The hottest Education Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Education Topics

The Insidious Lie That We Can’t Understand Each Other

After Babel • 2074 implied HN points • 04 Oct 23
🚌 Education Philosophy Politics Identity Empathy Solidarity
  1. Identity trap ideologies suggest we can't understand each other, but it's important to challenge this notion.
  2. Standpoint theory emphasizes empathizing with oppressed groups, but it may not effectively guide political action.
  3. To argue against the identity trap, take concerns seriously, show why the ideology may fail, and propose a more noble path forward.

Luxuriating, Heretical Questions, The Age 30 Crisis

Rob Henderson's Newsletter • 1458 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
🚌 Education Podcasts Literature Science Health & Wellness Reading
  1. Social media use habits can reveal gender differences, like adding 'o' to 'so' which is a strong predictor of being female.
  2. Verbal intelligence among college graduates has decreased over 40 years, implying a college degree doesn't represent the same verbal ability as before.
  3. The ratio of unmarried men to women varies by age, with more men at younger ages, but fewer men as age increases.

The Art of Teaching

Opaque Hourglass • 339 implied HN points • 12 Nov 23
🚌 Education Teaching Learning Student behavior
  1. Observing students' behavior can reveal their engagement and understanding in the classroom.
  2. Teaching should focus on empowering students with critical thinking skills rather than imposing one's own views.
  3. Effective teaching involves a delicate balance of authenticity, imagination, and adaptability to maximize student learning.
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Academia & MAMLMs: The Seven Labors of the Academic East-African Plains Ape

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 215 implied HN points • 01 Jul 25
🚌 Education Higher education Pedagogy Learning methods Curriculum Development
  1. Higher education has always aimed to help people become effective thinkers and communicators. This means teaching students how to research, analyze, and share their knowledge.
  2. New technologies like AI are not a threat to education but rather another change in how we learn. History has shown that every new tool can enhance our learning process instead of replacing it.
  3. The main focus in education should remain on guiding students through the learning process while adapting to new teaching tools. This can lead to a more engaging and fun learning experience.

Behind the Scenes of DRI Your Career

Tech and Tea • 32 implied HN points • 21 Dec 25
🚌 Education Career development Professional development Online Learning Course design Skill Building Tech Careers
  1. A long friendship and two years of iterative work produced a course the creators actually wanted to take, emphasizing creativity, care, and usefulness instead of rushing to ship.
  2. Career choices should come from clarity about what you truly care about instead of automatically chasing the next promotion, because motivation and alignment with meaningful problems drive better work.
  3. The program is fully asynchronous and built for busy introverts, using personal stories and coaching exercises to help people step back and move forward intentionally; it runs eight weeks starting January 15, 2026 with early-bird pricing through December 31.

An Exam for the Social Code

In My Tribe • 182 implied HN points • 19 Jul 25
🚌 Education Social Science Cognitive skills Public Policy Cultural Studies
  1. Understanding social issues is complex and requires different thinking than just what works for small groups.
  2. It's important to recognize that truth about society isn't always clear, and not everyone sees it the same way.
  3. We need better ways to manage discussions, especially on social media, to help everyone share their views constructively.

Edu-Snippets

The Science of Learning • 279 implied HN points • 11 Dec 23
🚌 Education Learning Strategies Instructional Design Cognitive Psychology Educational Technology
  1. Using human-like gestures and pointing when teaching online can help students learn better. It's more effective than just making eye contact with the learners.
  2. Asking questions before a lesson, known as prequestioning, can boost learning. It prepares students to focus on important information during the lesson.
  3. Teaching methods should balance engaging methods, like visuals or animations, with clear guidance on what to focus on in the material for better understanding.

A Glimpse Inside the Vanity Project

In My Tribe • 227 implied HN points • 14 Jun 25
🚌 Education Course design Psychology Interactivity Learning theories Teaching Methods
  1. The Vanity Project aims to create an interactive seminar that teaches students about human interdependence. The project is still in progress and needs dialogue improvements.
  2. The course outline includes multiple chapters and concepts related to psychology, social order, and government. Each chapter breaks down complex ideas into manageable parts.
  3. The project requires collaboration and possibly funding for future developments. There's a bigger plan to create seminars for professors based on their courses.

How We Set Math Class up to Fail

Mathworlds • 373 implied HN points • 26 May 23
🚌 Education Mathematics Teaching Learning Abstract
  1. Math class often focuses on moving students towards abstract concepts, neglecting the value of concrete understanding.
  2. Teachers who can help students transition between concrete and abstract knowledge effectively engage students in math.
  3. Including both concrete and abstract elements in math problems can make learning more engaging and effective.

