Comment by edw519 | Hacker News Reader

Comment by edw519 | Hacker News Reader

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Patrick, I'm really glad to see you use the reference from the Atlantic article in your presentation. It was one of the most memorable "testimonials without even being a testimonial" I've ever read about the use software for a higher purpose:

Next, Mr. Taylor announces it’s time for Multiplication Bingo. As Mr. Taylor reads off a problem (“20 divided by 5”), the kids scour their boards, chips in hand, looking for 4’s. One girl is literally shaking with excitement. Another has her hands clasped in a prayer position. I find myself wanting to play. You know you’re in a good classroom if you have to stop yourself from raising your hand.

My reaction, which hasn't changed, from 11 months ago:

http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1267630

The full article:

http://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/print/2010/01/what-makes...

I wrote that into the slide primarily because you had seemed so affected by it. Thanks for calling it out for me.

That is a great article, even aside from the anecdote about the bingo cards. Analysing what makes a good teacher is so important yet so difficult in reality because of the influence of teachers’ unions. There’s also is a huge reluctance to use any information that is discovered to improve our education systems.

Amazingly, it's also highly relevant to entrepreneurs. The article lists six characteristics of great teachers:

1. great teachers tended to set big goals for their students

2. perpetually looking for ways to improve their effectiveness

3. avidly recruited students and their families into the process

4. maintained focus, ensuring that everything they did contributed to student learning

5. planned exhaustively and purposefully by working backward from the desired outcome

6. worked relentlessly, refusing to surrender

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Translating these to the world of entrepreneurs we can say:

1. set big goals for yourself

2. perpetually look or ways to improve your effectiveness

3. avidly recruit workers and partners into the process

4. maintain focus, ensuring that everything you do contributes to your goals

5. plan exhaustively and purposefully by working backward from the desired outcome

6. work relentlessly, do not surrender

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