The hottest Education Substack posts right now

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The Science of Learning • 299 implied HN points • 07 Mar 24
🚌 Education Learning Theory Teaching Strategies Digital learning Educational Technology Study Techniques
  1. Learners do better when instructors show positive emotions. It's important for teachers to be happy or excited during lessons.
  2. Creating your own digital flashcards helps you learn better than using pre-made ones. Making them yourself can improve your memory and understanding.
  3. Positive energy during teaching can make students pay more attention and feel more engaged. This shows how important the instructor's mood can be for learning.

Should teachers grade students’ homework?

The Bell Ringer • 99 implied HN points • 14 Jun 24
🚌 Education Teaching Methods Curriculum Development Educational Philosophy
  1. Teachers should consider if grading homework really helps students learn better. Sometimes, no grades can encourage kids to focus on understanding rather than just getting a good score.
  2. There is a debate among educators about whether homework should be graded or not. This discussion can impact how students feel about their work and their motivation.
  3. Finding the right balance in grading can make a big difference. Teachers might want to explore different methods to see what works best for their students.

The High Educational Costs of Politically One-Sided Campuses

The Missing Data Depot • 7 implied HN points • 23 Feb 26
🚌 Education Higher education Academic Freedom Free speech Political Ideology Student experience
  1. Most colleges and universities are politically one-sided, with faculty, administrators, and many students leaning left, and students’ perceptions of that tilt are generally accurate.
  2. Students who feel out of step with professors and peers report much more self-censorship and far less comfort speaking up, creating an “outsider penalty” that hits moderates and conservatives especially.
  3. That chilling effect undermines open debate and learning, so campuses should take ideological climate seriously and pursue changes that make students feel safer expressing diverse views.

The Case for Detracking

Culture Study • 2821 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
🚌 Education Student experience Challenges
  1. Detracking in education is a process that aims to reverse the ways students are grouped into different educational pathways, addressing systemic injustices.
  2. The harm of tracking can lead to racial and socioeconomic disparities in education, impacting opportunities for college and overall school experience.
  3. Challenges in detracking include the resistance from educators and parents, as well as the need for training and support to create more inclusive and diverse classroom environments.
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It’s Pretty Clear That These Math Students Aren’t Interested in Learning From an AI Chatbot Tutor

Mathworlds • 727 implied HN points • 28 Jun 23
🚌 Education Technology Effectiveness Application Cost Student Engagement
  1. Effective tutoring requires sensitivity to individual learner needs, which AI chatbots may lack.
  2. The promise of AI chatbots in classrooms for personalized learning is not clearly demonstrated.
  3. The high cost and limited appeal to students make AI chatbot tutors a poor fit for K-12 math education.

Flaws in a Recent Lancet Study on Phone Use in Schools

After Babel • 853 implied HN points • 13 Feb 25
🚌 Education Mental health Student Performance Research Methodology
  1. The study compared schools with only slight differences in phone policies, making it hard to see if phone restrictions really help students.
  2. The research didn't truly prove which phone policies caused changes in student mental health or grades, since it mainly showed correlations.
  3. There were issues with how they measured students' academic performance and phone use, which could affect the study's conclusions.

"Crowned Masterpieces of Eloquence" Introduction

Anarchonomicon • 707 implied HN points • 15 Apr 23
🚌 Education History Literature Politics Academia
  1. The collection 'Crowned Masterpieces of Eloquence' provides a unique window into early 1900s speeches and reveals the power of oratory in shaping history.
  2. While oratory may be a lost art today, historical speeches have the ability to surprise and enlighten readers with perspectives from different eras.
  3. Trump's distinct persona and communication style, though not a classical orator, stand out in a field of polished, scripted politicians, showing a different approach to public speaking.

Part I: How to Succeed in Business & Econ Teaching Without Sweating Too Many Bullets

Unsafe Science • 24 implied HN points • 22 Jan 26
🚌 Education Teaching Methods Higher education Student Engagement Course design Classroom Management Assessment
  1. Give students leadership of class activities so they become collaborators and drive engagement rather than passive listeners.
  2. Use simple routines like brief reviews or quizzes at the start, paired introductions, and a final feedback period to boost learning, speaking skills, and class rapport.
  3. Adopt an experimental, risk-taking mindset with the instructor as mentor and fellow learner so teaching becomes lighter, more fun, and yields unanticipated learning.

