The hottest Teaching Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Education Topics

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.

The zigzag theorem

Infinitely More • 33 implied HN points • 04 Jan 25
🚌 Education Mathematics Geometry Learning Teaching
  1. The zigzag theorem states that when you create a zigzag pattern in a rectangle, the triangles formed below this pattern take up exactly half the area of the rectangle.
  2. Even if the zigzag lines sometimes move backward without crossing, the triangles will still cover half the rectangle's area due to how the bases and heights of the triangles are calculated.
  3. This theorem is interesting because it holds true even if the zigzag involves an infinite number of lines.
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I'm joining the Cornell faculty!

Data: Made Not Found (by danah) • 59 implied HN points • 29 Oct 24
🚌 Education Higher education Teaching Research
  1. The speaker is excited to join the faculty at Cornell as a Professor of Communication starting in fall 2025. They are looking forward to teaching and working with students.
  2. After many years at Microsoft Research, the speaker felt a strong desire to become a full-time professor. They believe teaching can make a bigger difference than just research.
  3. The transition from Microsoft Research is bittersweet, but the speaker is grateful for the support they've received. They aim to maintain connections with their colleagues even after leaving.

Reading and Teaching Homer

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack • 119 implied HN points • 04 Oct 23
📚 Literature Classic literature Teaching Analysis Recommendations
  1. Prepare to read Homer by starting with something else first, like an overview or graphic novel, to familiarize yourself with the characters and stories.
  2. When reading Homer for the first time, focus on the main story being told and don't get bogged down by every detail or reference that may not be crucial to understanding the overall tale.
  3. Understand the unique aesthetics and structure of Homeric poetry by exploring the language, repetitions, and devices like metonymy, which adds to the richness and depth of the epic.

Three Ways I Would Like to Contribute in My New Role at Northwestern

Mike Talks AI • 117 implied HN points • 28 Aug 23
🚌 Education Teaching
  1. The author wants to benefit students by sharing their work experience in implementing business solutions using data and math.
  2. The author aims to strengthen industry connections through teaching a class where students work as consultants on real-world projects.
  3. The author enjoys bridging the gap between technical and business worlds, and looks forward to sharing knowledge with colleagues.

Nicoll, Commentaries, Vol.1 - Letter to Mr. Bush [1.a] - p.1-4 - Reading Club posting

Journal of Gurdjieff Studies • 59 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
⛪ Faith & Spirituality Spirituality Teaching Growth Development
  1. Man's level of being attracts his life - the idea suggests that the circumstances and experiences people face are connected to their level of being, not just random events.
  2. Focus on changing one's being - the work mentioned involves a transformation of one's level of being, which can happen by conscious actions in the present moment.
  3. Development stages of man - the text discusses different stages of man's development from essence to personality and then to further growth of essence, emphasizing the importance of inner growth over external success.

Coming soon: The Novice Issue

The Bell Ringer • 39 implied HN points • 15 Mar 24
🚌 Education Learning Teaching Literacy Training Tutoring
  1. A new issue called 'The Novice Issue' is coming soon for subscribers. It's likely to focus on beginners in a certain topic.
  2. The author encourages readers to think about their own experiences of learning something new. This could help tutors connect with their students.
  3. Subscribers can try a 7-day free trial to access more content and support the publication. It's a good way to explore what the author offers.

Marx vs. Proudhon

Philosophy for the People w/Ben Burgis • 119 implied HN points • 16 Apr 23
📖 Philosophy Reflections Teaching Political theory
  1. The author is starting a new class on Proudhon's 'The Philosophy of Poverty' and Marx's 'The Poverty of Philosophy'.
  2. The author reflects on having taught a class on 'Capital' and mentions skipping a YouTube chat with Stefan.
  3. The author reminisces about teaching their first class, 'Introduction to Symbolic Logic', at Western Michigan University in fall 2004.

Why faculty of color are leaving academe

The Recovering Academic • 98 implied HN points • 10 Mar 23
🚌 Education Diversity Academia Higher education Teaching
  1. Many faculty of color in academe feel disenfranchised, exhausted, and isolated due to issues like work/life balance and inadequate compensation.
  2. These scholars experience unique challenges like isolation in rural communities, hostile work environments, and guilt over prioritizing self-care over student needs.
  3. There is a growing trend of faculty of color reevaluating their place in academia and questioning the sacrifices required, suggesting a need for change.

Open Friday Thread: Storytelling, Teaching Experiments, and Private Threads

The Recovering Academic • 98 implied HN points • 03 Feb 23
🚌 Education Storytelling Teaching Experiments
  1. Collaboration on projects like Inner Life can help create a sense of community and engagement among contributors and subscribers.
  2. Storytelling and surprising teaching methods can have a profound impact on engagement and learning, both in traditional and experimental settings.
  3. Offering private threads or discussions for paying subscribers can enhance exclusivity and provide a more intimate space for in-depth conversations.

What We Can Learn from Sports

The Heart Attack Diet • 79 implied HN points • 24 Aug 23
🎾 Sports Coaching Weight Loss Advice Teaching
  1. Don't take weight loss advice from people who have always been in good shape or those who have never had weight issues; listen to those who have successfully gone from fat to thin.
  2. Just like in sports coaching, the best weight loss coaches are often individuals who had to work hard to achieve their own success and can relate to the challenges others face.
  3. When receiving advice for weight loss or sports, trying harder is not always the solution; focus on building the right form and understanding the essence of the guidance provided.

