Scott MacLeod's Anthropology of Information Technology & Counterculture: California Bay (Umbellularia californica): Hi David, Searched on Peter Norvig Canyon 94516 re WUaS @WorldUnivAndSch moving forward there soon - Found http://scott-macleod.blogspot.com/2024/12/ceropegia-species.html http://scott-macleod.blogspot.com/2023/08/rose-rosa-rugosa-cz-national-flower-of.html AND Peter Norvig, Director of Research at Google, talks about how we have known that learning works best with a one-on-one tutor who encourages the student to keep working until mastery is achieved - https://youtu.be/Q7btkPovGjA (2013)

Sunday, February 8, 2026

California Bay (Umbellularia californica): Hi David, Searched on Peter Norvig Canyon 94516 re WUaS @WorldUnivAndSch moving forward there soon - Found http://scott-macleod.blogspot.com/2024/12/ceropegia-species.html http://scott-macleod.blogspot.com/2023/08/rose-rosa-rugosa-cz-national-flower-of.html AND Peter Norvig, Director of Research at Google, talks about how we have known that learning works best with a one-on-one tutor who encourages the student to keep working until mastery is achieved - https://youtu.be/Q7btkPovGjA (2013) - 'AI Tutoring for College-Bound Students'

Congratulations on becoming the executive director of Bright Paths DC - https://www.brightpathsdc.org/, David! Will see if I can find that Kottke Fahey 1969 album (is this it - https://youtu.be/wPIRd21-YXQ ? ) Abolitionally there, too! World Univ & Sch is seeking further to collaborate with Google's Sundar Pichai, and Google Australia and Canva Design and Education, both located in Sydney for free WUaS degrees in a number of languages ... Recently updated this after ~3 years - https://worlduniversityandschool.org/ ... What might you like to see here for your college bound students (besides accreditation and courses other than - https://ocw.mit.edu/). Friendly NtF Quaker and Unitarian Universalist (where I became a member of UU church of Palo Alto some weeks ago) greetings and regards, Yogically, Scott

Hi David,
Searched on
Peter Norvig Canyon 94516 re WUaS @WorldUnivAndSch moving forward there soon

Found
http://scott-macleod.blogspot.com/2024/12/ceropegia-species.html

http://scott-macleod.blogspot.com/2023/08/rose-rosa-rugosa-cz-national-flower-of.html
AND
"Peter Norvig, Director of Research at Google, talks about how we have known that learning works best with a one-on-one tutor who encourages the student to keep working until mastery is achieved" -
https://youtu.be/Q7btkPovGjA (2013)
Are you exploring with Bright Paths DC how one-on-one tutoring might be emerging with AI and ML ... and potentially helpful too to your tutees, in combination with a human tutor ? (Seems like Harvard College offers a lot of opportunities for one on one tutoring, for example). World Univ & Sch seeks to build this into our free online WUaS degrees ... and see Peter Norvig's INCREDIBLE #Revolutionizing Education with Machine Learning and AI: World University in School - https://www.toolify.ai/ai-news/revolutionizing-education-with-machine-learning-and-ai-2574306 ... David with your new role as Executive Director of - https://www.brightpathsdc.org/ -could you be in touch with both Peter Norvig and the US federal government about different approaches to one-to-one tutoring and re Bright Paths CD?

Thoughts, questions, suggestions - and regarding when I and World Univ & Sch might move further fully in Canyon 04516?

Cheers,
Scott

http://worlduniversityandschool.org/

(Asked Gemini AI too - How best to use gemini ai for one-to-one tutoring to help inner city kids bound from college - and when working with a one-to-one tutor already?
... and will email you what I learned )

Using Gemini as a bridge for inner-city, college-bound students is less about replacing a tutor and more about leveling the playing field. For students who may not have access to 24/7 academic support or high-end test prep, Gemini acts as an "always-on" teaching assistant.

When a student already has a one-to-one tutor, Gemini’s best role is as a Force Multiplier—handling the repetitive drills and "stuck" moments so the human tutor can focus on higher-level strategy and emotional support.

1. Using Gemini as a "Socratic" Bridge

Inner-city students often face "learned helplessness" in under-resourced environments. Gemini can be programmed to foster independence.

