The hottest Education Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Education Topics

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.

From ChatGPT Back to Clay & Cuneiform: A Start at Rethinking Pedagogy for the Age of "AI"

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 322 implied HN points • 31 May 25
🚌 Education Pedagogy Technology AI Learning Outcomes Curriculum
  1. Education needs to focus on what students should remember and be able to do, rather than just what they can get from AI like chatbots.
  2. Instead of banning AI, we should find ways to use it in learning, just like we adapted to calculators in math classes.
  3. Understanding the basics behind complex tools like AI is important, as all tools have limitations and can miss important details.

What is the victim-oppressor mindset and how did it conquer the academy?

After Babel • 2081 implied HN points • 21 Dec 23
🚌 Education Social Psychology Intersectionality Tribalism Activism Inequality
  1. The oppressor/victim mindset divides people into two categories and justifies resistance from victim groups against oppressor groups.
  2. Teaching intersectionality may unintentionally activate ancient tribal tendencies, leading to an us-versus-them mentality on college campuses.
  3. Some current theoretical approaches in universities may hyper-activate tribal instincts, even if not intended by professors, fostering division instead of inclusion.
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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.

Transforming Education: AI-Powered Seminar Learning at Scale

In My Tribe • 303 implied HN points • 01 Jun 25
🚌 Education Online Learning AI Technology
  1. Distance learning is often boring and lacks human interaction, leading to high dropout rates. People want more engaging, conversation-based classes like those in elite schools.
  2. AI can create virtual classmates with different personalities to enhance learning. This setup allows for dynamic discussions and personalized learning experiences, similar to real seminars.
  3. There’s a big market for this kind of innovative education. Many corporations and universities are looking for ways to make learning more engaging and scalable, which this AI seminar approach can meet.

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.

TBM 324: Goal-O-Rama

The Beautiful Mess • 780 implied HN points • 27 Nov 24
🚌 Education Goal setting Workshops Personal Development Team Management Productivity
  1. There are different types of goals you can set, like overarching goals that define your main purpose, target goals that have specific targets to reach, and anti-goals that clarify what you want to avoid.
  2. Using a mix of goal types can make your plans more fun and effective, like combining continuous progress goals for day-to-day improvements with milestone-oriented goals for big achievements.
  3. Keeping track of leading and lagging goals helps you understand the connection between your actions and their outcomes, allowing you to adapt your approach as needed.

The Effect of Education on Fertility

Bet On It • 176 implied HN points • 20 Aug 25
🚌 Education Education & Policy Demographics Social Science Public Policy
  1. People with higher education tend to have fewer children compared to those with lower education levels. This trend is seen not just in the U.S., but also in many countries worldwide.
  2. Education has a strong influence on fertility rates, with women's education having a greater impact than men's. More educated women often choose to delay or limit having kids.
  3. While some might see education as a good way to control population growth, low fertility rates in developed countries could be a concern for future generations. This shows that education's effects on population are complex.

Free Subscriptions for College Students

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1752 implied HN points • 19 Feb 24
🚌 Education College Free speech Independent Journalism Critical Thinking Student activism
  1. Free speech is crucial for a free society and intellectual growth, but is often viewed as political in the current era.
  2. Campus culture sometimes discourages questioning and different perspectives, leading to fear of being judged for holding alternative views.
  3. Reading independent journalism and engaging in conversations can inspire critical thinking, challenge beliefs, and empower individuals to speak up for what they believe in.

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.

How Thomas Sowell Thankfully Made Me A Contrarian Educator

Journal of Free Black Thought • 48 implied HN points • 01 Dec 25
🚌 Education K-12 Educational Philosophy Curriculum Development
  1. Education quality shouldn't depend on the racial makeup of a school. A good education is about standards and hard work, not just the presence of different races.
  2. Objective standards in education are important. They give students the chance to prove themselves and build confidence, showing that anyone can succeed regardless of their background.
  3. Thomas Sowell highlights historical examples of successful black schools, teaching us that excellence can exist in all contexts if we focus on the right values and standards.

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 Youth Development 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.

Lazy Brain

We're Gonna Get Those Bastards • 6 implied HN points • 08 Feb 26
🚌 Education Higher education Learning Assessment Curriculum Ed-tech Critical Thinking
  1. People are increasingly using AI as a shortcut to avoid hard mental work, and that trend risks weakening our capacity to reason and think deeply.
  2. AI can be a useful tool for tasks like searching or coding, but it shouldn’t replace developing real thinking skills or the unique value of human, artisanal creativity.
  3. Education’s main purpose is to build the mental muscles needed for professional and civic life, so relying on AI instead of practicing reasoning will leave people ill-prepared for complex roles.

A Course To Make Them Care

Everything Is Amazing • 760 implied HN points • 15 Nov 24
🚌 Education Storytelling Writing Non-fiction Content creation Communication
  1. Storytelling is more than just good writing; it's its own skill that can be developed. You can tell a great story even if the writing isn’t perfect.
  2. Storytelling isn’t just something for kids; it’s used in many professions, like therapy, business, and even law. It’s a tool that's relevant everywhere in life.
  3. You can learn to tell stories effectively; it’s not just a natural talent. Everyone has the potential to become a better storyteller with practice.

It's hard to stop Math Acceleration once you start

Kids Who Love Math • 755 implied HN points • 15 Nov 24
🚌 Education Math education Child development Learning Styles Educational Policy
  1. Starting math acceleration at an early age can lead to kids getting really far ahead, even several years, if they enjoy it and continue practicing.
  2. Schools may not always know how to support kids who excel in math, leading to some frustration for parents trying to find help.
  3. It's important to check in with kids regularly about their interest in math, as their willingness to learn can change over time.

