The hottest Education Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top International Topics
Symposium 314 implied HN points 04 May 23
  1. Illiberalism includes both government action and a cultural acceptance of shutting down differing opinions.
  2. Academia can stifle debate by enforcing conformity and discouraging alternative views.
  3. Attempts at policing speech and ideology, whether from the left or right, risk unintended consequences and backlash.
Disaffected Newsletter 539 implied HN points 21 May 23
  1. The Washington Post reported misleading information about a Florida law, suggesting serious negative implications for minority health.
  2. A Minnesota lawmaker had an angry outburst in the House, demonstrating strong support for controversial medical treatments for kids.
  3. There have been protests in Germany regarding insufficient funding for Long Covid, and a teacher faced backlash for sharing LGBTQ-themed content in the classroom.
Fields & Energy 239 implied HN points 29 Nov 23
  1. People often prefer sticking to familiar ideas instead of embracing new ones, which can create mental barriers to understanding change. To overcome this, simplifying complex concepts is important.
  2. Models are tools we use to understand the world around us. Having multiple models allows us to tackle problems from different angles, making us better problem solvers.
  3. Understanding basic principles in science can help anyone grasp more complex ideas without needing extensive knowledge. For example, knowing atoms make up everything can help explain many scientific concepts.
In My Tribe 470 implied HN points 07 Dec 24
  1. We often form our beliefs based on who we trust rather than just the facts. It's easy to fall into thinking everyone else is wrong if they disagree with us.
  2. People have a bias where they see good things happening to their group as a result of their strengths, while bad things are blamed on outside factors. This leads to unfair judgments about others.
  3. Understanding and acknowledging our own mistakes is tough but important. It helps us to think clearly and make better decisions, even when it feels uncomfortable.
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Obvious Bicycle 526 implied HN points 14 Nov 24
  1. Students often feel bored during exams and sometimes struggle to stay focused. It's common for thoughts to wander and distractions to creep in.
  2. There's a mutual understanding between teachers and students about the exam stress, but it can feel awkward when everyone knows it.
  3. Many students wish they had studied more before the exam, realizing too late that they haven't prepared properly. This leads to a cycle of regret during the test.
Critical Mass 12 implied HN points 22 Jan 26
  1. Order-of-magnitude thinking uses powers of ten and rough estimates to keep your intuition tied to reality and avoid being fooled by big numbers with false precision.
  2. Approximation (the “super cow” idea) means building simplified models that include only the features you need so messy real-world problems become solvable without misleading yourself.
  3. Dimensional analysis tracks basic units like length, time, and mass to guess the form of answers, catch impossible results, and often derive relationships with minimal detailed information.
Seven Senses 179 implied HN points 13 Jan 24
  1. The workshop focuses on combining two opposing themes: Light & Shadow, and Movement & Stillness. Participants will explore how these dualities can enhance their creativity.
  2. Activities will include writing and drawing prompts, meditation, and visual contemplations. These exercises aim to help participants understand their creative habits and try new approaches.
  3. The sessions are held live on Zoom, but recordings will be available for those who register. It's a great opportunity for paid subscribers to engage in creative exploration.
Some Unpleasant Arithmetic 21 implied HN points 20 Dec 25
  1. The claim that white millennial men were primarily shut out by “wokeness” is overstated; shrinking humanities and media jobs, elite overproduction, credential inflation, and aging leadership explain much of their diminished opportunities.
  2. Both woke and anti-woke politics have often functioned as elite status games or marketing moves, which distracted energy from concrete material problems and led to elite capture of progressive language.
  3. Real change requires material fixes and collective coordination — more good jobs, reforms to stale hierarchies, and deliberate efforts to shift harmful gender norms — not just fights over elite hiring or word games.
Silver Bulletin 1339 implied HN points 12 Dec 23
  1. Liberalism and leftism are at odds due to differences over Israel and identity politics.
  2. Classical liberalism, rooted in individual rights and free markets, is distinct from socialism and conservatism.
  3. Social Justice Leftism diverges from liberalism in its focus on group identity, totalizing tendencies, and constrained view on free speech.
One Useful Thing 1801 implied HN points 15 Jul 23
  1. Increasingly powerful AI systems are being released rapidly without proper user documentation.
  2. The major Large Language Models in use currently are GPT-3.5, GPT-4, Bard, Pi, and Claude 2.
  3. AI can assist with writing, generating images, coming up with ideas, making videos, and working with documents and data, but users must be cautious of biases and ethical concerns.
Workforce Futurist by Andy Spence 488 implied HN points 27 Nov 24
  1. There are seven main stories shaping how we think about the future of work. Each one explores different trends and possibilities, like technology, job loss, and education.
  2. We can't predict exactly what will happen, but we can choose which narrative we want to believe in. Our choices can shape our future work experiences.
