Through a culture of high stakes testing (e.g.: NAPLAN) and the rise of ‘audit culture’ in education, we have created a school climate of standardized, neat conformity. As a result, kids are understandably tempted to produce neat, standardized answers. To achieve this, they are increasingly outsourcing their thinking to AI.

Is anyone surprised by this? I’m not.

Let’s face it: AI is fundamentally reshaping schools and the role of educators. But if teachers are used to anything, it’s change and unpredictability … oh, and workload (which I point out is a noticeably absent topic in much of the AI conversation). With no formal PD on AI being offered to me, I decided to investigate AI for myself so that I could feel more informed and optimistic about it, and also navigate it alongside my students with more caution and awareness.

My hope is that as creepy and existential as some aspects of AI are, it will ultimately prompt schools to become places of more creativity, more humanity and compassion, and ideally more flexibility in how we view and assess learning.

After all, as Sir Ken Robinson says, “If you run an education system based on standardization and conformity that suppresses individuality, imagination, and creativity, don’t be surprised if that’s what it does.”

This video explores current research about the complex and evolving landscape of AI and how it will impact education. I also offer practical strategies I am using in the classroom to help teachers not only understand the implications of AI in schools and society more broadly, but to maintain a sense hope and optimism for the future of ourselves and the young people we support.

As a passionate educator with no plans to leave the classroom, I really see no other option.