The Anti-Productive Crisis in US Universities

Heterodox STEM • 234 implied HN points • 06 Jul 25
🚌 Education Higher education STEM Education Educational Policy Workforce Development Liberal Arts
  1. US universities are struggling to align with job market needs, leading to many graduates feeling unprepared for the workforce. This has created a divide between valuable technical skills and less valued liberal arts education.
  2. Many students are majoring in fields that don't offer good job prospects, leading to high debt and disappointment. A significant number of graduates may not earn back their investment in education.
  3. There's a growing need for universities to rethink their focus, particularly on STEM fields, to better prepare students for future job markets. Emphasizing technical skills could help students secure better-paying jobs.

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.

Asked And Answered: A New Advice Column

Original Jurisdiction • 259 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🚌 Education Legal Career development Mentorship
  1. Consider clerking after law school if you're planning to go into litigation - it's a valuable learning experience, helps build relationships, and is prestigious.
  2. If you plan to do multiple clerkships, consider clerking for different types of courts to gain varied experiences.
  3. Clerking might be less valuable if you're aiming to be a transactional lawyer, but clerking at the Delaware Court of Chancery could be more relevant to your career.

Quiet During Working Hours is "Exclusionary and Unwelcoming" at McGill

Heterodox STEM • 220 implied HN points • 12 Jul 25
🚌 Education Higher education Inclusion DEI Indigenous issues Academic Freedom
  1. Posting anonymous messages about noise in shared spaces can hurt people and create an unwelcoming environment. It's important to have open and respectful discussions instead.
  2. Everyone at McGill is encouraged to engage actively with their community. Face-to-face interactions and collaboration strengthen learning for everyone.
  3. It's essential to ensure that all members, especially marginalized groups, feel valued and safe. Actions that undermine inclusion can cause real harm and should be addressed.

Selfishly Speaking, Who Should Skip College?

Bet On It • 488 implied HN points • 19 Feb 25
🚌 Education Higher education Career Paths Student Success Economic Impact
  1. College might not be worth it for everyone, especially if your grades or test scores are not high. It's important to understand your own abilities before deciding.
  2. Don't let others' opinions about jobs or status dictate your choices. Sometimes a job that's seen as 'low' can actually be a good career for you.
  3. If you work hard and have the right skills, there are many paths to success that don't require a college degree. Focus on what suits you best.

Open Thread 1

Nooceleration • 216 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🚌 Education Blogging Podcast Travel Books Languages
  1. The blog Nooceleration will be the primary venue for the author's work.
  2. The author plans to cover topics like Biosingularity, 2024 predictions, and network states.
  3. Personal goals for 2024 include developing a concept around The Biosingularity and traveling to Argentina.

The science of reading, a sense of urgency

The Bell Ringer • 119 implied HN points • 12 Apr 24
🚌 Education STEM Literacy
  1. Schools need to focus on what really helps students learn. It's important to prioritize the most effective methods for teaching reading.
  2. There is a pressing need to improve education practices based on solid research. Educators should act quickly to implement what works best.
  3. Understanding how reading works can lead to better teaching strategies. This knowledge can help create a better learning environment for all students.

Thinking for Ourselves: The Good Life and the Art of Critical Thinking

Humanities in Revolt • 359 implied HN points • 10 Nov 23
🚌 Education Critical Thinking Wisdom
  1. Living a good life involves more than just acquiring material possessions; it requires good thinking and the practice of critical thinking
  2. Critical thinking is a skill that requires intentional development through practice, study, and conscious effort
  3. Critical thinking goes beyond intelligence and involves ethical considerations, reasoning, and striving for wisdom rather than just seeking knowledge

University administrators have forgotten what leadership is

The Recovering Academic • 415 implied HN points • 13 Oct 23
🚌 Education Leadership Faculty Administration Higher Ed University
  1. University administrators are being criticized for forgetting what true leadership entails, especially in the field of academia.
  2. Leaders in higher education should prioritize trust, respect, and shared risk with faculty and staff for effective leadership.
  3. Lessons from military history, like trusting and respecting subordinates, can offer valuable insights into effective leadership practices in academia.

Maths until 18

Logging the World • 418 implied HN points • 15 Aug 23
🚌 Education Mathematics Teaching Curriculum Digital Literacy
  1. The proposal for compulsory math education until age 18 in the UK received mixed reactions, highlighting the importance of making math appealing and accessible to a wide audience.
  2. Implementing math education until 18 requires consideration of factors like shortage of math teachers and effective delivery methods such as leveraging online resources.
  3. Math education should cover areas such as practical number skills, understanding uncertainty and randomness, and exploring connections between math and other subjects like art and music.

What it means to be a mentor

Can We Still Govern? • 175 implied HN points • 08 Aug 25
🚌 Education Mentorship Academic Support Development
  1. Mentors can greatly influence our lives by encouraging us and helping us see possibilities we never considered. Their support can shape our careers and personal growth.
  2. Mentorship is not just about sharing knowledge but also about understanding the rules of a profession and building confidence in mentees. A simple word of encouragement can make a huge difference.
  3. Being a mentor takes time but can lead to life-changing impacts for those you help. It's important to recognize and appreciate the mentors you've had and the influence they had on your journey.

#96: How to learn anything fast in a data-abundant world

Many One Percents • 412 implied HN points • 09 Apr 23
🚌 Education Learning methods Podcasts Blogging Connection
  1. To learn fast in a data-abundant world, focus on reading landmark books to understand industry-changing concepts.
  2. After grasping the basics, delve into nuances by listening to podcasts where practitioners discuss topics in depth.
  3. Knowledge is like a territory, with basics as the mainland and nuances as the defining borders.