  3. Lifelong learning and adaptation are becoming essential. As technology changes, we need to keep learning to stay relevant in our jobs.
Thoughts on Writing 439 implied HN points 12 Apr 23
  1. Art education is being influenced by former politicians pushing specific agendas onto creative realms.
  2. The focus on purpose-driven art can limit creativity and innovation by narrowing the scope of artistic expression.
  3. Creativity thrives when approached with an open mindset, allowing for exploration, unexpected detours, and connection beyond politics.
One Useful Thing 1227 implied HN points 06 Jan 24
  1. AI development is happening faster than expected, with estimates of AI beating humans at all tasks shifting to 2047 from 2060 in just one year.
  2. AI is already impacting work by boosting performance, particularly for lower performers, and excelling in some tasks while struggling in others.
  3. AI is altering the truth through deepfakes, convincing AI-generated images, and advancements in completing CAPTCHAs and sending convincing emails.
American Inequality 294 implied HN points 23 Aug 23
  1. Millions of Americans face barriers in employment, healthcare, and education due to low-English proficiency.
  2. English-only exams and systems perpetuate inequality and hinder academic achievement for non-native English speakers.
  3. Language barriers affect voting rights, and updating language requirements can increase democratic participation.
imperfect offerings 259 implied HN points 04 Nov 23
  1. Generative AI can reshape relationships at personal and societal levels through its integration into everyday life and work.
  2. The use of AI in privatising public goods like healthcare and education raises concerns about data control, accountability, and the concentration of knowledge and power in the hands of few corporations.
  3. AI facilitates the privatisation of public services through the capture of expertise, turning professionals into consumers of recycled expertise and potentially diminishing the role of teachers and healthcare providers in favor of automated systems.
DeFi Education 1558 implied HN points 12 Mar 22
  1. Keep your devices secure to protect your digital assets. Always use strong passwords and enable two-factor authentication.
  2. Be careful with transactions and double-check before sending money or sharing information. Mistakes can be costly in the DeFi space.
  3. Protect your identity online to avoid scams. Use unique details and strong security practices to stay safe.
DeFi Education 299 implied HN points 17 Sep 23
  1. The Q&A sessions provide expert insights from experienced professionals in finance and technology. It's a good way to learn from people who really know their stuff.
  2. These sessions are designed to help both new and existing subscribers understand complex ideas in DeFi easier. They make learning accessible and engaging.
  3. As a paid subscriber, you can access these valuable discussions and ask your own questions. It's a way to connect with knowledgeable folks and get direct answers.
Tech Ramblings 19 implied HN points 21 Jul 24
  1. Many young software engineers make common mistakes that can hold back their careers. It’s important to recognize these traps early on.
  2. Good communication skills are essential for solving problems and sharing ideas effectively. Learning to articulate your thoughts can make a big difference.
  3. Experience in different domains, like academia and tech companies, can provide valuable insights. Be open to learning from various industries to grow your career.
The Fairest Writer 2 HN points 17 Sep 24
  1. Writing should be about improving your skills, not just getting published. Focusing on growth makes you a better writer.
  2. Publication is just an indicator of your writing ability, like a chess rating. It’s not the main goal; getting better is.
  3. It's important to write for yourself and learn, rather than stress about where you’ll get published. The right opportunities will come when you improve.
In My Tribe 440 implied HN points 03 Dec 24
  1. Shaming and judging behavior is part of all cultures, but today's society often ignores harmful actions while focusing on different issues.
  2. To improve K-12 education, it's suggested to hire teachers based on their expertise in specific subjects rather than their credentials alone.
  3. Radical ideologies can be harmful because they often distract from real issues and the mental health struggles of those who promote them.
Heterodox STEM 156 implied HN points 30 Jun 25
  1. Gordon Klein is going to trial after being punished for not discriminating against students at UCLA. His case raises important questions about fairness in education.
  2. The lawsuit targets the dean personally, which could change how university leaders respond to outside pressure. It might make them think twice about taking unfair actions.
  3. If Klein wins, it could set a precedent that encourages universities to protect academic freedom and discourage bullying towards educators.
Bastiat's Window 275 implied HN points 16 Jun 23
  1. Lt. Harold Graboyes had unique experiences and stories from his time in the Army during World War II.
  2. Despite challenges and misunderstandings, Lt. Harold Graboyes remained loyal to the Army and valued the opportunities it provided him.
  3. Lt. Harold Graboyes was a brilliant individual with a deep love for learning, even though circumstances limited his formal education.
Moly’s Substack 275 implied HN points 09 Apr 23
  1. Chinese social media sites have their own equivalents to Western platforms due to the Great Firewall.
  2. In China, families often invest in multiple homes for their children's future marital homes.
  3. Getting good grades and into a good university is crucial for a successful career due to oversupply and competition in the job market.
