The GSV Big 10: 𤯠From 'Digital Fentanyl' to Digital Deadbeats
Here's your weekly coverage corner for the top 10 stories, insights, and major plays in learning and skilling.
#1 Speak lands investment from OpenAI to expand its language learning platform
Speak is giving anyone with a phone access to AI tutors that are more affordable, available, and patient than human tutors. OpenAI spent years developing their AI models; now, they are going to play kingmaker across every vertical⌠including education. As Duolingo is to vocab, Speak is to actually speaking.Â
#2 The incredible shrinking future of college
Strike 1: shrinking demographics. Strike 2: price ceiling. Strike 3: alternative credentials for opportunitiesâŚ.youâre out!
VoxÂ
#3 How China Got Our Kids Hooked on âDigital Fentanylâ
The stable of writers on Bari Weissâ Common Sense are must-read for all. In this case, the title is better than any comment we can make. There are 1.8 billion TikTokers around the world, and TikTok's influence is being felt in politics, education, and culture.
#4 Did Republicans take over school boards? Key education takeaways from the 2022 midterms
While the results may have been a âmixed bag,â one thing for sure is that school board elections are no longer going to be a forgotten warm-up act.Â
#5 An end run around a college degreeÂ
The beat goes on â itâs knowledge not college that matters. We donât expect this tune to stop playing anytime soon.
#6 How conservatives can lead on K-12Â
Itâs bizarre that better schools and better options are a political issue. What kind of books are appropriate for a second grader? We can agree or disagree. However, it should be an inalienable right that a childâs future shouldnât be relegated to their zip code.
#7 Empty Classrooms, Abandoned Kids: Inside America's Great Teacher Resignation
Itâs time to reimagine the teaching profession in the United States. Over 50% of teachers surveyed by the National Education Association say they want out. Tenure, non-performance compensation, lack of respect, and dead-end career paths all contribute to what is an impending disaster if we donât fix this quickly.Â
#8 What Do We Really Know About Teaching Kids Math?Â
The Gates Foundation has decided to go âall inâ on math. One could argue computers do a pretty good job at math problems, so whatâs the point? While math sprains many students' brains, having basic STEM skills is foundational for their future.Â
#9 Are College Classes too Hard for Todayâs Students? Alarming Numbers Say âYes.â
Exhibit A that we are at risk of having a bunch of wimps enter the workforce, see the professor who was dumped by NYU because his pre-med course was too much work. I donât know about you, but I kind of like the idea of doctors that master their craft.
#10 Amazon to shut down its online learning platform in IndiaÂ
Never one to shy from competition (âyour margin is my opportunityâ), it appears that Amazon blinked. With wars on multiple fronts including Alexa, Amazon decided to shut down its education front in India.