AI Insights #20
Matthew Wemyss
Bestselling Author on AI in Education | International School Leader | Co-host of Ctrl+Alt+Teach Podcast | Edufuturists Awards - A.I. Pioneer 2024 | ISC Research - Edruptor 2024
Motivation. It’s what keeps us pushing forward, sparking curiosity and turning effort into achievement. But in a world where AI is becoming a bigger part of education, how do we make sure it supports learning in a way that actually works?
With AIDUCATION’25 just two weeks away, this issue explores how AI is making an impact in the classroom, plus a sneak peek at what’s in store for the event, including keynotes, hands-on workshops, and big conversations about AI’s role in learning.
And at the end? A shift in perspective that made me rethink a piece of tech I’d dismissed - Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses. Maybe they’re more than just a gimmick...
Before we dive in, a huge thank you. AI INsights has now grown to over 3,000 subscribers! Whether you’ve been here from the start or just joined, I appreciate you being part of this journey.
The Different Types of Motivation – and Why They Matter
Motivation is the engine that drives learning. Without it, even the best lesson plans and resources fall flat. Every educator has seen the difference between a student who is eager to learn and one who is simply going through the motions. Understanding what sparks engagement, and what hinders it, is crucial to helping students thrive. In my classroom, I’ve seen firsthand how AI tools can support motivation when applied in the right way. When students have access to tools that meet their needs at the right moment, they engage more deeply, struggle less, and develop confidence in their abilities.
Motivation isn’t one-size-fits-all. Whether it’s in learning, problem-solving, or adopting AI tools in the classroom, understanding motivation helps us design better solutions. Here’s a breakdown of key motivation types and how they play out in my classroom:
1?? Intrinsic Motivation – Learning for the Love of It
This is when students engage because they find the task itself rewarding. A student experimenting with code just for the thrill of making something work is intrinsically motivated. AI’s Role: The chatbots I use nurture this by providing instant feedback and directing learning to the next challenge.
2?? Extrinsic Motivation – The Reward System
Grades, praise, and competition drive extrinsically motivated students. They code well because they want high marks or recognition. AI’s Role: Bots can reinforce learning with quick wins and instant feedback—especially useful when students need guidance at 9pm the night before an assessment and I’m unplugged, and the textbook isn’t helping.
3?? Situational Motivation – The Right Tool at the Right Time
Motivation spikes when there’s an immediate need—just like how AI use skyrocketed in my classroom, and at home, just before assessments. AI’s Role: Instead of forcing AI into lessons, I identified a problem first: helping students debug code more efficiently. In a 45-minute lesson, spending 10 minutes helping one student is a huge loss. Now, chatbots handle 90% of low-level issues, keeping students moving instead of waiting for me.
4?? Identified Motivation – Seeing the Bigger Picture
Students commit when they see a clear connection between their work and future goals. AI’s Role: Chatbots can highlight real-world applications. My Year 13 students constantly ask my theory bots how what they’re learning applies in real life—a sign they’re thinking beyond just passing the course.
5?? Amotivation – When Nothing Clicks
Sometimes, students feel lost or indifferent. AI’s Role: Providing personalised scaffolding can help them take small steps toward confidence. I’ve seen this firsthand—students who usually disengage start tackling extended challenges with the help of AI, because they have a structured way forward.
By aligning AI use with real classroom challenges, rather than introducing it for the sake of it, I’ve seen more engaged students, fewer disruptions, and less lost learning time. The key? Start with a problem, not the technology.
AIDUCATION'25 - Two Weeks To Go!
We’re all trying to figure this out—let’s do it together. AI here even if we are ready or not, and AIDUCATION’25 is where we come together to navigate this shift.
In just two weeks, over 100 educators, innovators, and leaders from 63 institutions will meet to share ideas, challenge assumptions, and build practical strategies for integrating AI into learning.
??? 15 February 2025
?? Cambridge School of Bucharest
??? Get your tickets now ?? AIDUCATION’25 - Cambridge School of Bucharest
Why This Matters
With Article 4 of the EU AI Act taking effect on 2 February 2025, AI literacy isn’t optional—it’s essential. AIDUCATION’25 is your chance to learn, question, and collaborate on the responsible use of AI in education.
?? Keynotes That Challenge and Inspire
?? Hands-On Workshops – Let’s Get Practical Pick from three rounds of workshops, covering everything from AI ethics to real-world classroom applications:
??? LIVE Podcast with The International Classroom! Join Alex Gray as he captures insights, debates, and breakthroughs from the AI education front lines.
