The hottest Education Substack posts right now

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Weekend Roundup

Classical Wisdom • 255 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
🚌 Education History Mythology Literature Podcasts Classical Studies
  1. Listen to the wisdom of Herodotus and learn about the Scythians, an ancient nomadic people who were once considered 'invincible'
  2. Explore mythological fiction like Tad Crawford's 'On Wine-Dark Seas', a sequel to the Odyssey, to delve deeper into the story of Odysseus and Telemachus
  3. Access exclusive content and resources by becoming a member of Classical Wisdom, including podcasts with professors, webinars, e-books, and magazines

Apologies for yet more radio silence/forthcoming book

Building a New Economics • 275 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🚌 Education Economics Research Publishing Finance
  1. The author has been busy working on a new book and various projects for BC4LS.
  2. The new book includes chapters on economics, pricing, energy, and the role of neoclassical economics in misleading about global warming.
  3. The author plans to release the manuscript to financial supporters only to avoid jeopardizing potential sales for the publisher.

The Operations Order Edition

Why is this interesting? • 482 implied HN points • 08 Mar 24
🚌 Education Military tactics
  1. The Operations Order follows a structured format with key sections such as Situation, Mission, Execution, Service Support, and Command and Signal.
  2. Using the OPORD model ensures important information is communicated effectively, reduces risks, and speeds up operations.
  3. The concept of mission command in the military emphasizes decentralization of decision-making and thorough understanding of the operation's intent to adapt quickly and reach the end goal.

Can parents save math?

The Bell Ringer • 159 implied HN points • 05 Apr 24
🚌 Education STEM Parenting Learning Assessment Equity
  1. More math education can help get more students into STEM fields. Parents believe that improving math is a fair way to provide opportunities.
  2. A group of parents in California is advocating for better math programs in schools. They think this will help kids who want to succeed in science and technology.
  3. Investing in math education is seen as important for the future. Parents want to ensure all students have the chance to excel in these subjects.

James Burnham’s managerialism eighty years later

Global Inequality and More 3.0 • 558 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🚌 Education Theory History Politics Economics Ideology
  1. James Burnham proposed the concept of 'managerialism' as a replacement for capitalism, where managers rule while capitalists take a passive role.
  2. Burnham's predictions were proven wrong, but his analysis of the shift towards managerialism and the role of state in the economy remains relevant for reflection.
  3. Despite Burnham's inaccuracies, his ideas on managerial revolution and the potential for alternative economic systems in the future can still offer valuable insights.
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Links to Consider, 10/29/2024

In My Tribe • 227 implied HN points • 29 Oct 24
🚌 Education Higher Ed Lifelong learning Curriculum Child development
  1. The Socratic Experience aims to change education by focusing on personal growth and happiness instead of just curriculum. The goal is to reach millions of students by 2050, which shows it’s about making a positive impact rather than just profit.
  2. Since 2020, the U.S. has seen a big rise in debt, especially government debt, compared to its economic growth. This raises concerns about the sustainability of such debt levels.
  3. The UAE offers greater freedom for work and living compared to many Western countries. Its approach to immigration is different and aims to invite all people for better opportunities.

Reflections: my class about LLMs and Cognitive Science

The Counterfactual • 139 implied HN points • 17 Apr 24
🚌 Education Teaching Methods Cognitive Science Artificial Intelligence Course design
  1. A new class on Large Language Models (LLMs) was created to help Cognitive Science students understand the intersection of AI and human cognition, especially after the popularity of technologies like ChatGPT.
  2. The course covered the history and technical foundations of LLMs, with hands-on labs and discussions that helped students think critically about their societal impacts and ethical concerns.
  3. For future classes, there's a desire to expand the content, particularly by adding discussions on topics like tokenization and exploring more philosophical aspects of LLMs.

Self-Hating Signaling

Bet On It • 654 implied HN points • 02 Jan 24
🚌 Education Higher Ed
  1. The primary purpose of education is signaling to potential employers.
  2. Elite schools are sacrificing their elitist signaling mission for a secondary mission of charity, diluting the value of their degrees.
  3. U.S. News and World Report's revised ranking formula is obfuscating the trade-off between merit and philanthropy, redefining philanthropy as merit.

Recommended Reading, Part III: Economics

Contemplations on the Tree of Woe • 791 implied HN points • 06 Mar 24
🚌 Education Economics Debunking
  1. The physiocratic curriculum delves deep into economics, highlighting a long reading list and raising unanswered questions.
  2. Classical economics is explored starting with Richard Cantillon, followed by influential figures like Adam Smith, David Ricardo, and Henry George.
  3. Alternative economic theories include Austrian economics, Austro-Classical synthesis, and American School, offering unique perspectives on trade, tariffs, and government intervention.

