The possibilities within the era of AI are bursting in front of our eyes. We are operating within Artificial Intelligence (AI) frameworks in some fashion in many aspects of life. Whether we are under the surveillance of face-recognition cameras in public or private spaces, using AI to improve written language, or using it as a marketing tool to generate designs, seek patterns, or to summarize or apply data as it automates reasoning and decision-making, AI is helpful and certainly here to stay.
Some of the important questions that educators are grappling with, however, include the following: How do we best prepare our learners for this world of AI that is growing exponentially and changing the educational landscape?; What AI and forms of critical thinking should we be instilling in our students?; What are the human elements that build meaningful connections and how can we preserve and strengthen childhood?; How do we continue to embed ethics and virtues, social-pragmatics, and effective communication skills in our programs as children learn how to appropriately use and navigate the world of AI?
At The Cushman School, we know that merging inquiry-based and experiential learning, innovation, relevancy, and character development MUST remain integral in the educational experience, especially in this AI era. With that in mind, applying those skills, dispositions and mindsets while balancing the human and AI side of change are a top priority.
A great educator consistently improves the craft of teaching to best meet the learning styles and needs of those students in class. As cognitive neuroscience uncovers hands-on approaches to teaching and learning, the balancing act for teachers becomes more difficult. They must now integrate research-based methods for teaching and learning with AI tools that create more adaptable, personalized experiences and resources for their students. A teacher’s ability to quickly identify ‘teachable moments’ for learning content, or, more importantly, for real-time life lessons fostering character development, have yet to be detected by AI models. While this is so, the benefits of AI are already recognized as they can aid educators in providing extended support to students in a personalized way. From altering the pacing of the delivery of curriculum for those who need an accelerated program or for others who need a slower pace, AI can be that educator’s thought and design partner.
AI is at the forefront of critical conversations in every aspect of our nation’s workforce and, even, integrated in our social spaces. It is our educational experts’ and teachers’ responsibility to lead the way as we work in partnerships with our families, community leaders, and public and private companies to create life-long learners and individuals who are adaptable to change and apply it responsibly through the demonstration of character. As it becomes easier to rely on and use others’ and AI’s thinking in many aspects of life, our students’ ethical and moral judgment will be at the forefront. As technology and AI’s platforms become more adept in generative design, ensuring students’ imagination and creativity continue to incubate is ever-more important. And as AI more rapidly produces answers to questions, applying a critical lens while seeking possible biases and inaccurate and false information, becomes a necessary skill in using AI effectively. These, and many other skills and dispositions will need to be instilled in our children beginning with our youngest learners so that they become part of their daily thought processes. It takes the responsibility of many… “that village”, to raise children that are resilient and confidently prepared for any change that comes their way and to engage meaningfully and joyfully in work and life.
With love,
Dr. Arvi Balseiro