The hottest Teaching Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Education Topics

Renovations to the ivory tower

The Bell Ringer β€’ 59 implied HN points β€’ 22 Mar 24
🚌 Education Teaching
  1. Understanding how people learn is crucial for effective teaching. Teachers need to know learning styles to help students better.
  2. There are new resources and issues focusing on how novices learn. This can guide both educators and parents in supporting students.
  3. The importance of evidence-based approaches in education is growing. Relying on research can improve teaching strategies and student outcomes.

π€πˆ 𝐋𝐨𝐠 𝐑𝐨π₯π₯𝐬 𝐎𝐧

ailogblog β€’ 79 implied HN points β€’ 09 Feb 24
🚌 Education Teaching
  1. Blogging and sharing insights on generative AI can have a significant impact on educational discourse.
  2. Challenges in education, such as misinformation, ethics in AI tools, and historical issues, require continuous attention and thoughtful consideration.
  3. Approaching educational reform, including incorporating generative AI, as a collaborative effort towards a slightly better world is essential.

Book review: Math-ish and Math Mind

The Bell Ringer β€’ 3 HN points β€’ 30 Aug 24
🚌 Education Teaching
  1. Kids may not be learning math deeply if they only focus on concepts without practicing basic skills. Just like music, understanding math requires more than just thinking about itβ€”it needs practice and foundational knowledge.
  2. Two new books suggest that creativity and a positive mindset toward math can help kids learn effectively. However, it’s important to also teach the necessary skills and techniques for actually doing math.
  3. There's a concern that these books might promote a 'think system' approach to math education, which could overlook the important learning processes. Skills in math, as in music, come from practice and mastering the basics.
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Information is not Communication

Sunday Letters β€’ 99 implied HN points β€’ 18 Dec 23
🚌 Education Teaching
  1. Information isn't the same as communication. Communication is more about how well the other person understands you.
  2. When sharing ideas, focus on the listener's reaction rather than just giving all the details.
  3. It's your responsibility to make your message clear. If someone doesn't get it, think about how you can communicate better.

Revisiting and expanded: Thanks again, JT

Eclecticism: Reflections on literature, writing and life β€’ 11 implied HN points β€’ 14 Dec 25
🚌 Education Teaching
  1. Teaching can be deeply rewarding and fulfilling, bringing joy from helping students grow both academically and personally.
  2. A single inspiring teacher can spark a love of a subject and even influence someone’s career choices.
  3. Small, consistent acts of careβ€”like noticing a shy student or suggesting clubsβ€”have big, lasting effects on students’ confidence and memories.

Pershan's Pyramid of Teaching Greatness

Pershmail β€’ 137 implied HN points β€’ 29 Jun 23
🚌 Education Teaching
  1. Teaching involves guiding students from specifics to generalizations to new applications.
  2. Generalization is key in the learning process, helping students connect knowledge to new situations.
  3. Articulating principles can assist students in making generalizations and promote independent thinking.

Strong Students Aren't Always Ready for More

Pershmail β€’ 137 implied HN points β€’ 07 Aug 23
🚌 Education Teaching
  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.

Tenure Is a Total Scam

Bet On It β€’ 644 implied HN points β€’ 05 Sep 23
🚌 Education Teaching
  1. Getting tenure involves a complex process of academic achievements and connections.
  2. Tenured professors have minimal job responsibilities and are difficult to fire.
  3. The tenure system in academia may be sustained by perverse incentives and weak selection pressure.

Keeping the Work Warm

Journal of Gurdjieff Studies β€’ 119 implied HN points β€’ 22 May 23
β›ͺ Faith & Spirituality Teaching
  1. Keeping the work warm in oneself involves providing conditions for growth and avoiding mechanicality.
  2. Effort to maintain the work warm is crucial, including conscious effort and fighting against negative influences.
  3. Keeping the work warm requires understanding, meaning, and devotion to incubating 'meaning eggs'.

Reading and Teaching Homer

Painful Signs, Or, Joel's Substack β€’ 119 implied HN points β€’ 04 Oct 23
πŸ“š Literature Teaching
  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 β€’ 117 implied HN points β€’ 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 β€’ 59 implied HN points β€’ 02 Feb 24
β›ͺ Faith & Spirituality Teaching
  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 β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 15 Mar 24
🚌 Education Teaching
  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 β€’ 119 implied HN points β€’ 16 Apr 23
πŸ“– Philosophy Teaching
  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 β€’ 98 implied HN points β€’ 10 Mar 23
🚌 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.

Coming soon

System Design Classroom β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 01 Mar 24
🚌 Education Teaching
  1. A new system design classroom is launching soon. It's a place to learn about designing systems.
  2. You can subscribe to get updates and learn more about system design topics.
  3. Stay tuned for more information and resources that will be available in the classroom.

