MIT Comparative Media Studies/Writing

What past education technology failures can teach us about the future of AI in schools It can take years to collect evidence that shows effective uses of new technologies in schools. Unfortunately, early guesses sometimes go seriously wrong.

"New education technologies are only as powerful as the communities that guide their use. Opening a new browser tab is easy; creating the conditions for good learning is hard." theconversation.com/what-past-ed...

The Homework Machine Ep 7: "Break the Teacher" Generative AI has added more strain to an already frayed education system.

Latest from Professor Justin Reich and Jesse Dukes:

"At a moment when unprecedented sums are being invested in AI development — including many billions devoted to AI powered education technology — teachers wonder if our priorities are in the right place."

www.teachlabpodcast.com/the-homework...

Dissolve Music @ MIT 2025 is coming up next week! Professor Ian Condry and friends with the MIT Spatial Sound Lab presents two-nights of immersive music and an afternoon of talks, free and open to the public.
spatialsoundlab.mit.edu/events/

We're so excited to welcome back Vincent Anioke, ’17, a multiple-time winner of our annual Ilona Karmel Writing Prizes, for a reading from his collection of short stories from Arsenal Pulp Press.

We hope you'll join us and Vincent on campus on Thursday, October 16 @ 7pm cmsw.mit.edu/event/vincen...

These Ants Found a Loophole for a Fundamental Rule of Life

The latest @nytimes.com piece from our Science Writing grad program alum Cara Giaimo: "Mediterranean ants are having babies that belong to a different species."

www.nytimes.com/2025/09/15/s...

“Our girls are still dead”: Camp Mystic parents pushed for laws to protect kids at camp. But their pain remains. Two dads helped lead Camp Mystic parents to advocate for new camp rules in the Texas Legislature. What they wanted most was to have their daughters back.

“Our girls are still dead”: Camp Mystic parents successfully pushed for laws to protect kids at camp. But too late to save their own children. Beautifully told story by former @ksjatmit.bsky.social fellow @emfoxhall.bsky.social via @texastribune.org

3 Questions: On humanizing scientists Alan Lightman’s latest book “The Shape of Wonder,” co-authored with Martin Rees, offers profiles of scientists and an examination of scientific methods, humanizing researchers and making an affirmativ...

MIT's Peter Dizikes highlights Alan Lightman's and his latest book, The Shape of Wonder. With us in an era where "evidence" and "critical thinking" sound to public ears almost like dirty words, Lightman and co-author Martin Rees set out to show how scientists think.

news.mit.edu/2025/3-quest...

The poetry of data Jane (Veitzman) Muschenetz, MBA ’06, writes poetry that bridges the gap between science and art.

Jane Muschenetz’s poetry bridges the gap between science and art.

She just earned two awards for her work from the National Federation of Press Women. Read our profile of her: www.technologyreview.com/2025/02/25/1...

From the director of our Writing and Communications Center comes a methodology for writing centers to adapt to the rise of AI in student writing: cmsw.mit.edu/navigate-the...

ICYMI over the summer: Prof. Nick Montfort tells us how the "imagination of rappers (and others in hip hop) can uniquely offer as we envision the future – and why there has been so little future-oriented rap."

Justin Goes Back to School Our host reckons with AI as he returns to the classroom after a one year break.

The latest from Justin Reich and Jesse Dukes "The Homework Machine" podcast...Justin Goes Back to School...

After his year-long sabbatical, how is Professor Reich preparing to deal with the major leaps that took place with AI in the classroom?

www.teachlabpodcast.com/justin-goes-...

Had a great time at @sidb-edinburgh.bsky.social last week, giving a seminar on how researchers can engage with the media — from interview prep to dos & don’ts. Great questions, great energy — shows the appetite for connecting science & society.

Are standards slipping on English language testing? Financial strains and the emergence of digital testing have led to concerns that anglophone universities are admitting students whose English is not good enough to allow them to succeed. But are tests...

Are standards slipping on English language testing? As Duolingo shakes up the sector, @helenpacker.bsky.social investigates whether tests are really becoming less rigorous – or are universities setting pass rates that are too low? www.timeshighereducation.com/depth/are-st...

For those in and around Urbana, we hope you'll join Professor Vivek Bald for a screening of his documentary (with Q&A) "In Search of Bengali Harlem" this Friday: calendars.illinois.edu/detail/4639/...

And stay tuned for details on a similar event we hope to schedule this fall at MIT!

Our Writing and Communication Center is now booking appointments for the fall! Starting Sept. 3, MIT students, postdocs, faculty, and staff can have one-on-one coaching in writing, presentations, and more -- online or in person. Reserve your spot. cmsw.mit.edu/writing-and-...

Unfortunately, Bluesky is unavailable in Mississippi right now, due to a new state law that requires age verification for all users.

While intended for child safety, we think this law poses broader challenges & creates significant barriers that limit free speech & harm smaller platforms like ours.

A long-exposure photograph of a person writing a cursive letter "W" with a flashlight.

Just a week left! cmsw.mit.edu/applications...

"We seek a candidate to contribute to the Institute’s intellectual life by pursuing an active publishing agenda, teaching courses in creative writing and related subjects at the undergraduate level, advising students, and directing senior theses."

Excited to share a piece @ariezra.bsky.social and I have written “The Evolution of Trust and Safety” papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....

Peeking out at Bluesky from the bunker we ran to after Twitter X'd.