🛝 Health Misinformation, AI Fails at Math, and Bilingual Kids

Welcome to Playground Post, a bi-weekly newsletter that keeps education innovators ahead of what's next.

Here's what we have on deck for today…

• How North Salem Cracked the Code on Health Misinformation

• AI Fails at Math

• There are 5.3 million bilingual kids in the US

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How North Salem Cracked the Code on Health Misinformation

Students are spending nearly 5 hours a day online, and much of what they're seeing about health is flat-out dangerous. The problem gets worse because algorithms feed kids more extreme content to keep them scrolling. One "natural remedy" post leads to ten more questionable health claims.

North Salem Middle/High School in New York tried something different: they integrated media literacy directly into health class.

Students learned to spot red flags like "quick remedy" promises and suspicious before-and-after photos. They practiced lateral reading by opening new browser tabs to fact-check claims in seconds.

The opportunity for educators? Develop school programs that integrate media literacy with health education.

AI Helps With Math Anxiety But Fails Basic Problems

Here's the paradox keeping math educators up at night: 56% of students believe AI could reduce their math anxiety, and 15% say it already has. But ChatGPT still gets 25% of algebra problems wrong.

Students are turning to AI anyway because it removes the fear of being judged for not knowing an answer. Unlike asking a teacher, AI won't judge them for a lack of understanding.

The opportunity for education innovators is to build AI specifically designed for math education that combines the anxiety-reducing benefits students love with the accuracy they actually need.

Lost in Translation? This Texas District Found a $5 Million Student Solution

5.3 million kids can't fully participate in American classrooms. That's how many emergent bilingual students are sitting in U.S. schools right now.

"I couldn't ask questions or talk to other students."

That's Elianis, a seventh-grader at Olney Independent School District, describing life before her school started using AI-powered translation devices. Now? She's asking about missed assignments, working on projects solo, and actually making friends.

The district gave students Timekettle X1 devices that translate in real time. Teachers wear one earbud, students wear another, and suddenly, everyone's speaking the same language.

The opportunity here is massive. With 5.3 million potential users and growing, schools need innovators to build affordable, classroom-ready translation tech.

We'll be back with another edition on Friday. See you then!

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