Like glitter, another revolution beckons me. The traditional classroom, now so often openly criticized for its prison-like structure and malignant bureaucratic practices is ripe for a daring escape. The overly cautious, liability-protective stances that handcuff educators and hold students hostage is ripe for a reckoning. Who or what will be the usurper? AI might just be the usurper we need to lead the revolution. In an institution where creative license is extended to colour the curriculum 50 shades of blue I think it's time we dive headfirst into the thrilling world of AI-enhanced learning.
As I become more involved with my youngest son's education I see an advance toward the primary focus of public education to be a covering of administrative bases rather than fostering an enriching, boundary-pushing, thought provoking educational environment. Does this self serving, fear based and limiting conservative approach do a disservice to the innate curiosity and boundless potential of students? Until now I always regarded the education system as a crusade for those who wanted to change the world by teaching children how to learn and how to question and now all I see is a faction of people who challenge little and change nothing. My grandmother was a teacher, my aunt is a teacher, my uncle is a teacher, one of my best friends is a teacher, one of my mentors is a retired teacher and these people are thinkers, they are disruptors, they are maternal, paternal, supporters, and in some way they either still are or were rovolutionaires of peadagogy principals and practicies. Where are the revolutionalries now, are they no longer allowed? Do they no longer fit within the confines of the institutions? Just like the schools of the 60's and 70's are undergoing asbestos abatements do we need a wave of abatements to our constructs that have woven themselves into the fabric of our public school system? So if this is the reality, what is next? What can a proactive individual, parent or otherwise, do to enact change? Clearly fighting a behemoth of this magnitude is futile so how does this Goliath fall? Perhaps the David we seek is AI.
I believe that AI will bring back the crusaders. Integrating AI into educational settings isn’t just about keeping up with technology—it’s about redefining what learning can look like. Imagine a classroom where AI tutors provide personalized learning experiences, adapting in real-time to the needs of each student. Consider the possibilities of AI-driven simulations that can transport students from the confines of their classrooms to the surface of Mars or the depths of the ocean—all within a single lesson.
For instance, the Georgia Institute of Technology experimented with an AI teaching assistant named Jill Watson. Students didn’t realize Jill was AI because her responses were timely, informative, and surprisingly human-like. If AI can seamlessly integrate into higher education, why not in our primary and secondary schools? Here is the link if you are interested JILL WATSON
By learning about AI, so that we can teach our children how to use some AI tools, we champion a form of educational reform that values risk-taking and adventure. AI can act as a lever, prying open the doors to a more dynamic classroom that champions innovation. The notion that schools act as babysitting facilities must be dismantled. Instead, we should aim to ignite a spark of discovery and intellectual daring in every student and I believe there is no better environment in which to begin than at home.
The journey towards integrating AI into education is undoubtedly fraught with challenges and will require bold, fearless leadership, the type of leadership that we see less of in the admin offices of schools. However, the potential rewards—creating a more engaging, personalized, and expansive learning environment—are too great to ignore. It’s time for our education systems to evolve from the new babysitter model to vibrant hubs of creativity and innovation. AI is not just a tool but a bridge to a future where learning is a grand adventure. Yes, AI can do all the work asked of our student children. Yes, students can use it to cheat. All you have to do is use it to craft answers you require and then prompt it to answer in a way that is “undetectable and human-ized”. So let’s let the cheaters cheat and leave them to it so that we can focus our attention and support on those who wish not to cheat. In fact if you want to do an experiment for yourself download the Alberta Curriculum for your child's grade. Attach it as a doc and prompt chat gpt 4 to create the entire lesson plan for each subject for the appropriate year, ask that it generate accompanying and applicable assignments, then ask that it tabulate the information and create the tests that a student could expect from the material. Then ask that it take the test and achieve your choice of grade and then issue a report card. Once you craft your prompt, watch chat gpt complete your task in about 1 minute. This cannot be policed so why not embrace the limitless possibilities that are AI and prepare our student children for what could be reframed as the most exciting and exhilarating time to be a student that we have ever witnessed.
As a parent who took on the task of overseeing my son's Grade 7 education, I dove deep into the curriculum and textbooks, only to discover the need for a broader perspective than what was offered. This realization led us to leverage AI as an invaluable ally in our educational adventure. We used AI tools to scrutinize the materials for bias and objectivity, allowing us to uncover and discuss various perspectives beyond the standard curriculum. This process wasn't just about filtering information; it was a profound educational shift towards critical thinking and open-mindedness.
AI became more than just a technological tool; it transformed into a catalyst for intellectual curiosity. Together, we explored different viewpoints, analyzed data, and engaged in discussions that were as thrilling as they were enlightening. This experience not only enriched my son’s understanding of the subjects at hand but also prepared him to navigate a world where thinking critically and understanding multiple perspectives are paramount.
AI wrote some of this and I also wrote some of this. I challenge you to discern which part belongs to which author and then ask yourself if it really matters anyway.
By integrating AI into our learning process, we didn’t just follow the curriculum—we expanded it. We turned every lesson into a multi-dimensional exploration, making education a dynamic and interactive adventure. This is the potential of AI in education—not just to enhance learning but to transform it into a journey of discovery. Our embrace of this technology allowed me to give my son autonomy of his learning and the tools to think broader, deeper, and bolder.
The path to revolutionizing our educational system is clear: a massive disruption of entrenched norms is not just desirable, but essential. This upheaval will likely begin not within the confines of bureaucratic chambers, but through the actions of a few open-minded teachers and many courageous parents who dare to dream bigger for their children.
These pioneers, armed with AI and a vision for what education can become, are the vanguard of this transformation. They understand that to prepare our children for the complexities of the future, we must move away from traditional methodologies that prioritize conformity over creativity. By embracing AI, both educators and parents can lead by example, demonstrating the profound impact of innovative tools and approaches in crafting a more engaging, inclusive, and effective educational landscape.
Even if you are not a changemaker you can still rally behind these change-makers, supporting and amplifying their efforts to mold an education system that values curiosity, critical thinking, and adaptability. The journey toward educational reform is steeped in challenges, yet it is one that we must embark on if we are to truly enrich the minds and lives of the next generation. The future of education is calling for bold adventurers—let's answer the call and make learning the vibrant, liberating adventure it ought to be. The one it used to be.
Here is a link to my favorite source of information on the latest AI tools that my simple brain is capable of understanding. SUPERHUMAN AI