The hottest Teaching Methods Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Education Topics

Earlywood: I Love Difficult Teachers

The American Peasant • 738 implied HN points • 02 Nov 24
🚌 Education Teaching Methods
  1. Difficult teachers can actually help students grow. They might seem tough, but their strictness often leads to better learning and skill development.
  2. Experiencing challenges in learning can make students better. When pushed to perform at a high level, students may realize their true potential over time.
  3. Feedback from teachers can sometimes feel harsh, but it's important for improvement. Learning to accept and understand this feedback is crucial in any craft.

Why College Students Can't Read Books

Erick Erickson's Confessions of a Political Junkie • 1119 implied HN points • 09 Oct 24
🚌 Education Teaching Methods
  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.

Advanced Math for Kids: Numbers and Functions Follow The Same Rules

Kids Who Love Math • 587 implied HN points • 06 Mar 26
🚌 Education Teaching Methods
  1. Numbers and functions follow the same basic rules: you can add them and scale them, order and grouping don’t matter, there is a zero, and every element has an opposite.
  2. When different things obey the same rules they share a structure, so math becomes about spotting patterns and analogies across different systems.
  3. You can explore this with kids by trying different functions and operations (like f(x)=x^2 or g(x)=3x) so they see the same rules hold in a hands-on way.

'Screen Schooled': Kids Should Learn to Use Brains, Not iPads

The Analog Family • 919 implied HN points • 09 Sep 24
🚌 Education Teaching Methods
  1. Kids are spending a lot of their time on screens, often 9 hours a day, and mostly consuming content instead of creating it. This means they miss out on learning opportunities.
  2. It's important to recognize that technology sometimes distracts kids from actually learning. Just giving them gadgets doesn’t mean they will use them for education; they often just want to play.
  3. Basic skills are being lost because kids rely on technology for instant answers. They need to build knowledge and skills first, instead of just Googling everything.

Literacy lag: We start reading too late

The Intrinsic Perspective • 22847 implied HN points • 31 Jul 25
🚌 Education Teaching Methods
  1. Kids today are exposed to screens too early, which makes learning to read later much harder. This gap is called 'literacy lag'.
  2. Experts often believe that children should wait until age 5 to start reading, but many children can actually learn much earlier, even as young as 2 or 3.
  3. There has been a decline in reading among kids, as more time is spent on screens instead of picking up books. Reading is losing a fair competition for children's attention.
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Toward a New College Culture

In My Tribe • 501 implied HN points • 04 Feb 26
🚌 Education Teaching Methods
  1. Students should adopt an achievement mindset and put in real effort to gain skills instead of expecting high status with minimal work.
  2. Faculty roles should shift from distant authority figures to hands-on mentors or guides who understand individual students and help motivate their growth.
  3. AI can serve as personal tutors for subject knowledge, so colleges should reorganize around AI-powered learning and bring in coaches or practitioners to help students apply skills.

The Cool Professor: When Your "Student Centered" Classroom is All About You

Freddie deBoer • 12035 implied HN points • 24 Jul 25
🚌 Education Teaching Methods
  1. Teaching requires authority and responsibility, not just being liked. A good teacher needs to challenge students and maintain high standards.
  2. The 'Cool Professor' style can be misleading. It often disguises authority and creates confusion about expectations, which doesn't benefit student learning.
  3. Real teaching means being honest and helping students grow, even if it means being unpopular. Students thrive when they are pushed to meet their potential.

Making Your Own Examples Is One of the Most Powerful Math Skills

Kids Who Love Math • 587 implied HN points • 06 Feb 26
🚌 Education Teaching Methods
  1. Have kids make their own example problems so they move from copying steps to creating and testing ideas; this builds ownership and a deeper grasp of the technique.
  2. Use a ladder of problem-posing—from copying examples to designing constraint-driven or error-catching problems—to guide growth so questions get harder as understanding grows.
  3. Asking kids to invent problems fights boredom, helps them probe when a technique works or fails, and builds the mathematical maturity to explore abstract ideas on their own.

