Actually, [name redacted] originally sent this to me to help with my own rejection sensitivity:) So I just took the points for parenting myself, so to speak.
I don’t disagree that education has a pretty terrible history of embracing ideas before the evidence was there. Whole language is a good example. But I’m not sure how that bears on this particular article. If something [name redacted] wrote is unsupported, point to it and we can discuss it. “Education research has been wrong before” isn’t really evidence that this piece is wrong.
The author does specify that it is not a diagnosis in the article. I chose to publish the piece because I was discussing my own sensitivity around rejection to this friend and colleague and she shared this piece with me. I found it very helpful and thought some of the parents I work with would benefit from the tips. Personally, I think it’s useful to understand possible causes to my reactions beyond just being over-sensitive, and how to address them in myself and kids- as well as to understand more deeply how differently wired kids process information differently.
I also don’t love the term gifted - kind of makes me a bit sick to my stomach - I hope the language changes - but over time I’ve found it to be a highly useful framework to identify a certain category of children whose nervous system is on high alert and brain is processing information much faster than they can articulate, often bored, depressed and even underperforming in traditional school environments. The Davidson Institute has a lot of content about these kinds of children, the different ways it manifests and how to support them. Gifted is not always the blessing it implies and we’d do well to learn more about it. Like you, I’d love some new language around it though.
Thank you. I also found it strange people thought that. [name redacted] is amazing and deeply respected in the Bay area community. She did not use AI to write this.
Ok but do you work from home and travel ? spontaneity sounds nice and is amazing but it is a lot easier when you’re already part of some group like a work environment or co working space or church. I do talk to random people from coffee shops but it’s not the same. I think spontaneity comes from having some central environment where you can be spontaneous from. I’ve had that when I’ve lived next door or in the same building as my friends, but the building/neighborhood was still the anchor
Thanks very much! Too bad about Genie :( Curious what about khanmigo felt better than just using chatGPT? I heard they had some problems with factual errors, but maybe have improved since?
All these factors will contribute.
Explosion of tech resources to help caregivers teach kids, most notably, but not limited to chatGPT
Decline in federal funding for schools
Growth in homeschool communities and entrepreneurship by teachers leaving the system (as they develop classes and curriculum in their communities)
Clear benefits of 1-1 mastery learning
Clear benefits to mixed age groups with more time to interact
Clear benefits of more time for self-directed learning
Clear benefits of choosing different curricula and learning plans to suit different children's learnign needs
Pushback on teaching climate change and inclusive curriculum (Black history, LGBTQ+, Indigenous history, etc) leading to mass exist on the left
Rise in government funding for modular learning (ESAs and microgrants)
Rise in remote work (families can travel and be at home with kids; when kids start young they can be independent while parents work)
I don't know what the right web-site would be to "poo poo on LLMs" :) It's here or nowhere, I think. Also, thanks so much for these nuanced reflections on the pedagogy. Super helpful.