The Test Department

An interesting question was posed on twitter yesterday “Is teacher vs. algorithm the next culture war?”. Of course, this was a reaction to the enormous stooshie that is happening with the awarding of exam grades. In Scotland, the outrage was so much that the Government had to step in or step back depending on how you want to spin it and junk AI results and go back to the teacher recommendations. I am not about to wade into the arguments about the pro and cons of using AI-algorithms to decide outcomes. This twitter thread will give a good overview of the grading scandal . Our whole world is now dominated by a computer using algorithms to remember that particular pale ale you like to drink on Friday night while listening to obscure French stoner rock bands from the late 1960s. For the most part, the addition of having AI in our lives has been a welcome one, for me, mostly discovering bands on YouTube. I have, however, yet to succumb to the temptation of using any of the digital assis...

A couple of things before I begin. One, a reality check. Learning to code is not easy. Some people can pick it up fast. They are just naturals and knock it out of the park without even breaking a sweat. Those types end up YouTube giving lessons and asking you to smash their subscription button. For most of us mere mortals, it is going to a long and torturous slog, with tears and despair. Two, this is not me going to tell what is the best code language in the world. To put it simply, I don't know and don't care. All this is just my experience of how I came to choose the code language that I am learning. The rest, as they say, is up to you. My first attempt at learning to code did not end well. At the time, I was working at a company that used C# for their development. I tried to learn that language. I was fortunate to be surrounded by a support group of outstanding developers who I got on with really well, and they did take time out of their busy work schedules to offer help. Ev...

I watched a BBC news piece this morning about the state of the job of the market. This did not fill me with a lot of confidence, especially when it came to us that are of a..certain age. I have applied for approximately 46 jobs in the last few months. In at least one instance I received the feedback that I had "too much experience". This was code for either "I am scared you might take my job away" or "Nope you are too old and we want to hire a young gun". Maybe I am doing that particular employer a disservice. A lot of the people in that BBC vox pop mention the companies will go the younger option. They see employing someone older as too risky. I watched a documentary last night about an unemployment office in Cardiff. I did not watch most of the program. I am trying not to depress my self any more than I am. Yet they were interviewing a woman and asking her to prove that she has spent "35 hours a week looking for a job". In other words every w...

We are almost at the midpoint of 2020, I am not sure where the last 6 months have gone. Gone they have though. On personal level it has been quite a taxing 6 months. Losing my job was big knock to my confidence, which I am not over yet. The initial feeling of " I will be okay I will get back out there and get another gig", soon melted like 'Snaw aff a dyke'*. (* For some, I realise that you need a translation. "Snow off a stone wall" ) . Jobs are asking for skills that I had not invested time in gaining. Oh hindsight you were hitting me hard and hitting me often. Reading many of the job specs did make me feel like a bit of a has-been living off past glories. I got comfortable in my wee bubble. I have been trying to upskill, but  I am already several laps behind most of the competitors. Some who already picking up their meddles and gone down the pub to celebrate. Then Coronavirus swept across the land. Overnight companies were getting rid of people rather tha...