of the podcast). 

The new categories are limited to the following:

  • Top Shows
  • News Shows
  • Language Learning
  • How To
  • Self Improvement
  • Courses

Several other podcasts seem to be very oddly categorized. Jennifer Gonzalez’s (The Cult of Pedagogy) podcast is in the Courses category. 

Notice the change in focus? No longer is the Education category about teachers and teaching. There is no easy way to discover new podcasts that are focused on the teaching and learning process. The sub-categories were a bit hidden away. They could’ve easily been left in place for those who want to find them. 

Our podcast no longer fits in any of those categories. More importantly, teachers who go looking for podcasts geared toward pedagogy or professional development will not have an easy time finding them.

Alas, Apple has apparently decided that podcasts focused at teachers aren’t worth their time or attention. For me, this is one more example of how Apple has truly abandoned educators. 

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