Beware AI in the classroom

CIEO • 78 implied HN points • 11 Jul 23
🚌 Education Technology Bias Critical Thinking Learning Teaching
  1. AI in the classroom can provide benefits but also comes with costs, such as bias and misinformation.
  2. AI-generated responses may not always be accurate or politically neutral, reflecting biases of developers.
  3. To effectively judge AI responses, individuals need critical thinking skills and knowledge, and teachers play a crucial role in guiding young people.

The Role of AI in Education: How Technology is Transforming Learning

Rod’s Blog • 39 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🚌 Education Technology Teaching Learning AI Innovation
  1. AI in education offers personalized learning paths based on student's needs and abilities, making learning more effective and engaging.
  2. AI assists teachers by automating tasks like grading and providing insights for improving teaching methods, enhancing the overall teaching experience.
  3. Innovative learning experiences are enabled through AI technologies like virtual reality and gamification, making education interactive and fun.

Games as Training

David Friedman’s Substack • 143 implied HN points • 13 Sep 23
🚌 Education Learning Skills Games Teaching Programming
  1. Games like bridge, chess, and Diplomacy can be viewed as training exercises for skills like coordination, tactics, strategy, and commitment.
  2. Playing games can help develop real-world skills like finding your way around environments and accomplishing goals.
  3. Some games are designed specifically to teach skills, such as computer programming or the principles of mutual advantage over conquest.

The Dream Stream

Orbis Tertius • 143 implied HN points • 21 Aug 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Storytelling Memory Nature Teaching Experience
  1. The anticipation of a fishing trip can be filled with energy, but the actual experience may not always meet expectations.
  2. The act of fishing can evoke deep emotions and memories, whether shared with family or experienced alone.
  3. Teaching someone else to fish can bring a sense of humility and gratitude for the patience and guidance received from mentors.

Eschew Obfuscation

Sunday Letters • 79 implied HN points • 09 Jul 23
🚌 Education Teaching Learning Writing Communication Critical Thinking
  1. Using complicated terms can create barriers in conversations and make others feel excluded. It's important to communicate in a way that everyone can understand.
  2. If you can't explain something simply, it might mean you don't fully understand it yourself. Writing things out can help clarify your thoughts.
  3. Taking time to explain clearly is more valuable than using jargon. It's better to focus on clear communication than to impress others with 'smart' language.

Learning by Doing

Sunday Letters • 59 implied HN points • 15 Oct 23
🚌 Education Learning Teaching Career Experiments Mindset
  1. Doing is often better than just thinking. If you want to learn a skill, just start practicing it a lot.
  2. Trying many things and being okay with failure helps you learn faster. When you're not focused on being perfect, you can improve more easily.
  3. Having a 'beginner's mind' can lead to better results. Beginners often do well because they aren't held back by too much prior knowledge or self-doubt.

Primary school teaching is too hard

Penelope Trunk's Substack • 39 implied HN points • 24 Dec 23
🚌 Education Teaching Challenges Impact Community
  1. Historically, primary and secondary school teaching was not meant to be a long-term profession, often taken on by women until they got married.
  2. Teaching comes with high demand but low reward, little influence over the lives of children, and isolation from the community.
  3. Many teachers enter the profession because they love working with young people, but the demanding job often leads to burnout and lack of respect.

Productive Struggle, Q&A

Pershmail • 58 implied HN points • 20 Feb 23
🚌 Education Teaching Research Learning Evidence
  1. Productive struggle has different definitions in research, leading to confusion and debate.
  2. Research on productive struggle focuses on the importance of struggle as a component of learning.
  3. It's crucial to dig deeper and understand the specific mechanisms through which struggle can lead to learning.

Shape of the Week: Zonogon

Pershmail • 58 implied HN points • 17 Mar 23
🚌 Education Mathematics Teaching Geometry Learning
  1. The 'Shape of the Week' feature introduces a new geometric shape each week to expand knowledge and make learning fun.
  2. A zonogon is a parallelogram with point symmetry and can be dissected into multiple parallelograms, creating an interesting mathematical pattern.
  3. Regular zonogons can produce beautiful dissections, and studying them can lead to exploring concepts like Minkowski's First Theorem.

Math for kids outside of the Calculus Sequence

Kids Who Love Math • 111 HN points • 07 Aug 23
🚌 Education Mathematics Learning Teaching Resources
  1. There's a clear path from arithmetic to calculus in math education, but kids who advance too quickly may face challenges in a traditional school setting.
  2. Instead of just accelerating through the math curriculum, consider enrichment to explore topics outside the typical sequence like statistics, probability, and mathematical finance.
  3. Parents can support their kids in exploring enrichment math by learning alongside them, finding tutors or math circles, and utilizing resources like books and educational videos.

Propositional Attitudes and Flying Saucers

The End(s) of Argument • 39 implied HN points • 27 Jul 23
🚌 Education Teaching Learning Critical Thinking
  1. It's important to teach that there is a distinction between a claim and a position on that claim, to avoid confusion and misunderstandings.
  2. When evaluating the likelihood of a claim, it's essential to consider it in relation to other explanations rather than in isolation.
  3. Defending a claim involves defending the most reasonable position on that claim, considering all possible explanations in a broader context.

About that time I got blackmailed into teaching at the Columbia Graduate School of Journalism. Without a degree.

Perfecting Equilibrium • 39 implied HN points • 23 Jul 23
🚌 Education Journalism Teaching Higher education Technology Career development
  1. Author got blackmailed into teaching at Columbia University without a degree
  2. Teaching experience was challenging yet rewarding, contributing to student projects
  3. Emphasized the importance of practical skills over formal education in journalism field