How Incorporating Actors in Education is Shaping Tomorrow's Workforce
Discover how Professor Po-Shen Loh is reshaping education by integrating actors in classrooms to equip students with skills to thrive in an AI-dominated world, ensuring their future job security and adaptability.
Po-Shen Loh, a professor of mathematics at Carnegie Mellon University in Pennsylvania, is passionate about revolutionizing education to prepare young people for a future where job security is threatened by AI.
Recently, he gave a talk titled “What if Broadway Actors and Math Olympians could Transform Teaching?” at the Human Capability Initiative conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
"Most standard homework can now be completed using ChatGPT," he explained to the audience. He raised a valid point about the implications of relying on AI for learning tasks.
To address this issue, he proposed an unconventional approach of pairing actors with math geniuses. While it may seem unconventional, he argued that fostering skills like collaborative problem-solving, creativity, and communication is crucial for students today, with math playing a central role in this process.
Loh has found a unique approach to making Zoom classes more engaging - by making them feel like social media rather than traditional learning. And he has a special trick up his sleeve. "We're the pioneers in education by having a professional actor in every classroom," he shared with the audience.
Rethinking the Zoom experience:
Loh, who coached the US Team for the International Mathematical Olympiad for ten years, has created a virtual education platform for kids aged nine to 13. The platform, live.poshenloh.com, features highly skilled US high school students teaching math through live streaming.
The idea for this platform came to Loh during the pandemic, when online learning through live streams became popular but lacked engagement for students.
He shared with CNN that many found Zoom math classes to be so boring that they would fall asleep. This led him to question why these classes were not as engaging as popular social media platforms like TikTok and Twitch. This sparked the idea to revamp the entire Zoom experience.
The classes are taught by students who are paired with professionals in acting, comedy, and theater. These experts provide instant feedback to ensure that the lessons are delivered in an energetic and entertaining manner. While part of the screen displays geometry diagrams or equations, students also engage in live chat, sharing their answers and thoughts on the topics being covered.
Student Elena Baskakova teaching an interactive online class.
Student Elena Baskakova teaching an interactive online class.
Loh shares that the feedback for the classes has been very positive. He remembers a middle-schooler who was especially excited, saying, "After every class, I feel like I've had a magical moment learning algebra!"
The classes are open to everyone and cost $20 per hour. However, there is also a scholarship program available. In the past two years, around 2,000 students have been taught through the platform by 100 high schoolers.
Now, Loh's goal is to inspire a new generation of young learners to connect with each other, assist others, and form bonds with their peers. He regrets not having this idea sooner, saying, "I could've saved a lot of years. I didn't realize that mathematics and the performing arts could blend together so beautifully."
Editor's P/S:
Po-Shen Loh's innovative approach to education is a testament to the transformative power of collaboration across disciplines. By pairing math geniuses with Broadway actors, he has created a unique learning environment that fosters creativity, communication, and problem-solving skills. Loh's recognition that traditional homework can now be easily completed using AI highlights the need for a shift in educational practices. His focus on fostering human-centric skills that cannot be replicated by AI is crucial for preparing students for a future where job security is increasingly threatened by automation.
Loh's emphasis on making Zoom classes more engaging by incorporating elements of social media platforms is a creative solution to the challenges of online learning. The use of professional actors to provide instant feedback and ensure an energetic and entertaining delivery is a brilliant idea that has resulted in overwhelmingly positive feedback from students. Loh's commitment to making education accessible to all through scholarship programs is commendable, and his goal of inspiring a new generation of young learners to connect with each other and form bonds is a noble one.
