Transforming Education: Po-Shen Loh’s Mission to Future-Proof Youngsters through Collaborative Learning and Mathematics Entertainment
Po-Shen Loh, a mathematics professor at Carnegie Mellon University in Pennsylvania, is on a mission to reimagine the way we teach young students. In a world where artificial intelligence (ai) poses an increasing threat to job security, Loh believes that reinventing education can help equip the next generation with essential skills.
Last month, at the Human Capability Initiative conference in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Loh delivered a thought-provoking talk titled “What if Broadway Actors and Math Olympians Could Transform Teaching?” He expressed his concerns about the growing capabilities of ai, stating that many standard homework tasks can now be completed using advanced technologies like ChatGPT.
Loh’s proposed solution: partnering thespians with math prodigies. While this approach may seem an unlikely combination for educational transformation, Loh believes that today’s students need to learn collaborative problem-solving, creativity, and communication – skills that are crucial in a rapidly evolving world. Engaging students in mathematics is key to achieving this goal.
To make mathematics more accessible and engaging, Loh has developed an innovative virtual education platform for 9-13-year-olds called live.poshenloh.com. This groundbreaking platform employs exceptionally talented US high school students to teach mathematics via livestream.
The inspiration for this unique approach came during the pandemic when remote learning became the norm but lacked engagement for many students. “Most people had the experience that a Zoom math class was very effective at putting children to sleep,” Loh explained. This realization led him to ponder why such classes struggled to maintain student interest while platforms like TikTok and Twitch were thriving.
To address this challenge, Loh envisioned a complete transformation of the Zoom learning experience. He selected professional actors, comedians, and theater majors to join each virtual classroom, providing real-time feedback to ensure that math lessons were delivered energetically and entertainingly. The students’ screens display geometry diagrams or equations alongside live chat from their peers, allowing them to share answers and ideas.
The positive response to these classes has been overwhelming. One particularly enthused middle-schooler shared, “Every time I leave that class, it’s like I’ve had a spiritual awakening in the domain of algebra!”
Open to all students, the classes cost $20 per hour, with a scholarship program also available. Over the past two years, approximately 2,000 students have been taught through this platform by around 100 high schoolers.
Loh’s ultimate goal is to inspire a generation of young learners to engage with one another, help their peers, and build relationships. He only wishes he had discovered this harmonious blend of mathematics and the performing arts sooner. “I could have saved a lot of years,” Loh reflected, “but I didn’t realize that mathematics and the performing arts could collaborate in such a wonderful way.”