Putting ChatGPT to the Test

The Future of Education β€’ 218 implied HN points β€’ 30 Mar 23
🚌 Education Teaching
  1. ChatGPT produces high-quality essays that meet or exceed standards across grade levels.
  2. Schools should adjust practices to keep up with technological advancements like ChatGPT.
  3. Education decision makers are grappling with how to respond to AI tools like ChatGPT in classrooms.

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

The Recovering Academic β€’ 98 implied HN points β€’ 03 Feb 23
🚌 Education Teaching
  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.

This weekβ€”Join the new subscriber chat

The Bell Ringer β€’ 19 implied HN points β€’ 05 May 24
🚌 Education Teaching
  1. There's a new group chat for subscribers to connect, share ideas, and ask questions about education.
  2. This chat space is designed for parents and educators to have meaningful conversations.
  3. You'll get access to interesting questions, ideas, and research that you can discuss with others in the community.

The One Hour Strategist

Strategy Notes β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 09 Feb 24
🚌 Education Teaching
  1. Education as a strategist can be condensed into key terms and concepts
  2. Mastering a few key terms can help engage in strategic analysis and modern conflict appraisal
  3. Self-education and real-world experience are crucial beyond initial learning to become a successful strategist

What does 'equity' mean?

Vinay Prasad's Observations and Thoughts β€’ 140 implied HN points β€’ 14 Nov 24
🚌 Education Teaching
  1. Schools may prevent advanced students from excelling in their subjects because it is deemed unfair to those who are struggling. This can limit the potential of talented students.
  2. The concept of 'equity' can sometimes be used to excuse practices that are not truly fair or effective. Instead, it can lead to a situation where everyone is held back instead of finding ways to help those who need support.
  3. In professional settings, like medical interviews, virtual options are defended as equitable, but this can make the process less serious and impersonal. The focus should be on genuine fairness instead of just using equity as an excuse.

What We Can Learn from Sports

The Heart Attack Diet β€’ 79 implied HN points β€’ 24 Aug 23
🎾 Sports 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 β€’ 78 implied HN points β€’ 11 Jul 23
🚌 Education 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 β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 02 Feb 24
🚌 Education Teaching
  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.

Decisions depend on the decision maker

Overthinking Everything β€’ 419 implied HN points β€’ 31 Aug 23
🚌 Education Teaching
  1. Decisions depend on who is making them, as individual factors influence the best choice.
  2. Even in games with 'objective' optimal strategies, decisions are subjective based on each player's abilities and knowledge.
  3. Beginners should consider their own strengths and weaknesses when making decisions, rather than just emulating experts.

sunday memepool: an education

bad cattitude β€’ 101 implied HN points β€’ 05 Jan 25
🚌 Education Teaching
  1. Education is evolving, and it's important to stay updated. Keep learning about new trends and methods.
  2. There are many modern issues that require fresh thinking. It's good to approach problems with a new perspective.
  3. Engaging with communities can provide valuable insights. Sharing experiences and ideas can help everyone grow.

I don't like ice-breakers

Soaring Twenties β€’ 100 implied HN points β€’ 15 Jan 25
🚌 Education Teaching
  1. Ice-breakers often feel pointless and waste time during meetings or courses. People usually don't get to know each other better through these activities.
  2. Sharing personal stories can be uncomfortable for many, especially if they're private. It might feel better to focus on course-related topics instead.
  3. Instead of typical ice-breakers, it might be better to discuss why everyone is there. This helps people connect meaningfully and saves time.

Driving and Dragging Loops

the shimmering void β€’ 116 implied HN points β€’ 24 Nov 24
πŸͺ‘ Design Teaching
  1. Good design is all about drawing people in. If users don't want to engage with your work, it doesn't matter how good it looks.
  2. The early experience matters a lot. If users struggle at the beginning, they might give up, so make sure to guide them through the initial steps smoothly.
  3. Creating an engaging experience is like making music. It's about balancing challenges with rewards, helping users feel a natural flow as they progress.

Eschew Obfuscation

Sunday Letters β€’ 79 implied HN points β€’ 09 Jul 23
🚌 Education Teaching
  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 β€’ 59 implied HN points β€’ 15 Oct 23
🚌 Education Teaching
  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 β€’ 39 implied HN points β€’ 24 Dec 23
🚌 Education Teaching
  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 β€’ 58 implied HN points β€’ 20 Feb 23
🚌 Education Teaching
  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 β€’ 58 implied HN points β€’ 17 Mar 23
🚌 Education Teaching
  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.