Youth Need to Learn the Latest Tools & Technologies for Professional Success
Educators should teach students how to use AI in the classroom, not forbid it.
I recently blogged about how many people in education are missing the boat on artificial intelligence and generative AI. But I don’t think I stressed enough how avoiding or banning these tools does a disservice to the next generation.
Because education is about teaching students how to think and engage with the world around them. And resisting the future will leave students ill-equipped for the professional world outside the halls of academia. In professional life, AI is already ubiquitous.
Integrating Tech in Education Triggers a Familiar Debate
Like I explained a couple of weeks ago, resistance to new technology is education is not new. Many viewed calculators as a harbinger of doom for mathematics education. Instead, responsible use of calculators accelerated education. The same happened with computers and the internet.
Each day, millions of professionals use calculators, computers and the internet. Often, you access these tools through your smartphone. And smartphones didn’t even exist when calculators, computers and the internet first started spreading through society.
Simply put, history is replete with examples of how responsibly integrating new tools enhances productivity in the workforce. And students must learn those tools, preferably while still in school.
AI in the classroom is at a similar crossroads. Yes, I understand that the concerns are real. Students can use new tools like AI as a shortcut. But they can also be a tool to deepen their understanding.
For instance, students can use generative AI to write essays without engaging with the material. That cheats themselves out of genuine learning. But there’s another side to this coin, where students use AI to do first drafts, locate reliable sources and refine their arguments.
Teachers must encourage the first example and discourage the second. Teach how to use AI not as a quick fix but as a tool to enhance comprehension.
Moving from Microfilm to ChatGPT
Responsible AI use begins with understanding its capabilities and limitations. For example, encourage students to see artificial intelligence in the classroom as a starting point for their work, not a replacement. Aim to foster creativity and critical thinking.
Personally, I’ve found AI great for brainstorming ideas for blogs, essays, sections for white papers and more. Some of the tools are great at finding sources. Just double and triple check the sources and information.
I prefer this new way of research so much more than my days of trekking to a microfilm or microfiche room in the bowels or corner of a high school or college library. Frankly, those machines gave me headaches – I much prefer Google, ChatGPT, Microsoft CoPilot, the search tool on The Wall Street Journal website, etc.
Students can use AI in the classroom in much the same way. They just need to be taught to incorporate their own insights and critical analysis into the final draft.
Real-World Applications of AI the Classroom
Innovative teachers are already making it happen.
They are figuring out how to integrate AI into their classrooms. Intelligent tutoring systems, for instance, are revolutionizing personalized learning.
According to the American Psychological Association, platforms like Khan Academy and Carnegie Learning use AI to tailor lessons to individual students. Artificial intelligence can help adapt the style, pace and content to each learner’s needs. These systems can be especially valuable for students learning English or those with disabilities.
This is how artificial intelligence in education can make education more accessible and inclusive.
For educators seeking customizable solutions, open-source tools like OATutor offer an alternative to commercial platforms. Dr. Zachary Pardos and his team at the University of California, Berkeley, developed OATutor. The tool uses generative AI to learn from a teacher’s materials and style, creating tailored worksheets and lesson plans.
As Pardos told the APA: “The teacher can spend less time adapting to the technology, so it feels more like an extension of her class that helps unburden her, rather than another professional development task.”
Teachers can also adapt how they assess learning. In Australia, the APA notes, students still write their senior year science projects. However, educators have added a second step: An oral presentation where students must answer questions in real time.
The student who has used AI as a crutch will fail. Students taught to use AI as a tool will not just pass, they will learn more.
AI Can Free Teachers to Teach More
While AI’s potential in education is vast, most teachers currently use it for administrative tasks. According to a survey conducted by Arizona State University’s Center for Reinventing Public Education, only about 18% of K-12 teachers in the U.S. reported using AI for teaching. Common applications include generating quizzes, adapting content to grade-appropriate levels and supporting students with learning differences.
AI-driven adaptive learning platforms can craft lessons tailored to each student’s progress, offering a more personalized educational experience.
Southern Methodist University cited this research in explaining how AI can free teachers to focus on their students. AI can automate routine tasks like grading and lesson planning. Meanwhile, AI tools can analyze performance to identify areas where students need additional support.
Teachers who can streamline administrative tasks now have time to give those students the support they need. This shift not only improves efficiency but also enhances the quality of education.
Preparing Students for the Future
The professional world has already embraced AI. Industries from finance to healthcare use AI to streamline operations, analyze data and solve complex problems. Education must follow suit. By teaching students how to use AI responsibly, educators ensure their graduates are prepared to navigate the real world.
The right learning experiences will give your students a competitive edge in the workforce. For instance, an employee familiar with the technology can leverage AI to analyze data or generate creative solutions.
More importantly, they develop a mindset of adaptability and continuous learning. Such qualities are essential in a landscape where AI integration will pose perpetual disruptions.
Schools have a duty to prepare students not just for exams but for life. Ignoring AI’s potential in education undermines that mission.
So, the question is not whether AI belongs in education but how you can integrate it responsibly. Educators must embrace AI as a tool for enhancing learning rather than a threat to traditional methods. By teaching students to use AI thoughtfully, schools can foster a generation of critical thinkers who can tackle tomorrow’s challenges.
As history has shown, technological advancements in education are inevitable. The choice lies in how we respond. Will educators resist change, or will they lead the way in preparing students for a future defined by innovation? The answer will shape the trajectory of education for years to come.
Related Reading
- Missing the Boat on AI in Education
- My Journey with ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot
- ChatGPT and AI – A Creator of Value AND Jobs?
Jim Tompkins, Chairman of Tompkins Ventures, is an international authority on designing and implementing end-to-end supply chains. Over five decades, he has designed countless industrial facilities and supply chain solutions, enhancing the growth of numerous companies. He previously built Tompkins International from a backyard startup into an international consulting and implementation firm. Jim earned his B.S., M.S. and Ph.D. in Industrial Engineering from Purdue University.