Education

Louder for the people at the back Many organisations today seem to have shifted from being institutions that develop great talent to those that primarily seek ready-made talent. This trend overlooks the immense value of individuals who, despite lacking experience, possess a great attitude, commitment, and a team-oriented mindset. These qualities often outweigh the drawbacks of hiring experienced individuals with a fixed and toxic mindset. The best organisations attract talent with their best years ahead of them, focusing on potential rather than past achievements. Lets be clear this is more about mindset and willingness to learn and unlearn as apposed to age. To realise the incredible potential return, organisations must commit to creating an environment where continuous development is possible. This requires a multi-faceted approach: 1. Robust Training Programmes: Employers should invest in comprehensive training programmes that equip employees with the necessary skills for their roles. This includes on-the-job training, mentorship programmes, online courses, and workshops. 2. Redefining Hiring Criteria: Organisations should revise their hiring criteria to focus more on candidates potential and willingness to learn rather than solely on prior experience or formal qualifications. Behavioural interviews, aptitude tests, and probationary periods can help assess a candidate's ability to learn and adapt. 3. Partnerships with Educational Institutions: Companies can collaborate with educational institutions to design curricula that align with industry needs. Apprenticeship programmes, internships, and cooperative education can bridge the gap between academic learning and practical job skills. 4. Lifelong Learning Culture: Encouraging a culture of lifelong learning within organisations is crucial. Employers should provide ongoing education opportunities and support for professional development. This includes continuous skills assessment and access to resources for upskilling and reskilling. 5. Inclusive Recruitment Practices: Employers should implement inclusive recruitment practices that remove biases and barriers. Blind recruitment, diversity quotas, and targeted outreach programmes can help ensure that diverse candidates are given a fair chance. By implementing these measures, organisations can develop a workforce that is adaptable, innovative, and resilient, ensuring sustainable success and growth.

The Hidden Curriculum: Why Chores Build the Kind of Intelligence Schools Cant Teach A Harvard study found that children who do daily chores are more likely to succeed later in life. That caught my attention not because of what it says about children, but what it reveals about how success really forms. Ive been thinking about this a lot. In my opinion, chores arent just a way to teach discipline theyre a quiet form of systems thinking. I used to think success came from information. Now I think it comes from interaction with effort, friction, and consequence. When a child folds clothes or washes dishes, theyre not just learning responsibility. Theyre learning causality that their actions can shape their environment. Thats the seed of agency, and in my view, the foundation of all learning. Heres what this study really points to: Chores connect effort to outcome. They teach the mind to see progress as earned, not given. Screens disconnect action from effect. We react constantly, but change nothing. Causality builds confidence. The more a child sees impact, the more they believe their effort matters. Thats not just psychology thats neurology. The brain builds reward loops around whatever it can control. When effort produces order, we feel grounded. When it doesnt, we drift. Heres how I think we can bring that loop back Reconnect effort with outcome. Let kids see what their actions change even in small ways. Reward contribution, not compliance. Praise what they build, not what they finish. Normalize friction. The hard way isnt punishment its practice for the real world. In my view, chores dont just prepare children for life they simulate it. They teach the one rule that never changes: nothing improves until you act. So what do you think are we overeducating kids in knowledge, but undertraining them in consequence? #Parenting #Education #ChildDevelopment #CognitiveGrowth #LifeSkills #FutureOfLearning

