DL 379

Fed On a Diet of Children’s Stories

Welcome to Digitally Literate, issue #379. This week, I delved into effective note-taking, critical thinking, and the intersection of AI and education.

🔖 Key Takeaways

• Effective Note-taking: Transform your learning process by mastering atomic notes and smart note-taking.
• AI in Education: Prioritize people over technology and ensure ethical AI practices in higher education.
• Critical Thinking: Apply the Five Habits of the Master Thinker to refine your judgment and decision-making.

📹 Watch: Why We Do The Things We Hate

Why We Do The Things We Hate

This video explores the disconnect between wanting an identity and enjoying the associated activities.

What are you doing in your life that you don’t actually love, but continue doing for the image it projects?

📚 Readings & Insights

1. AI Principles in Higher Education

Educators are encouraged to adapt six AI principles that emphasize:

• Prioritizing people over technology.
• Promoting digital inclusion.
• Integrating AI tools to enhance learning responsibly.

Why this matters: AI research and education must center on ethical practices and lifelong learning. Learn more.

2. Learning How to Innovate

Generative AI tools excel at mimicking existing patterns but struggle to create genuinely novel designs. A collaboration between MIT-IBM and DeCoDe Lab highlights the challenges in developing innovative AI systems. Read more.

Why this matters: These tools need intentional strategies to push beyond replication into meaningful creativity.

3. Computers as Better Teachers?

Microsoft researchers propose training small language models using children’s stories. These models learn rapidly, demonstrating consistent and grammatical storytelling. Explore the study.

Why this matters: Smaller data sets may lead to more efficient and targeted AI training for specific tasks, challenging the “more data is better” approach.

4. Dirty Words Are Magic Spells

Swearing carries cultural weight, reflecting taboos and values. Its impact varies with context, shifting between offensive and affectionate. Read the analysis.

Why this matters: Language’s power extends beyond meaning to influence context, emotion, and social dynamics.

5. Lessons on Note-taking

Robert Caro, author of The Power Broker, exemplifies meticulous note-taking. His archives showcase a commitment to truth, structured outlining, and daily writing goals. Learn from Caro’s process.

Why this matters: Thoughtful documentation transforms how we synthesize, retain, and communicate knowledge.

🛠️ DO: Five Habits of the Master Thinker

Former CIA analyst Randy Pherson devised the Five Habits of the Master Thinker to support effective decision-making:

1. Challenge assumptions through collaboration.
2. Consider alternatives to address biases.
3. Identify contradictions to streamline focus.
4. Track key drivers to reason efficiently.
5. Assess the overall context before forming judgments.

Learn more about applying these habits.

🌟 Closing Reflection

“Justice therefore demands that no one should do more ruling than being ruled, but that all should have their turn.”
— Aristotle

Thank you for being a part of Digitally Literate. Let’s navigate these digital landscapes together! Reach out at hello@digitallyliterate.net or browse the Newsletter Index for more insights.