AI and Education

Hi Mark! I think your approach of listening first and looking for a balanced perspective is exactly what conversations around AI in education need.

I’ve been exploring this space myself, particularly how AI can help turn educational ideas into interactive, playful learning experiences.

One thing I’ve found fascinating is how AI can make it possible to experiment with ideas that might otherwise require considerable technical resources. I’ve been using it to help build small interactive experiences, including word games and activities for younger learners.

I personally don’t see AI as a replacement for educators. I see its real potential in empowering teachers to create, experiment and personalise learning in ways that weren’t always accessible before.

I’m new to this community too, and I’d love to learn how other educators are approaching this.

I’m curious, was the hesitation in your committee more about students using AI, or teachers using it to develop learning materials? I think those are two quite different conversations!

I think it is a little of both. There's an obvious care for students, but also a fear of the unknown. Some have read or watched too many dystopian books and movies. I may just be the anomaly since I have been around this from the beginning, when we only had one Commodore computer and a Walkman for the hard drive. I agree that these are two different conversations, and I am glad I am on this committee. I hope I can level the field instead of building walls. Personally, I use AI to help me create fuller lesson plans and also add whimsy to the lessons. Right now, my HS robotics class is working on controlling a robot using basic commands. Using AI, we are now delivering medical supplies so the lesson has a real-world connection instead of just programming.