Peter Norvig: The 100,000-student classroom

The speaker shares their journey of creating an online class inspired by their first tutor, their mom, and their experience teaching at Stanford. They aimed to make the class accessible globally for free, attracting 160,000 students. They adopted innovative teaching methods, like short interactive videos and peer instruction, to enhance learning. Despite challenges, they succeeded in engaging students and fostering a supportive community. The speaker highlights the importance of motivation and the potential of data-driven improvements in education.

What inspired the speaker to create an online class?

• The wish to eliminate textbooks

• The aim to make education more expensive

• The need to reduce the number of students in classes

• The desire to use modern technology in teaching

What teaching method did the speaker try to emulate in their online class?

• Traditional classroom lectures

• One-on-one tutoring

• Group projects

• Memorization techniques

How did the speaker ensure that students were actively engaged in learning?

• By giving multiple-choice exams

• By using short, interactive videos

• By providing long lectures

• By assigning group work

What was the purpose of introducing due dates in the online class?

• To allow students to work at their own pace

• To ensure students completed their work on time

• To make the class more challenging

• To reduce the workload for teachers

What role did discussion forums play in the online class?

• They were used for grading students

• They facilitated peer interaction and support

• They replaced video lectures

• They were optional for students

What was a key learning outcome for students in the online class?

• Completing assignments quickly

• Avoiding peer discussions

• Memorizing formulas

• Changing their perspective on the world

What does the speaker see as the most exciting aspect of future educational innovations?

• The reduction of class sizes

• The elimination of traditional exams

• The potential for data analysis to drive improvements

• The ability to create more online courses