Overview
This lecture discusses the challenges and opportunities facing education in the age of AI, focusing on student engagement, the evolving purpose of education, and how schools can adapt to fast-changing technology while supporting human development.
Declining Student Engagement & Reading
- Since 1976, the percentage of high school seniors reading for fun has dropped dramatically, with 40% now not reading any books for pleasure.
- Educators report that students struggle to complete assigned readings and test scores for reading are declining, worsened by the pandemic.
AI’s Impact on Education
- Generative AI can summarize books, write essays, and solve math problems, making it easy for students to bypass traditional assignments.
- There are concerns that reliance on AI may undermine the development of critical thinking and foundational skills.
Rethinking the Purpose of Education
- The traditional link between education and employment is being disrupted by AI’s ability to perform human tasks.
- Education should focus not only on content knowledge, but also on developing motivation, adaptability, creativity, and interpersonal skills.
Modes of Student Engagement
- Four modes: Passenger (coasting, disengaged), Achiever (perfection-focused), Resistor (avoiding/disrupting), Explorer (deeply proactive and interested).
- AI can reinforce passenger mode by enabling shortcuts, but can also support motivated students to enhance learning.
Personalization & the Role of AI
- AI has the potential to personalize learning by adapting to individual learning styles.
- Teachers’ roles may shift toward supervision, support, and relationship building rather than solely content delivery.
Risks & Screen Use in Schools
- Past mass adoption of screens in schools had negative effects; lessons include avoiding technology for its own sake and emphasizing real problems.
- Schools should consider banning phones and unnecessary screen time, focusing on human interaction and deep attention.
Equity & Access
- There is a risk that AI adoption could widen educational inequalities between public/private schools and different social groups.
- AI can help bridge gaps for underserved communities and students with special needs if designed appropriately and ethically.
Assessing Educational Success
- Traditional grades do not reflect engagement or agency; parents should look for signs of motivation, agency, and social interaction.
- Important skills for the future include learning how to learn, communication, social skills, and oracy (speaking and listening).
Key Terms & Definitions
- Generative AI — Artificial intelligence systems that can create text, images, or other content.
- Agency — A student’s capacity to take charge of their own learning process.
- Oracy — The ability to express oneself fluently and grammatically in speech.
- Passenger Mode — A disengaged student who does the minimum required.
- AI Literacy — Understanding how AI works, its risks, and ethical considerations.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Read: "Democracy and Education" by John Dewey; "Unwired" by Gia Bernstein; "Blueprint for Revolution" by Srdja Popovic.
- Monitor student engagement and agency, not just grades.
- Limit unnecessary screen use and focus on activities promoting deep attention and interpersonal skills.
- Promote AI literacy and responsible use among older students.