Bayes For Everyone

Astral Codex Ten • 14660 implied HN points • 30 May 25
🚌 Education Teaching Methods
  1. Teaching needs to blend old and new learning methods. By mixing traditional storytelling with modern scientific methods, we can help students connect better and fall in love with learning.
  2. Bayes' theorem is best understood visually and emotionally. Using simple images and relatable examples can make this complex idea easier and more engaging for students.
  3. We should teach students why concepts matter in real life. Connecting topics like Bayes' theorem to their interests can make learning more relevant and impactful.

Working memory: one of the most important things to understand about learning

The Bell Ringer • 519 implied HN points • 19 Jul 24
🚌 Education Teaching Methods
  1. Working memory is crucial for learning because it helps us hold and process information. Understanding how it works can improve teaching methods.
  2. Many teachers in the U.S. aren't trained on working memory, which limits their ability to support students effectively. Better training can help teachers use this knowledge in classrooms.
  3. Memorizing basic facts, like math facts, is important for building a strong foundation in learning. When students know these facts, they can focus on more complex problems.

AI has Educators Polarized

In My Tribe • 561 implied HN points • 09 Dec 25
🚌 Education Teaching Methods
  1. AI has split opinions in education, with some saying it helps and others claiming it harms learning. Understanding these views depends on how one sees the relationship between teachers and students.
  2. If you believe students resist learning, you might think AI makes education worse because it allows for shortcuts. On the other hand, if you see students as eager learners, you might view AI as a helpful tool that offers personalized support.
  3. Educators should consider the positive potential of AI. Instead of rejecting it outright, they should explore ways it can enhance teaching while also adapting their methods to address any challenges it presents.

✨🧠 Teaching students to think, not just scroll, in the Age of AI

Faster, Please! • 639 implied HN points • 02 Dec 25
🚌 Education Teaching Methods
  1. AI can help personalize learning for each student, making education more effective. It aims to provide a tailored experience that meets individual needs and sparks curiosity.
  2. Instead of just giving answers, AI can help students build real thinking skills. This approach encourages deeper understanding and critical thinking.
  3. Schools need to adapt to new technologies like AI to avoid past mistakes made during the smartphone era. It’s important to teach students how to think critically in this new digital age.

Childhood and Education #11: The Art of Learning

Don't Worry About the Vase • 2060 implied HN points • 27 Jun 25
🚌 Education Teaching Methods
  1. Tracking in schools helps kids learn better by grouping them based on ability, not just age. This way, each child gets the support they need to thrive.
  2. Reading early and often is really important for kids. It opens up their world to more learning and makes parenting easier.
  3. The way schools teach math often makes it harder for students to enjoy and understand the subject. We should focus on teaching it in a way that keeps kids engaged and wanting to learn.

How Jonathan Haidt Won the Fight Against Smartphones in Schools

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 4655 implied HN points • 30 Dec 24
🚌 Education Teaching Methods
  1. Having rules about smartphone use in schools helps students connect better with their teachers. Many teachers noticed students paying more attention and being more respectful after limiting phone use.
  2. The shift away from screens in the classroom has made a positive difference in students' behavior and engagement. Teachers are seeing students who are more willing to participate and communicate.
  3. Promoting more unsupervised play can help children develop important social skills. This balance is important to counteract the heavy use of technology in their lives.

Mathematical Maturity in Elementary School

Kids Who Love Math • 419 implied HN points • 14 Nov 25
🚌 Education Teaching Methods
  1. Mathematical maturity starts with curiosity, connection, and persistence. Kids need to explore math by asking questions and playing with ideas to develop a deeper understanding.
  2. There are four stages of mathematical maturity: Exposure, Pattern Recognition, Internalization, and Creative Mastery. Each stage helps kids build their confidence and skills in math.
  3. It's important to normalize getting stuck and encourage kids to embrace challenges. Learning is about asking better questions and exploring different ways to solve problems, not just getting the right answers.