The Big Announcement Post

Philosophy for the People w/Ben Burgis • 659 implied HN points • 27 Dec 22
🚌 Education Philosophy
  1. Ben Burgis is starting a philosophy Substack and is excited to share philosophical content with his audience on a regular basis.
  2. He aims to continue his political writing while also incorporating more popular-level philosophy content into his work.
  3. The Substack, named 'Philosophy for the People,' will offer free essays initially, with an option to support and access all content later.

Risks to knowledge economies

imperfect offerings • 219 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24
🚌 Education Online Learning Academic writing
  1. Risks to knowledge economies are being highlighted in relation to generative AI and its potential impact on universities and academic practices.
  2. The use of generative AI platforms can lead to inequalities in knowledge production and amplification of existing biases and disparities.
  3. Open knowledge projects like Wikipedia are facing challenges from generative AI, with potential impact on diversity and community-driven content creation.

✍️ Journalism Awards, Events, Fellowships and Trainings ✍️ — January 12

Inside The Newsroom • 216 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
🚌 Education Awards Fellowships Events Training Webinar
  1. The post highlights various journalism awards, events, fellowships, and trainings available, including details on the programs, deadlines, and organizations offering them.
  2. There is a focus on opportunities for journalists to improve their skills, such as through leadership training, investigative reporting fellowships, and workshops on topics like newsroom safety and campaign finance reporting.
  3. Employers and recruiters can access promotion opportunities for job openings, while journalists can earn free paid subscriptions through a referral program.

Teachers Became Activists, and Censorship Followed

KERFUFFLE • 31 implied HN points • 13 Dec 25
🚌 Education K-12 Public Schools Education & Policy Curriculum Free speech Censorship
  1. Teachers in public schools have become more openly political and have taken activist roles in classrooms and on campuses.
  2. In response, schools — notably in California — have introduced new speech rules that restrict what students and staff can say about the Israeli‑Palestinian conflict.
  3. This politicization of education has led to increased censorship and a shrinking space for open discussion of controversial topics.

The Obvious-Once-You-Think-About-It Reason Why Education Cuts Fertility

Bet On It • 659 implied HN points • 28 Oct 24
🚌 Education Higher education Social norms Economic Impact
  1. As education levels increase, people tend to have fewer children. This trend is seen in both individuals and countries.
  2. One reason for this is that students often want to finish their education before starting a family, leading to later parenthood.
  3. Education changes what people prioritize in life, making career success more important than having kids early.

Deep-research an article with me

The Novelleist • 445 implied HN points • 24 Jan 25
🚌 Education Workshops Research Writing Learning Collaboration
  1. There is a six-week workshop for writers where they can learn about researching articles in real time. It will involve weekly calls to discuss research processes.
  2. Participants can bring their own story ideas or topics to explore alongside the main research topic. This helps everyone stay engaged and learn together.
  3. The workshop is open to paid subscribers who want a more intimate learning experience and will have access to recordings if they miss a session.

More male teachers is not just about grades

Of Boys and Men • 173 implied HN points • 25 Jul 25
🚌 Education Teaching Gender Representation Mentorship
  1. It's important to have male teachers in schools because they can serve as role models and mentors for boys. They can influence boys' development in many positive ways beyond just grades.
  2. The impact of male teachers on student academic success is mixed, meaning some studies show benefits while others don't. So, it's not just about grades; having diverse educators can help in other ways too.
  3. We shouldn't blame female teachers for the challenges boys face in school. Having more male teachers is about making the teaching workforce more balanced and representative, which is good for all students.

Deconstructing the Hegemony; Reconstructing the Pluriverse — II

Pluriversal Planet • 216 implied HN points • 06 Jan 24
🚌 Education Colonialism Hegemony Philanthropy Propaganda Global South
  1. Participatory democracy is a myth in a world dominated by Eurocentric and profit-centered ideologies.
  2. Hegemony and regeneration are conflicting philosophies, with efforts towards a pluriversal world being hindered by hidden hegemonic tactics.
  3. Tools of hegemony include philanthropy, propaganda, and education, which perpetuate control, maintain the status quo, and limit diverse perspectives.

#97: Không thỏa hiệp

Many One Percents • 353 implied HN points • 16 Apr 23
🚌 Education Writing Blogging Communication Self-Improvement Online Courses
  1. Make decisions for your health based on personal needs, like supplementing with vitamins and taking cold showers.
  2. Engage in deeper conversations using tools like '36 questions in love' to connect with others on a more meaningful level.
  3. Consider joining courses or workshops to enhance your skills and knowledge, like a 30-day blogging course to improve writing habits.

School Daze

Living Fossils • 21 implied HN points • 29 Dec 25
🚌 Education Mental health School Policy Child development
  1. Modern life—less play, more screens, and rigid schooling—creates mismatches our brains struggle with, and that likely produces more real cases of ADHD, anxiety, and similar problems.
  2. Wider diagnostic definitions plus incentives for schools, parents, clinicians, and students push more people into diagnoses, and social imitation helps these labels spread quickly.
  3. Because there are few objective brain tests and solutions often create new problems, diagnoses can balloon without an effective brake; rebalancing toward community, exercise, and other nonmedical supports could help.

