The hottest Curriculum Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Education Topics

Why College Students Can't Read Books

Erick Erickson's Confessions of a Political Junkie • 1119 implied HN points • 09 Oct 24
🚌 Education Literacy Curriculum Teaching Methods Higher education
  1. Many college freshmen have never read a whole book, which surprises their professors. This shows a gap in reading experience among students entering college.
  2. Curricula like Common Core focus more on articles and excerpts rather than full books. This might not prepare students well for the demands of college reading.
  3. There is a lot of discussion about why this is happening, but Common Core isn't often mentioned as a reason. It suggests that the structure of education could be contributing to the problem.

Why I Don’t Homeschool

The Analog Family • 1458 implied HN points • 19 Aug 24
🚌 Education Public Schools Homeschooling Child development Curriculum Parenting
  1. The public school system in Ontario can be good enough for many families. It offers physical activities, creative learning, and outdoor experiences, unlike some more extreme examples seen elsewhere.
  2. The author loves her job and doesn't want to pause her career for homeschooling. She feels it's important to balance work and family life while still providing education.
  3. Education is about more than just school. The author believes in filling learning gaps with real-life experiences, discussions, and activities at home, emphasizing ongoing education outside of the classroom.

America's Internal Brain Drain

The Permanent Problem • 15 implied HN points • 09 Jun 25
🚌 Education Literacy Cognition Reading AI Impact Curriculum
  1. There's a growing concern that American students are struggling with basic reading and writing skills. Many students can't handle complex texts, which affects their ability to think critically.
  2. The shift away from deep reading and literature in schools, combined with distractions like TV and smartphones, is hurting our literacy. This decline in reading habits might be making society less capable overall.
  3. As more students lean on AI tools to do their thinking for them, there's a risk that they won't realize their potential. Learning requires effort, and using AI in the wrong way could stunt their cognitive growth.

Maybe EdTech is the answer? (feat. Noam Gerstein, CEO and founder of Bina School)

State of the Future • 7 implied HN points • 12 Jun 25
🚌 Education EdTech Curriculum Online Learning
  1. Online education models like Bina School can lower costs by removing the need for physical buildings and administrative overhead that traditional schools have. This could push regular schools to rethink their business models.
  2. Instead of just preparing students for specific jobs, education should focus on helping them become adaptable, decision-making individuals. This means measuring success in new ways, beyond just test scores.
  3. The merging of education and publishing will change how content is delivered. Schools could become more responsive ecosystems, using real-time data to tailor learning experiences to students' needs.
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Two ordinary Kiwis go toe-to-toe with their local school over inappropriate gender-identity and sexuality content in the curriculum.

A B’Old Woman • 479 implied HN points • 02 Aug 24
🇺🇸 U.S. Politics Education Gender Curriculum Parenting Activism
  1. Parents are concerned about certain gender and sexuality topics in their kids' school curriculum. They feel the content is inappropriate for children.
  2. Two parents, Blair and Karen, are actively fighting against this content and have formed a support group called PAGE NZ. This group helps others share their concerns and experiences.
  3. Not all schools use the same content from the guidelines, but those that do face strong pushback from parents trying to protect their kids.

Does Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) improve academic outcomes?

The Science of Learning • 219 implied HN points • 12 Aug 24
🚌 Education Learning Research Curriculum Instruction Assessment
  1. Social and Emotional Learning (SEL) helps students with their emotions and relationships but it's unclear if it boosts academic performance. Some studies show positive impacts, while others do not.
  2. Different schools use SEL in varied ways, making it tough to gauge its true effectiveness. This inconsistency leads to mixed results in research about SEL's benefits.
  3. There's no strong evidence that SEL reduces the achievement gap or promotes equity in education. More focused studies are needed to really understand SEL's long-term effects.

Seizing the moment

Becoming Noble • 2093 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🚌 Education Curriculum Reform System Learning
  1. The education system can be seen as a risk to freedom, as it conditions individuals to align with the state and managerial control.
  2. State-supported education aims to disconnect the young from traditional loyalties and mold them into supporters of the regime through certification.
  3. Challenging the current educational system's suppression of independent learning is crucial to combat bureaucratic expansion and foster self-governance.

The School Bell Rings: Time for Class

Musings on Markets • 1778 implied HN points • 11 Jan 24
🚌 Education Teaching Learning Finance Curriculum Professional development
  1. Learning finance can be accessible! You don’t need a fancy background, just some curiosity and a bit of effort.
  2. Understanding the basics, like how money flows in businesses and what financial terms mean, is super important. It sets you up for success in finance classes.
  3. There are different ways to learn. You can choose free online classes or paid ones, depending on what fits your time and budget best.

What does 'equity' mean?

