The hottest Education Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Education Topics

How to evaluate statistical claims

The Counterfactual • 199 implied HN points • 27 Jun 24
🚌 Education Statistics Research Methods Data Analysis Critical Thinking
  1. Always look at the whole distribution of data, not just the average. The average can be affected by extreme values, so it's crucial to see the bigger picture to understand what the data really tells us.
  2. Consider the baseline or reference point when evaluating numbers. Knowing how a number compares to others helps us understand if it's large or small, which gives us better context.
  3. Understand the story behind the data-generating process. This means recognizing the factors that led to the results we see, which helps in identifying possible biases or alternative explanations.

How to teach science

The Bell Ringer • 219 implied HN points • 21 Jun 24
🚌 Education Teaching Methods Curriculum Development Student Engagement Research Methods
  1. Learning science should be fun, but it's important to share the complete story behind science and math. This helps students understand its real value.
  2. Teachers should balance fun activities with serious discussions about scientific concepts. This approach encourages deeper understanding.
  3. Engaging students effectively means showing them how science relates to the real world. This makes learning more relevant and interesting for them.

Medium School Will Officially Open Its Doors and 30-Day Writing Challenge in April

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 579 implied HN points • 02 Apr 24
🚌 Education Writing Online Learning Community Challenges Personal Development
  1. Medium School is opening soon, offering a chance for people to improve their writing skills. It's a great opportunity for anyone looking to get started with their writing journey.
  2. There's a 30-day writing challenge to encourage participation and help boost your writing practice. Even if you're late to join, it's never too late to start.
  3. The school will provide resources and support to help writers earn from their work. The aim is to help participants progress from making little money to achieving their goals.
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Children of the Revolution

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 1850 implied HN points • 22 Feb 24
🚌 Education Black History Cancer Research AI Technology
  1. Teaching Black History Month to kids through a Black Lives Matter coloring book has sparked controversy and concerns among parents regarding the content being taught in schools.
  2. The importance of teaching actual black history, like the stories of the Tuskegee Airmen, as opposed to contemporary political ideologies in schools.
  3. The issue of fraud in cancer research highlights the lack of transparency in data sharing within the scientific community, leading to questions about the integrity of medical research and the need for more stringent protocols.

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.

Open Thread 314

Astral Codex Ten • 3097 implied HN points • 05 Feb 24
🚌 Education Articles
  1. Weekly visible open thread for posting anything.
  2. Clarifications on prediction markets and schizophrenia genetics.
  3. Announcement of new subscriber-only post about Democratic Socialists' budget crisis.

Ontario Schools Get a Feeble Phone Policy

The Analog Family • 399 implied HN points • 01 May 24
🚌 Education School Policy Technology Use Cognitive Science
  1. The new cellphone policy in Ontario schools is seen as weak and not based on effective research. It's not enough to just keep phones out of sight to reduce distractions.
  2. Even with the policy, many students still use their phones during class time. Teachers often allow this, which undermines the effort to minimize distractions.
  3. Parents are part of the problem too. Many want stricter rules at school but still send their kids with smartphones, missing the chance to set limits at home.

Materials of Fraud

Some Unpleasant Arithmetic • 14 implied HN points • 20 May 25
🚌 Education Cheating AI Academia Ethics Productivity
  1. AI is making it easier for students to cheat in school. Many students use AI tools to write essays or complete assignments without actually doing the work themselves.
  2. Recent incidents of academic fraud show how high the stakes are for getting published in top journals. The pressure to perform can lead some researchers to cheat to meet their goals.
  3. Cheating is influenced by economic factors, like the perceived benefits of doing well versus the risks of being caught. This creates a situation where more people might try to cheat, especially in competitive environments.

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.

Scenes from Warwick

The Lens • 825 implied HN points • 04 Feb 24
🚌 Education Economics Students Books
  1. Many students were inspired to study economics after reading 'The Deficit Myth' by Stephanie Kelton.
  2. Students at the Warwick Economics Summit showed interest in integrating MMT and ecological economics.
  3. Torrens University offers online postgraduate courses in Modern Monetary Theory and Ecological Economics.

Open Thread 315

Astral Codex Ten • 2615 implied HN points • 12 Feb 24
🚌 Education
  1. The post is about an open thread where people can discuss different topics freely.
  2. There is information about ACX Grants projects and a request for legal help with charity and tax deductions.
  3. The post mentions links to related channels like a subreddit, Discord, bulletin board, and in-person meetups.

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.

Really, Really Big News

DrawTogether with WendyMac • 1533 implied HN points • 16 Mar 23
🚌 Education Arts Public Schools
  1. DrawTogether is launching DrawTogether Classrooms for educators for free, combining art and social emotional learning.
  2. DrawTogether Classrooms is adaptable for various learning environments and designed for students aged 4-11.
  3. Educators signing up immediately get access to resources, curriculum, and support, with a focus on building a community.

Hillsdale and the N=1 Problem

Aaron Renn • 746 implied HN points • 07 Feb 24
🚌 Education Higher Ed Leadership Replication Success Stories
  1. Hillsdale College's unique success story is hard to replicate by other colleges.
  2. Some successful models, like Hillsdale, are challenging to copy due to unique leadership and historical factors.
  3. Creating models like Hillsdale or other successful entities requires singular leaders and specific conditions that are not easily reproduced elsewhere.

This week in the science of learning, August 11, 2024

The Bell Ringer • 59 implied HN points • 11 Aug 24
🚌 Education Teaching Methods Learning Science Educational Research Student Engagement
  1. Emily Hanford discusses the importance of effective reading strategies in schools. It's crucial for teachers to understand how children learn to read.
  2. Research shows that traditional methods may not be the best for teaching literacy. New approaches are needed to help all students succeed.
  3. The conversation around learning science highlights the need for continuous improvement in education. We should always look for better ways to teach and support learners.

