Making Deep Learning Human with Prof. Gilbert Strang

Mathematics Professor Gilbert Strang is one of MIT’s most revered instructors; his courses, especially the perennially popular linear algebra course 18.06, have received millions of visits on OpenCourseWare, and his lecture videos have won him a devoted following on YouTube as well. (A sample YouTube comment on one of his lectures: “This is not lecture, this is art.”) A few years ago, Professor Strang began teaching a new course (18.065) focusing on the application of mathematical matrices to deep learning and AI. This new course is very unlike a typical undergraduate math course. For one thing, there’s no final exam—in fact, there are no exams at all! Instead, Professor Strang asks each student to spend the semester developing a project that applies the techniques they’re studying to some topic or problem they personally find interesting. In this episode, we hear from Professor Strang about his efforts to humanize math teaching, the value of thinking through problems in real time during lectures—even if it means getting stuck and having to backtrack!—and the importance of staying continually conscious of your students. Relevant Resources: MIT OpenCourseWare The OCW Educator Portal 18.065 on OCW 18.06 on OCW 18.06 Scholar on OCW Professor Strang’s faculty page Profile of Professor Strang Music in this episode by Blue Dot Sessions Connect with Us If you have a suggestion for a new episode or have used OCW to change your life or those of others, tell us your story. We’d love to hear from you! On our site On Facebook On Twitter On Instagram Stay Current Subscribe to the free monthly "MIT OpenCourseWare Update" e-newsletter. Connect with Us If you have a suggestion for a new episode or have used OCW to change your life or those of others, tell us your story. We’d love to hear from you! Call us @ 617-715-2517 On our site On Facebook On X On Instagram On LinkedIn Stay Current Subscribe to the free monthly "MIT OpenCourseWare Update" e-newsletter. Support OCW If you like Chalk Radio and OpenCourseware, donate to help keep these programs going! Credits Sarah Hansen, host and producer Brett Paci, producer Dave Lishansky, producer Jackson Maher, producer Show notes by Peter Chipman