Childhood Roundup #2

Don't Worry About the Vase • 1568 implied HN points • 11 Apr 23
🚌 Education Parenting School Learning Admissions
  1. Child care is becoming more regulated and expensive, making it challenging for parents to afford quality child care.
  2. Parents are facing challenges in allowing their children to play and be independent due to strict regulations and societal fears.
  3. The education system is facing criticisms for ineffective techniques, pushing unnecessary pressure on students, and focusing more on signaling than actual education.

Unlocked: Teaching math with John Mighton

The Bell Ringer • 79 implied HN points • 31 May 24
🚌 Education Teaching Learning Curriculum Assessment Pedagogy
  1. John Mighton emphasizes the importance of understanding math concepts rather than just memorizing formulas. This helps students develop deeper problem-solving skills.
  2. Focusing on problem-solving in math education encourages critical thinking and creativity in students.
  3. Teaching math should be about making connections and understanding rather than just practicing procedures. This approach can make learning more enjoyable.

Oh the equity!

A User's Guide to History • 294 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24
🚌 Education DEI History
  1. DEI - diversity, equity, inclusion is a battleground in public affairs.
  2. Equity has a historical foundation in English and American law.
  3. The DEI movement aims to bring about equitable outcomes amidst differing opinions.

A curriculum for the AI age

State of the Future • 34 implied HN points • 26 Mar 25
🚌 Education Curriculum AI Learning Pedagogy Human Development
  1. The current education system is outdated and doesn't prepare kids for a future dominated by AI, which will take over many jobs. We need to rethink education to emphasize skills that AI can't replicate.
  2. Key human skills like authentic presence, accountability, and emotional intelligence will be essential as we move away from traditional work roles. These are things that make us truly human and can't be replaced by machines.
  3. We should focus on educational approaches that develop children's emotional and social skills, such as Montessori and Waldorf. The goal is to help kids find purpose and meaning, rather than just preparing them for jobs.

In Praise of Slow Learners

The Ruffian • 460 implied HN points • 16 Mar 24
🚌 Education Learning Strategies Personal Development Cognitive skills
  1. Slow learners can develop valuable adaptive strategies to keep up with faster peers, sometimes surpassing them in the long run.
  2. Fast learners may be less incentivized to develop their 'software' intelligence traits, leading them to become gradually less effective over time.
  3. Choosing the slow route in learning can lead to better understanding, improved intelligence, and enhanced judgment in the long term.

We should remove electives from higher education

The Novelleist • 912 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
🚌 Education Higher Ed
  1. Some universities are considering removing electives from bachelor degrees to reduce tuition cost and completion time.
  2. The traditional liberal arts education model is being challenged, advocating for more vocational-focused education.
  3. Online and asynchronous degree programs are making education more accessible and affordable for students worldwide.

Reading List for Chapter 1: On Generation and Corruption

Fields & Energy • 359 implied HN points • 07 Dec 23
🚌 Education Literature Science Mathematics Physics Philosophy
  1. Reading is important for understanding complex topics like calculus and physics. Books like 'Calculus Made Easy' can help beginners grasp the basics more easily.
  2. Narratives and storytelling are essential in both fiction and non-fiction writing. They shape how we understand and connect with concepts.
  3. Scientific revolutions often depend on the context of ideas rather than just rational evidence. This means new theories can take time to be accepted.

Teaching math with John Mighton

The Bell Ringer • 99 implied HN points • 10 May 24
🚌 Education Teaching Learning Mathematics Pedagogy Curriculum
  1. Kids can get confused easily when we push them too hard with complex ideas. It's important to teach in a way that builds understanding step by step.
  2. Real learning happens when we focus on what students can grasp, not just on covering a lot of content. It's better to let them understand the basics well.
  3. Using evidence from research helps improve how we teach math. This can help solve the ongoing debates about the best ways to learn math.

Can a work self be a whole self?

The Recovering Academic • 475 implied HN points • 16 May 23
🚌 Education Career Choices Workplace Challenges Education system
  1. Choosing a career path that aligns with your true self can be challenging but ultimately rewarding.
  2. Academia comes with its own set of challenges, including feeling limited in career opportunities beyond teaching, research, or management.
  3. The education field, particularly in academia, may not always prioritize the well-being and fair compensation of faculty and staff, leading to a cycle of exploitation.

Names

The Friendly Neighbors • 471 implied HN points • 14 Feb 23
🚌 Education Culture Equity Humanitarian Aid
  1. Pronouncing names correctly is a way to honor and show respect to others' cultures.
  2. Taking the time to listen and correctly pronounce names shifts us from talking about people to talking with them.
  3. Recognizing the humanity and dignity in others by honoring their culture and names is a step towards equity and understanding.

Never mind the quality, feel the speed

imperfect offerings • 239 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🚌 Education Research AI Data Modeling Social Sciences
  1. The research economy is increasingly focused on speed over quality, especially with the rise of generative AI, which can have negative impacts on reproducibility and diverse fields of knowledge.
  2. Data models in research need to be carefully scrutinized for accuracy and not blindly relied upon, even in specialized areas like protein folding, climate science, or medical diagnostics.
  3. Speed and heuristics shouldn't overshadow the importance of deliberation, qualitative research, and embracing complexity in arriving at meaningful solutions to multidimensional problems.

