The hottest Teaching Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Education Topics

Is Asset-Based AI Even Possible?

Mathworlds • 373 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🚌 Education Teaching
  1. Asset-based approach in teaching focuses on students' strengths rather than their weaknesses.
  2. Understanding students' existing knowledge is crucial for effective learning.
  3. AI may struggle to support asset-based instruction due to its focus on metacognitive learning over content learning.

Hospitals, BA.2.86, schools, Twitter, teaching

Logging the World • 637 implied HN points • 24 Sep 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Teaching
  1. COVID optimism might be on the rise based on recent data trends like the BA.2.86 growth rates and hospital investigations.
  2. Studies show a concerning decline in mental health among school children during the pandemic, indicating the need for better support.
  3. Personal experiences such as being locked out of social media and starting a large teaching session can affect one's daily routine.

Some Recent Essays on Schooling

In My Tribe • 303 implied HN points • 09 Jul 25
🚌 Education Teaching
  1. The Null Hypothesis suggests that many education methods don't really change student learning over time. When improvements do happen, they often fade away later.
  2. Extrinsic motivation, like rewards, can be a strong driver for student achievement. Personalized rewards for students can help them engage better in their learning.
  3. Different students have varied learning needs, and a one-size-fits-all approach might not work. Many students thrive in structured environments where they learn together, even if it feels less exciting.

Workshop announcement: Causal I

Scott's Substack • 334 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
🚌 Education Teaching
  1. Workshop announcement for Causal Inference I starting on February 3rd.
  2. Key topics covered in the workshop include potential outcomes and selection bias.
  3. The importance of letting go of anger, bitterness, and seeking human connection in New Year's resolutions.

The Dragon Every Math Teacher Has to Slay Eventually

Mathworlds • 569 implied HN points • 22 Jun 23
🚌 Education Teaching
  1. Students often feel worse about math class compared to other subjects because of the pressure to only have one correct answer for each question.
  2. Math should be taught as a creative discipline that embraces human subjectivity, not just a set of memorized steps.
  3. Teachers can help students deconstruct the idea of one right way to do math by introducing activities that show multiple paths lead to the same solution.
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AI Does Not Fit the Shape of Schooling

Mathworlds • 550 implied HN points • 01 Jun 23
🚌 Education Teaching
  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.

Unlocked: Teaching math with John Mighton

The Bell Ringer • 79 implied HN points • 31 May 24
🚌 Education Teaching
  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.

Teaching math with John Mighton

The Bell Ringer • 99 implied HN points • 10 May 24
🚌 Education Teaching
  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.

Private thread: Are Profpreneurs Good for Students?

The Recovering Academic • 197 implied HN points • 23 Feb 24
🚌 Education Teaching
  1. Professors in higher education may allocate teaching resources in a way that doesn't prioritize student demand, which can impact the quality of education.
  2. There can be a disconnect between faculty expertise and student interest in niche subjects, leading to limited access for students.
  3. The current system may not provide enough incentives for professors to focus on delivering a quality education to their students.

Maths until 18

Logging the World • 418 implied HN points • 15 Aug 23
🚌 Education Teaching
  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.

The Art of Teaching

Opaque Hourglass • 339 implied HN points • 12 Nov 23
🚌 Education Teaching
  1. Observing students' behavior can reveal their engagement and understanding in the classroom.
  2. Teaching should focus on empowering students with critical thinking skills rather than imposing one's own views.
  3. Effective teaching involves a delicate balance of authenticity, imagination, and adaptability to maximize student learning.

The Evidence for Building Thinking Classrooms is Weak

Pershmail • 393 implied HN points • 15 Jun 23
🚌 Education Teaching
  1. Building a thinking classroom system focuses on engaging students in math class to enhance learning.
  2. The evidence supporting the effectiveness of the system is weak due to limited research and measurements.
  3. There is a call for a higher standard of evidence to back educational practices and ideas.

Fishing in the field of truth

The Joyous Struggle • 375 implied HN points • 10 Aug 23
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Teaching
  1. Reflecting on meaningful experiences can create lasting memories and insights.
  2. Connecting with nature through activities like fishing can offer deep reflections on life and spirituality.
  3. Sharing experiences with loved ones can bring a sense of purpose and connection to spiritual or philosophical beliefs.

How We Set Math Class up to Fail

Mathworlds • 373 implied HN points • 26 May 23
🚌 Education Teaching
  1. Math class often focuses on moving students towards abstract concepts, neglecting the value of concrete understanding.
  2. Teachers who can help students transition between concrete and abstract knowledge effectively engage students in math.
  3. Including both concrete and abstract elements in math problems can make learning more engaging and effective.

More male teachers is not just about grades

Of Boys and Men • 173 implied HN points • 25 Jul 25
🚌 Education Teaching
  1. It's important to have male teachers in schools because they can serve as role models and mentors for boys. They can influence boys' development in many positive ways beyond just grades.
  2. The impact of male teachers on student academic success is mixed, meaning some studies show benefits while others don't. So, it's not just about grades; having diverse educators can help in other ways too.
  3. We shouldn't blame female teachers for the challenges boys face in school. Having more male teachers is about making the teaching workforce more balanced and representative, which is good for all students.

A Return to Teaching: The Spring 2023 Edition

Musings on Markets • 859 implied HN points • 21 Dec 22
🚌 Education Teaching
  1. Preparation is crucial for teaching. Being ready for class helps make the learning experience better for everyone.
  2. Respect and empathy towards students are important. Treating students as capable individuals fosters a positive learning environment.
  3. Classes should be engaging and fun. Enjoying the teaching process makes learning more meaningful and impactful for students.

