I’m reflecting on different ways of instruction. Some of my intellectual heroes have a knack at lecturing. When they are at their best, they teach their students how to arouse their curiosity within a disciplined scaffolding. Among these are Richard Feynman, Timothy Snyder, Vincent Scully, Salman Kahn, and Michael Sandel.

I describe their lecturing style as follows, starting with a non-starter.

“I’m just here for the pay” TA

• Relies heavily on over-saturated slides. The slides speak for themselves. Pure recitation of text.
• Visuals are low resolution and/or pulled down from the internet, makes the lecturer look careless or uninterested
• Relies heavily on notes.
• Usually speaks in monotone, does not seem to enjoy himself.

Richard Feynman

Feynman is the real deal. His passion on the subjects he instructs is contagious. He believes in his students. Listening to his lectures makes you fall in love with physics. How does he do it?

• Draws on a chalkboard
• Dresses for the job

Tim Snyder

• Teaches with no slides. Eye contact with the audience.
• Speaks with his body (hand gestures to illustrate and enliven his speech). Manages to transmit bodies of knowledge
• Teaches without notes. It feels almost like a stream-of-consciousness. Makes connections from seemingly disparate topics in real-time.
• Uses simple and funny real-world analogies so that his audience “get it”
• Sprinkles lecture with clever jokes. Treats the subject seriously, but does not take himself seriously.
• Simplifies complex ideas and builds from first principles of logic

Vincent Scully

• Teaches without notes, lets his emotion and passion overflow his speech
• low tech (a slide projector and stick to point out)
• Uses photographs, no text
• Best way to learn is by “absorbing” his slides, no note-taking
• His cadence reinforces the severity of his subject

Salman Kahn method

Salman Kahn of Kahn Academy. I always admired his humility and low-tech approach to instructing. This creates a psychological safety net where students feel there are no stupid questions. The most complex explanations often flow from deceptively simple questions: why is the sky blue?

• Starts from scratch. Draws on a digital chalkboard. Makes a connection between your brain and his by seeing in real-time him how he begins with first principles to develop complex ideas.
• Uses color strategically to enhance the absorption of his diagrams

What I want my instruction to be:

• AI-proof by teaching skills that cannot be replaced
• Develop an intuitiveness on materials.
• Hit all the concepts in the hierarchical list through a story or narrative way so it doesn’t feel like a linear/. mechanical progression
• Have the hierarchy as a skeleton on the side
• Energy pockets as a fuel for finding things out on your own