University and State

In My Tribe • 1093 implied HN points • 28 Nov 24
🚌 Education Higher Ed Political Influence Funding Models Alternative Education Accreditation
  1. Government involvement in higher education often leads to a focus on pleasing officials rather than genuinely educating students. This can create a cycle that stifles diverse ideas.
  2. There are too many people going to college instead of exploring other options like trade schools or apprenticeships. We need to rethink and expand our education paths.
  3. Instead of just making universities hire more conservative professors, we should consider cutting funding for traditional higher education altogether, and instead support alternative educational models.

Should a Workshop Be a Safe Space?

The Recovering Academic • 534 implied HN points • 28 Nov 23
🚌 Education Teaching Writing Workshops Learning College
  1. Workshops should be places of respect where the focus is on the work itself, not personal attacks or fears.
  2. Creating in a workshop may not always be comfortable, but it should be a space of caring and deep respect for the work.
  3. Balancing belief in the work and constructive doubt can help writers grow without falling into extremes of pure praise or relentless criticism.

AI is going to break how schools work – but that will be good

Odds and Ends of History • 871 implied HN points • 04 Feb 25
🚌 Education AI Impact Teaching Methods Technology Integration
  1. AI will change how schools operate, making learning more efficient. It can help reduce the workload for teachers, like grading and paperwork.
  2. AI might even take over parts of teaching, which some might find troubling. There's a fear that it could impact the personal connection between teachers and students.
  3. Everyone needs to accept that AI is coming to classrooms. This will lead to big changes in education and how kids learn.

Free Speech on College Campuses

The Future of Education • 495 implied HN points • 02 Jan 24
🚌 Education Higher Ed Free speech Academic Freedom Podcasts Online Education
  1. In the dialogue on college campuses, there is a need to broaden perspectives and engage in deeper conversations to foster resilience.
  2. University leaders should maintain neutrality on controversial issues, creating an environment for open debate without imposing specific viewpoints.
  3. Higher education institutions should focus on developing students' abilities to engage with complexity, debate ideas, and build humility for better societal cohesion.

Short Take: Public School and the Destruction of the American Child

Anarchonomicon • 687 implied HN points • 09 Jun 23
🚌 Education School System Student Performance Physical health Youth Development
  1. Public school is a system of violence that controls children's minds and bodies.
  2. Public education in America fails to properly educate children, with most Americans reading at a less than 6th-grade level.
  3. The visible physical impact of the public education system is seen in the high rates of obesity among American adults and college students.

AI Certifications to Pursue in 2024

Rod’s Blog • 436 implied HN points • 29 Dec 23
🚌 Education AI Certifications Career Skills Training
  1. AI certifications can boost career prospects and earning potential in a fast-growing field like Artificial Intelligence.
  2. When choosing an AI certification, consider whether you want a formal certification from a professional body or an educational institution, the specific topics and domains that interest you, and the features and benefits of the program.
  3. Some recommended AI certification programs for 2024 include Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate, Certified Artificial Intelligence Scientist by ARTIBA, and Jetson AI Courses and Certifications by NVIDIA.

The Price of the Epstein Frenzy

Critical Mass • 10 implied HN points • 16 Feb 26
🚌 Education Higher education Academic Freedom University Policy Philanthropy Campus politics
  1. The release of millions of Epstein-related documents has sparked a moral panic that treats mere association as guilt by association.
  2. Universities and media outlets are cutting ties and cancelling programs linked to anyone connected with Epstein, even when there’s no evidence those people knew about or took part in his crimes.
  3. Those retroactive punishments are dismantling useful educational programs and resources, hurting students and the public more than they advance justice.

Maths Olympiad Update

By Reason Alone • 114 implied HN points • 08 Nov 25
🚌 Education Mathematics STEM Youth Programs Funding Competitions
  1. Stripe is now the main sponsor of the Irish Maths Olympiad, helping secure funding for the next three years. This is a huge boost for promoting maths in Ireland.
  2. More training camps and classes for students are being created, which means more young people will have opportunities to excel in maths. This includes new centres for junior maths enrichment across several locations.
  3. Ireland performed exceptionally well in the International Maths Olympiad this year, achieving its best results ever. This shows the positive impact of the recent support and funding.

overeducating the midwits

bad cattitude • 284 implied HN points • 24 Jul 25
🚌 Education Higher education Critical Thinking Learning methods Intellectualism Societal Issues
  1. Education has changed to be less about critical thinking and more about memorization, leading many to believe they are smarter than they really are.
  2. People who think they are educated but aren't can become very defensive when their ideas are challenged, which makes them resistant to new information.
  3. The current education system tends to promote mediocrity by giving degrees to those who cannot think critically, and we may need to rethink or even dismantle it to improve learning.

