‹ BackHN Continuity

Thread

How I changed teaching after AI managed to do all my homework assignments

305 points · 288 comments · azhenley

  1. gblargg · · focus · HN ↗
    Seems the core problem is that many/most students aren't there to learn the material, just to get grades. The class is a complex mechanism to force them to learn material against their will in a validation arms race. The teacher's job becomes something like a military commander. Seems depressing.
    1. CrimsonRain · · focus · HN ↗
      This is because we shield children too much from reality. If they had a fire under their ass that made them realize if they don't study well, they will forever be locked into flipping burgers or being homeless, most of them would move their assess.

      Don't do anything productive for the society but still get to live a decent life on benefits, job security etc combined with addictive social media have ruined most kids will to study.

      And the schools are even worse. When I was in school, teachers encouraged learning things; whether for school or outside, with teacher or self help. Everything was fair game and supported. Debate was normal.

      Nowadays the teachers in schools are like a cult. Kids are tuned to reject anything from outside; anything that contradicts teacher is a no go zone. Anything that's "too advanced" compared to what teacher is doing is forbidden. Kids are scared of learning by themselves because the teachers punish it. What do you think these kids will do when they grow up?

      1. anal_reactor · · focus · HN ↗
        The least paragraph... has always been the case. My parents told me stories about teachers denying facts not to lose authority. I distinctly recall my teacher pretending that peripheral vision doesn't exist not to lose authority.
        1. CrimsonRain · · focus · HN ↗
          The other day... kid says divide by 0 = 0. I'm like that's wrong. Kid: NO! TEACHER SAID...

          Need to divide. Show long division. TEACHER DIDN'T SHOW THIS METHOD. THIS IS FALSE!

          Let's not even go into social/political issues since HN is filled with mental illnesses.

      2. MaxBarraclough · · focus · HN ↗
        > If they had a fire under their ass that made them realize if they don't study well, they will forever be locked into flipping burgers or being homeless, most of them would move their assess.

        That strikes me as backward. The higher the expected monetary value of good grades, the more students will prioritise grades over deep learning.

        1. eviks · · focus · HN ↗
          The quote is not about grades
        2. CrimsonRain · · focus · HN ↗
          Grades only take you so far. The ones with fire under their ass have motivation and grit. They learn, they work hard, they pivot, and most have more success in life than rich kids with everything handed to them or kids who were comfortable and just followed curriculum blindly (and nothing else).
      3. parineum · · focus · HN ↗
        > This is because we shield children too much from reality. If they had a fire under their ass that made them realize if they don't study well, they will forever be locked into flipping burgers or being homeless, most of them would move their assess.

        This seems pretty inaccurate to me at just about every turn.

        The fire under their asses is for grades and a degree because they've erroneously been told they need one or else they'll be flipping burgers.

        It's such a cliche thing to say but cheating at school cheats yourself of the education you could be getting but, since that's not what most people are there for, they cheat. They are there because they've been told that they need a degree to make a decent living and the degree doesn't technically require learning.

        1. CrimsonRain · · focus · HN ↗
          yall have no idea what is fire under your ass is. It is a honest but ruthless understanding of society you get as a kid, understanding that you will be on your own (already or when you grow up), and your parents wont (can't) help (feed) you when you grow up. Esp true for men (women can marry up). You realize you must accomplish things, become valuable to society, and earn your keep.

          It is not about being sold a lie about grades/degree but those are important too.

          And just because it worked out for people like me (you?) who never needed a degree, doesn't mean that's the way for most people.

Open on Hacker News to reply ↗

Unofficial Hacker News client; not affiliated with Y Combinator.