The theme of the ASU+GSV Summit happening right now is “Learning at the Speed of Light.” I keep trying to picture what the organizers think that would look like. I honestly can't imagine, but I'm sure it doesn't involve peanut butter.
The image of my twin sister swishing toothpaste around in her mouth and spitting it out all over the bathroom counter (we were 8 or 10?) is indelibly etched into my mind because I forget to include the sink in my instructions for brushing teeth. Funny those things we remember. Learning is (literally) messy. It's why some of us have spent a lifetime doing it. It's the most fun you can have making a mess.
If we lose the connection between student and teacher, all the AI tools in the world will not matter. My questions is whether these are mutually exclusive.
I think you are totally ‘write’ on! Just came across your stack. Refreshing to read a critical take on AI given the sea of educational supplicants kneeling at the consulting opportunities by promoting AI without concern for future generations or humanity in general! Am writing a book on the topic of educational AI and human intelligence. Pls connect if interested.
Excellent piece. I work with math teachers, and I am regularly astounded by the connections they make with their students and how important those connections are to learning. Also, I worry that mathematics education is especially vulnerable to wild claims about the potential for AI instruction. Our standardized tests already overemphasize procedural fluency over the other equally important parts of math proficiency (https://nap.nationalacademies.org/read/9822/chapter/6#116). I shudder to think what will come out when they put the "memorize math facts" goal into AI algorithms. Stunt their growth AND make them hate math! As if we didn't have enough of this already.
Full disclosure: I own "Improving Teaching Effectiveness: Final Report," a 500-page demonstration that Bill Gates is consistently wrong about education. You don't have to work hard to convince me of that.
John, discovering your writing has been one of the best things about joining Substack a few months ago! Also — a group of colleagues and I are planning to read and discuss MORE THAN WORDS in a few weeks, too, and I’ll gladly report back!
Love this, John. Well said. You’ll likely also enjoy this essay from my friend Brad East in the Chronicle last week. https://www.chronicle.com/article/luddite-pedagogy-its-ok-to-ignore-ai-in-your-teaching
Max and Benny's!
My high school history teacher is one of my few paid subscribers on Substack 🥰 Yay for human connections in education
I love that. I'm sure your teacher is proud to do so too.
The theme of the ASU+GSV Summit happening right now is “Learning at the Speed of Light.” I keep trying to picture what the organizers think that would look like. I honestly can't imagine, but I'm sure it doesn't involve peanut butter.
That's almost nonsensical, really. The idea that we can accelerate the speed of "learning" makes no sense. Learning takes as long as it takes.
The image of my twin sister swishing toothpaste around in her mouth and spitting it out all over the bathroom counter (we were 8 or 10?) is indelibly etched into my mind because I forget to include the sink in my instructions for brushing teeth. Funny those things we remember. Learning is (literally) messy. It's why some of us have spent a lifetime doing it. It's the most fun you can have making a mess.
Such a warm piece. Pure delight to read. I’m so thankful you took the time to write it.
If we lose the connection between student and teacher, all the AI tools in the world will not matter. My questions is whether these are mutually exclusive.
I think you are totally ‘write’ on! Just came across your stack. Refreshing to read a critical take on AI given the sea of educational supplicants kneeling at the consulting opportunities by promoting AI without concern for future generations or humanity in general! Am writing a book on the topic of educational AI and human intelligence. Pls connect if interested.
I love this article. I have many fond memories of connections with teachers.
Excellent piece. I work with math teachers, and I am regularly astounded by the connections they make with their students and how important those connections are to learning. Also, I worry that mathematics education is especially vulnerable to wild claims about the potential for AI instruction. Our standardized tests already overemphasize procedural fluency over the other equally important parts of math proficiency (https://nap.nationalacademies.org/read/9822/chapter/6#116). I shudder to think what will come out when they put the "memorize math facts" goal into AI algorithms. Stunt their growth AND make them hate math! As if we didn't have enough of this already.
Full disclosure: I own "Improving Teaching Effectiveness: Final Report," a 500-page demonstration that Bill Gates is consistently wrong about education. You don't have to work hard to convince me of that.
John, discovering your writing has been one of the best things about joining Substack a few months ago! Also — a group of colleagues and I are planning to read and discuss MORE THAN WORDS in a few weeks, too, and I’ll gladly report back!
Great piece.
Love this, thanks for writing!