Hacker Newsnew | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submitlogin

In order to do that, we would have to be able to measure “learning”, and so far, we have only been able to measure “ability to regurgitate facts”. It does not help that the mainstream educational paradigm is “to fill the blank slate that is the student”.

See: John Taylor Gatto’s book on this subject— The Underground History of American Education.

There are other educational paradigms, but they are radically different — no tests, no curriculum, no “fill the blank slate”, no measuring.



I knew I'd see Gatto come up eventually. I owe my life to that man. Before and after reading his work is like before and after the Wizard of Oz switches to color.


Gaining a skill is how we can measure learning.

Writing is a skill.

Writing clearly, grammatically, persuasively, and logically takes many skills.


That is measuring from the outside, and quantifying it. How do you measure “skill”? You still look at the results, rather than the skill that develops inside a person. It’s still the same problem as measuring “learning”.




Consider applying for YC's Winter 2026 batch! Applications are open till Nov 10

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: