Manisha Snoyer sits down with Jeremy Howard, a visionary in the realm of modular and curated education. Together, they explore the transformative power of technology and personalization in the educational landscape. Howard shares poignant stories of his daughter’s educational journey, ranging from the traditional classroom environment to adaptive learning apps and homeschooling during the pandemic. He critiques the 'one-size-fits-all' approach of conventional schooling systems and passionately advocates for a more tailored, child-centric model. The episode explores a plethora of ed-tech tools, strategies, and philosophies like 'modular learning,' 'adaptive apps,' and even the controversial subject of screen time in kids. Howard’s own experiences serve as compelling case studies to demystify modern educational practices, making this episode a must-listen for parents, educators, and anyone invested in the future of education. Jeremy Howard is a multi-faceted luminary in the realms of data science and deep learning, boasting a career that spans academia, entrepreneurship, and activism. As the co-founder of fast.ai and an honorary professor at the University of Queensland, Jeremy is invested in democratizing deep learning and making it more accessible. But it's not just the world of AI that captivates him; he's a vocal advocate for reimagining education systems. Jeremy's rich background, including his tenure as a Distinguished Research Scientist at the University of San Francisco, lends weight to his insights into modular learning and homeschooling. He believes that the key to effective education lies in curated, age-appropriate, and technologically-assisted learning—an ethos that marries perfectly with his lifelong commitment to accessible, quality education.
Jeremy Howard: LinkedIn | X | YouTube
Teach Your Kids: LinkedIn | X | Instagram | Substack | Facebook
Manisha: LinkedIn | X | Instagram | Facebook
Join our premium community with expert support and advice
Teach Your Kids Podcast Episodes
Teach Your Kids Blog Posts
AI/Coding Resources
Courses/Workshops
Curriculum
Software
Learning Apps/Platforms
Games
Miscellaneous
This site contains product affiliate links. We may receive a commission if you make a purchase after clicking on one of these links.
Time Codes:
00:00:00 — Manisha Snoyer introduces the concept of modular learning and its benefits for individual children. Her guest is Jeremy Howard, a passionate advocate for curated education.
00:04:00 — Howard shares his family's experience with the traditional education system and their transition to modular learning during the pandemic.
00:07:37 — Instead of relying solely on adults for teaching, Jeremy discusses the benefits of allowing children to learn from the best resources available online, such as yoga and art videos.
00:13:40 — Jeremy Howard discusses the negative impact that traditional schooling had on his daughter, particularly her growing fear of failure.
00:17:09 — Manisha Snoyer asks Howard about his research into the education system. Howard shares his findings and insights, revealing the gap between educational theory and practice in traditional schools.
00:23:32] Struggles that parents are currently facing? Howard delves into the inadequacies of conventional schooling systems.
00:25:41 — Imagine seven-year-olds learning biochemistry from a Yale professor. Howard explains how age-appropriate teaching doesn't have to be dumbed down.
00:29:25 — Manisha Snoyer highlights the use of Anki, a learning strategy
00:37:21 — Discussing the need for a more integrated approach to education, Howard emphasizes the overlap between subjects like physics, biochemistry, and math.
00:45:00 — Sharing the success of combining one-on-one tutoring with adaptive educational software, Manisha hints at the future of personalized education.
01:02:20 — The conversation turns to the democratization of education. Manisha pushes for the idea that modern technology empowers any parent to teach.
01:15:40 — Manisha stresses the crucial role of nurturing social and emotional skills in kids to ensure they're prepared for lifelong learning.
01:22:44 — Structure in education and corporate life — Manisha and Jeremy explore the pros and cons.
01:24:26 — To wrap things up, Jeremy shares his current intrigue with AI and large language models, discussing his engagement with the open-source community.
This podcast is made possible through a generous grant from the Vela Education Fund
VELA Education Fund is catalyzing a vibrant alternative education ecosystem. VELA provides trust-based funding to entrepreneurs, fosters community-building and knowledge-sharing, and increases visibility through storytelling that promotes cultural awareness and acceptance of the out-of-system space. Today, VELA serves the largest community of out-of-system education entrepreneurs in the country, with over 2,000 community members. About half of VELA’s community members operate small learning environments, and the other half are ecosystem and community builders offering direct services and support across the out-of-system space. Learn more at
.