What do you do if youre a freshman in college today? A family friends son is starting college this fall, and they asked me what he should study. A simple question -until you really think about it. By the time he graduates in 4 years, the world will look nothing like it does today. The education system wont change overnight but the job market will. For decades, the logic of higher education was clear: Get a degree land a junior role learn by doing climb the ladder. But now, the tasks that defined entry-level work - summarizing reports, drafting emails, analyzing data - can now be done instantly, at near-zero cost. These werent just chores; they were how young employees built judgment, intuition, and experience. And so I keep coming back to this question: if entry-level jobs disappear, where does experience come from? Much of the work that once bridged the gap between student and professional can now be done instantly, at near-zero cost. Ironically, education may flip. It used to be vocational at the bottom (trade schools) and theoretical at the top (college). But if AI removes the need for junior roles, will universities start training students directly for higher-level decision-making? Will 'entry-level' begin to disappear entirely? If AI continues to eat away at junior roles, colleges will eventually have to change. Maybe that means: More apprenticeship models. Real-world experience will matter more than degrees. Less focus on knowledge, more on decision-making and creativity. Whats the right answer? will be less valuable than What are the trade-offs? AI-native professions. Knowing how to wield AI, but also where it breaks, will become its own form of expertise. For todays students, the challenge isnt just choosing a major - its figuring out how to gain experience when experience itself is being automated. If I were 18 today, Id focus less on what to study and more on how to build - skills, projects, networks. If you were 18 today, how would you approach the next four years? (Pls tell me so I can pass on the advice)

I graduated from the Wharton MBA a year ago, and heres what I wish someone had told me before I started about recruiting, mindset, and social life. If you're starting this fall, this is for you! 1 Business school is a buffet (and you'll get indigestion if you try everything) First few weeks - take stock of everything it has to offer. Internships, fellowships, clubs, accelerators, etc. Then ruthlessly prioritize. Take what serves you and leave the buffet. (Youll still feel FOMO and take on more than you should because you paid for it - thats all part of the process!) 2 Pivoting is harder than you think Most people dont get this until its too late - employers dont recruit from MBA programs because they care that you have an MBA. They do it because MBAs filter for experiences/skillsets they want. You need to show them why you can do the job. The degree just gets you in the door - use the network to get the experience and build the skills. More people than you'd think go back to their old industries. 3 You'll have your "maybe I should recruit for consulting" moment Or banking. Even if you swore you'd never. We all do. When everyone's doing it, you'll second-guess yourself. That's normal! Just remember why YOU came to school. Stick to your plan, not theirs. (Unless your plan was to recruit for consulting/banking) 4 The social scene is middle school, except people have money (but its not all bleak) Hundreds of type-A personalities in one place and a lot of bankers/consultants who didnt have enough fun in their 20s = drama, hyper-socialization. Who's dating who, who got the Goldman interview, who wasn't invited to that tripPeople will talk about you if you stand out (for good or bad reasons). First semester feels intense, especially if youre an introvert. By second year, everyone chills out and you find your people. 5 You'll need to touch grass B-school is a bubble. If you're not careful, you'll think comparing signing bonuses and taking out loans to go on another trip with 20 people you just met are real life. See non-MBA friends. Call your family. Theres a hive-mindedness in business school. Dont lose yourself in it. 6 The classes are hit or miss (so be strategic) Youll keep some class notes for decades to come (If youre going to Wharton - Negotiations, Legal Aspects of Entrepreneurship, Scaling Operations to name a few). Youll throw away others before the semester is over. Talk to second-years about which classes are actually worth optimizing to get into. Bonus: Do something unexpected. Join the club you think you'd hate. Take the class outside your comfort zone. I signed up for a week-long backpacking trip in the Andes despite every instinct not to and ended up leading a trip to Antarctica my 2nd year (best MBA memory!). People getting an MBA: What's the one thing you're nervous about as you start your MBA? People who have an MBA: Whats the piece of advice you wish you got before you started?

