The hottest Education Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Education Topics

RTF Lecture invitation: Of Minds and Men- ON UNIVERSAL HISTORY & THE CREATION OF ARISTOCRATIC MEN (Feb. 11 at 2pm ET)

Matt Ehret's Insights • 157 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
🚌 Education History Philosophy Culture
  1. Plato and Confucius emphasized the importance of true education for the development of a culture with sovereign citizens.
  2. Historically, society's cyclic corruption hindered humanity's progress, highlighting the need for a culture promoting moral, spiritual, and intellectual excellence.
  3. The aim is to establish educational systems that cultivate the best attributes in individuals, fostering sovereign citizens without regard to social status or breeding.

Kickstart Your Data Engineering Career: 9 Resources and Templates You Need

SeattleDataGuy’s Newsletter • 541 implied HN points • 14 Nov 24
🚌 Education Data Engineering
  1. Use the 100-Day Data Engineering Crash Course to start learning the basics of data engineering. It covers important topics like SQL, programming, and Cloud technologies.
  2. Creating your own data projects can help you stand out. The Data Engineering Side Project Idea Template will guide you in planning unique projects that add value.
  3. Prepare well before job interviews with the Data Engineer Interview Study Guide. Always check with the recruiter about what to study so you can be ready.

The End of Academic Freedom (w/ Maura Finkelstein) | The Chris Hedges Report

The Chris Hedges Report • 151 implied HN points • 23 Jul 25
🚌 Education Academic Freedom Higher education Free speech Political Activism
  1. Academic freedom is under threat, especially for those who speak out against powerful political narratives, like the situation in Gaza. Even tenured professors can lose their jobs for expressing dissent.
  2. Universities are becoming more focused on business interests and donor influence instead of education. This shift affects how open and free discussions can be on campus.
  3. Many students and faculty are feeling scared and pressured to self-censor. The environment is becoming hostile to diverse opinions, especially those that support Palestinian rights.
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Sensational Data Storytelling: The Best Five Books For Your Library

Data at Depth • 79 implied HN points • 25 Apr 24
🚌 Education Data storytelling
  1. Data storytelling is crucial for extracting meaningful narratives from vast amounts of data.
  2. Books like 'Storytelling with Data' and 'The Truthful Art' offer practical guidance on improving data visualization skills and conveying complex data clearly.
  3. Mastering data storytelling involves understanding the impact of storytelling principles like setting, conflict, and resolution within a data context.

13 Medium Publications That Can Nominate Your Stories for A Boost

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 419 implied HN points • 02 Jun 23
🚌 Education Writing Publishing Literacy Content creation Online Platforms
  1. Medium has a Boost Program where selected stories get more exposure. This is great for writers who want their work to be seen by more people.
  2. There are 62 Community Nominators who can suggest stories for Boosting. Joining the right publications can help writers get their stories nominated.
  3. Writers can reach out to specific Medium publications to get their stories reviewed and potentially Boosted. Each publication has its own focus, so it's important to match your story with the right one.

Should Instructional Videos Include a Talking Head?

The Science of Learning • 319 implied HN points • 28 Sep 23
🚌 Education Instructional Design Learning Theory Online Learning
  1. Talking heads in instructional videos, where the teacher appears on screen, have mixed effects. Some studies say they can distract learners and hurt their ability to remember facts.
  2. On the other hand, having a talking head can make students feel more connected to the teacher, which is important in online courses where they might feel lonely.
  3. There's no clear answer on whether to use talking heads. It might help to use them in fully online classes but not in classes where students regularly see the teacher.

The Limits of Science: Why Einstein Believed Science Needs the Humanities

Humanities in Revolt • 319 implied HN points • 01 Aug 23
🚌 Education Philosophy Science Literature Art & Illustration History
  1. Einstein believed that a holistic education balancing science and humanities is essential for cultivating fundamental human values and morality.
  2. He emphasized that over-specialization and narrowly technical competencies can lead to lopsided thought and hinder human development.
  3. Einstein highlighted the importance of ethical values guiding scientific knowledge to maintain a healthy and humane society.

