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The EdTech Revolution Has Failed

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Re: The EdTech Revolution Has Failed

#291

Post by fearmerchant »

sixo wrote: post #213
fearmerchant wrote: post #180

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I work in education and you're probably right that it's not THE thing, but it does enter the conversation. Teachers are supposed to provide what's called differential instruction but the quality and fidelity really depends on the teacher.

yeah, it's there, but I tend to think that "equity" is what people end up reaching for as a rationalization of the emotional need for uniformity / conformity / familiarity It sort of "fits" but it just doesn't explain very much on its own

As an aside, I'm not really sure whether equity in the schools is simply being used as a buzzword folks think they need to include in their statements about various topics, or whether people really adhere to what it means and entails. Probably a little from column A and a little from column B.

Re: The EdTech Revolution Has Failed

#292

Post by insane_dreamer »

rahimnathwani wrote: post #256
insane_dreamer wrote: post #198

Ed tech, like most tech, is primarily focused on making money for the ed tech companies and their shareholders. Not at all surprised that it doesn't actually lift education standards. As the parent of two kids in elementary and middle school, the one thing we learned from Covid is that children need live teachers. Yes, there are exceptional children who can self-teach with good materials (I have one such child) but m…

> as I've found those work better than any "adaptive" EdTech I've encountered Have you tried Math Academy? From seeing my son using it, I'm guessing it's more effective than live coaching from a median middle school math teacher.

I saw that on HN recently, and it does look good, but haven't tried it yet. I might give it a try. One factor is I'm my son's math coach so I don't mind sitting down with him and books (he's 2 grades ahead).

This isn't to say EdTech can't be useful, and my previous comment was perhaps a bit harsh. Khan Academy is great for drilling into specific subjects; my older child (now finished college) used it at home in HS as a supplement and it helped (scored in top 2% nationwide on SAT).

I just don't think EdTech __replaces__ teachers (which is what many edtech-utopians preach), and I'm not even sure it's a good classroom tool, but rather is a useful _supplement_ that allows _some_ students who are interested and good at certain subjects to forge ahead on their own, or maybe as homework. It's just a tool among others, not a "revolution in education" that's going to "raise scores for everyone".

Re: The EdTech Revolution Has Failed

#293

Post by jdprgm »

donatj wrote: post #10

I work in EdTech, I have for a very long time now, and the problem I have seen is no one in education is willing to ACTUALLY let kids learn at their own level. The promise of EdTech was that kids could learn where they are. A kid who's behind can actually continue to learn rather than being left behind. A kid who's ahead can be nurtured. We had this. It worked well, in my opinion at least, and the number of complaint…

I've always thought it would be interesting to have a education system that focused primarily on the best outcome for the brightest students and focused the vast majority of resources on the top 5% or so. I wonder if the total impact made (gdp, research contributions, etc) by a cohort of students this way would be higher vs spending resources to slightly bring up the average on a large number of students that never make much of themselves.

Re: The EdTech Revolution Has Failed

#294

Post by marssaxman »

mattbrewsbytes wrote: post #271
ggm wrote: post #168

Earlier quoted context omitted.

In some economies, to be an engineer means a chartered engineer, which demands completion of a formal assessment by the national engineering council. I'm not throwing shade on you, my degree from 1982 was 1 year too early to make certification in my field and I have worked for 42 years in software and systems without charter status. I am however cautious of using the word. I call myself a computer scientist even when…

In the software industry and related domains in other industries (i.e. software at a bank, software for retail systems, etc.) the words engineer, developer and programmer can be used interchangeably. I think "engineer" is more trendy these days than "programmer". Other industries also use the words "architect" or even "sanitation engineer" and they mean different things. I don't think its a big deal that the same wor…

It is a little amusing when people get fussy about credentials and certifications for the term "engineer" given that an "engineer" in the railroad industry is simply a person who operates a locomotive engine. It seems a very small stretch to analogize software engineers as operators of computing engines!