International Gender Disparities in Math

Heterodox STEM • 135 implied HN points • 17 Aug 25
🚌 Education STEM Gender Studies Mathematics Assessment
  1. Boys generally perform better than girls in high-level math, but the difference is small. At the lower end, girls often do just as well or better.
  2. Socioeconomic status and nationality have a bigger impact on math performance than gender does. Countries with more resources often show better overall math scores.
  3. Equal representation of genders in math isn't necessary or realistic. Focusing on improving math education and training for all students is more important than pushing for gender parity.

High-school debate: Pro

In My Tribe • 486 implied HN points • 22 Dec 24
🚌 Education Debate Public Speaking Communication Skills Critical Thinking
  1. High school debate encourages students to think critically and understand both sides of an argument. This helps them learn how to engage in respectful discussions.
  2. Judging a debate focuses on the quality of arguments and how well teams respond to each other's points. This process is designed to improve speaking skills and critical thinking.
  3. AI could potentially be used to judge debates fairly by evaluating arguments based on set criteria. It seems feasible to train AI to understand the nuances of debate.

Nice story in the new College Access Rankings

Science Forever • 338 implied HN points • 09 Sep 23
🚌 Education Access Diversity Admissions Standardized tests
  1. Washington University in St. Louis made impressive strides in increasing economic and racial diversity through strategic financial aid policies and initiatives.
  2. Efforts to attract low-income, Black, and Hispanic students did not compromise academic standards, challenging stereotypes about test scores and student demographics.
  3. Progressive financial aid policies, like need-blind admissions and a no-loan policy, have significantly improved access to quality education, setting a positive example for other institutions.

Can donors save science?

ChinaTalk • 207 implied HN points • 12 Jun 25
🚌 Education Philanthropy Science Technology Policy Research
  1. Renaissance Philanthropy aims to change how funding works by acting like an investment fund, helping donors target specific goals without the heavy lifting of managing projects themselves.
  2. The organization identifies key areas in science and tech where philanthropic funding can make a real impact, especially at a time when government support is shrinking.
  3. A new model of philanthropy can encourage more donors to get involved by picking clear objectives and making the process less daunting, ultimately leading to more effective giving.

Analysis: Engine On Or Off?

Zwischenzug • 334 implied HN points • 20 May 23
🚌 Education
  1. Analyze your games without an engine initially to focus on self-improvement.
  2. Record your thoughts during the game before checking with the engine.
  3. Understand why the engine suggests certain moves for better future gameplay.

Spaced Repetition

Zwischenzug • 334 implied HN points • 27 May 23
🚌 Education Chess Tools Application Effectiveness
  1. Spaced repetition helps you remember by reviewing just before forgetting.
  2. Tools like Chessable and Anki can automate and personalize spaced repetition for chess.
  3. Use spaced repetition for openings, tactics, and reviewing mistakes in chess, but remember it's just one tool among many for learning.

Success

RPG Design Theories • 334 implied HN points • 26 Apr 23
🚌 Education Game design Mechanics Narrative
  1. Game mechanics should aim to be believable, easy-to-understand, and fun at the same time.
  2. Mechanics should tie to what's important in the game, determining when dice rolling comes into play.
  3. Consider the impact of player failure on their gameplay experience and find the right balance of randomization in tasks.

The cult of positive thinking comes for academe

The Recovering Academic • 356 implied HN points • 14 Feb 23
🚌 Education Academia Leadership Student experience Critical Thinking
  1. Positive thinking originated as an antidote to Puritanism and is about trying to think positively as a practice or discipline.
  2. In academia, positive thinking can enable gaslighting where university leaders may manipulate or undermine faculty concerns to align with their personal visions.
  3. Negative thinking, while often seen in a bad light, can be essential for seeking truth and survival by challenging assumptions and serving as a tool for vigilantly assessing reality.

A Return to Teaching: The Spring 2023 Edition

Musings on Markets • 859 implied HN points • 21 Dec 22
🚌 Education Teaching Learning Philosophy Finance Business
  1. Preparation is crucial for teaching. Being ready for class helps make the learning experience better for everyone.
  2. Respect and empathy towards students are important. Treating students as capable individuals fosters a positive learning environment.
  3. Classes should be engaging and fun. Enjoying the teaching process makes learning more meaningful and impactful for students.

Meta-rational practices: Overview 2

Meaningness • 119 implied HN points • 16 Mar 24
🚌 Education Methods Exercises Ontology Learning
  1. Opportunities for meta-rational improvement can be categorized in different sites for enhancing rationality
  2. Improving circumrational practice involves methods like better material supports, skills training, and proceduralization
  3. Enhancing the ontology includes steps like merging categories, splitting distinctions, and reassigning cases