I read this article yesterday about Kahoot being valued at $1.7 billion dollars! For multiple choice questions. For something that is about as low level in thinking as one can get when participants try to be the first and fastest in getting the right answer. Now, I am not against Kahoot completely and use it sparingly myself, but the article triggers a concern in my brain. This is not a Kahoot bash as I know we all use it to some degree, but I am using Kahoot to make a case in point about a much larger issue in education.
How can a tool that is typically low level DOK and memorization of facts and ideas valued so highly meanwhile in an era where artificial intelligence (AI) is pervading every sector, we still have a vast majority of educators and leaders clueless about the AI landscape?
The world is experiencing a whirlwind of change. From healthcare to finance, AI is changing how we work and live, and yet our education system seems somewhat static in contrast. With AI automating many jobs and creating new ones, the need for students to be equipped for this future of work is undeniable.
I don’t think I need to remind everyone about COVID and how unprepared we were for that unexpected disruption, but while we are still recovering from all the changes of COVID it feels like the education system has not learned its lesson and is still holding tight to what is comfortable and ignoring all the signs.
Currently, our education system seems more focused on teaching students to regurgitate facts rather than nurturing their ability to think critically and solve problems. While we say all the right things in education, most of the topics being discussed in the AI landscape are not new. Go read anything by Papert or simply follow Gary Stager as he is reminding us of this work daily.
The premise that we are not moving fast enough to prepare students is made evident with the rise of multiple-choice platforms like Kahoot, an educational game that allows students to answer questions in a competitive setting. Kahoot, while being a fun learning method, does not necessarily nurture critical thinking or problem-solving skills.
This gives rise to a crucial question: Are we missing the essence of education in the AI age? I know we get tired of these types of prompts and AI conversations, but to me AI has brought to light many of the ideas we have “talked” about in education for decades but have not moved into action outside of small pockets here and there.
I will bring up Kahoot once more, a simplified learning platform, is currently valued at a staggering $1.7 billion, suggesting our society’s inclination towards simplified, repetitive forms of learning.
And perhaps this is hitting harder than normal as I sat down with my son to apply for private student loans to cover his remaining tuition costs and was blown away by not only the cost, but the interest rates, and what a four-year degree will cost him before he even has a job to think about paying back the loans.
The Changing Landscape of Work
The jobs of the future will require more than rote learning. They will demand an understanding of AI and related technologies, along with creativity, adaptability, and a comfort level with technology. This is a far cry from the education offered in colleges, often at exorbitant costs, which fails to align with the actual requirements of the workforce. This mismatch of skills has led to increasing rates of underemployment, even among college graduates. Will his thousands of dollars towards a degree even create a match for a job in four years? Are colleges changing their methods? Is the K-12 system doing anything to help student have the skills necessary to think in this way? Is the K-12 system even aware of the change and what is needed in the world beyond education? Where is the authentic learning? Where is push towards the necessary skills to function in this new AI saturated world vs. spreadsheets of data points to make a school look good?
The Importance of a Paradigm Shift in Education
It is time to bridge this gap by fundamentally altering our approach to teaching and learning. We need to shift from a transactional to transformative learning model, especially in the K-12 education space. Here, AI can play a crucial role. Yes, I know it is not easy nor just a snap of the fingers, but I do believe the first step is mindset. How do we get away from thinking in transactions and products and more to a transformational and process-oriented mindset?
Artificial intelligence should be seen as more than just a tool for automating tasks or freeing up teachers’ time. It can be a catalyst to push the boundaries of human thinking. For instance, AI can create personalized learning experiences, allowing students to learn at their own pace, focusing on areas where they need the most help. It can also provide round-the-clock support, helping them overcome challenges and succeed in school. Again, this is surface level examples as another post can tackle the structured and unstructured AI uses and weave in the human condition to make sure using AI is helpful and not a hindrance.
The Role of AI in Education
AI can help us create immersive, engaging, and interactive learning experiences, thereby maintaining student motivation. Additionally, imparting knowledge about AI, its uses, and its implications is not just an option anymore—it’s a necessity. If we aim to prepare our children for the future, we must begin to help develop a generation of responsible AI citizens. I believe we need to think of AI as an extension of ourselves just like the pencil or keyboard have been extensions to our learning prior.
Thought Activity: AI and Education
As a thought exercise, let’s imagine a day in the life of a student, a decade from now. How would AI be integrated into their daily learning process? How would the roles of teachers evolve to adapt to this change? How could this model better prepare our students for an AI-infused workforce? Heck, at the rate of change it might only be 5 years. For me, I am thinking about my son. He does not know what he wants to do with his life, but as he explores and opens his eyes to the world, will his courses keep up with the changes of the careers?
Call to Action
Educators, policymakers, tech companies, and parents need to challenge our traditional education system. We need to rethink and reshape our approach to learning in the AI age and take proactive steps towards creating an AI-literate generation prepared to thrive in the AI-powered world.
The need to transform our education system to keep pace with AI advancements cannot be overstated. While this task may seem impossible we cannot use that as an excuse. Many still have no concept about AI beyond ChatGPT if they even understand this tool. I do believe change is is an achievable reality. AI is an external force causing disruption to education and therefore needs to be addressed. By accepting AI as a part of our lives and integrating it into our classrooms, we can ensure active participation in the AI-driven future. Failure to change would mean setting our students up for failure in a world transformed by AI. By embracing change and prioritizing critical thinking and problem-solving, we can ensure they are ready for whatever the future holds.
And bottom line is it would prove to be a failure of the education system for my son to go through the K-12 system and then college to have to return home to live due to debt and not equipped with the skills to be employed and contribute to the world.
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