Four Ways to Think About AI in Schools

Four Ways to Think About AI in Schools

The idea of AI in schools is inspiring either alarm bells or excitement, depending on who you're reading or following on social. But since it's already here, I invite you to consider four frames for considering it: Helping Teachers Reduce Friction, AI with Training Wheels, Naming What Students Are Already Doing, and Conversations, Not Lessons. I'm no lackey for AI, and I've been deeply skeptical of its rapid advance on schools. But I also recognize that it's here and educators need to be prepared to think and discuss with students and, in some cases, engage with the technology itself.

The Art of the Journal with Sonya Walger

In which Dan talks with Sonya Walger (@sonyawalgerofficial), author and actress, about the power of journaling. Sonya is a longtime keeper of journals and her insights into the power of writing about our lives feels so urgent in this moment when technology promises to cure all our ills. As Sonya says in the interview, it's about "authenticity, which isn't necessarily the same as truthfulness, but an expression of everything in its complexities." Mentioned in the episode: Lion [https://www.amazon.com/Lion-Sonya-Walger/dp/1681379031], a novel by Sonya Walger Wifehouse [https://www.amazon.com/Wifehouse-Novel-Sonya-Walger/dp/1454963301/ref=pd_sbs_d_sccl_1_2/138-7620286-8154363?pd_rd_w=GrRwL&content-id=amzn1.sym.aa738fbd-ad05-4d11-aae2-04b598db6305&pf_rd_p=aa738fbd-ad05-4d11-aae2-04b598db6305&pf_rd_r=Z1YS2TVZW7V98RYD6H29&pd_rd_wg=GhlHL&pd_rd_r=5340bdc1-e42e-4497-ae2d-cab02bc46367&pd_rd_i=1454963301&psc=1], a novel by Sonya Walger Music by MondaMusic

Hot Take or Hard Truth with Amy Fast

In which Dan takes the temperature of education in 2026 with Amy Fast, a superintendent in Dayton School District, Oregon. Through the lens of the game, Hot Take or Hard Truth, Dan and Amy talk about AI, phones, testing, books, recess, and more. As always, I welcome comments and questions on Instagram @_dankearney_

Ben Riley: We Should Be Skeptical of AI

In which Dan chats with Benjamin Riley, founder of Cognitive Resonance, an organization dedicated to replacing AI hype with an understanding of how generative AI works using cognitive science. Ben's understanding of human cognition has him disturbed to see how some in education are running into the arms of big tech.  As always, I welcome comments and questions on Instagram @_dankearney_ Mentioned in the show: Cognitive Resonance [https://www.cognitiveresonance.net/], founded by Ben Riley Gary Marcus [https://garymarcus.substack.com/] on Substack 8 Things To Know About Large Language Models [https://arxiv.org/abs/2304.00612] by Sam Bowman Ex Machina [https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0470752/], a film by Alex Garland The Story of My Life [https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Story_of_My_Life_(biography)] by Helen Keller Music by Soyb

2026 Can Be A Portal

In which Dan wonders if 2026 could be the year we really take students' interests in the wider world seriously. We’re living with creeping authoritarianism, AI disruption, climate change, social fragmentation, and a youth mental health crisis. Students feel it as much as the adults, but I worry that we’re not doing nearly enough to take on these issues in a way that matters to young people. If 2026 can be anything, maybe it's a portal into schools getting serious about how students get to interact with the world when they’re at school. As always, I welcome comments and questions on Instagram @_dankearney_