Re: The EdTech Revolution Has Failed

#295

Post by BJones12 »

ryanmcbride wrote: post #132
tombert wrote: post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A bit tangential but related. I dropped out of college in 2012 and was one of the very lucky few who managed to find software engineering work almost immediately [1]. I had a bit of a complex about not having a degree, and a few times I tried going back only to drop out again because I would get bored; by the time I had gone back, I already knew enough stuff to be qualified as an engineer, and as such I didn't feel l…

I dropped out and became an engineer at almost the exact same time. I've thought about going back for a degree but I was always so horribly bad at school that it's scared me off. I was bad at it mainly for undiagnosed ADHD reasons that I'm now getting successfully treated, but I'm still worried that if I went back the same things would just happen again. I'd join a class, I'd already kind of know what they're teachin…

It also worked for me. Whatever material you already know you can mostly skip (though you will get tested on it).

Check out /r/WGU and /r/WGU_CompSci

Re: The EdTech Revolution Has Failed

#296

Post by tombert »

mrandish wrote: post #206
tombert wrote: post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A bit tangential but related. I dropped out of college in 2012 and was one of the very lucky few who managed to find software engineering work almost immediately [1]. I had a bit of a complex about not having a degree, and a few times I tried going back only to drop out again because I would get bored; by the time I had gone back, I already knew enough stuff to be qualified as an engineer, and as such I didn't feel l…

Sorry, what is WGU?

Apologies for confusion, I forget people don't have a direct microscope to my brain sometimes!

I edited the post to clarify.

Re: The EdTech Revolution Has Failed

#297

Post by Joel_Mckay »

The "Trough of disillusionment" always hits every paradigm shift in markets.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gartner_hype_cycle

In general, people tend to learn most subjects through their own actions and continuous practice... and not through abstract imagination of some non sequitur that lecturers may not even fully comprehend. Only 1:17 people have the self discipline to do self-directed study... online that stat is likely more dismal... =)

Yet, we found Steve Brunton's book and many labs tended to engage people better than handouts:

https://www.youtube.com/@Eigensteve/videos

https://www.amazon.com/Data-Driven-Science-Engineering-Learn...

Thanks Steve =3

Re: The EdTech Revolution Has Failed

#298

Post by BJones12 »

el_benhameen wrote: post #124
tombert wrote: post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A bit tangential but related. I dropped out of college in 2012 and was one of the very lucky few who managed to find software engineering work almost immediately [1]. I had a bit of a complex about not having a degree, and a few times I tried going back only to drop out again because I would get bored; by the time I had gone back, I already knew enough stuff to be qualified as an engineer, and as such I didn't feel l…

Also tangential, but do you feel like you’ve gotten your money’s worth out of the WGU program? I have also been employed as degree-less an engineer for a long time (I have a BA in an unrelated subject), and I’ve occasionally thought about going back to get a BS or a masters in comp sci. Partially for the signaling aspect, and partially to fill in any knowledge gaps that I’m unaware of. WGU’s pacing and pricing sound…

> I’ve also heard that it can sometimes be a questionable resume signal. Any thoughts?

There are jobs that require a degree, and there are jobs that require a degree from MIT. This will get you in the first door, but not the second.

Also consider GaTech's OMSCS, though there are CS entrance requirements.

Re: The EdTech Revolution Has Failed

#299

Post by BJones12 »

quacksilver wrote: post #108
jspiral wrote: post #75

Earlier quoted context omitted.

WGU was a customer when I was at Learning Objects, they always impressed me visionary and outcome oriented. glad to hear a positive anecdote more than 10 years later.

I'm sad WGU is only for US citizens. I hear lots of good things about it but can't join in.

A few Canadians can sneak in, depending on location.

Re: The EdTech Revolution Has Failed

#300

Post by snapcaster »

ggm wrote: post #168
tombert wrote: post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A bit tangential but related. I dropped out of college in 2012 and was one of the very lucky few who managed to find software engineering work almost immediately [1]. I had a bit of a complex about not having a degree, and a few times I tried going back only to drop out again because I would get bored; by the time I had gone back, I already knew enough stuff to be qualified as an engineer, and as such I didn't feel l…

In some economies, to be an engineer means a chartered engineer, which demands completion of a formal assessment by the national engineering council. I'm not throwing shade on you, my degree from 1982 was 1 year too early to make certification in my field and I have worked for 42 years in software and systems without charter status. I am however cautious of using the word. I call myself a computer scientist even when…

I would be skeptical of granting that much power/mental space to gatekeepers you didn't elect. You're fine at your job without the certification right? so maybe it's not needed?
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