Primary Schools are the Cradles of Civilisation

The Joyous Struggle • 296 implied HN points • 19 Jul 23
🚌 Education Teaching
  1. Primary schools play a crucial role in shaping our beliefs, behaviors, and interactions, laying the foundation for civilization.
  2. Primary school teachers help us develop various skills, learn the importance of effort, compromise, and respect, and navigate the joys and struggles of growing up.
  3. Headteachers in primary schools shoulder immense responsibilities, from ensuring safety and happiness of children to managing complex tasks and challenges, all while maintaining a deep connection to the essence of education.

Education is a Joke

Pershmail • 294 implied HN points • 13 Jul 23
🚌 Education Teaching
  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.

The Wastefulness of Schools

Doc Hammer's Anvil • 294 implied HN points • 31 May 23
🚌 Education Teaching
  1. Bryan has the Burden of Proof - His arguments require solid evidence.
  2. The Sheepskin Effect Isn't Just Signaling - Diploma holders earn more for finishing.
  3. Schools Teach Conformity - They emphasize following rules and being reliable.

How To Fix Math(s) Education

Insight Axis • 276 implied HN points • 11 Sep 23
🚌 Education Teaching
  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.

Welcome to the Provost Dungeon

ailogblog • 139 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🚌 Education Teaching
  1. Bureaucracy is essential for large organizations to manage data and control, but it can hinder community-building, and many share grievances about bureaucratic systems.
  2. Generative AI has the potential to transform bureaucratic processes in universities, leading to anxiety and excitement among bureaucrats, requiring a shift towards positive and pragmatic change.
  3. Educational bureaucracies can benefit from design thinking, incremental experiments, and a hybrid persona of intellectual-bureaucrat to create better structures that support teaching and learning.

Whose ethics? Whose AI?

imperfect offerings • 159 implied HN points • 03 Jan 24
🚌 Education Teaching
  1. Building an ethical ecosystem for AI in academia requires collaboration and coordination within the sector to meet regulatory requirements and promote openness.
  2. Designing assignments that make the use of generative AI tools less compelling can enhance learning outcomes and reduce the need for detection methods that undermine trust.
  3. Individual educators should challenge the idea that students can act ethically in a context lacking supportive infrastructure for informed ethical decision-making, and focus on conversations about writing practice to foster understanding and development.

Red Musical Notes

Journal of Gurdjieff Studies • 79 implied HN points • 25 Mar 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Teaching
  1. Thomas and Olga de Hartmann's lives changed dramatically after meeting Gurdjieff, shifting from outer happiness to inner transformation.
  2. Gurdjieff's teachings focused on differentiating between egoistic love and real love for personal development.
  3. During Thomas de Hartmann's illness, the symbolic act of Marfousha gathering and discarding 'evil' red musical notes highlights the essence of Gurdjieff's teachings on vibrations and transformations.

AI × Education: Some Thoughts on How I'm Approaching My Courses This Fall

The Absent-Minded Professor • 235 implied HN points • 14 Jun 23
🚌 Education Teaching
  1. Spend time building relationships and explaining AI tools instead of blocking or preventing students from using them.
  2. Focus on building trust with students rather than setting traps or relying solely on technology to prevent cheating.
  3. Consider re-evaluating assessments to ensure they align with learning objectives, especially if AI tools expose weaknesses.

(4.) Nicoll 1 - THE FOURTH WAY - pp.11-15

Journal of Gurdjieff Studies • 99 implied HN points • 23 Feb 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Teaching
  1. The Fourth Way is a difficult path of self-improvement practiced amidst daily life, different from the paths of Fakir, Monk, and Yogi.
  2. Adapting to changing external circumstances while maintaining inner balance and work principles is crucial in following the Fourth Way.
  3. Achieving the state of 'No. 4 man' in the Fourth Way involves developing a well-rounded, flexible, and all-sided approach to life and situations.

Should You Pre-teach New Vocabulary?

Mathworlds • 216 implied HN points • 13 Apr 23
🚌 Education Teaching
  1. For effective teaching, teachers and students need a shared set of experiences to talk about before introducing new vocabulary.
  2. Use 'contrasting cases' like 'Which one doesn't belong?' to surface older knowledge and make connections to new vocabulary.
  3. Provide opportunities for students to experience the need for new vocabulary in activities like Polygraph to enhance understanding.

Seminar has real content

In My Tribe • 121 implied HN points • 15 Jun 25
🚌 Education Teaching
  1. The seminar now has real content with six chapters that are in good shape.
  2. There's an interactive feature where you can ask questions and get interesting responses from an AI professor and students.
  3. The creator wants feedback from professors and curious students about using this instead of traditional textbooks.

Faithfulness in translation

The Leftovers • 199 implied HN points • 22 May 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Teaching
  1. Translation is a crucial art that applies across various sectors, including literary work.
  2. Literary translation requires a different skill set but still follows similar principles as other forms of translation.
  3. Engaging in translation work offers a profound hands-on experience with language, revealing the truth of translation.

American Economic History: Introduction

Brad DeLong's Grasping Reality • 253 implied HN points • 22 Jan 25
🚌 Education Teaching
  1. The course will focus on American economic history without trying to create a single, simple story. Instead, it will look at different themes and questions week by week.
  2. An important question will be whether America is exceptional and in what ways. This can help us better understand history and economics.
  3. Students will not only learn about historical events but also get a taste of data science to analyze economic models and improve their analytical skills.

Teaching Juggling

Bram’s Thoughts • 98 implied HN points • 26 Jan 24
🚌 Education Teaching
  1. Teaching juggling effectively involves using stepping stones for gradual progression.
  2. Using a collaboration between a beginner and an expert can make juggling easier and more motivating.
  3. Starting with simpler patterns like four balls and three hands can lead to successful juggling skills.