How to be a creative thinker | Carnegie Mellon University Po-Shen Loh

Summary

Mathematician Po-shen Loh emphasizes the need for creative problem-solving in education, contrasting traditional rote learning with modern challenges posed by AI like ChatGPT. He discusses his journey from teaching diverse students to creating an ecosystem that unites educators, students, and actors to foster independent thinking. Loh's vision is to empower students to learn how to think critically and independently, preparing them for a future where AI is prevalent.

Takeaways

• 📚 The traditional educational system is evolving; where previously students learned to complete assignments and exams, they now must learn to assess and think critically about their work, especially with the advent of AI tools like ChatGPT.
• 🧑‍🏫 Po-shen Loh, a mathematician and professor, emphasizes the importance of problem-solving and original thinking in education, rather than just rote learning, which is crucial for adapting to the modern world.
• 🔄 The role of an individual in the world is shifting towards being a problem-solver, which necessitates learning to think independently and creatively.
• 🎓 Loh discusses his diverse teaching experiences, from the International Math Olympiad team to underprivileged schools, highlighting the broad spectrum of educational challenges he has encountered.
• 📉 He criticizes the current trend of test preparation and cramming, which he believes stifles creativity and the ability to think innovatively, instead of fostering a genuine understanding of subjects.
• 💡 Loh shares his idea of creating a platform for free educational content, which has been a work in progress, reflecting his entrepreneurial spirit and commitment to accessibility in education.
• 🌐 He discusses the development of an ecosystem that brings together various stakeholders, including students, educators, and even actors, to create a scalable and mutually beneficial educational model.
• 🤝 Loh believes in the win-win-win approach, ensuring that all participants in his educational model benefit, which is crucial for its scalability and success.
• 🎭 The incorporation of improvisational comedy and acting skills into the teaching methodology is highlighted as a way to enhance communication and engagement with students.
• 🎓 His educational philosophy is to teach students how to think, not just what to think, with the ultimate goal of making students self-sufficient learners who can tackle any subject.
• 🚀 Loh envisions a future where students learn to grade their own homework and develop their own ways of thinking, which is essential in a world increasingly reliant on AI and automation.

Q & A

What is the fundamental difference in learning according to Po-shen Loh's perspective?

The fundamental difference is that while traditionally people went to school to learn how to do homework and exams, today everyone needs to learn how to grade the homework, implying the importance of developing one's own way of thinking rather than just solving problems.

Who is Po-shen Loh and what are his roles?

Po-shen Loh is a mathematician, a math professor at Carnegie Mellon University, a social entrepreneur, and the national coach of the US International Math Olympiad team.

What is the creative problem Po-shen Loh presents involving six matchsticks?

The problem is to arrange six matchsticks to form four triangles, each with sides of equal length to the matchstick. The solution involves creating a pyramid shape with three matchsticks as the base and the remaining three forming the sides and peak of the pyramid.

What is the main challenge Po-shen Loh sees in the current education system?

The main challenge is that the current system focuses on test preparation and cramming, which hinders students' ability to invent and think creatively.

What is Po-shen Loh's approach to education and training?

His approach is to help as many people as possible learn how to solve questions they haven't seen before, emphasizing the development of mental flexibility and original thinking.

Why is it important for students to be able to think outside the box according to Po-shen Loh?

It's important because it prepares students to solve new and unique problems they will encounter in the world, which cannot be solved by simply memorizing or repeating what they have learned.

What is the concept behind the ecosystem Po-shen Loh created?

The ecosystem unites different types of people, such as high school students, math experts, and drama professionals, to contribute in ways that benefit everyone, creating a win-win-win situation.

How does Po-shen Loh's ecosystem address the pain points in education?

It addresses the pain points by providing a platform where high school students can learn from experts, math enthusiasts can polish their skills, and drama professionals can earn part-time income while sharing their passion.

What is the goal of the curriculum in Po-shen Loh's live program?

The goal is to teach students how to think by covering specific topics like algebra, geometry, combinatorics, and number theory, which are designed to challenge and develop their problem-solving skills.

How does Po-shen Loh define success in the context of his work?

Success for him is not just about making money but convincing a large number of people to enjoy being thoughtful and to embrace the challenge of learning how to think creatively and independently.

What is Po-shen Loh's advice for people in the new world of AI?

His advice is that everyone should be a bit of an entrepreneur, embracing the opportunity to create value in the AI-driven world, which will be central to societal survival and flourishing.