领英推荐
?? We don’t have all the answers, but together, we’ll find the way forward. Join the conversation and be part of the change.
??? Get your tickets now – before they’re gone!
Unleashing Ideas with Ben Whittaker – The Ideas Guy!
Ever feel like you’ve got a great idea but hesitate to share it? Or wonder how some people seem to spark innovation wherever they go? In this episode Aaron Patching and I sit down with Ben Whitaker , the man behind The Ideas Guy Book, to explore what it really means to be an "ideas person"—and why the answer isn’t what you think.
From his journey as an educator to his insights on creativity, innovation, and the power of collaboration, Ben shares stories that will leave you buzzing with inspiration. We also chat about how to create environments where ideas can thrive, why questioning everything is key, and how embracing failure can lead to real progress. Whether you’re a teacher, leader, or just someone who loves big ideas, this is one episode you won’t want to miss!
Smart Glasses: A Matter of Perspective
At the BETT show, a conversation with some friends turned to Meta’s Ray-Ban smart glasses. After some back and forth, we collectively dismissed them. The consensus? A cool concept, but ultimately, not quite there yet. Four hours of battery life? Not enough for a full day. Some of the most impressive AI features? Unavailable in the EU. I’d entered a couple of competitions to win a pair (free is always tempting!), but actually purchasing them? Not right now, maybe the next version.
Then I came across a post that completely shifted my perspective. It highlighted a young girl with a degenerative eye condition. For her, these glasses weren’t just another flashy gadget. They were a lifeline. The AI could describe objects, help her navigate spaces, and offer real-time support in ways that were genuinely life-changing. Suddenly, four hours of battery life took on new meaning. Four hours of increased independence and a richer experience of the world felt like an entirely different proposition.
This made me reflect more deeply on AI and accessibility. As someone with dyslexia, I’ve increasingly relied on voice tools and immersive reader technology. AI-powered speech-to-text lets me quickly capture my thoughts, while text-to-speech makes digesting lengthy documents far more manageable. My workflow and productivity would take a serious hit without these tools.
The truth is, AI is becoming a cornerstone of support for people with disabilities. For students with additional needs, AI can craft personalised learning plans tailored to their cognitive, emotional, or physical challenges. Differentiating for a class of 20 or more students is always a challenge, but I’ve found that AI helps bridge that gap by generating ideas on how to support them in ways that align with each lesson’s objectives.
There are even AI tools that simulate social scenarios, providing a safe space for students with social anxiety or autism to build confidence in their interactions. I’ve used AI bots to generate real-world problem-solving scenarios in my lessons, but as seamless voice interactions become more common, I can see this playing an even bigger role in the classroom.
Beyond education, AI’s impact on adults with additional needs is just as profound. It enhances accessibility through speech-to-text, image-to-speech conversion, and adaptive interfaces, providing vital support for those with visual or cognitive impairments. It fosters independence by automating tasks, offering real-time assistance, and unlocking new employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities.
One particularly powerful example is Google’s Project Euphonia, which helps individuals with ALS communicate by interpreting their unique speech patterns and replicating their voice. This allows them to interact with the world more easily. And as Dan Fitzpatrick highlighted in his BETT keynote, advancements in Brain-Computer Interface (BCI) technology are nothing short of groundbreaking. Neuralink, for instance, has developed a BCI that lets users control devices with their thoughts, opening up a world of possibilities for those with severe paralysis. By interpreting neural signals, individuals can interact with computers, smartphones, or even prosthetic limbs, effectively bypassing physical limitations. Noland Arbaugh, the first human recipient of Neuralink’s implant, can now independently control a computer, something that was previously unimaginable for him.
It made me realise how easy it is to dismiss technology when we only see it through our own lens. I had written off these glasses because they didn’t seamlessly integrate into my lifestyle. But innovation isn’t just about battery life or the latest upgrades. It is about impact.
I’m still not convinced these glasses are the right fit for me personally, at least not right now. But I do have a newfound appreciation for their potential.
And it makes me wonder. What other technologies have I overlooked simply because I was fixated on my own use case rather than considering how they could transform someone else’s life?
What’s a piece of technology that made you pause and reconsider its potential recently?
Ta-ra Duck
Enjoy your weekend!
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??Edufuturists A.I. Pioneer 2024
??Amazon Best-selling Author - AI in Education: Handbook Series
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