The hottest Curriculum Development Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Education Topics

Liberal Arts Will Save The World!

Polymathic Being • 85 implied HN points • 19 Jan 25
🚌 Education Liberal Arts Critical Thinking Curriculum Development Civic engagement
  1. The Liberal Arts include important subjects like grammar, logic, arithmetic, and music. These subjects are key to helping us think critically and communicate well.
  2. Many modern education systems have stopped teaching these fundamental arts, which affects how we think and understand the world around us. This gap can lead to confusion and polarization in society.
  3. By reintroducing the Liberal Arts into education, we could improve our discussions, mental health, and understanding of complex topics like technology and ethics.

Social Theory for the Mid-21st Century: Part I. What Do I Ask My Students to Read so That They Will Understand the World of 2055?

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 415 implied HN points • 15 Nov 24
🚌 Education Teaching Methods Curriculum Development Social theory Philosophy Political theory
  1. Teaching students about human affairs is essential to prepare them for their future. We need to help them understand how to navigate their lives and the society they'll be part of.
  2. History provides valuable lessons and analogies, but it's important to synthesize these into useful theories. Good theories help us learn from the past and think about the future.
  3. It's necessary to adapt our teaching to current and future realities, rather than relying only on past approaches. Students need knowledge that applies to the world of 2055, not just what was relevant 40 years ago.

What Had I Hoped to Teach This Just-Past Semester?

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 130 implied HN points • 16 Dec 24
🚌 Education Teaching Methods Curriculum Development Economic History Cognitive Science Narrative Theory
  1. Understanding history is crucial for making sense of current and future human affairs. It helps us to see patterns and learn from past mistakes.
  2. Students should learn to think critically about economic issues. This includes analyzing how economic instability relates to political decisions and vice versa.
  3. History teaches us to look both backward and forward in time, which is a valuable skill. It allows us to make better decisions by using past examples to inform our understanding of present circumstances.

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.
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Should teachers grade students’ homework?

The Bell Ringer • 99 implied HN points • 14 Jun 24
🚌 Education Teaching Methods Curriculum Development
  1. Teachers should consider if grading homework really helps students learn better. Sometimes, no grades can encourage kids to focus on understanding rather than just getting a good score.
  2. There is a debate among educators about whether homework should be graded or not. This discussion can impact how students feel about their work and their motivation.
  3. Finding the right balance in grading can make a big difference. Teachers might want to explore different methods to see what works best for their students.

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.

From the principal's desk, a slow burn

The Bell Ringer • 99 implied HN points • 08 Mar 24
🚌 Education Learning Science Teaching Methods Curriculum Development
  1. It's important for schools to adopt the science of learning to help students succeed. This means using research-based strategies that really work in classrooms.
  2. Getting everyone in the school on board takes time and effort. The principal emphasizes the value of patience in making these big changes happen.
  3. Collaboration among teachers, parents, and students is key for improving education. Working together can create a better learning environment for everyone.

This week in the science of learning, April 28, 2024

The Bell Ringer • 59 implied HN points • 28 Apr 24
🚌 Education Learning Theory Teaching Methods Student Engagement Curriculum Development
  1. New approaches to math can help students understand concepts better. It's important to make math engaging and relatable.
  2. More homework in college may help students grasp subjects thoroughly. This suggests that practice is key to learning effectively.
  3. Student journalism plays a crucial role in education. It encourages critical thinking and helps students express their viewpoints.

What's gone wrong at university

Theory Matters • 5 implied HN points • 09 Jan 25
🚌 Education Higher education Curriculum Development Academic standards
  1. Universities are becoming more focused on producing workers rather than promoting true learning. Students are often funneled into narrow paths instead of exploring a wide range of ideas and subjects.
  2. The pressure on universities to grow is leading to bigger class sizes and less individual attention for students. This results in a decline in the quality of education and weakens the relationships between students and teachers.
  3. There's a shared responsibility between the institutions and students for the decline in education standards. Everyone needs to push for better learning experiences instead of taking the easy way out.

