Mondays with Mike: Mike Recommends #5

Based on some good feedback, I added on bonus episode to “Mike Recommends.” Specifically, I address AI and how we are starting to think about how your children learn to learn. While we see AI as generally not helping your child learn if/when they rely on it to do their thinking, it clearly has a place especially for mature learners and adults. Check out more on my current thinking and, as always, I welcome your feedback.

Click above to hear Mike’s 10-minute message on topics relevant for you and your family.

Below is a summary of the podcast above:

Hello, PCA parents, it’s Mike back with bonus episode #5 of “Mike Recommends.”

In this latest reflection, post-Easter, I share the how we might think about the intersection of artificial intelligence (AI) and education with an eye toward patience, focus, renewal and hope. My experience at PCA, with the Christian faith, and my military background working with AI and future warfare combine to offer a unique lens on how AI can serve our community, especially in these rapidly changing times.

I emphasize the critical need for our students to engage with AI very sparingly, if at all. We must prioritize developing their independent thinking and critical analysis skills without AI. By restricting students’ use of generative AI for academic work, we aim to preserve the integrity of their learning journey and ensure they derive true value from their educational experiences.

For us as adults, including parents and educators, it’s crucial to demonstrate how to use AI responsibly. It should assist, not replace, our creativity and critical thinking. This practice underlines the importance of accountability when we incorporate AI into our work, setting a strong example for our students to follow. We must exercise judgment well, and take full ownership of our responses, regardless of whether they are aided by humans, AI, or some combination.

Looking ahead, we’re exploring how to blend classical education principles in a world running pell-mell after the AI train. Our efforts at PCA are about more than ensuring the authenticity of your child’s work; it’s about empowering them to articulate and defend their ideas confidently–a mark of an excellent education. Our goal is to prepare your children for a future where their God-given and human-developed intellect stands at the fore, with AI as one of their assisting tools that is used well and with integrity.

As we continue to navigate these discussions, let’s hold onto the Easter message of hope and renewal. It reminds us of the transformative power of Christian education in shaping thoughtful, responsible individuals, ready to faithfully, capably, and joyfully impact our complex world for good. Together, we’re setting the stage for a future where technology enhances our human capacities, enriching our community and the wider world, when done so with an eye to education first, and integrity always.