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Plunging test scores are a slow-moving catastrophe

207 points · 414 comments · vinni2

  1. dumberquestions · · focus · HN ↗
    The drop from 2018 to 2022 is as big as the one from 2022 to 2026, so it's not obvious whether AI had a role at all, although it's highly plausible.

    I suspect the bigger culprit is the optimized monetization of human attention, because pre-algorithmic social media doesn't seem to be as destructive. The fact that science wasn't as affected as math and reading (both of which rely more on attention/practice than rote memorization) somewhat supports this.

    1. asutekku · · focus · HN ↗
      Between 2018 and 2022, we saw the widespread adoption of social media and the rapid digitalization of education. Focusing on these key shifts, it seems clear to me that any kind of electronic learning has had a negative impact on education :p
      1. AlienRobot · · focus · HN ↗
        Another modern problem with education is that every student has a smartphone now, which they bring to the class, then they get distracted by it.
        1. Loquebantur · · focus · HN ↗
          "Modern" education isn't modern at all. It's a leftover from industrialization, aiming at producing easily controllable worker drones.

          "Elites" fearing the "plebs" to question them on things they have no good answers for is what constrains active development of actual modern scientific concepts of pedagogy taking hold. You only get to research what is being paid for.

          Look at the, pretty obvious, natural human child-mode of learning: playing games.

          Just not escapist nonsense games. Games that model relevant aspects of reality in an engaging way. Where you can fail without real-life consequences and learn from it while enjoying yourself.

          1. kyykky · · focus · HN ↗
            My kids are very much into games. However, soon as they got old enough to invite friends over, I have learned they are a minority. Most of their friends don’t give a shit.
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