Want to Create 4 Weeks of Content? Here’s My #1 Proven Productivity Technique!

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 679 implied HN points • 14 Jul 23
🚌 Education Content creation Productivity Writing Tips Work-life balance Side Hustles
  1. Focusing on one task at a time helps you get more done. Trying to do too many things can lead to feeling overwhelmed and achieving less.
  2. Having a clear content creation plan can help maintain productivity even during busy times like maternity leave.
  3. Side hustles can be a great way to balance personal life and work goals. They provide extra income and allow for creativity outside of your main job.

Carole Hooven: Why I Left Harvard

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 2504 implied HN points • 17 Jan 24
🚌 Education Campus culture Free speech Academic Freedom Higher education
  1. Challenges to free speech on college campuses are exemplified by instances where individuals are penalized for opposing campus orthodoxy or stating scientific views that contradict prevailing beliefs.
  2. Higher education institutions often prioritize Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives, which, while aiming for inclusivity, may inadvertently stifle viewpoint diversity and open debate, hindering the essence of thriving educational environments.
  3. The importance of ensuring a balance between promoting diversity and maintaining free speech is highlighted through personal experiences, illustrating the impact of DEI culture on academic freedom and the need for universities to re-establish environments supportive of open dialogue and diverse perspectives.

What is an ad hominem attack?

News from Those Nerdy Girls • 314 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🚌 Education Logic Bias Critical Thinking Media Literacy Communication
  1. Ad hominem attacks insult a person's motive or character instead of addressing the content of an idea or argument.
  2. Ad hominem attacks create distrust of the individual and divert attention away from the actual issue.
  3. To combat bias from ad hominem attacks, focus on facts, recognize diversion tactics, and practice self-reflection.

Six Laws of Social Learning

In My Tribe • 896 implied HN points • 18 Dec 24
🚌 Education Learning Theory Cognition Epistemology Communication
  1. We decide what we believe based on who we trust. Trust is built through communication, reputation, and personal connection, even if these aren't always the best indicators.
  2. Status-seeking can sometimes get in the way of truly seeking the truth. People often support ideas or beliefs to look good, rather than because they genuinely believe in them.
  3. Healthy debate and competition of ideas lead to better outcomes. It's important to allow different opinions to be heard and to stay open-minded, even when faced with contrary evidence.

Kindergarten math is crucial

The Bell Ringer • 139 implied HN points • 03 May 24
🚌 Education Math education Educational Research
  1. Learning math in kindergarten is really important for a child's development. It helps set a strong foundation for their future learning.
  2. Many classrooms may not focus enough on math at this age. More attention to early math skills can benefit children's overall education.
  3. Teaching flexibility with numbers, like how different combinations can make up a number, is essential. This approach encourages problem-solving and critical thinking from a young age.

25 Useful Ideas for 2025

The Prism • 877 implied HN points • 02 Jan 25
🚌 Education Learning Psychology Critical Thinking Personal Development Cognitive Science
  1. Being too focused on what we hate in politics makes us unhappy. Instead, we should think about what we stand for and what we can support positively.
  2. Markets and services can start off great for users but may turn worse as they become more focused on profits over their customers. We should be aware of this shift in priorities.
  3. To truly learn something well, we should try to teach it. Teaching others helps deepen our understanding and makes information stick better.

Some Recent Essays on Schooling

In My Tribe • 303 implied HN points • 09 Jul 25
🚌 Education Schooling Motivation Learning Teaching Curriculum
  1. The Null Hypothesis suggests that many education methods don't really change student learning over time. When improvements do happen, they often fade away later.
  2. Extrinsic motivation, like rewards, can be a strong driver for student achievement. Personalized rewards for students can help them engage better in their learning.
  3. Different students have varied learning needs, and a one-size-fits-all approach might not work. Many students thrive in structured environments where they learn together, even if it feels less exciting.