The "One-Step-At-A-Time" Rule: Instead of asking for answers, teach students to prompt Gemini with: "I am stuck on this math problem. Don't give me the answer, but ask me a leading question to help me find the next step."
Cultural Contextualization: Gemini can bridge cultural gaps. If a textbook uses an abstract or unfamiliar analogy, a student can ask: "Can you explain the concept of 'compounding interest' using an analogy related to basketball or sneaker reselling?"

2. Optimizing the Human-AI Partnership

The human tutor is the "Coach"; Gemini is the "Practice Facility."

The Session Bridge: In between weekly tutoring sessions, students often get stuck and stop working. Use Gemini to "unstick" them.
- Strategy: The tutor should give the student a "Gemini Prompt Sheet" for the week. (e.g., "If you forget how to balance these chemical equations, use this prompt to have Gemini walk you through it.")
Drafting & Feedback Loops: Writing a college essay is daunting.
- Student: Uses Gemini to brainstorm ideas or outline.
- Gemini: Provides instant feedback on grammar and "tone" (e.g., "Does this sound professional enough for a scholarship application?").
- Human Tutor: Reviews the refined draft to focus on the student's unique voice and narrative depth, rather than fixing typos.

3. Specialized College-Bound Workflows

SAT/ACT Mastery: Google has recently integrated The Princeton Review materials directly into Gemini. Students can type "Take a full-length SAT practice test" to get professional-grade questions for free—a resource that usually costs hundreds of dollars.
The "Financial Aid Translator": College award letters are notoriously confusing. Students can upload a PDF or paste text from a financial aid package and ask: "What is the actual 'net price' I have to pay out of pocket here? Explain the difference between the subsidized and unsubsidized loans in this letter."
Deep Research for College Lists: Use Gemini’s "Deep Research" mode to find schools that meet specific criteria (e.g., "Find colleges in the Northeast with strong nursing programs that offer full-need financial aid for families making under $50k.").

4. Practical Implementation Checklist

Role	Responsibility
Human Tutor	Goal setting, emotional encouragement, complex strategy, and verifying AI accuracy.
Gemini AI	24/7 "how-to" explanations, vocabulary building, repetitive drills, and initial essay drafting.
The Student	Directing the AI, asking "why" when they don't understand an AI response, and bringing AI-generated questions to the human tutor.

Pro-Tip for Tutors: Create a "Gem" (a custom version of Gemini) specifically for your student. You can pre-load it with instructions like: "You are a supportive tutor for a high school senior. Always use encouraging language, never give the final answer immediately, and prioritize explaining concepts through real-world examples."

Would you like me to draft a specific set of "Starter Prompts" tailored to a particular subject (like Algebra or College Essay writing) for your student to use?

Hi David,

I also learned the following from Gemini AI when I asked - How might you be seeking to leverage ML and AI in your new role at Bright Paths DC?

Cheers,

Scott

And again -

https://www.toolify.ai/ai-news/revolutionizing-education-with-machine-learning-and-ai-2574306

Utilize Gemini’s Guided Learning mode and image upload features for personalized, step-by-step, 1-on-1 tutoring, enabling students to break down complex concepts, quiz themselves, and review homework. The tool is ideal for creating interactive, on-demand support for writing, STEM subjects, and test prep, offering personalized learning sessions that can be accessed anytime.

Best Practices for Using Gemini in Tutoring

Implement "Guided Learning" Mode: Use this feature to move beyond simply generating answers to having the AI guide the student through a topic sequentially, using quizzes, videos, and interactive elements.
Leverage Document/Image Uploads: Students can upload photos of handwritten notes, math problems, or graphs for Gemini to explain step-by-step.
Use as a Writing Coach: Ask Gemini to provide feedback on essays, brainstorm, or improve the structure of college application papers.
Create Personalized Quizzes: Have the AI generate practice tests based on specific study materials or topics where the student is struggling.
Utilize Voice Interaction: Use the voice feature to facilitate conversation, allowing students to verbally present arguments or ask questions, similar to a real-time tutoring session.

Specific Applications for College-Bound Students

Essay & Application Prep: Use Gemini to brainstorm college essay topics, outline essays, or proofread for grammar and clarity.
Difficult Concept Breakdown: Upload images of complex chemistry formulas or calculus problems to receive a breakdown of how to solve them.
Study Aid Generation: Create flashcards, summaries of long articles, and practice quizzes for subject-specific exams.

By focusing on the interactive and visual capabilities of Gemini, students can receive tailored support that helps them master content at their own pace.