I can't wait until this tech progresses to the point it can reliably tutor for more advanced courses like real analysis, group theory, linear algebra, etc. I actually wondered if it would be feasible to use NLP techniques to check user submitted answers to proof based problem, LLMs might be get there.
Synthesis Tutor – Math tutor for children
21–30 of 69 posts
Re: Synthesis Tutor – Math tutor for children
#22I tried the demo. As an educator who has taught math: this is frustrating junk. It moves at a crawl. It doesn't explain the reasoning for anything. It provides no motivation. It's full of incorrect statements like "Computers struggle with too many digits." Pretty much the worst practice if you want to teach someone anything.
In third grade parlance it is correct to say computers struggle with too many digits.
They don't "struggle". Computers exhibit definite behavior when a program attempts to store or operate on numbers that are too large for the allocated space.
For integers, overflow behavior is pretty easy to understand.
Re: Synthesis Tutor – Math tutor for children
#23Earlier quoted context omitted.
In third grade parlance it is correct to say computers struggle with too many digits.
They don't "struggle". Computers exhibit definite behavior when a program attempts to store or operate on numbers that are too large for the allocated space. For integers, overflow behavior is pretty easy to understand.
Obviously I know this. As stated, in 3rd grade parlance it’s appropriate to say “they struggle”. Have you ever heard someone say, “I need a new computer; mine’s dying.”? This level of pedantic nitpicking is not appropriate for 3rd graders. I’ve heard professional programmers say that their computer struggles with compiling certain programs they are working on. Colloquialisms can be useful and they are ubiquitous.
Re: Synthesis Tutor – Math tutor for children
#24Earlier quoted context omitted.
How does that compare to Khan Academy?
How it's similar: - focused on mastery - good treatment of math How it's different: - doesn't cover elementary school topics - lessons are text, not video - paid, not free - lessons are presented based on what you already know (e.g. you can't choose to study a topic before you've demonstrated mastery of all topics it depends on) - I pick the next lesson from a very small set (usually 5 options, sometimes fewer), so t…
Thanks for the head’s up.
Re: Synthesis Tutor – Math tutor for children
#25Earlier quoted context omitted.
In third grade parlance it is correct to say computers struggle with too many digits.
They don't "struggle". Computers exhibit definite behavior when a program attempts to store or operate on numbers that are too large for the allocated space. For integers, overflow behavior is pretty easy to understand.
Not the allocated space, the bit width of the ALU. Besides, your explanation doesn't add anything to the description of 'struggle' beyond 'in a normal and expected fashion'.
Re: Synthesis Tutor – Math tutor for children
#26Re: Synthesis Tutor – Math tutor for children
#27Earlier quoted context omitted.
I get that people want this. The issue is that these things go off the rails sometimes. Without any supervision and as an “educational” resource it will be unquestioned and in front of people who don’t know enough to question it.
I think we have to just really drill into our minds that, as convincing as these tools are, sometimes they are flat out lying/mistaken/misinformed. If we treat them like our know-it-all friend who is sometimes just a big bullshitter, and take everything with a pinch of salt, then these can be extremely useful tools for learning the big picture if not the specifics. Now, is it reasonable to expect children to be skept…
Exactly - people want these to be infallible. I say stupid stuff literally constantly and I'm a grown adult. Teachers are incredibly fallible - but someone schooled in math can still do a ton of good.
Re: Synthesis Tutor – Math tutor for children
#28Earlier quoted context omitted.
I get that people want this. The issue is that these things go off the rails sometimes. Without any supervision and as an “educational” resource it will be unquestioned and in front of people who don’t know enough to question it.
I think we have to just really drill into our minds that, as convincing as these tools are, sometimes they are flat out lying/mistaken/misinformed. If we treat them like our know-it-all friend who is sometimes just a big bullshitter, and take everything with a pinch of salt, then these can be extremely useful tools for learning the big picture if not the specifics. Now, is it reasonable to expect children to be skept…
More generally, we should be skeptical of all new information we learn. What makes someone more trustworthy than an LLM? For science we need experiments, theories, mechanisms, etc. For history we need sources, ideally primary, and working from there. For math we need proofs.
Knowledge is much more fallible than many appreciate. Many of the “universal” truths of today were once unknown or controversial. Our understanding of the world is built on a giant set of shoulders, of all those who have come before us. We do ourselves a great disservice not to acknowledge, understand, and appreciate how something came to be “true”.
Re: Synthesis Tutor – Math tutor for children
#29I think the impact of LLMs for education is REALLY underappreciated. You don't need AGI, just local repetition, with some interactivity. Your average science teacher knows a lot about a lot, but not a ton about anything. That's perfect for one-on-one LLM tutoring
I get that people want this. The issue is that these things go off the rails sometimes. Without any supervision and as an “educational” resource it will be unquestioned and in front of people who don’t know enough to question it.
Eh, its a lot easier to question a machine that isn't also defending its ego. Kids are quick to spot and question a contradiction until that behavior is socialized away - an LLM doesnt get impatient when you ask a bunch of questions, or dismiss you because it thinks the question is dumb.
It can be a good tool.
Re: Synthesis Tutor – Math tutor for children
#30Earlier quoted context omitted.
I think we have to just really drill into our minds that, as convincing as these tools are, sometimes they are flat out lying/mistaken/misinformed. If we treat them like our know-it-all friend who is sometimes just a big bullshitter, and take everything with a pinch of salt, then these can be extremely useful tools for learning the big picture if not the specifics. Now, is it reasonable to expect children to be skept…
More generally, we should be skeptical of all new information we learn. What makes someone more trustworthy than an LLM? For science we need experiments, theories, mechanisms, etc. For history we need sources, ideally primary, and working from there. For math we need proofs. Knowledge is much more fallible than many appreciate. Many of the “universal” truths of today were once unknown or controversial. Our understand…
> What makes someone more trustworthy than an LLM?
I mean people can be terrible. But a teacher is a trusted profession and likely needs that paycheck and will avoid doing stupid things to loose that.
I don’t think LLM care one way or another. Someone should ask one.