The hottest Education Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Education Topics

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.

The Best of Don't Worry About the Vase

thezvi • 1338 implied HN points • 13 Dec 23
🚌 Education Rationality COVID
  1. The blog covers a wide range of topics from rationality to AI, housing policy, fertility, and gaming.
  2. The author emphasizes the importance of rationality and provides resources for further reading on the topic.
  3. The blog highlights select evergreen posts that are still relevant and worth reading today.

The plan for meta-rationality

Meaningness • 359 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
🚌 Education Philosophy Science Fiction Literature Health & Wellness
  1. The book being written focuses on meta-rationality, with previous parts discussing rationalism and reasonableness.
  2. The author plans to release the book in separate paperbacks/Kindle editions before putting it online for free.
  3. The concept of meta-rationality emphasizes caring for the situation more than abstractions, questioning what the situation needs, and understanding when rationality is relevant.
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Why is Academic Writing so Bad?

Going Awol • 179 implied HN points • 28 Mar 24
🚌 Education Academic writing Philosophy
  1. One reason for bad academic writing is intentional complexity to ensure longevity and generate discussions and interpretations.
  2. Academic writing issues stem from language barriers, knowledge curse, insecurity, and lack of incentives for clear writing.
  3. Encouraging academics to focus on knowledge pursuit over personal legacy could help improve academic writing quality.

Workshop announcement: demand estimation

Scott's Substack • 904 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24
🚌 Education Workshops Econometrics Learning
  1. Upcoming workshop in late February and early March on demand estimation by Ariel Pakes and Jeff Gortmaker.
  2. The workshop will cover demand estimation methods in applied microeconomics and bridge between reduced-form and structural frameworks.
  3. Attendees will get hands-on experience with practical exercises and training using a python package for estimating demand.

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.

Sensible Diversion #4

Sensible Medicine • 530 implied HN points • 10 Feb 24
🚌 Education Puzzle
  1. Group 16 words into 4 groups of 4 for a puzzle that will reveal the answer at 4 PM CST.
  2. Subscribe to Sensible Medicine for a 7-day free trial and access to full post archives.
  3. Paid subscribers can sign in to access the content immediately.

Intro to Economic Life 1: Creatures on a Planet

Altered States of Monetary Consciousness • 410 implied HN points • 22 Feb 24
🚌 Education Economics Philosophy History Environment Political
  1. The economy is not separate from the planet, but rather a part of it, with everything deriving from the ecological systems of Earth. This interconnectedness should be a foundational element of economic analysis.
  2. Products we see as separate entities are actually collections of human labor and resources from the planet, with objects being made up of multiple acts of labor combined with natural elements like sunlight, air, water, and food.
  3. The illusion of separation in the economy can hide exploitative practices and hinder our ability to make informed decisions, leading to disconnection, confusion, and alienation. Understanding these interconnected processes is crucial to developing a holistic view of the economy.

James Burnham’s managerialism eighty years later

Global Inequality and More 3.0 • 555 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.

Friday Thread: Can a PhD be "just a job"?

The Recovering Academic • 435 implied HN points • 16 Feb 24
🚌 Education Academia University Jobs Transition
  1. Academia being viewed as a business can help job seekers transition to industry with a new mindset.
  2. The perception of a PhD as 'just a job' and academic institutions as commercial entities is crucial for adapting academic experience to industry expectations.
  3. For many faculty members, especially non-tenure track ones, the idea of a PhD as merely a job no longer aligns due to low pay and challenging work conditions.

Systemic Racism at Brown?

Glenn Loury • 4068 implied HN points • 25 Jun 23
🚌 Education Race Public Policy Inequality
  1. A controversy at Brown University surrounding systemic racism sparked a debate on freedom of expression.
  2. Glenn Loury, a black conservative economist, argues against claims of systemic racism at Brown and presents his scholarly contributions.
  3. Loury emphasizes the need to address racial inequality without undermining academic freedom.

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.

Are Great Teachers Born or Made?

Mathworlds • 550 implied HN points • 31 Jan 24
🚌 Education Teaching AI
  1. Research suggests emergency-hired teachers during COVID may not differ significantly from traditionally licensed teachers.
  2. Education is complex and difficult to measure, making it challenging to understand teacher influence on student learning.
  3. Great teachers may be born, but good teachers can be made through diverse experiences and supportive tools.

Morphology and History

The Oswald Spengler Project • 339 implied HN points • 26 Feb 24
🚌 Education History Philosophy
  1. History presents unique challenges as it lacks a universal framework like the natural sciences.
  2. Schopenhauer argues that historical events are too diverse to fit into generic categories or types, making a true science of history difficult.
  3. One approach could be to focus on studying specific types of historical phenomena rather than trying to encompass all of history.