Vinay Prasad's Observations and Thoughts • 140 implied HN points • 14 Nov 24
🚌 Education Equity Learning Teaching Curriculum Access
  1. Schools may prevent advanced students from excelling in their subjects because it is deemed unfair to those who are struggling. This can limit the potential of talented students.
  2. The concept of 'equity' can sometimes be used to excuse practices that are not truly fair or effective. Instead, it can lead to a situation where everyone is held back instead of finding ways to help those who need support.
  3. In professional settings, like medical interviews, virtual options are defended as equitable, but this can make the process less serious and impersonal. The focus should be on genuine fairness instead of just using equity as an excuse.

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.

This week in the science of learning, August 25, 2024

The Bell Ringer • 19 implied HN points • 25 Aug 24
🚌 Education Teaching Learning Pedagogy Research Curriculum
  1. Teaching reading is a mix of art and science. Teachers need to use research but also rely on their own experience to help students learn.
  2. Meaningful knowledge helps students connect what they learn to related ideas. This makes learning more useful and encourages deeper understanding.
  3. Building strong relationships between teachers and parents can help support students. Parents should talk to their kids about learning and current events to strengthen this connection.

sunday memepool: gato's home schoolin'

bad cattitude • 105 implied HN points • 20 Oct 24
🚌 Education Teaching Learning Curriculum Homeschooling Child development
  1. The education system isn't broken; it's doing what it was designed to do. We need to recognize that and adjust how we teach to make it more effective.
  2. Teaching kids important skills is vital. If we don't step in, they might not be ready for tough jobs in the future.
  3. Homeschooling can be a good alternative to standard education. It allows for tailored learning that meets a child's specific needs.

What I Didn't Learn at the Evergreen State College

I Might Be Wrong • 15 implied HN points • 16 Jan 25
🚌 Education Higher education Pedagogy Curriculum Student life Academic standards
  1. Without grades, college can become a joke, leading many students to slack off instead of genuinely engaging with learning. It’s important to have some accountability to encourage real effort.
  2. Professors often pass students regardless of their actual participation or effort, which undermines the purpose of education and makes it hard to assess true performance.
  3. To improve education, grades need to mean something again so that employers can better understand which students truly excel and which do not. Making grades meaningful is a better alternative than removing them altogether.

Putting the "M" in STEM

The Bell Ringer • 239 implied HN points • 01 Mar 24
🚌 Education STEM Math Learning Curriculum Achievement
  1. Math is really important in STEM fields, but schools need to focus more on improving math skills. We need better math education to succeed in science and technology.
  2. Many people talk a lot about STEM, but they often overlook how crucial math is to it. If we want to see progress, math achievement needs to be a priority in education.
  3. To get students excited about STEM, we should encourage a strong foundation in math from an early age. This can help build confidence and interest in science and technology careers.

AI Does Not Fit the Shape of Schooling

Mathworlds • 550 implied HN points • 01 Jun 23
🚌 Education AI Teaching Learning EdTech Curriculum
  1. Schooling has a multidimensional shape with various purposes like cognitive development and social development.
  2. AI models need to align with the full visions for learning, beyond what AI can currently model well.
  3. In classroom settings, AI may have potential for teacher support and professional development, but may not fit within the primary vehicle for student learning.

Notebook: (2) Classroom Libraries

Book Post • 314 implied HN points • 14 Jan 24
🚌 Education Curriculum Reading Libraries Literacy Pedagogy
  1. New legislation is being introduced to protect library collections from political interference.
  2. Efforts are being made to provide free books and support for restricted books through private initiatives.
  3. There is a debate over teaching methods in early childhood education, with concerns about prioritizing 'Science of Reading' and its impact on student-directed reading and diverse classroom libraries.

Links to Consider, 10/29/2024

In My Tribe • 227 implied HN points • 29 Oct 24
🚌 Education Higher Ed Lifelong learning Curriculum Child development
  1. The Socratic Experience aims to change education by focusing on personal growth and happiness instead of just curriculum. The goal is to reach millions of students by 2050, which shows it’s about making a positive impact rather than just profit.
  2. Since 2020, the U.S. has seen a big rise in debt, especially government debt, compared to its economic growth. This raises concerns about the sustainability of such debt levels.
  3. The UAE offers greater freedom for work and living compared to many Western countries. Its approach to immigration is different and aims to invite all people for better opportunities.

Unlocked: Teaching math with John Mighton

The Bell Ringer • 79 implied HN points • 31 May 24
🚌 Education Teaching Learning Curriculum Assessment Pedagogy
  1. John Mighton emphasizes the importance of understanding math concepts rather than just memorizing formulas. This helps students develop deeper problem-solving skills.
  2. Focusing on problem-solving in math education encourages critical thinking and creativity in students.
  3. Teaching math should be about making connections and understanding rather than just practicing procedures. This approach can make learning more enjoyable.

A curriculum for the AI age

State of the Future • 34 implied HN points • 26 Mar 25
🚌 Education Curriculum AI Learning Pedagogy Human Development
  1. The current education system is outdated and doesn't prepare kids for a future dominated by AI, which will take over many jobs. We need to rethink education to emphasize skills that AI can't replicate.
  2. Key human skills like authentic presence, accountability, and emotional intelligence will be essential as we move away from traditional work roles. These are things that make us truly human and can't be replaced by machines.
  3. We should focus on educational approaches that develop children's emotional and social skills, such as Montessori and Waldorf. The goal is to help kids find purpose and meaning, rather than just preparing them for jobs.

