Episode sponsors

This episode of the Mr Barton Maths podcast is proudly supported by the LUMEN maths curriculum. You can access their free maths resources here: lboro.ac.uk/services/lumen/curriculum

***Plugs***

1. Sign up to Neil’s Teacher Prompts newsletter here
2. The article Neil mentions about AI avoiding its own kill switch is here
3. Craig Barton is coming to Australia in June 2025. Click here to book your place!
4. Check out Craig’s brand new 90-minute online CPD series here

Episode details

This is the third in my AI in Education series, which examines AI’s current and potential future impact on education.

This episode, Neil Almond, creator of the amazing Teacher Prompts newsletter, returns to the show. We begin by reflecting on some recent developments in the world of AI and then turn our attention to Neil’s AI spin on Neil Postman’s Technology Principles, where Neil expresses caution about the impact AI could have on our students’ education and the role of teachers.

Episode summary

In this episode, Craig Barton and Neil Almond discuss the evolving landscape of AI in education, focusing on recent developments, cost implications, and the potential of AI to enhance teaching and learning. They explore the challenges of integrating AI into lesson planning, the future of homework, and the importance of maintaining accountability in educational practices. The conversation highlights the need for educators to adapt to these changes while ensuring that AI serves as a supportive tool rather than a replacement for traditional teaching methods. In this conversation, Neil Almond and Craig Barton explore the implications of AI in education, focusing on Neil Postman’s technology principles. They discuss the ethical considerations of AI detection, the trade-offs associated with technological advancements, and the uneven distribution of benefits. The conversation delves into the embedded philosophies of technology, particularly how AI influences creativity and the importance of process over product in learning. They also address the challenges of productive struggle in education and the potential of a human-in-the-loop approach to tutoring. In this conversation, Neil Almond and Craig Barton explore the implications of AI in education, discussing the evolving role of teachers, the importance of accountability in learning, and the irreversible nature of technological change. They delve into how technology can become mythic, shaping expectations and interactions in the classroom. The discussion highlights the need for caution as AI becomes more integrated into educational practices, emphasizing the importance of maintaining cognitive engagement among students.

Takeaways:

• AI is becoming more affordable, which is crucial for schools.
• The cost per token affects how schools can utilize AI.
• New AI models are improving in their capabilities.
• AI can assist in lesson planning but requires expert oversight.
• Resource creation using AI can save teachers time.
• The social dynamics of classrooms are essential for learning.
• Homework effectiveness is challenged by AI tools.
• Cognitive outsourcing is a concern for student learning.
• Prompt injection can help identify AI-generated work.
• Educators must adapt to the evolving role of AI in teaching. AI detection tools have low accuracy and ethical implications.
• Neil Postman’s principles highlight the trade-offs of technology.
• Technological advancements often come with hidden costs.
• The benefits of technology are not equally distributed.
• AI’s design philosophy prioritizes output over process.
• Creativity and art may be devalued by AI-generated content.
• Struggle in learning is essential for deep understanding.
• Teaching the importance of process is crucial in education.
• Human involvement in AI can enhance tutoring effectiveness.
• Cultural capital may be undermined by easy access to AI-generated content. AI has the potential to solve many educational problems but raises concerns about job security for teachers.
• The role of teachers will evolve but will not be eliminated; they will still be essential for initial learning.
• AI can serve as a useful add-on for personalized learning but should not replace human interaction.
• Accountability in learning is crucial, especially with the rise of AI tools that can assist students.
• The irreversibility of technological change means that once AI is integrated into education, it cannot be easily removed.
• Technological changes are ecological, meaning they fundamentally alter the landscape of education.
• As technology becomes mythic, it may be taken for granted, leading to unquestioned reliance on it.
• Teachers are seeking practical examples and prompts for using AI in their classrooms.
• There is a need for ongoing professional development to help teachers adapt to new technologies.
• The conversation around AI in education must include considerations of ethics and policy.

Video

My usual plugs

• Check out my brand new 90-minute online CPD series here
• You can help support the podcast (and get an interactive transcript of this episode) via my Patreon page at patreon.com/mrbartonmaths
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