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I've also been curious about the lack of current data involving student use of AI "(In one session, presenters Sonia Koshy, Chrish Mah, Molly Montgomery, and Hillary Walker shared data showing that "32% of teens say they haven't really heard anything about ChatGPT, according to the Pew Research Center survey of US teens in 2023.") This is old data. I cannot imagine 1/3 of teens today saying they haven't heard of ChatGPT. Just for fun, I did a Deep Research dive using Perplexity and Gemini trying to verify my hunch (mostly anecdotal based on my own recent observations and conversations with HS and college students) that 2024 saw a huge uptick in AI usage. Both reports confirmed my suspicions. Assuming this is true, I see no reason the trend will not continue - student AI use will become mainstream going forward, regardless of what policies are put in place, but especially so in institutions that don't tackle the issue head on. You can see the two reports below.
Your argument resonates with me, Steve. It’s very strange that we still know little about what students are actually thinking, doing, and feeling. Pew surveys have continued, but I have serious doubts about the ultimate value of crude numbers. And you’re also unfortunately right, I think, that doing nothing but banning is a dangerous strategy. Why is education staying on the sidelines?
My theory? It's because those in charge are paralyzed - most do not know enough about it, many are pulled entirely in different directions by their competing constituencies (alumni, parents, and of course teachers), and AI was not top of mind or a priority in their long-term plans because it came out of nowhere (though, to be fair, if you've been paying attention, the tech gods have been warning us for awhile...) Add to that the fact that schools are notoriously bad at change to begin with (if you have not already, at least read the first few chapters of Justin Reich's Failure to Disrupt) so it's a perfect storm of inertia. And, even in the best of circumstances with full attention, it's really, really complicated to get right.
The best antidote for mental paralysis is research. Why can’t a district superintendent empower principals to do some action research? I just don’t get it if you want to know the truth. Aren’t principals hired to be instructional leaders? Isn’t leadership s’posed to be data driven? Nick Potkalitski and I are doing some action research with a group of volunteer students to report on perceptions, experiences with, concerns, and beliefs about AI among teachers and students. What’s so hard about that? I hear too much woe is me, poor me, all I’ve done, all I do. Teachers are never done. Look at me. I’m not done though I am gradually moving toward the finish line. No more feeling guilty for things I never did.
I've also been curious about the lack of current data involving student use of AI "(In one session, presenters Sonia Koshy, Chrish Mah, Molly Montgomery, and Hillary Walker shared data showing that "32% of teens say they haven't really heard anything about ChatGPT, according to the Pew Research Center survey of US teens in 2023.") This is old data. I cannot imagine 1/3 of teens today saying they haven't heard of ChatGPT. Just for fun, I did a Deep Research dive using Perplexity and Gemini trying to verify my hunch (mostly anecdotal based on my own recent observations and conversations with HS and college students) that 2024 saw a huge uptick in AI usage. Both reports confirmed my suspicions. Assuming this is true, I see no reason the trend will not continue - student AI use will become mainstream going forward, regardless of what policies are put in place, but especially so in institutions that don't tackle the issue head on. You can see the two reports below.
https://drive.google.com/file/d/16Ts6ooZkNBmWBps8CED8Z-8LgVO-h3P1/view?usp=sharing
(Perplexity)
https://drive.google.com/file/d/1o223ueFojKd9k7nRvhohf2qS1RWxFZWv/view?usp=sharing
(Gemini)
Your argument resonates with me, Steve. It’s very strange that we still know little about what students are actually thinking, doing, and feeling. Pew surveys have continued, but I have serious doubts about the ultimate value of crude numbers. And you’re also unfortunately right, I think, that doing nothing but banning is a dangerous strategy. Why is education staying on the sidelines?
My theory? It's because those in charge are paralyzed - most do not know enough about it, many are pulled entirely in different directions by their competing constituencies (alumni, parents, and of course teachers), and AI was not top of mind or a priority in their long-term plans because it came out of nowhere (though, to be fair, if you've been paying attention, the tech gods have been warning us for awhile...) Add to that the fact that schools are notoriously bad at change to begin with (if you have not already, at least read the first few chapters of Justin Reich's Failure to Disrupt) so it's a perfect storm of inertia. And, even in the best of circumstances with full attention, it's really, really complicated to get right.
An excellent piece :)
Thank you.
What a place to start, to question why students need to use AI in the first place!?
Thank you for your unique perspective.
It is much appreciated.
Thank you for reading and responding. 🙏
The best antidote for mental paralysis is research. Why can’t a district superintendent empower principals to do some action research? I just don’t get it if you want to know the truth. Aren’t principals hired to be instructional leaders? Isn’t leadership s’posed to be data driven? Nick Potkalitski and I are doing some action research with a group of volunteer students to report on perceptions, experiences with, concerns, and beliefs about AI among teachers and students. What’s so hard about that? I hear too much woe is me, poor me, all I’ve done, all I do. Teachers are never done. Look at me. I’m not done though I am gradually moving toward the finish line. No more feeling guilty for things I never did.