Daisy Christodoulou: Football, VAR Video Assisted Referee, Education, and the Art of Learning

Daisy Christodoulou is an acclaimed author in the field of education. Daisy has also written a book on video assisted refereeing (VAR) in football.

We discuss being a football fan, VAR's impact on the sport, and the controversial decision-making processes involved. We speak about how VAR might have improved other sports but has mixed results in football. We suggest what technology should spring to football and sport.  We debate on how this potentially reflects the limits of rationality in human endeavours. 

"We need to get away from the search for perfection. Whether in education or VAR, it’s about striking the right balance between accuracy, simplicity, and consistency to avoid ending up with the worst of both worlds."

"When you apply a very precise, letter-of-the-law system, it sometimes tramples over the qualities that make the game what it is. VAR has unintentionally highlighted the limits of rationalism."

Transitioning to education, Daisy shares insights from her research and books on the importance of knowledge-rich curriculums, cognitive science, and the challenges of modern educational systems. The conversation delves into the history of self-education, the role of physical school environments, and strategies to enhance learning outcomes. We touch upon the relevance of English literature, fiction reading, and Daisy's innovative projects at No More Marking, utilizing AI for better educational assessments.

“A written sentence is an incredibly efficient way of communicating information. It can do things that video, audio, or computer code cannot. That utility alone makes reading irreplaceable."

Transcript: https://www.thendobetter.com/arts/2025/1/12/daisy-christodoulou-a-deep-dive-into-var-football-education-and-the-art-of-learning-podcast

Contents:

• The Joys and Struggles of Supporting West Ham

• Controversial VAR Decisions

• Problems with VAR in Football

• Objective vs Subjective Decisions in VAR

• Comparing VAR Across Different Sports

• Proposed Solutions for VAR Issues

• Historical Context and Evolution of Football Rules

• Impact of VAR on the Spirit of the Game

• In-Game Experience and Fan Reactions to VAR

• Broader Implications of VAR and Rationalism

• Potential Reforms in Education

• Path Dependency in Education Systems

• Emphasis on Knowledge in Education

• The Myth of 'Just Look It Up'

• Cognitive Science and Learning Techniques

• The Importance of School Buildings

• Historical Perspectives on Self-Education

• Balancing Educational Trade-offs

• The Decline of English Literature Studies

• Final Thoughts and Life Advice