Tinkered Thesis

Previous statements (here from ChatGPT) such as the one below expressed a direction toward examination of meaning-making through the lens of philosophical pragmatism:  This thesis project examines the construction of meaning and the formation of knowledge perspectives in discursive material. To explore these concepts within the analyzed texts, pragmatism is employed as the theoretical framework, and Critical Discourse Analysis (CDA) is used as the method. The meaning-making process includes the imposition and presentation of attitudes, as well as intentionality, which refers to commitment to deliberate actions and their potential practical consequences, all of which can be identified in the discursive content. Similarly, the conceptualization of knowledge views, conditions, and the role of higher education in society is approached through the lens of pragmatism. Now, the time is right for my dissertation project to approach a distilled focus on potential practical and educational c...

Opportunities and issues relating to the implementation of AI and machine learning in higher education are currently being discussed by researchers. Wang et al argue that international students face challenges when pursuing their higher education in a foreign country and that higher education institutions are exploring Artificial Intelligence to address these challenges (Wang et al, 2023). The article examines different applications of AI technology, such as predictive analysis systems, adaptive testing technology and chatbots. In addition, Wang et al analyze some of the risks, challenges and opportunities when applying such technology to meet the needs of international students. Risks being discussed relate to ethical implications, language proficiency and cultural differences.  The authors argue that weighing the obstacles and limitations is crucial when looking to implement AI in higher education. Universities play an important role in defining the scope and usage of AI for...

Introduction Contemporary advancement in information technology informs educational systems, ranging from local schools to teacher education programs within universities and higher education. This reality creates expectations and requirements on teacher educators to be well versed in what is described as critical skills. To be able to handle and teach students to handle an ever-growing flow of information, often in the form of fragmented parts only loosely connected. General and generic abilities have grown in importance. These abilities include being able to express oneself both in writing and speech, to reflect and to critically evaluate information, to analyse knowledge claims and source material. There is also a more direct kind of firsthand technological knowledge relating to the use of digital tools, often being taught to teacher candidates (Adenling & Olsson, 2011).  Given the rise of new ai-driven information systems, machine learning and media technologies, such ...

The following text is a short reflection on the dissertation project and where it currently stands,  particularly  in relation to theory and epistemology. The aim of my dissertation project is to examine teacher education in relation to contemporary digital technology. Specifically, expectations, demands and effects on teacher education emerging new technologies with disinformation potential gives rise to, through policy, local decision-making and teacher education practice. Such technologies include but are not limited to Ai, deepfakes and information bots. Originally the theoretical framework for my dissertation work consisted of a pragmatic approach, coupled with a theory of digital media literacy, providing a more detailed conceptual framework relating to key concepts and ideas. I am now in the process of looking to replace the theory of pragmatism due to the position of the different project parts, and as a result I’m currently examining systems theory and traditional ana...

In  Professionalism, the Third Logic,  Eliot Freidson explores the implications and meaning of professionalism as a form of social organisation. Professionalism is formalised and grounded in the political economy, and the concept is presented as a  third logic , a more feasible alternative to both bureaucracy and consumerism. In summary he argues that professionalism has come under assault and that new developments linked to ethical practice need to be developed, to safeguard and restore professionalism to a more prominent position. Professionalism here is defined as the occupational control of work, from an ideal-typical model of institutional circumstances and occupational control. In the last two chapters (chapter 8 and 9), Friedson arrives at the analysis and synthesis of his previous research.   In chapter 8 Freidson describes how health care in America evolved from the 1950s into today’s system of health care services and medicine. Here Freidson explores how Am...

Philosopher Noam Chomsky and author Gary Marcus discuss AI, dangerous myths and the problem of relying on artificial intelligence as a holistic solution when  dealing with issues facing humanity.

There is important research on the topic of privatization of the education sector. Specifically, processes which can be described as concealed privatization and neoliberalization by proxy can be unveiled.  Two research articles map out how evolving forms of privatization and neoliberal ideological power finds new arenas within education, to control and commodify.   The first article studies the influence of private actors on the education of teachers in Sweden, by analyzing education policy mobility. (Player-Koro, Beach, 2017)    Privatization of state education, where education and education policy are targeted by educational (edu)-businesses and sold as “market solutions” (Ball, 2009), is explored in this article. Here, privatization is not understood as carried out by removing services out of state sector control but is instead conducted through a different kind of private collaboration with the public sector, selling solutions to specific problems or through sell...