How experience makes me support school choice

Tilting At Windmills • 157 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🚌 Education School choice Public Schools Private schools Accountability
  1. The author's personal experience attending both public and private schools influenced their support for school choice.
  2. School choice advocates argue that accountability is better in a market-driven system compared to traditional school boards.
  3. The author highlights the discrepancy in decision-making between closing public schools and private schools based on individual parent choices.

The sports boom will bust universities

The Recovering Academic • 316 implied HN points • 03 Oct 23
🚌 Education University funding Athletics Financial impact
  1. The financial pressures of college athletics can lead universities to prioritize branding over their core missions, potentially damaging academic programs and faculty support.
  2. Despite the belief that college athletics bring in profits, most universities actually lose money on athletic programs, leading to subsidies from operational budgets.
  3. The emphasis on branding, particularly through successful sports programs, can overshadow the real purpose of higher education, with financial investments in athletics often outweighing those in academics.

This week in the science of learning, May 19, 2024

The Bell Ringer • 59 implied HN points • 19 May 24
🚌 Education Learning Science Research Curriculum Development Teaching Methods
  1. Schools need better data on how students read and what materials they are using. This helps to improve teaching methods.
  2. There's a strong interest in sharing stories and research about learning methods. People want to hear what works and what doesn't.
  3. The community is encouraged to provide feedback on topics of interest, which can lead to more personalized and engaging discussions.

Announcing DRI Your Career

Tech and Tea • 32 implied HN points • 09 Dec 25
🚌 Education Career Planning Leadership Online Courses Tech Careers Skill Building
  1. The tech career ladder was built to serve company growth, not individual fulfillment, so many people end up chasing roles they feel they "should" want instead of what actually makes them happy.
  2. DRI Your Career is an 8-week, fully asynchronous course for mid-to-senior engineers and engineering managers that teaches tools, mindsets, and frameworks to help you take ownership of your career and figure out what you truly want.
  3. The current upheaval in the tech industry is an opportunity to rewrite your own career playbook, and this course is designed to be flexible and actionable so you can be intentional about your next steps now.

The Misuse and Abuse of "Market Failure"

Knowledge Problem • 314 implied HN points • 10 Aug 23
🚌 Education Economics Public Policy Regulation Markets Government intervention
  1. Market failure is often casually used to criticize outcomes not liked, but in economics, it has specific technical meanings like external costs or benefits.
  2. The concept of market failure is misused and misunderstood in policy analysis, leading to inaccurate criticisms of market outcomes.
  3. Critiques of market failure should consider the imperfections of government interventions as well, and focus on reducing transactions costs to enhance resource allocation.

Two papers about Wassily Leontief

Origins of Our Time • 314 implied HN points • 04 Apr 23
🚌 Education Economics History
  1. Wassily Leontief invented input-output economics, using double-entry matrices to analyze economic sectors.
  2. Leontief's work could be used in various economic systems and his techniques faced opposition from business interests.
  3. Leontief's papers from 2016 gained more interest due to relevance in industrial policy and investment planning.

Replay: Putting the "M" in STEM

The Bell Ringer • 59 implied HN points • 17 May 24
🚌 Education STEM Mathematics Learning Achievement Podcast
  1. Math is an important part of STEM education and needs more focus. It's often overlooked, but it is essential for understanding science and technology.
  2. Encouraging students in math can help close the achievement gap. When students feel supported in math, they tend to perform better overall.
  3. There are resources and strategies available to help improve math learning. Schools and educators can use various tools to make math more engaging for students.

This week in the science of learning

The Bell Ringer • 79 implied HN points • 21 Apr 24
🚌 Education Learning Science Curriculum design Math education
  1. Oral language skills are important for learning. Good communication helps kids understand and connect with their lessons better.
  2. There is ongoing debate about teaching methods in math. Different approaches can lead to confusion, so finding what works best for students is key.
  3. Curriculum design plays a big role in how effectively students learn. The way material is presented can make a big difference in student engagement and understanding.

What parents should know about the science of learning

The Bell Ringer • 79 implied HN points • 19 Apr 24
🚌 Education Learning Science Educational Research Child development
  1. Look for clear agreements in education research; it helps to focus on studies where experts reach similar conclusions. This shows what really works, like how reading on paper can be better than on screens.
  2. Understand that studying is not just about memorizing; students need to connect what they learn over time. A good learning strategy connects years of knowledge to build a strong base.
  3. Be open to new findings in education. Science keeps changing and evolving, so what we know now might change later, but reading and learning remain essential no matter the format.

