another post for my students preparing for the cloud practitioner exam 132: AWS Security The goal of the Cloud Practitioner’s security module isn’t to make you a cybersecurity guru overnight. It’s to provide you with a solid understanding of the fundamental security principles, the key services AWS offers, and, most importantly, the collaborative nature of Read More
Author: Gary Ackerman
Review of Code Dependent: Living in the Shadow of AI
The world is full of AI. Our searches, our social media inboxes, the apps on our phones, and our bookshelves. This becomes overwhelming if we are to try to separate the good stuff from the bad stuff, but here is a recommendation to put on top of your “to read” pile. Madhumita Murga, an editor Read More
AWS Global Infrastructure
131: AWS Global Infrastructure a blog post for my students studying for the AWS Cloud Practitioner exam AWS Global Infrastructure: A Cloud Practitioner’s Guide to Building Beyond Borders In today’s hyperconnected world, the cloud isn’t just a metaphor—it’s a living, breathing network of physical infrastructure that spans continents, fuels innovation, and powers everything from mobile Read More
A Cloud Practitioner’s Guide to AWS Economics and Billing
128: AWS Cloud Practitioners: Economics and Billing Cloud computing has revolutionized how organizations manage infrastructure, scale operations, and innovate. But beneath the surface of elastic compute and global scalability lies a critical foundation: understanding the economics of the cloud. For aspiring AWS Cloud Practitioners, mastering the Economics and Billing module isn’t just about passing the Read More
How AI Helps Teaching and Learning
I have a stack of books about artificial intelligence waiting to be read. The field is emerging quickly, so my reading focuses on how AI has and can affect work, life, and society. Madhumita Murgia’s 2024 book Code Dependent: Living in the Shadow of AI was the most recent book of this genre I have Read More
Incident Response
A post for students in my network security course To IT leaders in educational institutions, the threat landscape is not theoretical—it is an existential reality. Cyberattacks today are relentless. According to one report, four out of every five organizations experienced at least one successful cyberattack in 2019. For schools, where sensitive student and staff data Read More
Assistive and Accessible Technology
In today’s digital schools, providing students with technology is about more than just giving them laptops or internet access. It’s about ensuring every single student has the tools they need to participate, learn, and succeed. This is where two critical concepts come into play: assistive technology and accessibility. While related, they address the goal of Read More
Planning Versus Design
These two terms are often used interchangeably, but they describe very different activities. In the world of education, technology, and creative production, the terms planning and designing often intermingle—but they serve distinct purposes and require different mindsets. Whether you’re developing a course module, building a website, or crafting a podcast series, understanding the difference between Read More
The Linux Operating System
An introduction for students in my operating systems course for community college students As a Computer Information Systems (CIS) major, you’re already familiar with operating systems like Windows and macOS. They’re great for desktops, but when you look behind the curtain of the world’s digital infrastructure—from massive cloud data centers to the smartphone in your Read More
Cloud Computing
A post for my students preparing for the AWS Cloud Practitioner exam 129: Cloud Computing Learning about cloud computing can feel like learning a new language. You’re bombarded with acronyms (IaaS, PaaS, SaaS, VPC, EC2… what?!), abstract concepts, and a whole new way of thinking about technology. It’s easy to feel overwhelmed. But here’s the Read More