“To boldly go where no man has gone before”
Mission of the Starship Enterprise
Whether or not you’re a Star Trek fan (and, admittedly, I know little more than that one phrase), we’re all on the starship now. Artificial intelligence is fast becoming the most transformational technology since the Internet itself. It has the potential—for good or bad—to take our society to places it has never gone. Fortunately, the choice is ours.
AI can help us close stubborn gaps or widen them beyond repair. It can replace our jobs or give us the ability to create an entirely new economy. We can view it as our competition—as a menace—or as a powerful ally. Classrooms provide an ideal setting to make the right choices, conscientiously embrace innovative tools, and generate awesome student outcomes.
In this inaugural Educate AI column, I want to set some context for a conversation we’ll continue in earnest. Importantly, our mindset when considering new technology will determine our eventual relationship with it, the trust we earn from learners, and the future we help them create.
Making the right decisions begins with asking the right questions, and determining the questions starts with our approach. When investigating the potential of AI tools in education, let’s agree to ask questions with these qualities at the foundation:
- Purpose
As with any other technology or strategy, it only makes sense to do what is meaningful in our unique context. What is our mission, what are the critical areas to address in fulfilling that mission, and what tools authentically align with those needs? This presents an opportunity for educators and industry to make one another better, constantly pushing each other to be purposeful in innovation and action.
- Ambition
Let’s look at the possibilities through an asset-based lens, considering the strengths of educators, students, and the tools available. Rather than focusing first on our fears or the problems we hope to avoid, think about the potential. What previously unsolvable problems can we finally address? What new goals are now within reach? How big can we dream?
- Trust
When students are given access and guidance on using age-appropriate tools, they will find new and meaningful ways to succeed. Technological advancement is the way of the world, and these programs already exist outside the school walls, so rushing to ban them without discussion or to pretend they’re irrelevant to learning will not help young people. Educate students about purposeful technology use, teach them how to ask the right questions, and discover new learning opportunities presented by technology.
- Confidence
Operate with belief in our educators as experts who will find ways to enhance their practice and support even better student outcomes when they have ownership over the tools they select and implement. Teachers who fear the goal is to “replace” them will be incentivized to resist new tools, disadvantaging themselves and their students. By contrast, when teachers are supported and encouraged to explore available resources and make decisions that benefit learners, they will become even better in their roles.
- Humility
True curiosity must drive our ongoing exploration of the best technologies to implement. To sustain that curiosity, we must also operate with humility, never assuming we have all the answers or have even asked all the questions. The resources available and the possible outcomes will continue to shift and evolve at a rapid pace. This is true for teaching and learning, as well as in the workforce and other areas of society. We must accept that our knowledge is only partially and temporarily complete at any given time, so we keep pushing for the better.
Like most people, I’ve had skepticism toward some AI technology and excitement toward others. It is important to consider safety, privacy, and unique human potential. We should never rush headlong into implementation without a plan or purpose.
About the author
Ross Romano is a contributing editor to Educate AI. He is a consultant, advisor, performance coach, and podcast host who helps organizations and individuals define and communicate their unique vision, connecting it with strategic decisions that lead to meaningful impact. Ross is the founder and CEO of September Strategies, a consulting firm supporting businesses in the K-12 space, and co-founder of the BE Podcast Network, with 40+ shows focused on transformative change in formal and informal learning environments. Connect with him on LinkedIn, Twitter, or his website.