Social Learning Links

In My Tribe • 440 implied HN points • 16 Dec 24
🚌 Education College Licensing Politics Online safety Social norms
  1. Many jobs today require expensive degrees that people might not even need. Instead, some suggest that students could go directly into work after high school and earn a good living.
  2. When people argue about politics, they often aren't trying to change each other's minds. Instead, they want to maintain their group loyalty and protect their beliefs.
  3. There are differing views on the Kids Online Safety Act. Some believe it will help protect kids online, while others think it could be ineffective and distracting for schools.

So Near and yet So Far

In My Tribe • 182 implied HN points • 09 Jun 25
🚌 Education Learning Theory Educational Technology Pedagogy Curriculum design Online Learning
  1. The project aims to create an interactive seminar experience, but it's currently more like reading a textbook with an AI assistant. It’s not quite the same feel as a real seminar.
  2. Using AI can help shape effective dialogue, but it requires careful prompting to get the right tone and perspective, especially if it needs to reflect a specific viewpoint.
  3. The goal is to develop structured and authentic discussions in educational content, which could fill a gap by balancing sterile lectures and chaotic forums.

College leaders should say what they stand for

Science Forever • 298 implied HN points • 03 Apr 23
🚌 Education Leadership Higher education Politics Institutions Challenges
  1. College leaders should clearly communicate their values and beliefs, even in the face of political pressure. Staying true to one's values can lead to respect and support from the community.
  2. Presidents who stand up for their beliefs may face challenges, but they often land in new fulfilling positions. Those who prioritize the board's wishes over campus values may not fare as well.
  3. Institutions benefit from leaders who stick to their principles. Even if presidents are let go, they usually find other positive opportunities as long as they remain aligned with their beliefs.

How To Write A Perfect 1000-Word Post On Substack In 40 Minutes Daily

VERY GOOD PRODUCTIZED GUIDES • 39 implied HN points • 14 Jun 24
🚌 Education Writing Tips Content creation Personal Development Time management Productivity
  1. Understand your motivation for writing. Writing should be genuine and not just about getting likes or money. Find your true reason and let that guide your writing.
  2. Make time for writing by treating it as a priority, not just something you do between client projects. Schedule specific blocks of time for writing each day.
  3. Gather resources and ideas before writing. Use tools like mobile notes and bookmarking sites to keep track of ideas and materials to help you write faster.

Primary Schools are the Cradles of Civilisation

The Joyous Struggle • 296 implied HN points • 19 Jul 23
🚌 Education Teaching
  1. Primary schools play a crucial role in shaping our beliefs, behaviors, and interactions, laying the foundation for civilization.
  2. Primary school teachers help us develop various skills, learn the importance of effort, compromise, and respect, and navigate the joys and struggles of growing up.
  3. Headteachers in primary schools shoulder immense responsibilities, from ensuring safety and happiness of children to managing complex tasks and challenges, all while maintaining a deep connection to the essence of education.

a brave new fahrenheit 1984

bad cattitude • 204 implied HN points • 21 May 25
🚌 Education AI Ethics Critical Thinking Social Commentary Public Schools
  1. Education should focus on real learning instead of indoctrination. Many schools today seem to teach obedience rather than critical thinking.
  2. People in power often use social norms and control to suppress dissent and creativity. This can make it hard for individuals to think for themselves.
  3. Allowing more freedom in education and access to unfiltered information is important. Relying on the government to control what people learn may lead to biased and limited perspectives.

The Seminar Continues

In My Tribe • 182 implied HN points • 03 Jun 25
🚌 Education Psychology Personality Sociology Learning Communication
  1. Personality psychology helps us understand people better. It looks at how we predict and explain behaviors, which is important for our relationships.
  2. The Big Five model is a more reliable way to measure personality than older methods like Myers-Briggs. It uses continuous traits instead of strict categories.
  3. While personality traits can be stable over time, we can develop skills that help us function better, even if our core traits don't change much.