Anti-Communism and 20th-century Economics

In My Tribe • 865 implied HN points • 13 Jan 24
🚌 Education Economics History Philosophy Sociology Government
  1. Great economists of the 20th century were motivated by the conflict between capitalism and communism.
  2. There was a trade-off between freedom and economic pain, with differing views on how to handle it.
  3. The focus of 21st century intellectuals has shifted to issues like climate change and terrorism, moving away from the economic debates of the past.

Losing my Religion, 2e

KCKlatt’s Substack • 2 HN points • 22 Sep 24
🚌 Education Academia Research Nutrition Career Cognitive dissonance
  1. Navigating academic life can create a lot of confusion, especially when you see a gap between the ideals of research and the reality of how things operate. It can feel frustrating when the focus is more on getting published than on genuine discoveries.
  2. The pressure to publish often leads to questionable practices in research, which can hurt the integrity of the work. Many people in academia are just trying to survive in a system that doesn’t set them up for real success.
  3. Finding a supportive environment in academia is tough, and it's important to constantly question what the true mission of academic work is. Many academics feel like they’re in a game where they have to compete rather than collaborate.

The Art of Emails

Niko McCarty • 79 implied HN points • 25 May 24
🚌 Education Writing Skills Communication Professional development Literacy Self-Improvement
  1. Cold emails are powerful tools for making connections. They show you are proactive and really want to connect with someone.
  2. Writing cold emails can improve your writing skills. It helps you think clearly about what you want to say and how to say it to the right person.
  3. When writing, treat it like you're emailing one person. This helps you focus and makes it easier to express your ideas simply.

A retracted paper tells us something important about academia

The Path Not Taken • 418 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
🚌 Education Academia Standards
  1. A retracted paper revealed resistance in academia to the idea of certain subjects or institutions having more merit than others, especially regarding external hierarchies.
  2. In academia, there appears to be a growing trend of reluctance towards acknowledging external hierarchies, potentially leading to declining standards and subjects being vulnerable to market pressures.
  3. Editorial actions and societal trends reflect a shift towards more egalitarian philosophies in academia, raising concerns about defending academic standards and traditional disciplines against cost-cutting measures.

How to Get Boosted on Medium (with Insider Interview)

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 619 implied HN points • 23 May 23
🚌 Education Writing Tips Online Learning Content creation Social media Digital Platforms
  1. Medium can boost your stories, giving them more views and exposure. Some writers have seen their stories gain 100,000 views and more, meaning good potential for recognition.
  2. There are five key criteria to get a story Boosted: it should be constructive, original, share relevant experience, be well-crafted, and memorable. Using these tips can increase your chances of being seen.
  3. Adding a human touch to your writing can make a big difference. While algorithms help, connecting with readers on an emotional level is what truly makes a story stand out.

Private thread: Are Profpreneurs Good for Students?

The Recovering Academic • 197 implied HN points • 23 Feb 24
🚌 Education Higher Ed Teaching
  1. Professors in higher education may allocate teaching resources in a way that doesn't prioritize student demand, which can impact the quality of education.
  2. There can be a disconnect between faculty expertise and student interest in niche subjects, leading to limited access for students.
  3. The current system may not provide enough incentives for professors to focus on delivering a quality education to their students.

Thank you grocery store man

Disaffected Newsletter • 1019 implied HN points • 28 Feb 23
🚌 Education Public Schools Teaching Methods Parenting Mathematics
  1. People enjoy simple, friendly interactions, like sharing a tote bag at the grocery store, which can brighten their day.
  2. Many young people struggle with basic skills, such as math, due to a lack of foundational education.
  3. The current teaching environment focuses more on social issues than on essential subjects like math and history, leaving students unprepared for real-life challenges.

Do Ten Times as Much

Bet On It • 1132 implied HN points • 13 Jun 23
🚌 Education Learning Effort Parenting Achievement Goals
  1. Success often requires ten times more effort than what is considered normal.
  2. Quality practice matters, but putting in ten times the effort is crucial for fluency in skills or knowledge.
  3. Prioritize your goals and focus on a few, putting in ten times more effort to increase your chances of success.

Knowing When the Sky Isn't Falling: What an Ancient Fable about the End of the World Teaches Us About Critical Thinking

Humanities in Revolt • 279 implied HN points • 29 Dec 23
🚌 Education Critical Thinking Ethics
  1. Both the Chicken Little and Buddhist fables warn about the dangers of group-think and decision-making guided by fear.
  2. Critical thinking involves mindfulness and self-awareness to avoid falling into irrational traps fueled by fear.
  3. The lion in the Buddhist fable demonstrates that critical thinking should be infused with ethical considerations and compassion for others.