How Math Textbooks Are Written (and How to Choose One)

Kids Who Love Math • 335 implied HN points • 21 Nov 25
🚌 Education Teaching Methods
  1. Choose math books written by passionate individuals. These authors really care about making math enjoyable and understandable for kids.
  2. Avoid textbooks written by committees because they often lack clarity and focus. They try to cover too many topics and can make learning feel overwhelming.
  3. Look for books that prioritize deep thinking and problem-solving. The right book should inspire a love for math and be well-structured for motivated learners.

Keys to understanding: Video Q&A

The Bell Ringer • 179 implied HN points • 12 Jul 24
🚌 Education Teaching Methods
  1. Teaching methods can vary greatly, and it's important to recognize these differences to improve learning experiences.
  2. Understanding the reasons behind different teaching styles can help educators connect better with their students.
  3. By exploring teaching fundamentals, both teachers and students can enhance their interactions and overall educational outcomes.

How American Educators Are Conning Kids

Common Sense with Bari Weiss • 2411 implied HN points • 09 Feb 25
🚌 Education Teaching Methods
  1. American students are falling behind in education, yet standards are being lowered instead of improved. This approach might make everyone feel better, but it doesn't help kids succeed.
  2. Experts agree that the U.S. education system is not world-class and needs major improvements. It's important for a superpower to provide high-quality education.
  3. The perception is that educators are not being honest about students' abilities, similar to saying everyone is a great swimmer even when many are struggling. This could harm students in the long run.

First, Do Not Suck: A Video Presentation on Which Writing Advice to Take (and Which Not To) for Subscribers

Freddie deBoer • 2908 implied HN points • 16 Dec 24
🚌 Education Teaching Methods
  1. Not all writing advice is helpful; some common tips can actually hinder writers. It's important to find advice that really benefits your style and needs.
  2. Tools like pronouns and the passive voice can be useful in writing, contrary to popular belief. Embracing different writing styles can enhance your work.
  3. Improving as a writer involves a lot of practice and feedback. It's normal to struggle with gaining an audience or making money, even if you see your writing getting better.

How to teach science

The Bell Ringer • 219 implied HN points • 21 Jun 24
🚌 Education Teaching 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.

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

The Bell Ringer • 59 implied HN points • 11 Aug 24
🚌 Education Teaching Methods
  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.

Visualization as a shared revealing experience

Alberto Cairo's The Art of Insight • 139 implied HN points • 01 Jul 24
🚌 Education Teaching Methods
  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.

Education Links, 11/21/2025

In My Tribe • 167 implied HN points • 21 Nov 25
🚌 Education Teaching Methods
  1. A lot of teachers believe it's important to show students that America is a good country. Most teachers don't have extreme views and the idea that they're anti-American isn't true.
  2. Students should learn practical skills for the job market, especially in tech, rather than just theory. AI might change how software engineering is done, with most code being generated by machines in the future.
  3. High schoolers are increasingly taking college courses, showing families want a blended education. This shift suggests we need to create a more flexible learning path for students.

School is Not Enough

The Map is Mostly Water • 2214 implied HN points • 27 Oct 24
🚌 Education Teaching Methods
  1. Learning happens best when you actually do things, not just sit in school. Kids should have chances to explore and work on real tasks to gain skills.
  2. School can trap kids in a routine that doesn’t prepare them for the real world. It’s important to let children explore opportunities that help them learn outside the classroom.
  3. Parents play a big role in helping kids find meaningful activities. Encouraging children to dive into projects they are passionate about can build confidence and lead to mastery.

Why isn't every child using Mastery Learning?