Sunday Listens: Talking math instruction

The Bell Ringer • 39 implied HN points • 24 Mar 24
🚌 Education Math education Curriculum Development Podcasting Research Trends
  1. Podcasts can be a great way to learn about math instruction and research. They offer discussions that can inspire teachers and parents alike.
  2. Listening to experienced educators helps us understand new strategies in teaching math. This can improve how we approach learning in schools.
  3. The focus on elementary math is essential for building a strong foundation. Early math skills are important for students' future success.

Ready for anything

The Uncertainty Mindset (soon to become tbd) • 139 implied HN points • 09 Aug 23
🚌 Education Critical Thinking Teaching Methods Curriculum Development
  1. Students need to learn how to adapt to constant change, especially with the rise of digital technology. Traditional teaching methods focused on stable information aren't enough anymore.
  2. Digital proficiency isn't about mastering specific technologies but developing skills to understand and respond to changes. This means being able to identify problems, evaluate sources of information, and think flexibly.
  3. Teaching these skills effectively can happen in any subject, not just in standalone courses. Teachers can use creative methods to build critical thinking while covering standard curriculum content.

Should we teach children to memorize the multiplication tables?

The Science of Learning • 4 HN points • 26 Jun 23
🚌 Education Mathematics Learning Theory Curriculum Development Cognitive Science Pedagogy
  1. Children benefit from memorizing multiplication tables because it helps them solve math problems more easily. When students know their math facts, they can focus on more complex thinking instead of getting stuck on basic calculations.
  2. Research shows that students who memorize math facts do better in math overall. This memorization builds a strong foundation for advanced math skills later on.
  3. It's important to strike a balance between memorization and understanding in math education. Teaching kids to remember math facts can actually support their overall learning and make problem-solving easier.

The educational system is producing scions of machine anthropomorphism

Top Carbon Chauvinist • 0 implied HN points • 20 Aug 24
🚌 Education Teaching Methods Curriculum Development Educational Policy
  1. Educational systems are mixing up science and engineering, which can cause confusion. We should focus on understanding how things work and how to build better tools without merging the two ideas.
  2. Anthropomorphism, or giving machines human-like traits, is not helpful for technological progress. It's better to design machines for their specific tasks without trying to make them act like humans.
  3. Universities are continuing to teach outdated and incorrect ideas about machines. Educators need to correct these misconceptions rather than just pass them on to students.

Lessons learned, unlearned and relearned: A semester of online class

Musings on Markets • 0 implied HN points • 07 May 12
🚌 Education Online Learning Teaching Methods Educational Technology Student Engagement Curriculum Development
  1. Discipline is really important for both teachers and students. Teachers need to stay organized, and students must manage their time well to keep up.
  2. Students come from different backgrounds, which can make learning hard for some. It's good to offer extra resources for those who need a bit more help.
  3. Technology can be tricky! There can be issues with recordings and bandwidth, so it's important to keep improving the tools we use for online classes.

A new semester begins: Valuation class online

Musings on Markets • 0 implied HN points • 07 Sep 12
🚌 Education Online Learning Classroom Management Curriculum Development Higher education Student Engagement
  1. The Valuation class covers how to value various assets like stocks and businesses. It starts with intrinsic valuation and includes topics like multiples and real options.
  2. Students can access the class materials through multiple platforms, including the Stern website, Lore, Apple iTunes U, and YouTube, making it flexible for different preferences.
  3. The first class was on September 5, and new students can catch up easily before the next session. Webcasts of the classes will be available shortly after each session.

The MOOC stumble: Lessons from Napster and the Music Business!

Musings on Markets • 0 implied HN points • 27 Jan 14
🚌 Education Online Learning Higher education Educational Technology Student experience Curriculum Development
  1. MOOCs have high dropout rates and often don't provide the interactive, hands-on experience people need for effective learning. They started with the wrong idea, thinking content was the most important part of education.
  2. The value of a college education goes beyond just classes. Things like networking, career advice, and even entertainment play a big role in what you get from college.
  3. If you’re in college or thinking about it, ask yourself if it’s worth the money and time. Identify what parts of your education are helping you the most and consider what you really need from your college experience.