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.

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 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.

How to Start Writing on Substack in 2023 (Beginners Guide)

Kristina God's Online Writing Club • 1458 implied HN points • 10 Oct 23
🚌 Education Writing Tips Online Platforms Content creation Digital Publishing Self-Improvement
  1. Substack is more than just a newsletter; it's like a personal book club where readers can engage and interact. It creates a cozy atmosphere for sharing thoughts and ideas.
  2. Getting started on Substack involves setting up an account, choosing a name for your publication, and customizing your URL. It's about making your space unique and welcoming for your audience.
  3. There are many underutilized tools in Substack that can help writers get seen, read, and paid. Exploring these tools can make your writing journey more effective and rewarding.

Finding Fifteen

Infinitely More • 15 implied HN points • 20 Jan 25
🚌 Education Game Theory Mathematics Philosophy Logic
  1. Finding Fifteen is a game where two players try to pick numbers that add up to 15. It's a fun way to learn about strategy and competition.
  2. Players take turns choosing numbers between 1 and 9, and they can't repeat numbers. The first player to use three numbers that sum to 15 wins.
  3. Some moves can be forced, meaning players may have to make certain choices to avoid losing immediately. This adds a layer of strategy to the game.

The zigzag theorem

Infinitely More • 33 implied HN points • 04 Jan 25
🚌 Education Mathematics Geometry Learning Teaching
  1. The zigzag theorem states that when you create a zigzag pattern in a rectangle, the triangles formed below this pattern take up exactly half the area of the rectangle.
  2. Even if the zigzag lines sometimes move backward without crossing, the triangles will still cover half the rectangle's area due to how the bases and heights of the triangles are calculated.
  3. This theorem is interesting because it holds true even if the zigzag involves an infinite number of lines.

Visualization as a shared revealing experience

Alberto Cairo's The Art of Insight • 139 implied HN points • 01 Jul 24
🚌 Education Visual communication Teaching Methods Data Analysis
  1. Visualization can be a powerful tool for learning. When you create visuals with clear learning objectives, it helps the viewer understand and remember the message better.
  2. In legal settings, visuals can be persuasive. They help juries see the facts in a more impactful way, making it easier to follow along and draw conclusions.
  3. Creating visuals is a shared experience. When designers and their audience connect over a visualization, it can lead to moments of discovery and understanding together.

Weekly Reality Report

Reality's Last Stand • 687 implied HN points • 04 Feb 24
🚌 Education Lecture Presentation Discussion
  1. The Weekly Reality Report is a publication for paying subscribers that includes article roundups, reading lists, news headlines, and a special Moment of Zen.
  2. Renowned evolutionary biologist Richard Dawkins endorsed a lecture on the sex binary and its importance.
  3. The author shares a presentation exploring the motivations behind challenging the binary nature of sex.

Schools Need to Ban Smartphones

The Analog Family • 419 implied HN points • 01 Apr 24
🚌 Education School Policy Technology impact Mental health
  1. Smartphones in schools are harmful to student focus and learning. When kids use their phones in class, it distracts them and lowers their grades.
  2. Banning phones can improve the school environment. Schools that already have strict phone rules report better student behavior and more meaningful social interactions.
  3. Parents and schools should work together on this issue. By supporting a ban on smartphones, families can help kids focus better and feel happier at school.

How to Get Better At Learning From Experience

Range Widely • 1336 implied HN points • 07 Mar 23
🚌 Education Learning Reflection Experiments Problem Solving
  1. Success is not always a good teacher, especially in unpredictable and impactful scenarios like earthquakes
  2. Differentiate between 'kind' and 'wicked' learning environments, where experience can either improve judgment or give false confidence
  3. Reflecting on and analyzing experiences can lead to better learning outcomes than relying solely on intuition or repetitive actions

Yes, Xxit

Never Met a Science • 88 implied HN points • 09 Dec 24
🚌 Education Higher education Communication Media Studies Sociology Public Engagement
  1. Many universities are considering leaving social media platforms like X because they can hurt their reputation and make communication less effective.
  2. Instead of trying to compete for attention on crowded platforms, universities should focus on creating their own quality spaces for sharing academic knowledge, like high-quality videos and public talks.
  3. Communication needs to be taken seriously; a careless online presence can be more damaging than having no presence at all, so investing wisely is important.

Discussion with Steve Stewart-Williams on evolutionary psychology

Optimally Irrational • 63 implied HN points • 18 Dec 24
🚌 Education Psychology Evolution Behavior Research Cognition
  1. Evolutionary psychology studies behavior based on human evolution. It looks for reasons why we think and act the way we do by using ideas from evolutionary biology.
  2. While some critics argue that evolutionary psychology can lead to over-simplified stories about behavior, it still provides useful insights into human nature and basic drives.
  3. Understanding how evolution shapes our thoughts and actions can help us improve mental health and make better decisions in life and relationships.

A DRAFT Syllabus for Econ 113: American Economic History :: Spring 2025 :: UC Berkeley

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 76 implied HN points • 09 Dec 24
🚌 Education Economic History American history Higher education Social Issues
  1. American exceptionalism is a key theme in understanding the country's economic history, exploring what makes it unique compared to other nations.
  2. The course examines significant historical events, like the rise of manufacturing and the impact of immigration, which shaped the American economy over the centuries.
  3. Inequality and economic mobility are crucial topics, focusing on how these issues have evolved from the 1940s to the present day.