In My Tribe • 455 implied HN points • 12 Aug 25
🚌 Education Teaching Methods
  1. Mastery learning is a teaching method that focuses on ensuring students truly understand a skill before moving on to the next one. By mastering each part of a subject, students learn faster and perform better.
  2. Many schools do not fully adopt mastery learning, possibly due to traditional teaching methods and pressures for students to enjoy learning. This resistance might mean students are missing out on effective educational strategies.
  3. There's a debate on whether mastery learning is beneficial or if it only works in motivated environments. Some believe it’s undervalued in education, while others think its success is limited to certain settings.

AI Education: Understanding the Hype

ChinaTalk • 504 implied HN points • 01 Aug 25
🚌 Education Teaching Methods
  1. China's education system is very focused on exams, which means students spend a lot of time preparing for tests instead of using new technologies for learning.
  2. The government is trying to improve education by using AI and digital tools, especially to help rural schools catch up with urban ones.
  3. Without proper investment and access to technology, AI might not equalize educational opportunities, and families with more money may still find ways to get ahead.

On the transformative power of teaching first

Rebecca Birch - On Education • 687 implied HN points • 10 Jan 24
🚌 Education Teaching Methods
  1. Teaching directly at the start of a lesson can be more effective than starting with questions or exploratory methods.
  2. Using a structured approach like TAPPLE can help teachers ensure students understand the material and reduce workload.
  3. Approaches like TAPPLE can benefit all students, including gifted learners and those with anxiety, by providing clear direction.

Conformity and Education

In My Tribe • 516 implied HN points • 16 Jul 25
🚌 Education Teaching Methods
  1. Many parents actually prefer a conforming and safe school environment for their kids rather than a strict focus on academic excellence.
  2. Colleges often fail to teach effectively because they don't measure or reward good teaching, focusing instead on research credentials.
  3. Active learning is known to be more effective, but many colleges still stick to old lecture methods because most people value conformity over true learning.

Early math is not on parents' radar, but it should be

The Bell Ringer • 179 implied HN points • 24 May 24
🚌 Education Teaching Methods
  1. Early math education is important but often overlooked by parents. Parents should pay more attention to how foundational math skills set the stage for future learning.
  2. Building a strong math foundation in early years can boost children's confidence. When kids understand basic math concepts, they are more likely to enjoy the subject later.
  3. Parents can engage their kids with simple math activities at home. Everyday experiences can be used to teach and reinforce basic math skills in a fun way.

Listen to “The Math Wars”

The Bell Ringer • 139 implied HN points • 07 Jun 24
🚌 Education Teaching Methods
  1. It's important to listen to research about learning methods. Many people have different views on how students learn best.
  2. The debate around teaching math shows how divided opinions can be. Understanding these differences can help improve education.
  3. Podcasts like 'The Disagreement' can be a fun way to explore complex topics. They encourage thinking about different sides of an issue.

Student Assessment in the Age of AI

In My Tribe • 501 implied HN points • 12 Jun 25
🚌 Education Teaching Methods
  1. AI can help monitor student assessments and make cheating harder. By having someone supervise, universities can ensure students aren't using AI to cheat during tests.
  2. Interviews can be a better way to assess students than traditional exams. They allow professors to see how well students understand important concepts and let students explain their reasoning.
  3. Using AI to conduct these interviews can be efficient and consistent. This way, professors can evaluate a large number of students fairly without getting overwhelmed by grading.

Taking a New Direction

In My Tribe • 486 implied HN points • 04 Jun 25
🚌 Education Teaching Methods
  1. The focus is shifting towards developing an AI-assisted seminar, which aims to improve higher education through new technology. This will involve creating a learning environment where students can interact with AI characters instead of traditional lectures.
  2. The project is driven by concerns that current universities are not equipped to innovate or improve their practices, especially after past mistakes. The hope is that AI can help create a better educational model without the need to build completely new institutions.
  3. The developer is learning about modern software development and working step-by-step with a software partner to create a functional product. They plan to share progress updates and insights from this journey, showcasing both the potential of AI and the seminar format.

