Reimagining Math Education in the Age of AI with Ted Dintersmith

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Sep 1, 2025

Ted Dintersmith, a bestselling author and education advocate, shares his insights on math education today. He argues that high school math often misses real-world relevance, favoring formulas over practical skills. Dintersmith critiques standardized testing for stifling creativity and emphasizes the importance of mathematical thinking in interpreting data. He highlights the role of AI in reshaping learning priorities and advocates for new measures of student success that focus on creativity and accountability in education.

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INSIGHT

Estimation Is The Useful Core Of Math

Ted Dintersmith argues most school math focuses on formulas, not ideas that matter in life.
Estimation, sampling, and defining measures empower citizens to interrogate real-world numbers.

INSIGHT

Math As A Sorting Mechanism

High school math is used to rank and sort students more than to teach useful thinking.
This system crushes creativity and convinces most people "I'm not a math person."

ADVICE

Ask For Multiple Solution Paths

Avoid teaching only one procedural method; ask students to find multiple solution paths.
Give real-world origin and relevance to problems to teach true mathematical thinking.

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While you spent thousands of hours studying math in high school, odds are you never use any of it. There is math that really matters – it’s just not covered in school. Just as Freakonomics made us rethink economics, Aftermath does the same for math. Today’s guest, Ted Dintersmith, is a bestselling author, education advocate, and former venture capitalist who believes math has been weaponized—and it’s time to set things right. If you’re curious about the math you missed, and how it can empower you, you won’t want to miss this conversation.

💡 5 Things You’ll Learn in This Episode

Why most high school math is irrelevant — and what truly matters instead
The impact of standardized testing on creativity and curiosity
How mathematical thinking can help students interpret real-world data
The role of AI in reshaping math learning and career readiness
Practical ways schools and parents can rethink accountability and purpose

✨ Episode Highlights

[00:02:29] Ted introduces Aftermath and the shift from formulas to ideas
[00:07:08] Why estimation skills matter more than test prep
[00:15:48] The hidden costs of standardized math testing
[00:26:12] AI and automation forcing a reset in math priorities
[00:39:39] Portfolios and creativity as new measures of learning
[00:50:21] Restoring creativity in schools inspired by Ken Robinson

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