Pershmail

Pershmail is a Substack focusing on educational practices, specifically in math teaching and research, critique of current educational approaches, and exploration of geometric shapes. It emphasizes the need for empirical evidence in teaching methods, the individualized nature of learning, and the intellectual rigor in education.

Educational practices and critique Mathematics teaching and learning Educational research and evidence Geometry and geometric shapes Standardized testing and fairness Educational purpose and priorities

The hottest Substack posts of Pershmail

And their main takeaways

Education is a Joke

294 implied HN points • 13 Jul 23
🚌 Education Teaching Conferences Research Internet Inspirational
  1. Education can be seen as a joke, focusing on entertaining instead of teaching.
  2. Educational conferences and events are often criticized for prioritizing entertainment over substance.
  3. There is a growing concern about the unseriousness and anti-intellectualism in the field of education.

Strong Students Aren't Always Ready for More

137 implied HN points • 07 Aug 23
🚌 Education Mathematics Teaching Learning Child development Curriculum
  1. Strong students may not always be ready for more challenging material.
  2. Mathematics education is not a one-size-fits-all journey, some students have specific areas of interest and may not be ready for broader mathematical growth.
  3. Kids may have peaks of interest in specific mathematical topics, and that's completely normal, parents should be aware of this and educator should offer real challenges to help them grow.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

Lots of Research, No Evidence

117 implied HN points • 09 Feb 23
  1. The research cited did not provide evidence to support the claims made about productive struggle in teaching practices.
  2. The author highlighted the difference between citing research for authority versus actual evidence.
  3. The importance of distinguishing between citing research for support versus using it as evidence was emphasized.

We Don't Know What the Purpose of School Is

78 implied HN points • 31 May 23
🚌 Education Purpose
  1. The purpose of school is not clearly defined and varies among individuals.
  2. There are conflicting values and priorities in education.
  3. Schools are compromise institutions that aim to balance different expectations and goals.

Antiprisms

78 implied HN points • 24 Apr 23
🔬 Science Geometry Mathematics
  1. Antiprisms are shapes made by connecting triangles to the edges of bases, twisting one base to fit them together
  2. An antiprism has specific properties like vertices, edges, and faces, which can be calculated using Euler's polyhedron formula
  3. Square antiprisms, or 'squaps', have intriguing features like cross-sections of octagons and can be understood with geometry toys

The SAT is not fairer than grades

78 implied HN points • 03 May 23
🚌 Education Testing Admissions Fairness Social Mobility Standardized tests
  1. For poorer students, high school grades are a better indicator of success than SAT scores.
  2. Standardized tests, like the SAT, can be biased towards wealthier students by reflecting their better access to resources and test preparation.
  3. There is a need for multiple pathways to success in education that do not solely rely on grades or standardized tests, providing second chances for students.

Productive Struggle, Q&A

58 implied HN points • 20 Feb 23
🚌 Education Teaching Research Learning Evidence
  1. Productive struggle has different definitions in research, leading to confusion and debate.
  2. Research on productive struggle focuses on the importance of struggle as a component of learning.
  3. It's crucial to dig deeper and understand the specific mechanisms through which struggle can lead to learning.

Double Bubbles

58 implied HN points • 14 Apr 23
🔬 Science Mathematics Geometry Physics
  1. Double bubbles minimize surface area by using interesting film connections.
  2. For fencing in different areas with minimal material, the double bubble shape is ideal.
  3. The standard double bubble minimizes perimeter between two areas.

Shape of the Week: Zonogon

58 implied HN points • 17 Mar 23
🚌 Education Mathematics Teaching Geometry Learning
  1. The 'Shape of the Week' feature introduces a new geometric shape each week to expand knowledge and make learning fun.
  2. A zonogon is a parallelogram with point symmetry and can be dissected into multiple parallelograms, creating an interesting mathematical pattern.
  3. Regular zonogons can produce beautiful dissections, and studying them can lead to exploring concepts like Minkowski's First Theorem.

Salinons are the Shape of the Week

58 implied HN points • 30 Mar 23
🔬 Science Geometry Proofs
  1. Salinons are a geometric shape with a unique construction involving four semicircles.
  2. Salinons have an interesting area formula that relates to a circle with the same area.
  3. You can replace the semicircles in a salinon with other shapes, like rectangles or triangles, and still maintain certain area relationships.

Sphericons

39 implied HN points • 28 Apr 23
🔬 Science Mathematics Geometry Physics
  1. The sphericon is a shape that wobbles when twisted, and it's made of two pieces resembling bicones.
  2. The sphericon has square dimensions and a 90 degree angle from one end extending down.
  3. Generalizations of the sphericon, called polycons, roll in a wobbly way and include shapes like hexacons, octacons, and decacons.