Should teachers grade students’ homework?

The Bell Ringer • 99 implied HN points • 14 Jun 24
🚌 Education Teaching Methods
  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.

Part I: How to Succeed in Business & Econ Teaching Without Sweating Too Many Bullets

Unsafe Science • 24 implied HN points • 22 Jan 26
🚌 Education Teaching Methods
  1. Give students leadership of class activities so they become collaborators and drive engagement rather than passive listeners.
  2. Use simple routines like brief reviews or quizzes at the start, paired introductions, and a final feedback period to boost learning, speaking skills, and class rapport.
  3. Adopt an experimental, risk-taking mindset with the instructor as mentor and fellow learner so teaching becomes lighter, more fun, and yields unanticipated learning.

AI is going to break how schools work – but that will be good

Odds and Ends of History • 871 implied HN points • 04 Feb 25
🚌 Education Teaching Methods
  1. AI will change how schools operate, making learning more efficient. It can help reduce the workload for teachers, like grading and paperwork.
  2. AI might even take over parts of teaching, which some might find troubling. There's a fear that it could impact the personal connection between teachers and students.
  3. Everyone needs to accept that AI is coming to classrooms. This will lead to big changes in education and how kids learn.

Maturity and enthusiasm

Alberto Cairo's The Art of Insight • 239 implied HN points • 08 Mar 24
🪑 Design Teaching Methods
  1. Maturity in a profession can bring new insights and clarity. It's a journey that includes both personal growth and the evolution of skills and knowledge.
  2. Learning how to design information helps us communicate and think better. It's a valuable skill that can benefit anyone, not just designers.
  3. This newsletter will share personal experiences, analysis, and recommendations about data visualization. It's an exploration of the craft and the joy of learning together.

Beware of Econ Grad School

In My Tribe • 956 implied HN points • 29 Nov 24
🚌 Education Teaching Methods
  1. Econ grad school might not be the best choice if you're just curious about ideas. It's better to explore other careers that can satisfy that curiosity, like business.
  2. Many econ programs focus on teaching specific skills rather than encouraging discussions and new ideas. This can stifle your interest and creativity.
  3. You can learn a lot about economics on your own. Understanding basic concepts and real-world business behavior can be more valuable than fancy math techniques from grad school.

What it's like being a political communication professor right now

The Future, Now and Then • 234 implied HN points • 19 Aug 25
🚌 Education Teaching Methods
  1. Being a political communication professor is a unique job where you get paid to think deeply. It's a special opportunity, especially as such positions are becoming rare.
  2. The impact of technology like ChatGPT on education may not be huge in some classrooms. Engaging students in meaningful discussions still remains crucial.
  3. Current political issues and a shift towards authoritarianism make teaching political communication more challenging. Professors have to adapt to these changes and modify their teaching strategies.

Reflections: my class about LLMs and Cognitive Science

The Counterfactual • 139 implied HN points • 17 Apr 24
🚌 Education Teaching Methods
  1. A new class on Large Language Models (LLMs) was created to help Cognitive Science students understand the intersection of AI and human cognition, especially after the popularity of technologies like ChatGPT.
  2. The course covered the history and technical foundations of LLMs, with hands-on labs and discussions that helped students think critically about their societal impacts and ethical concerns.
  3. For future classes, there's a desire to expand the content, particularly by adding discussions on topics like tokenization and exploring more philosophical aspects of LLMs.

Thank you grocery store man

Disaffected Newsletter • 1019 implied HN points • 28 Feb 23
🚌 Education Teaching Methods
  1. People enjoy simple, friendly interactions, like sharing a tote bag at the grocery store, which can brighten their day.
  2. Many young people struggle with basic skills, such as math, due to a lack of foundational education.
  3. The current teaching environment focuses more on social issues than on essential subjects like math and history, leaving students unprepared for real-life challenges.