Why Education Needs Evolution, Not Revolution
I feel like I can only scroll a few inches on my feed before I see someone claiming education needs a “revolution”.
Perhaps you don’t see it as often as I do, but I’m sure you’ve heard it before:
“The education system is failing us - it was built for a world that no longer exits - it’s time to change”.
I don’t agree.
In fact, I don’t agree at all.
We all want to improve education, but revolution isn’t the way.
Here’s why:
Revolution is procrastination
Many agree we need a revolution.
No one can agree on what it should be.
Do we have a student-centred AI-infused project-based-learning utopia?
Do we jettison the computers and embrace the tech-free school model (like the ones so many tech CEOs send their children to…makes you think…)?
Do we go ‘back’ to rote learning or ‘forward’ “21st century skills”?
No one can agree.
There are many allies when it comes to burning the system down, but it’s hard to get together on what we build after it.
History is full of cautionary tales that teach exactly this lesson.
Rather than lobby for a hypothetical revolution, here’s my approach:
Evolution, not revolution
Instead of sweeping changes I prefer to think of small pivots.
Evolution, not revolution.
How can we find efficiencies in the current system?
How can we optimise what we already have?
As you know, that’s a big part of my philosophy when it comes to AI in Education.
It’s not about using new technology to do new things. It’s about using it to do the basics better.
It’s about doing the things that we know work more often for more students.
Things like:
retrieval practice
text differentiation
chunking instructions
increasing task complexity
decreasing task complexity
differentiating assignments
giving rich and valuable feedback
Small pivots, big changes
Does AI mean we have to burn down our current system and start again?
No.
What it does mean is that there are some small pivots we can make that will have a big impact on ourselves and our students.
We can use AI to do all of the evidence based practices I listed above more often for more students.
AI means teachers can put students in a more tailored, personalised, feedback-rich environment than ever before!
If we use AI wisely, we will see teachers
save time
foster creativity
have a bigger impact
all without waiting for an educational revolution.
We can do it right now.
But how?
I help school communities navigate AI wisely.
This includes
policy
staff training
student training
AI tool recommendations
AI best practice procedures
If you want to chat about your school community, why not book a quick call with me?
I’d love to work with you to make sure your students, teachers, and school community are ready to avoid the problems and embrace the possibilities of the AI world.
Until Next week,
Happy Teaching!
Paul Matthews, CEO & Co-Founder of MyTeacherAide