Introspection Before Any Possible Course Correction

Heterodox STEM • 291 implied HN points • 03 Mar 24
🚌 Education Higher Ed Freedom of Speech Public Trust
  1. Listening to the Congressional testimony on free speech exposed a lack of consistent application of concepts at universities.
  2. Public trust in higher education has significantly declined based on surveys due to real or perceived failures of universities.
  3. Universities facing public backlash have responded defensively rather than engaging in introspection, potentially leading to further erosion of trust.

Imago DEI at Cornell University

Heterodox STEM • 199 implied HN points • 17 Mar 24
🚌 Education Free speech Critical Thinking
  1. The theme year for Freedom of Expression at Cornell University is controversial, focusing on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).
  2. There is a concern about the prioritization of DEI over free speech, leading to a culture of fear and conformity on campus.
  3. Efforts are being made to bring in speakers who promote fearless, rational, and civil speech on campus, to counteract the perceived lack of free expression.

CodeChella Madrid 2024

Scott's Substack • 746 implied HN points • 07 Jan 24
🚌 Education Workshop Training Event Learning Travel
  1. CodeChella Madrid 2024 is a four-day workshop in Madrid focused on diff in diff, featuring various speakers.
  2. The workshop aims to be fun, supportive, and educational, providing practical exercises and hands-on coding experience.
  3. Costs for attending are kept reasonable, with discounted rates for students and faculty, along with affordable hotel options.

On the transformative power of teaching first

Rebecca Birch - On Education • 687 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24
🚌 Education Teaching Methods Student Engagement Learning Strategies
  1. Teaching directly at the start of a lesson can be more effective than starting with questions or exploratory methods.
  2. Using a structured approach like TAPPLE can help teachers ensure students understand the material and reduce workload.
  3. Approaches like TAPPLE can benefit all students, including gifted learners and those with anxiety, by providing clear direction.

Cultivating a state of mind where new ideas are born

Escaping Flatland • 2889 implied HN points • 26 Jul 23
🚌 Education Creativity Curiosity Mentorship Solitude Learning
  1. Great ideas are fragile and can be easily killed by external influences like coworking spaces or groupthink.
  2. Solitude is crucial for creativity, allowing for the development of unique perspectives and groundbreaking work.
  3. Creative individuals are willing to linger in confusion, surfacing new questions rather than rushing to answers.

Hidden Open Thread 315.5

Astral Codex Ten • 344 implied HN points • 17 Feb 24
🚌 Education Blog
  1. The post is exclusive for paid subscribers, indicating it contains premium content for a specific audience.
  2. Readers can subscribe to access the post or sign in if they are already paid subscribers.
  3. The post shares a link and encourages engagement by allowing sharing and comments.

Hidden Open Thread 310.5

Astral Codex Ten • 619 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
🚌 Education
  1. The post 'Hidden Open Thread 310.5' is for paid subscribers only.
  2. The post was published on January 11, 2024.
  3. The post has a link to comments section, but requires a subscription to access.

Why You Should Be A Control Freak

Zwischenzug • 432 implied HN points • 03 Feb 24
🚌 Education Chess Learning Strategy
  1. Control in chess means knowing what your opponent can do and being ready for it.
  2. Maintaining control is crucial, especially in winning positions.
  3. The engine's evaluation may not reflect the full complexity of a position, so human perspective is key in strategic decisions.

How to be a farmer like you mean it

Figs in Winter: New Stoicism and beyond • 530 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🚌 Education Ancient Wisdom Life philosophy Literature Agriculture
  1. Ancient wisdom from farming communities can offer valuable insights on life and work.
  2. Hesiod contrasts the benefits of cultivating land with the destructiveness of war, highlighting the value of peaceful, agricultural pursuits.
  3. Considering a return to nature-based lifestyles, even for city dwellers, can offer a sense of renewal and connection to the earth.

Two perspectives on the liberal arts and the humanities

Heterodox STEM • 199 implied HN points • 10 Mar 24
🚌 Education Humanities Literature Philosophy Classics
  1. Liberal arts education in the US may serve different purposes for elites and non-elites, with disparities in expectations and outcomes.
  2. Humanities education is seen as vital for a well-rounded education and understanding fundamental human questions and experiences.
  3. Reading classic literature may play a role in shaping perspectives and values, potentially reducing susceptibility to certain societal trends like 'wokeness'.