Thread

1. ianaye · 1790518615 · focus · HN ↗

   Replace the profs with ai. Force every student to do a three hour one on one interview test with the ai prof to demonstrate mastery and get a final grade. Have other ai proctor. Replace homework with similar “ai sessions” where the student is guided by ai and given specific exercises tailored to the students learning trajectory and personal profile. Students can and will learn better with ai “professors” than they do now. The problem is that higher education is not about learning ultimately. The problem is ai in education is that ai exposes the lie, it was never about learning, it was about credentials, money and control.

   1. ashton314 · 1790519383 · focus · HN ↗

      What an incredibly cynical take. Might as well have people date AI boyfriends and be governed by AI politicians.

      > Students can and will learn better with ai “professors” than they do now.

      No, that’s not true. You have no evidence to suggest that.

      > The problem is that higher education is not about learning ultimately.

      It is, actually, and many institutions do a good job of this. Some don’t, but they’re not all just degree mills.

      1. ianaye · 1790526805 · focus · HN ↗

         Do you recall universities going after the MOOCs? I do. Do you think students benefit from smaller class sizes and more one on one time with professors? If you ask a professor what qualifies them do they say their research or their pedagogical skills? Do people pursue higher education opportunities at the same rate when no degree or certificate is offered? What happened to MOOCs anyway? If Harvard is so great for the nation, why not 10x its enrollment? I’ve probably thought about this much longer than you have.

         1. ashton314 · 1791099110 · focus · HN ↗

            I am really sorry—it seems that you’ve only had teachers you feel would be better replaced with AI. That’s unfortunate. I consider myself lucky, and I can only think of one or two duds who little better than screen readers for their slides. I think the average experience of students across junior, high school, and college is a mixed bag, but almost all have at least one or two teachers who care. You seem to be unlucky, and I’m sorry.

            > If you ask a professor what qualifies them do they say their research or their pedagogical skills?

            The majority will say “both”, unless they’re teaching faculty in which case they’ll say pedagogy. Source: I spend a lot of time around professors.

            I don’t know any students personally who think they’d be better off with an AI professor. I know a lot of current college students.

            > I’ve probably thought about this much longer than you have.

            All I can say is that that is a strange argument to attempt.

   2. pona-a · 1790577488 · focus · HN ↗

      If my department ever reached a point of such disrespect for their students, I'd quit my degree on the spot. I understand what a university degree is, and wouldn't pay full tuition for this sad pantomime of one.

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