In this thought-provoking episode of Generation AI, hosts Dr. JC Bonilla and Ardis Kadiu welcome special guest Michael McGetrick, a veteran educator and creative technologist, to explore how AI is transforming teaching and learning. They discuss the urgent question facing educators today: what is AI doing to student learning? The conversation examines how AI is exposing existing cracks in educational systems rather than breaking them, highlighting a "relevance crisis" rather than a "cheating crisis." From redesigning assessment methods to understanding how AI enhances skill-based learning, the hosts share research findings and personal experiences about the real impact of tools like ChatGPT in education, and how students and educators can adapt to this new reality that's already here.
AI's Impact on Teaching and Learning Today (00:00:00)
- AI is exposing existing cracks in educational systems rather than breaking them
- Introduction to the urgent questions facing educators, parents, and technologists
- The shift from AI as the future of education to AI as the present reality
Introduction to Mike McGetrick and His Course (00:02:23)
- Mike McGetrick joins as a guest expert - principal at Spark451, veteran educator, and creative technologist
- The hosts establish their educational backgrounds and experiences
- Mike shares his experience teaching a generative AI course at Brooklyn College
Designing a Curriculum for Generative AI (00:05:27)
- How Mike approached creating a curriculum from scratch for teaching AI in design
- Balancing traditional design principles with new AI tools
- The importance of building a foundation of knowledge while integrating AI tools
The Time-to-Value Shift in Learning (00:07:48)
- Students can now apply principles in minutes rather than over weeks
- How immediate application affects the learning process
- Teaching students to think about design elements as "data features" for prompts
The "Cheating" Controversy in Education (00:12:25)
- Discussion of the viral New York Magazine article about students using AI
- The concept of "cheating" versus utilizing available tools
- How traditional assessment methods are becoming outdated
Redefining Learning Through Outcomes (00:17:52)
- Focus on quality of output rather than effort or "the grind"
- The balance between mental health concerns and educational standards
- The importance of learning through struggle and growth
The Relevance Crisis in Higher Education (00:27:59)
- AI didn't break education - it exposed how outdated it already was
- The need for education to adapt to modern skills and outcomes
- How higher education needs to evolve to remain relevant
Research Findings on AI's Impact on Learning (00:29:23)
- Discussion of 51 studies on ChatGPT's effect on learning
- Learning performance shows significant improvement with AI after 4-8 weeks
- Moderate effects on concept learning and higher-order thinking
AI as Coach Rather Than Answer Provider (00:36:54)
- The importance of using AI as a thinking partner
- Concern about students not building foundational knowledge
- The need to teach students about their own learning process
AI in the Workforce (00:40:59)
- The growing emphasis on AI skills in the workplace
- CEOs requiring employees to use AI as part of their jobs
- Debate on whether specialists or generalists will thrive in an AI-driven workplace
Closing Thoughts: A Path Forward (00:49:17)
- Suggestion for a new course on "My Learning Journey" to help students understand how learning happens
- Understanding the learning process as crucial for deciding how to use AI effectively
- The transformation of education and embracing the changes ahead
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Connect With Our Co-Hosts:
Ardis Kadiu
https://www.linkedin.com/in/ardis/
https://twitter.com/ardis
Dr. JC Bonilla
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jcbonilla/
https://twitter.com/jbonillx
About The Enrollify Podcast Network:
Generation AI is a part of the Enrollify Podcast Network. If you like this podcast, chances are you’ll like other Enrollify shows too!
Enrollify is made possible by Element451 — the next-generation AI student engagement platform helping institutions create meaningful and personalized interactions with students. Learn more at element451.com.
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