Shimon Schocken: The self-organizing computer course

The transcript discusses the life of Salman Schocken, a self-taught intellectual who founded Schocken Books and co-founded the Hebrew University. The speaker shares their family's educational philosophy, emphasizing self-study and exploration. They describe the creation of the NAND2Tetris course, which teaches computer science from first principles, and its global impact. The speaker critiques traditional grading systems and introduces a new project focused on K-12 math education using mobile apps. The talk concludes with a reflection on the importance of being a mensch.

What was one of Salman Schocken's major contributions to culture?

• Founding a chain of grocery stores

• Creating a new form of music

• Establishing a university

• Inventing a new language

What did Salman Schocken do to support young scholars?

• He gave them free books

• He offered them shares in his company

• He paid them a monthly salary

• He provided them with free housing

What is the primary educational approach discussed in the NAND2Tetris course?

• Memorizing computer science theories

• Building a computer from scratch

• Learning through video lectures

• Participating in online forums

What is the significance of the NAND gate in the course?

• It is used to teach basic arithmetic

• It is a programming language

• It is the simplest building block for computers

• It is a new type of computer chip

How did the NAND2Tetris course become widely known?

• By winning an international award

• Through a viral marketing campaign

• By being featured in a popular TV show

• As one of the first massive open online courses

What kind of mentality do participants of the NAND2Tetris course typically have?

• A desire to follow strict guidelines

• A hacker mentality

• A preference for theoretical knowledge

• A focus on memorization

What is the speaker's opinion on traditional grading systems?

• They should be more rigorous

• They detract from the learning experience

• They accurately reflect student abilities

• They are essential for student motivation

What is the main goal of the new math education project?

• To replace teachers with technology

• To eliminate the need for textbooks

• To make math learning interactive and hands-on

• To focus solely on advanced math topics

What educational strategy is emphasized in the new math apps?

• Group discussions

• Self-exploration and discovery

• Rote memorization

• Lecture-based learning

What is the key message of the graffiti mentioned at the end?

• Success is measured by technological achievements

• Being a good person is more important than technology

• Technology is the most important aspect of life

• Education should focus on high-tech skills