Thanks for writing this, Ashley! I really think this is important.
An idea I had is to have a series of weekend workshops that combine the content from the readings with exercises and opportunities for discussion. Maybe this could be split into three parts (ex: I. The EA Mindset II. Longtermism III. EA in the world/Putting it into Practice)
If a workshop was hosted each weekend, this might give students the ability to attend when they are available and at their own pace. It also could allow for deeper engagement by having a full day of thinking about these topics. There could also be additional opportunities like an optional discussion group for each topic in the following week after a workshop and a social event in the evening of the workshop day.
Thanks Anjay! I think this idea seems promising and definitely worth trying. Some potential pitfalls I’d probably want to design around:
Students find it difficult to commit to a thing for three consecutive weekends. (not sure how to fix this)
Students are super hyped during the 3-week period, and quickly lose interest after workshops end. Helping students set post-workshop goals / commitments, connecting them to peers and mentors for follow-up 1-on-1s, plugging them into projects, etc. could address this.
Students forget what happens in between the weeks. I think your idea of mid-week discussions and socials could be helpful here, as was Chana’s suggestion for a “crash course” review.
I had this idea too but worried that you’d need to have gone to previous ones to engage in the later ones. Maybe there’s an optional crash course intro in each one? (Doesn’t make me super excited, but maybe)
Ooh I like this a lot! Almost like blending the IF discussion with workshops. I’m going to edit my long comment to include this as an alternative about which I’m excited.
Thanks for writing this, Ashley! I really think this is important.
An idea I had is to have a series of weekend workshops that combine the content from the readings with exercises and opportunities for discussion. Maybe this could be split into three parts (ex: I. The EA Mindset II. Longtermism III. EA in the world/Putting it into Practice)
If a workshop was hosted each weekend, this might give students the ability to attend when they are available and at their own pace. It also could allow for deeper engagement by having a full day of thinking about these topics. There could also be additional opportunities like an optional discussion group for each topic in the following week after a workshop and a social event in the evening of the workshop day.
Thanks Anjay! I think this idea seems promising and definitely worth trying. Some potential pitfalls I’d probably want to design around:
Students find it difficult to commit to a thing for three consecutive weekends. (not sure how to fix this)
Students are super hyped during the 3-week period, and quickly lose interest after workshops end. Helping students set post-workshop goals / commitments, connecting them to peers and mentors for follow-up 1-on-1s, plugging them into projects, etc. could address this.
Students forget what happens in between the weeks. I think your idea of mid-week discussions and socials could be helpful here, as was Chana’s suggestion for a “crash course” review.
I had this idea too but worried that you’d need to have gone to previous ones to engage in the later ones. Maybe there’s an optional crash course intro in each one? (Doesn’t make me super excited, but maybe)
Ooh I like this a lot! Almost like blending the IF discussion with workshops. I’m going to edit my long comment to include this as an alternative about which I’m excited.