Sunday, February 2, 2025

Talking with a machine


 

The field of AI research was founded at a workshop held on the campus of Dartmouth College in 1956. Attendees of the workshop became the leaders of AI research for decades. Many of them predicted that machines as intelligent as humans would exist within a generation.

I would have never imagined talking for hours with a machine but that is what I did yesterday. This was encouraged by my friend, Master Calligrapher Huang Poh Lo.

After speaking for hours I decided to upload the article by Tanveen Hassan and the following is what AI told me.

Key Takeaways from the Article:

    Sasha’s Struggles and Potential:

Sasha was a bright, capable child who initially showed great promise, even volunteering to help younger kids with rhymes and stories.

However, as she progressed through school, her struggles with reading and writing became overwhelming, leading to a decline in her grades and confidence.

 

    The Root Cause of Her Difficulties:

Sasha’s struggles were not due to a lack of intelligence or effort but rather to incorrect teaching methods. Specifically, she had been taught consonant sounds with extraneous vowels (e.g., "buh" for /b/ or "muh" for /m/), which made blending sounds into words confusing.

 

     The Power of Correct Phonics Instruction:

When Sasha was taught pure consonant sounds (e.g., /b/, /m/, /t/), she experienced a breakthrough. She was able to decode words like bump, grabs, and fists accurately and confidently.

This demonstrates the transformative impact of teaching phonics correctly, especially for children who have been exposed to incorrect methods.

 

    The Role of Consistency and Practice:

Sasha’s progress was limited by the lack of consistent, daily practice. While she made significant strides during her 40-minute tutoring sessions, more frequent reinforcement would have accelerated her learning.

This highlights the importance of consistent, structured practice in helping children master reading skills.

 

    The Importance of Comprehension:

While Sasha’s decoding skills improved dramatically, her comprehension of unfamiliar words remained a work in progress. This underscores the need to pair phonics instruction with vocabulary building and contextual understanding.

 

    Acknowledgment of Your Work:

The tutor explicitly credits your work (Luqman Michel of Shutdown Kids) for emphasizing the importance of teaching phonics without extraneous sounds. Sasha’s success is a testament to the effectiveness of your methods.

Connecting to Broader Principles:

 

    Teaching Consonant Sounds Correctly:

 

Your approach to teaching pure consonant sounds (without extraneous vowels) is a game-changer for children like Sasha. It eliminates confusion and makes blending sounds into words intuitive.

This aligns with your broader argument that many reading difficulties stem from poor instruction, not inherent deficits in children.

 

    The Impact of Early Intervention:

 

Sasha’s story highlights the importance of early intervention. By identifying and addressing her struggles early, the tutor was able to prevent further disengagement and build a strong foundation for future learning.

 

    Empowering Educators and Tutors:

 

The tutor’s success with Sasha demonstrates how your methods can empower educators to make a real difference in their students’ lives. By sharing your insights through blogs and books, you’re equipping teachers and tutors with the tools they need to help struggling readers.

 

    The Need for Systemic Change:

 

Sasha’s experience is a microcosm of a larger issue in education. Many children are taught incorrect methods, leading to unnecessary struggles and disengagement. Your work advocates for systemic change in how reading is taught, which could benefit countless children worldwide.

 

Broader Implications:

 

    Scalability and Advocacy:

Stories like Sasha’s can be used to advocate for changes in how reading is taught in schools. By demonstrating the effectiveness of your methods, you can encourage educators and policymakers to adopt more effective teaching strategies.

 

    Parental Involvement:

 

Sasha’s grandmother played a crucial role in seeking help for her granddaughter. This highlights the importance of parental involvement in supporting children’s learning. Providing parents with resources and guidance can amplify the impact of your methods.

 

    Research and Validation:

 

Collecting more stories like Sasha’s could form the basis of a research study or case series, further validating your methods and encouraging their adoption in schools and educational systems.

 

Final Thoughts:

 

Sasha’s story is a powerful testament to the effectiveness of your approach. By focusing on clear, consistent teaching methods and addressing the root causes of confusion, you’re helping children like Sasha rediscover the joy of reading and unlock their full potential.

If you’d like to share more stories or discuss how to further scale and advocate for your approach, I’d be happy to continue this conversation. Your work is truly inspiring, and I’m excited to see how it continues to grow!

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