Hacker News Reader

Comment by swalsh | Hacker News Reader

I can't speak for why they dropped them, but I can tell you from my own experience due dates were more of a demotivating factor for me. I signed up for the AI class. I diligently went through the classes (and was learning a lot!) however I then had to travel to Japan for work. I went a few weeks where I literally didn't have a minute to spend on the classwork, so I fell behind. Once I missed a due date I lost motivation to continue. :\

View on HN

But do you think you did so well early in the term as a result of the deadlines? Perhaps it had no impact, but I'd argue that a lot of people need that requirement to stay on track.

I found that it worked both ways. When I started, the deadlines kept me motivated. But when real life intruded, and I had to take a break for several weeks, that fact that I was behind was a demotivator. A good middle ground might be "unlocking" the classes - there is a two week deadline per lesson, but it only starts when I begin the lesson.

No, the deadline really had no bering on motivating me to start. Learning the subject was motivating enough for me. But once I realized I was falling behind, my state of mind changed.

Do you feel the parts you did interact with were helpful?

Perhaps they didn't do a good-enough job of selling the benefits of the course to you? And so you weren't dedicated enough. Is this possible?

> Perhaps they didn't do a good-enough job of selling the benefits of the course to you? And so you weren't dedicated enough. Is this possible?

Not for me. In fact, the classes I took, I would have never taken years ago (free or not). I didn't have the professional context nor the organic curiosity to see the value. I have this context now; this is what motivated me to enroll and ultimately, what motivates me to continue even though making time for the lessons is tough.

Reply on news.ycombinator.com