i-Ready EdTech software turns math-loving kids into tearful haters

A recent LessWrong post by Zvi explores the dark side of educational technology, focusing on the i-Ready software. The author shares a parent's story: his first-grade son, once obsessed with math, came home in tears saying he hated it after being forced to use i-Ready. The child described the experience as torture, hiding in the bathroom to avoid it. The software assumes students cannot read, reads instructions slowly, and forces identical lessons repeatedly—something no human teacher would do. This is not unique to i-Ready; it reflects how EdTech is often implemented in schools, prioritizing compliance over learning.

The post argues that parents often don't realize that choosing a school means choosing an EdTech platform, and that choice can be more consequential than the school itself. The software's rigid enforcement destroys intrinsic motivation and autonomy. While some EdTech like Alpha School shows promise with bespoke design and human support, most students suffer under poorly designed programs. The piece calls for a rethink of how screens are used in education, advocating for banning phones in schools and limiting screen time to preserve children's love of learning.