Montana, Maine, Alaska, Nevada, and Michigan recently joined the growing number of states with official AI guidance for K12bringing us to 31 states and 1 U.S. territory. Common priority areas across these new state guidelines include: Human-Centered Approach - Ensuring AI augments rather than replaces human capabilities, judgment, and decision-making, with educators remaining central to instruction Data Privacy and Security - Protecting student data and ensuring FERPA, COPPA, and state laws Ethical Use and Academic Integrity - Establishing clear policies on plagiarism, proper attribution of AI-generated content, and responsible use practices Professional Development - Encouraging districts to prioritize professional learning for educators on AI tools, pedagogy, and classroom integration strategies Transparency and Accountability - Communicating clearly with stakeholders about AI use, disclosing when AI is employed, and establishing responsibility for tool selection and outcomes Equity and Fair Access - Ensuring all students and schools have access to AI technologies, preventing widening of the digital divide Policy Development and Governance - Creating board-approved guidelines, acceptable use policies, and frameworks for ongoing evaluation and continuous improvement Notably, Maine and Nevada also include AI for Education resources like our Drafting a GenAI Academic Policy and AI in Education 101 for Parents guide. This state-level policy development reflects the need and activity already happening at the district level, with recent research showing that 68% of districts have purchased an AI-related tool. We're also hearing from partners that it serves as a catalyst where state guidance existsmotivating districts and schools to begin their own local AI policy development. For those who want to learn more, weve compiled all of the current state level guidance for K12 in a single resource which includes summaries and links for each individual state. There you can also find all of the AI for Education resources shared as part of various state level guidance, including: Drafting a GenAI Academic Policy at Your School AI in Education 101 for Parents Top 5 Questions for GenAI EdTech Providers An Essential Guide to AI for Educators (free course) Prompt Framework for Educators: The Five "S" Model Prompt Library for Educators How to Use AI Responsibly EVERY Time AI Adoption Roadmap for Education Institutions Link in the comments!

Spain is leading the way on healthy sustainable school food In 2022 Spain updated its dietary guidelines to be more in line with the latest science on healthy sustainable diets (EAT-Lancet Planetary Health Diet). Now they are pioneering implementation -- having just passed a new royal decree on school food that brings what is served in line with NDG recommendations. The aim of this decree is for all children, regardless of family income level, to have access to healthy, nutritious meals at school. Highlights Meat to be served maximum three times a week. Red meat maximum once a week, processed meats maximum twice a month Focus on local, seasonal food -- 45% fruit and veg served must be in season Ramping up legumes -- to be served 1-2 times a week minimum in a variety of ways including as primary protein source in a main, or as part of a starter or side dish. Only 14% of schools currently serve legumes once a week Limits on processed foods -- pre-prepared options like pizzas, empanadillas, and croquetas can only be served once a month, and sugar-sweetened beverages, energy drinks and processed snacks will be banned from vending machines and school cafes Fully plant-based menus available for children who want them The new decree comes into effect next term, in all 17.000 Spanish schools (primary and secondary, public and private) This is an amazing step forwards, and I'm excited to see healthy sustainable food in Spanish school canteens. To ensure the policy vision becomes a reality on the 'school floor', compliance monitoring and enforcement will be key, as well as securing catering suppliers who are able to rapidly meet these new needs. Photo credit: Manu Garcia, La voz del sur. #foodpolicy #schoolfood #healthydiets #sustainablediets #publichealth #spain

I worked 20-hour shifts during my residency. Forget time for family and friends, I often didnt even have time to shower or eat. So when most of my patients talk about stress taking a toll on their health, I understand. But what we often ignore is that stress acts as your body's alert system for perceived threats. It leads you straight into survival mode - causing lack of sleep, anxiety, and countless health problems. So here are 4 simple solutions to reclaim control: 1. The physiological sigh: This is one of the fastest ways to calm down. - 1 deep inhale through the nose - 1 short inhale to top up - 1 long exhale to empty lungs Just 2-3 cycles of this technique will release the maximum amount of CO2, slow your heart rate and relax you. 2. Mel Robins 5-second rule: To break the cycle of anxiety and change your stress habits, simply count down from 5. 5-4-3-2-1. This exercise will: - Activate your prefrontal cortex - Interrupt your habitual thought loops - Shift your brain from fight-or-flight to action mode 3. The filters test: If you want to reduce stress, you need to curate your thoughts. Whenever you have a negative thought, answer these 3 questions: - Is it true? - Is it kind? - Is it helpful? If any of the answer is no, discard the chain of thought immediately. 4. Conquer your fear of judgment: Caring what people think is costing you your health. Choosing attachment (fitting in) over authenticity (being yourself) sets you up for long-term health issues. So forget about others' opinions. Remember, being healthy > seeking approval. These techniques actually work as our brains tend to: - Ignore the high costs of our inaction - Understate the positive results of taking action - Exaggerate negative consequences of taking action. How do you manage your stress? #healthandwellness #workplacehealth #stress

If you're in tech, Python is a skill that can take you far. But where do you start, and how do you progress? Having mentored developers and switched careers into tech myself, I've put together a roadmap that's helped many navigate their Python journey. Here's a breakdown of key areas to focus on as you level up your Python skills: 1. Core Python Start with the basics - syntax, variables, and data types. Then move on to control structures and functions. This foundation is crucial. 2. Advanced Python Once you're comfortable with the basics, dive into decorators, generators, and asynchronous programming. These concepts will set you apart. 3. Data Structures Get really good with lists, dictionaries, and sets. Then explore more advanced structures. You'll use these constantly. 4. Automation and Scripting Learn to manipulate files, scrape websites, and automate repetitive tasks. This is where Python really shines in day-to-day work. 5. Testing and Debugging Writing tests and debugging efficiently will save you countless hours. Start with unittest and get familiar with pdb. 6. Package Management Understanding pip and virtual environments is crucial for managing projects. Don't skip this. 7. Frameworks and Libraries Depending on your interests, explore web frameworks like Django, data science libraries like Pandas, or machine learning tools like TensorFlow. 8. Best Practices Familiarize yourself with PEP standards and stay updated on Python enhancements. Clean, readable code is invaluable. Remember, the key isn't just learning syntax - it's applying what you learn to real projects. Start small, but start building. What area of Python are you currently focusing on?

Scientists in England have been testing a simple but promising idea that could help farmers reduce their reliance on pesticides: planting long strips of wildflowers directly through crop fields. Traditionally, wildflowers are planted only around the edges of fields. These flower-rich borders attract beneficial insects such as hoverflies, parasitic wasps, and ground beetles, which naturally feed on crop pests. While this method has been successful, researchers found that these helpful insects often struggle to reach the middle of large fields, allowing pests to thrive farther from the field edges. To solve this problem, researchers from the Centre for Ecology and Hydrology launched a five-year trial on 15 farms across central and eastern England. Instead of placing flowers only along the borders, they created six-meter-wide strips of wildflowers running through the fields. These strips occupy just 2% of the total farmland while giving beneficial insects easier access to the entire crop area. The wildflower mixes include species such as oxeye daisies, red clover, common knapweed, and wild carrot. Scientists hope these plants will provide food and shelter for insects that naturally control pests like aphids, reducing the need for chemical treatments. Modern GPS-guided farming equipment has made this approach more practical. Harvesters can now accurately work around the flower strips, allowing them to remain in place year-round as safe habitats for beneficial insects. Researchers are monitoring how well the system works across different crops, including winter wheat, oilseed rape, and spring barley. They are also studying whether attracting insects into the middle of fields could expose them to more pesticides and unintentionally harm them. Similar experiments are taking place in Switzerland, where farmers are using flowers such as cornflowers, coriander, buckwheat, poppies, and dill. Scientists hope these habitats will create stable populations of beneficial insects that keep pest numbers low from year to year. The project comes at a time of growing concern about the environmental effects of pesticides. Many studies have linked heavy pesticide use to declining insect populations and other ecological problems. Some experts argue that many farms could significantly reduce pesticide use without harming crop production. However, agricultural specialists caution that pesticides may still be necessary during years when severe pest outbreaks occur. They believe the goal should be smarter, more targeted use rather than complete elimination. If successful, these flower-strip projects could offer farmers a practical way to protect crops, support wildlife, and reduce dependence on chemical pesticides while maintaining healthy harvests.