MAKING IT EASIER TO BE A BETTER TEACHER

NOTEWORTHY NEWS

Here’s our weekly roundup of interesting education stories from around the world. Click each link to learn more:

• 18 ways teaching kids now is different than it used to be - nostalgia warning!

• Students planning a sleepover? Here’s why parents are saying no to sleepovers more than ever.

• A psychiatrist’s advice on what kids should do before getting any screen time.

TECH TALK

What's this 'DeepSeek' everyone's been talking about?

AI-powered tools are becoming essential for educators, helping with lesson planning, assessment generation, and administrative tasks.

But with so many options available, it’s hard to know which tool is best suited for your classroom’s needs.

Recently, a new AI model - DeepSeek V3 - entered the scene, shaking the tech world and sparking curiosity.

How does it compare to models we already have like ChatGPT? And is it a viable option for teachers?

The Solution: DeepSeek V3

DeepSeek V3 (the most current free version) is an advanced AI model that leverages a Mixture-of-Experts (MoE) architecture. For us non-data scientists, this means it activates only portions of its network for specific tasks.

This approach allows it to perform more efficiently while still providing high quality responses.

Unlike ChatGPT, which runs all its parameters during every interaction, DeepSeek V3 is more resource-efficient and potentially faster in generating responses.

Here’s what sets DeepSeek V3 apart:

How About YOUR Classroom?

If you’re already using AI in your teaching workflow, DeepSeek V3 might be worth exploring as an alternative, particularly if cost and efficiency are priorities.

Pros:

✅ Affordable AI Option

✅ Potential for Faster Responses

✅ Diverse Knowledge Base

Cons:

❌ Limited Educational Integrations (For Now)

❌ Ethical and Copyright Concerns – OpenAI has accused DeepSeek of training on ChatGPT data, raising questions about long-term accessibility and trustworthiness.

❌ Unproven in Classroom Settings

While it doesn’t yet integrate seamlessly into popular edtech platforms, its rapid development could make it a strong competitor in the AI education space.

For teachers looking to experiment, keeping an eye on DeepSeek’s progress could be beneficial as AI continues to evolve in the classroom.

BRAINY BITS

Flipped classrooms: why aren’t students buying in?

Flipped classrooms (FC) promise more engagement, but this week’s study reveals a major plot hole: student resistance. 

Researchers tested a FC’s impact on academic achievement in a randomized trial with 415 first-year macroeconomics students. 

Even though we’re talking post-secondary here, the results impact shed light on our K-12 classes as well.

The Study: Insights from a controlled trial of flipped classrooms

Researchers looked at 415 similar first-year undergraduates and split them into traditional and flipped classroom groups. 

The FC group was assigned online videos and exercises through a familiar software to students, while the control group attended standard in-person lectures. 

Data was collected via exam scores, attendance records, video analytics, and student surveys. 

The Results:

With all the talk about flipped classrooms, you may think that the FC group scored way higher. 

Well, FC students scored only slightly higher - in fact, the effect was statistically insignificant according to the paper. 

The real issue? 

Low participation. Only 20% of students of the FC group completed online prep, while attendance barely hit 55%. 

Even increased in-class activities couldn’t make up for the lack of preparation. Essentially, students resisted the shift (or more likely, found ‘better’ things to occupy their time, limiting its benefits).

In Your Classroom:

If you’ve tried flipping your classroom and met resistance, you’re not alone. But the study suggests FC can work—if students are primed to engage with it first. 

To improve participation in a flipped classroom model:

Strategies

• Make Prep Work Count: Use quizzes or discussions to reinforce accountability - this is the largest issue according to researchers.

• Provide a Clear ‘Why’: Explain how FC benefits students and connects to their success. When students understand the purpose behind something, they are more likely to buy in.

• Start Small: Gradually introduce FC elements instead of a full shift. Like any major habit change, start small!

Flipping a classroom doesn’t work if students won’t flip their mindset. The key? Structure, support, and of course, a little persistence.

REFERENCES

This week’s issue adapts information from the following sources:

Tech Talk:

DeepSeek. (2025). Into the unknown. Retrieved fromhttps://www.deepseek.com/

Brainy Bits:

Buhl-Wiggers, J., la Cour, L. & Kjærgaard, A.L. Insights from a randomized controlled trial of flipped classroom on academic achievement: the challenge of student resistance. Int J Educ Technol High Educ 20, 41 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1186/s41239-023-00413-6