Teaching math with John Mighton

The Bell Ringer • 99 implied HN points • 10 May 24
🚌 Education Teaching Learning Mathematics Pedagogy Curriculum
  1. Kids can get confused easily when we push them too hard with complex ideas. It's important to teach in a way that builds understanding step by step.
  2. Real learning happens when we focus on what students can grasp, not just on covering a lot of content. It's better to let them understand the basics well.
  3. Using evidence from research helps improve how we teach math. This can help solve the ongoing debates about the best ways to learn math.

Maths until 18

Logging the World • 418 implied HN points • 15 Aug 23
🚌 Education Mathematics Teaching Curriculum Digital Literacy
  1. The proposal for compulsory math education until age 18 in the UK received mixed reactions, highlighting the importance of making math appealing and accessible to a wide audience.
  2. Implementing math education until 18 requires consideration of factors like shortage of math teachers and effective delivery methods such as leveraging online resources.
  3. Math education should cover areas such as practical number skills, understanding uncertainty and randomness, and exploring connections between math and other subjects like art and music.

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.

How do you define quality in higher education?

The Recovering Academic • 217 implied HN points • 21 Jul 23
🚌 Education Quality Higher education Curriculum Faculty
  1. Quality in higher education is not just about academic content; it also involves factors like faculty-student relationships and the overall health of the institution.
  2. General education requirements should be reimagined to focus on developing essential skills and qualities in students, rather than just breadth of knowledge.
  3. Institutions should consider aligning their educational offerings with what students actually value and seek in order to adapt to changing dynamics in higher education.

Renovations to the ivory tower

The Bell Ringer • 59 implied HN points • 22 Mar 24
🚌 Education Teaching Learning Pedagogy Curriculum Research
  1. Understanding how people learn is crucial for effective teaching. Teachers need to know learning styles to help students better.
  2. There are new resources and issues focusing on how novices learn. This can guide both educators and parents in supporting students.
  3. The importance of evidence-based approaches in education is growing. Relying on research can improve teaching strategies and student outcomes.

Book review: Math-ish and Math Mind

The Bell Ringer • 3 HN points • 30 Aug 24
🚌 Education Curriculum Teaching Learning Mathematics Child development
  1. Kids may not be learning math deeply if they only focus on concepts without practicing basic skills. Just like music, understanding math requires more than just thinking about it—it needs practice and foundational knowledge.
  2. Two new books suggest that creativity and a positive mindset toward math can help kids learn effectively. However, it’s important to also teach the necessary skills and techniques for actually doing math.
  3. There's a concern that these books might promote a 'think system' approach to math education, which could overlook the important learning processes. Skills in math, as in music, come from practice and mastering the basics.

Strong Students Aren't Always Ready for More

Pershmail • 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.

Does cursive writing offer educational benefits over printing?

The Science of Learning • 119 implied HN points • 21 Aug 23
🚌 Education Literacy Curriculum Writing Research Child development
  1. Handwriting, whether cursive or printing, is better than typing for young kids. It helps them with spelling, letter recognition, and memory.
  2. There is no solid proof that cursive writing is better for cognitive skills than printing. Both styles seem to be pretty equal in benefits.
  3. The claims about cursive writing being more helpful for critical thinking or expression are not supported by research. It's important for kids to practice any handwriting to become fluent.

We Can't Have A Consensus History

Outlandish Claims • 19 implied HN points • 17 May 24
🚌 Education History Curriculum Public Schools Learning Standardization
  1. Standardized history education has become impossible, and we should stop trying to force a consensus.
  2. The cyberpunk genre's predictions about inequality and information technology have largely come true, but virtual reality as a dominant force did not materialize.
  3. History education should encourage individual exploration and discussions, rather than enforcing a set curriculum, to allow for diverse perspectives and avoid indoctrination.

How to afford homeschooling 💰

joinmodulo • 98 implied HN points • 17 Feb 23
🚌 Education Curriculum Childcare Funding Resources Jobs
  1. Homeschooling is more affordable than you might think, with many families spending an average of $600-$1800/year on education.
  2. The biggest expense to consider when homeschooling is childcare, and families should explore creative solutions like swapping care with other parents.
  3. Consider the costs of living, such as housing near good schools, when evaluating the affordability of homeschooling.

EVENT: Empowered Ed Leadership Summit

Journal of Free Black Thought • 11 implied HN points • 25 Oct 24
🚌 Education Curriculum Leadership Workshops Community
  1. The Empowered Ed Leadership Summit is happening in Sacramento from October 27-29. It's focused on improving education by promoting critical thinking and mutual respect.
  2. A diverse group of organizations is working together to counter political agendas in school curricula. They want classrooms to be inclusive without pushing one-sided views.
  3. The summit aims to create practical plans to make education better by teaching students how to think critically rather than telling them what to think.