The Buckingham Manifesto for a Post-Progressive Social Science

Unsafe Science • 122 implied HN points • 04 Aug 25
🚌 Education Social Science Research Methods Cultural Studies Critical Theory
  1. The social sciences have become too focused on progressive ideals, which can stifle diverse viewpoints and limit research. It's important to promote openness to different ideas and approaches in these fields.
  2. A fresh perspective called 'Critical Woke Studies' is needed to understand the rise of wokeness in academia and its impact on society. This study can help uncover the historical roots and motivations behind this ideology.
  3. There is a call for a new type of university or research center that values free inquiry and diverse opinions. This new approach could help rebuild trust in academic institutions and foster productive discussions.

2025 Update - Part 2

Devansh’s Newsletter • 15 implied HN points • 10 Jan 26
🚌 Education Higher Ed Curriculum design Online Learning Workshops
  1. A shorter-than-planned trip focused on Madison turned into a productive, restorative break where library work let course creation progress and daily golf and swimming felt energizing.
  2. A promising large university contract fell through, which was disappointing but proved such collaborations are possible and prompted a pivot to rebrand as Human Insight Academy and directly reach out to universities.
  3. A four-day silence retreat at an ashram was unexpectedly impactful and acted as a reset, while continued teaching and talks helped balance personal growth with ongoing work commitments.

Kids Get Schooled on Radical Politics

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1066 implied HN points • 22 Feb 24
🚌 Education Curriculum Political Ideology Inclusivity Black History
  1. Children at a Brooklyn public elementary school are taught about Black Lives Matter's principles using a coloring book, introducing terms like 'Queer Affirming' and 'Transgender Affirming.'
  2. Some parents are concerned about the political and communist undertones in the educational material, questioning the appropriateness for elementary school students.
  3. The coloring book used by the school focuses on promoting Black Lives Matter's ideology but lacks in teaching specific black historical figures, leading to concerns about presenting controversial ideas as facts.

Fixing Higher Ed: The Bailey-Caplan Convo

Bet On It • 105 implied HN points • 22 Aug 25
🚌 Education Higher Ed Research Politics Social Sciences Policy
  1. There's concern about the increasing politicization of universities, which some liken to past political eras like McCarthyism. This raises questions about how knowledge and education are being influenced by ideology.
  2. Many feel that government funding for higher education may actually be contributing to wasted time for students. It's important to think about how much funding should be given and how it should be used.
  3. The debate about what to save in higher education includes discussions on faculty hiring and the importance of ideological diversity. Ensuring a range of viewpoints can help foster a more open inquiry in academic settings.

Two Upcoming Workshops

Nice Try • 79 implied HN points • 12 Apr 24
🚌 Education Workshops Writing Literacy Publishing Creative Arts
  1. There are two writing workshops coming up in New York City. One is a ten-week course for intermediate and advanced writers, and the other is a three-day intensive for novel writing.
  2. The ten-week workshop will help writers improve their skills from individual sentences to complete stories. It costs $550 and runs from May 7 to July 9.
  3. The three-day workshop focuses on editing and finalizing a complete manuscript. It costs $1800 and will take place on August 16-18.

They Have Different DNA

Outlandish Claims • 79 implied HN points • 11 Apr 24
🚌 Education Learning methods School System Alternative Education
  1. Children often struggle to learn in traditional school settings compared to other environments where they excel.
  2. John Holt's book 'How Children Fail' discusses the challenges of traditional education and the impact on students' learning processes.
  3. School structures, fear of failure, and boredom can hinder children's intrinsic motivation to learn and impact their long-term relationship with education.

How To Fix Math(s) Education

Insight Axis • 276 implied HN points • 11 Sep 23
🚌 Education Mathematics Teaching Problem Solving Curriculum
  1. Math education should focus on real-world problems to make it interesting and meaningful for students.
  2. Students should be taught a structured process of defining, abstracting, computing, and interpreting problems in math.
  3. School math should prioritize applied mathematics to show the practical utility of math, cater to the majority, and prepare students for the future.

Preorder Poor Charlie’s Almanack: The Essential Wit & Wisdom of Charles T. Munger

Stripe Press • 275 implied HN points • 03 Oct 23
🚌 Education Investment Philanthropy Ethics History Decision-making
  1. The book shares timeless lessons on investment strategy, philanthropy, and living a rational and ethical life
  2. It emphasizes the importance of learning from history to prepare for the present and future
  3. The book's goal is to help readers become broad learners with a greater understanding of the world