Great Post on an important topic. Analogous to the debate on whether allowing kids to use calculators meant their math ability would deteriorate. Forty years later and more than 20% of people cannot correctly divide 550 by 2 in their heads (check recent polls on media channels, incl linkedin). Is that better or worse than it would have been before calculators? Would anyone argue that calculators should only be used to fact check? AI exists and won't go away. The key is to get in front of it, set the tone, outline best practice and ethical standards. Bans rarely work.
"Turns out that, when it comes to kids, when you arm them with information, communicate openly with them in a non-judgmental way, and provide them with tools that increase their agency and self-determination, instead of trying to pull the wool over their eyes, they actually do pretty well by themselves."
Would be cool if teachers leaned into ChatGPT. For example, an in class assignment could be for each kid in the class to ask ChatGPT the same question, then break into small groups where they each compare the answer they each got, then fact check the answers, then make a presentation on what they learned, what they found ChatGPT got wrong, etc. This way, you'd be teaching the children how to use ChatGPT as a resource vs blindly copying and pasting.
Excellent post. This point should be bolded and underlined: "how about using the tech to teach kids to actually fact-check?"
This aspect of critical thinking, rooted in valuing of truth and knowledge, is so under assault in our culture these days. If I could pick one thing that need greater support in our education system, political discourse, church sermons, board rooms, and dinner tables, it's an unceasing demand for rigorous thought, backed by evidence, and demonstrated tie to timeless values.
Yep..and my parents added 3yrs to our actual age and treated us at that age. 3as6, 8as11, 11as14.
You see how this works?
They remembered when they were kids and adults talked them like they were so much younger. Treating your 11 as if he/she is 14 is SPOT-ON, cuz their 11 is our 14. So more advanced than we were.
Just look how fast they adapt -- at 11, 12...and we're still trying to figure out the latest tech/advances. Did that with my two daughters...it works crazy good. But we also never BS'd our kids.
THAT is one of the great things about kids today -- they can smell bs a mile away. Yes, there are exceptions...always are, but to Charlie's point, how can we expect teachers to figure out the guidelines for time of usage, types of usage, when they can't get a handle on it as adults?
Agree on embracing the latest technology. It's not the tool, its the use and the type of implementation. History shows us that... Show the Good, the Bad and the UGLY of ChatGPT taught by Clint Eastwood.
And for cryin' out loud -- let's have fun with all of this...
Great Post on an important topic. Analogous to the debate on whether allowing kids to use calculators meant their math ability would deteriorate. Forty years later and more than 20% of people cannot correctly divide 550 by 2 in their heads (check recent polls on media channels, incl linkedin). Is that better or worse than it would have been before calculators? Would anyone argue that calculators should only be used to fact check? AI exists and won't go away. The key is to get in front of it, set the tone, outline best practice and ethical standards. Bans rarely work.
"Turns out that, when it comes to kids, when you arm them with information, communicate openly with them in a non-judgmental way, and provide them with tools that increase their agency and self-determination, instead of trying to pull the wool over their eyes, they actually do pretty well by themselves."
How do we know this?
Would be cool if teachers leaned into ChatGPT. For example, an in class assignment could be for each kid in the class to ask ChatGPT the same question, then break into small groups where they each compare the answer they each got, then fact check the answers, then make a presentation on what they learned, what they found ChatGPT got wrong, etc. This way, you'd be teaching the children how to use ChatGPT as a resource vs blindly copying and pasting.
Excellent post. This point should be bolded and underlined: "how about using the tech to teach kids to actually fact-check?"
This aspect of critical thinking, rooted in valuing of truth and knowledge, is so under assault in our culture these days. If I could pick one thing that need greater support in our education system, political discourse, church sermons, board rooms, and dinner tables, it's an unceasing demand for rigorous thought, backed by evidence, and demonstrated tie to timeless values.
Yep..and my parents added 3yrs to our actual age and treated us at that age. 3as6, 8as11, 11as14.
You see how this works?
They remembered when they were kids and adults talked them like they were so much younger. Treating your 11 as if he/she is 14 is SPOT-ON, cuz their 11 is our 14. So more advanced than we were.
Just look how fast they adapt -- at 11, 12...and we're still trying to figure out the latest tech/advances. Did that with my two daughters...it works crazy good. But we also never BS'd our kids.
THAT is one of the great things about kids today -- they can smell bs a mile away. Yes, there are exceptions...always are, but to Charlie's point, how can we expect teachers to figure out the guidelines for time of usage, types of usage, when they can't get a handle on it as adults?
Agree on embracing the latest technology. It's not the tool, its the use and the type of implementation. History shows us that... Show the Good, the Bad and the UGLY of ChatGPT taught by Clint Eastwood.
And for cryin' out loud -- let's have fun with all of this...