Embracing the Power of Technology in Education
Out of the Dark Ages
AI burst onto the scene like a thunderstorm, shaking up industries and sending ripples through the world of education. People marveled at its capabilities: "It can do my taxes!" "It can write my resignation letter!" Meanwhile, teachers across the country whispered in dismay, "My students are using it to do their homework!" This sparked a conversation about the need for creating AI lesson plans to better integrate artificial intelligence into the classroom.
Schools reacted swiftly, banning AI platforms like they were pesky flies in a garbage dump. "School districts in Los Angeles and Baltimore have joined New York City in blocking access to ChatGPT, a new artificial intelligence-powered chatbot, as other districts evaluate the benefits and risks that accompany the new technology." Shen-Berro, J. (2023, January 6). But banning a technology in the hands of a generation raised on iPhones? Predictably, it didn’t work. Students easily bypassed the blocks, using AI to write essays, solve math problems, and more. These were, as some educators might say, dark days. The education system lashed out, resisting the disruption AI had unleashed. Was this truly the dark age everyone feared, or the dawn of an educational renaissance?"
"Don't Look, Marion! Keep Your Eyes Shut!"
Much like the climactic moment in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, when looking into the eyes of "Kali Ma" could supposedly drive one mad, AI received similar treatment in the fall of 2022. School boards and districts scrambled to shield students from this new and seemingly dangerous technology. Educators feared AI would undermine the learning process by simply doing the work for students.
Ironically, while some were busy banning AI, others—like me—were leaning into it by developing innovative AI lesson plans.
Me: "I need comprehension questions on the French and Indian War."
GPT: "Here you go."
Me: "I need ideas for a Socratic seminar."
GPT: "Done!"
Needless to say, I quickly started incorporating AI lesson ideas into my curriculum.
By spring 2023, the tides had begun to turn. Educators started recognizing the potential AI held for transforming education. School districts rolled back their bans, gazing into AI’s metaphorical "eyes" with cautious curiosity. Of course, students had been using AI all along—the bans and blocks were futile.
Asking the Right Questions
This shift raised an important question: If a query can be answered with a simple Google search—or even better, an AI tool like ChatGPT—should we be asking it in the first place?
This critique cuts both ways. On one hand, students need to think critically rather than rely on spoon-fed answers. On the other hand, AI presents an opportunity to move past surface-level questions and delve into deeper, more meaningful learning using AI lesson plans.
For years, the U.S. education system has faced criticism for being "a mile wide and an inch deep." Broad topics are skimmed without delving into their deeper significance.
Teacher: "Washington crossed the Delaware and surprised the German mercenaries fighting for the British. Things started improving, and eventually, the colonies won their independence."
Student: "But why did Washington—"
Teacher: "Alright, let’s move on to the Civil War."
Sound familiar? Strict schedules and rigid standards often force teachers to prioritize breadth over depth, leaving little room for students' follow-up questions or curiosity. AI presents an opportunity to change this by giving teachers some of their time back through automation. By handling administrative and preparation tasks, teachers can focus more on meeting the challenges of the classroom environment.
In a 2023 McKinsey survey, conducted in collaboration with Microsoft, it was revealed that teachers work an average of 50 hours a week. Among the key insights from this research, one stands out: "The area with the biggest automation potential is one that teachers deal with before they even get to the classroom: preparation" Bryant et al. (2020)
One of the standout features of the STEM Forged AI Lesson Plan Platform is its ability to facilitate in-depth explorations of topics. Need a series of five one-hour lessons on a specific subject? No problem. The platform empowers teachers to design structured, immersive learning experiences that allow students to truly engage and connect with the material. With AI taking care of the heavy lifting, students can dive deep into topics, fostering curiosity and a deeper understanding like never before.
The Future Is Now
AI lesson planning offers a way to bridge this gap. Imagine lesson plans that adapt in real-time to students’ understanding, allowing them to breeze through foundational concepts and spend more time on deeper questions. One application of AI lesson plans could revolutionize education by tailoring lessons to individual learning needs and empowering teachers to create engaging, comprehensive plans.
For example, an AI-powered platform could:
- Incorporate primary source documents into lessons.
- Align activities with required standards.
- Customize teaching styles to match both teacher preferences and student needs using AI lesson plans.
By leveraging AI, we can shift away from rigid standardization and towards a more meaningful, personalized learning experience—one where students think critically and teachers teach more effectively.
If you want to learn about how we are building the best AI Lesson plan generator tool for teachers and students, use this link.
References
Bryant, J., Heitz, C., Sanghvi, S., & Wagle, D. (2020, January 14). How artificial intelligence will impact K–12 teachers. McKinsey & Company. Retrieved from https://www.mckinsey.com
Shen-Berro, J. (2023, January 6). New York City schools blocked ChatGPT. Here’s what other large districts are doing. Chalkbeat. https://www.chalkbeat.org/2023/1/6/23543039/chatgpt-school-districts-ban-block-artificial-intelligence-open-ai/