Cognitive Crutches

Justin Math's blog post argues that learning tools such as hints, worked examples, notes, and AI should be designed to become unnecessary, warning that over-reliance turns them into 'cognitive crutches' that prevent independent problem-solving. The post, which is an AI-assisted teaser for the author's manual writing, emphasizes that the goal of any learning tool is to build strength and independence, not permanent dependence.

Cognitive Crutches Note: This is an AI-assisted teaser for my prior manual writing. If you like it and want to read more details about this topic/perspective, then check out my 100% manually-written blog and books Want to get notified about new posts? Join the mailing list and follow on X/Twitter. Crutches are meant to help you walk again. Not to become the only way that you can walk. Learning tools should work exactly the same way. Whether it’s hints, worked examples, notes, or AI. These things are meant to help you become independent. The goal of every learning tool should be to eventually make itself unnecessary, not to make you permanently dependent on it. If you never become able to solve problems without them, they’re no longer helping you build up your strength. They’ve just become cognitive crutches. Here are the 100% manually-written long-forms that this teaser is distilled from, if you want to dive deeper: Who Needs Worked Examples? You, Eventually. https://justinmath.com/who-needs-worked-examples-you-eventually/ Leveraging Cognitive Learning Strategies Requires Technology https://justinmath.com/leveraging-cognitive-learning-strategies-requires-technology/ Want to get notified about new posts? Join the mailing list and follow on X/Twitter.