Software Snack Bites 10 implied HN points 16 Jan 26
  1. AI is an enablement shift, not a slow paradigm change — it's making people more capable right now because it’s easy to adopt and useful across skill levels.
  2. We’re still very early: most users treat AI as a simple answer engine, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg for self-teaching, new creators, and deeper technical work to come.
  3. Don’t dismiss the momentum — value and spending can grow quickly along an S-curve, and monetization paths like ads, commerce, and healthcare are only beginning to emerge.
Common Sense with Bari Weiss 969 implied HN points 07 Mar 24
  1. An activist group in California has been paid by a school district to provide equity and leadership training to students and teachers.
  2. The activist group pays high school students to participate in their programs, which are focused on marginalized youth.
  3. Some teachers and parents have concerns about the group's influence and messaging, seeing it as propagandistic and potentially harmful to students' education.
Workforce Futurist by Andy Spence 488 implied HN points 30 Oct 24
  1. In 2034, people have a Lifelong Learning Wallet to improve their skills without the burden of debt. This allows everyone to access education based on their abilities, not their financial situation.
  2. Work has become flexible and collaborative, with projects matching people's skills and interests. Workers earn digital tokens for their contributions, which helps them feel more connected and motivated.
  3. Society now values all contributions, including care work, and uses technology to fairly distribute resources. This new system supports faster solutions to pressing issues like climate change and health crises.
Blog System/5 165 implied HN points 17 Jun 25
  1. The EndBOX project started as a fun idea and led to many useful lessons in tech and programming. It's amazing how one wild idea can spark a whole journey of learning.
  2. Creating and refining prototypes like the EndBOX helps develop practical skills in areas like coding and hardware setup. Each step in the process teaches something valuable.
  3. Sharing knowledge through articles can inspire others and encourage a community of tinkers and makers. Supporting creative projects can lead to even more exciting developments in the future.
moontower: a stoner dad explains options trading to his kids 137 implied HN points 28 Jan 24
  1. Moontower.ai is gearing up for private demos with professionals before opening the beta to the waitlist.
  2. Hosting financial literacy sessions for kids can be engaging and informative, like a 'Kiyosaki without the brainworms' approach.
  3. Exploring the history and challenges of mean-variance analysis provides insights into investment strategies and decision-making processes.
Cybernetic Forests 179 implied HN points 17 Dec 23
  1. Advancements in AI may not always lead to true improvement or problem-solving, as new technologies continue to replace previous ones without learning from past failures.
  2. There is evidence that AI may be making things worse, even in areas it is meant to excel in, such as ethics and safety, leading to a loss of expertise and rush to incorporate generative AI algorithms.
  3. AI models can have significant environmental impacts, using vast amounts of energy and water, highlighting the importance of developing more sustainable computational infrastructure and greener algorithms.
In My Tribe 318 implied HN points 27 Jan 25
  1. AI is improving quickly, making it easier for students to answer essay questions by providing high-quality responses from various texts. This change may reduce the value of traditional essay exams.
  2. A World Bank project in Nigeria successfully used AI in education, enhancing learning equivalent to nearly two years in just six weeks. This shows promise for AI to help education in underdeveloped areas.
  3. OpenAI is developing AI models to transform science, including engineering proteins that enhance cellular functions. This could lead to significant advancements in fields like bioengineering.
The View from Rural Missouri by Jess Piper 258 implied HN points 05 Oct 23
  1. Public schools are the heart of rural Missouri, playing a central role in the community's activities and connections.
  2. Missouri faces challenges with funding its public schools, ranking at the bottom in funding compared to other states.
  3. Defunding public schools through voucher schemes can significantly impact rural communities by leading to school closures, economic setbacks, and educational disruption.
Splattern 99 implied HN points 08 Mar 24
  1. The author had a fun day at an elementary school in Valemount, engaging with students who were excited about skiing. They connected well since most kids loved to ski too, and their curiosity led to many questions.
  2. The author is pushing a baby jogger filled with camping gear during their run across Canada, which has been quite challenging. They expressed a desire to switch to biking to reduce the physical strain on their body.
  3. The hosts, Tom and Peggy, have unique backgrounds, with Tom previously being a monk and Peggy becoming an artist after retiring from teaching. Their stories show how life can change and lead to new passions.
Singal-Minded 972 implied HN points 05 Feb 24
  1. An elementary school in Hayward, CA spent $250,000 on Woke Kindergarten, a for-profit company, to address student achievement issues.
  2. Despite the investment, student achievement at Glassbrook Elementary has fallen, highlighting the vulnerability of the students and the urgency of quality education.
  3. The situation underscores the capitalistic nature of the educational system, even when initiatives claim to be against capitalism.