Future Ready Learning Examples

Artificial Intelligence is set to transform our world in ways that we are just starting to grasp. Much like electricity did during the Industrial Revolution, AI has the potential to revolutionize every aspect, including education. (Ng, 2017) ChatGPT’s introduction to the world in November 2022, has taken educators by storm and is a hot topic at every conference and every educational news outlet, including my own. It is reshaping how we teach and learn, and with it, the a need to introduce more conversation about both AI literacy and advanced digital skills.? As Collective Intelligence, a term first coined by Pierre Lévy, we are forced to look at new ways to teach and encourage learning through the use of Generative AI.

John Mikton , an esteemed voice in Computer Science and Educational Technology, is helping to make connections between AI and learner profiles. In his recent post, “Integrating AI with the International Baccalaureate Learner Profile, John lays the groundwork for how educators can connect AI to preexisting foundations. By weaving the tenets of the IB learner profile with AI integration, this article provides a blueprint for educators to develop practical strategies and innovative ideas for integrating AI into the curriculum. These skills are essential for learners in preparing them to creatively and ethically influence the world.

Building on John's work, I’ve put together examples and lessons that help to develop these essential qualities in learners. Whether working in an IB World School or not, the IB Learner profile consists of attributes that all learners should strive to meet and are easily transferable in other teaching frameworks. These ideas are meant to build excitement for new lesson ideas and inspire and equip educators with starting points to foster a generation of learners ready to meet the demands and challenges of an 'AI-driven future'.

Inquirers

Learners who are inquirers know how to learn independently and with others. They learn with enthusiasm and have a sustained love of learning throughout life. As educators, we help develop inquirers by nurturing their curiosity and developing skills for inquiry and research. There are many ways that educators can use AI to help drive a passion for learning.?

• Students can use AI tools to quickly analyze datasets related to a topic they are studying. For example, Anaconda Assistant can be used to help generate graphs and tables that allow students to look for patterns and formulate hypotheses, focusing on the content and data, not on the graph creation/AI-generated insights.
• Students can use AI to assist in research papers. AI tools, such as Perplexity.ai can help students find sources and ChatPDF can help to summarize large articles. Students can then practice skills of coherence and critical thinking by synthesizing information from various resources.
• Students can use AI to help generate arguments on both sides of a current issue. Then students can research and support or refute the AI-generated post. This could later be used as a debate on whether AI was a useful participant in the preparation process of a debate.

Communicators

Learners who are communicators can express themselves and their ideas both verbally and in writing. These students are skilled in more than one language and appreciate the opportunity to use another language to interact with others. Good communicators are also good listeners, they can share their perspectives, interpret others' ideas, and interact with each other to build a better place. AI allows for many opportunities for students to develop their communication skills.

• Introduce the idea of chatbots where students can practice dialogues with the chatbot and communicate effectively. Students can also generate their own chatbot and consider the context and answers that can be provided by the bot to the user. (ISTE,12)
• Pair students with other students who speak different languages, have students communicate through their mother tongue, and use AI to help translate. Students can learn about other cultures and begin to develop an eye for other languages. This is a great opportunity for developing cultural and multilanguage communication skills.
• Students can use AI presentation tools, such as Canva, beautiful.ai, or gamma.app to design and deliver presentations. AI can help with creating visuals and providing feedback on slide generation. (NOTE: Read into this Edutopia - George Lucas Educational Foundation article by my colleague Debra Jacoby Intellectual Property)
• Use AI tools as a topic for students to practice ‘teaching’ others. Have students research an AI tool, with guidance. Students can create educational materials, and tutorials to explain how to use the tool effectively and ethically.

Principled

Students who are principled act with integrity and honesty. They have a strong sense of fairness, they respect the rights of others and they take responsibility for their actions. These students apply these standards to their daily lives and decision-making processes.

• Run workshops, have Harkness discussions, or develop opportunities where students can look at various cases where AI has posed ethical dilemmas, such as self-driving cars. With these discussions, students develop skills such as ethical reasoning and critical thinking.
• Create simulated topics or debates where AI has to be a judge or hiring manager, have students analyze these decisions, and discuss any ethical concerns or areas of improvement. Use this interactive app and Amazon's AI resume app idea as a starting point for discussions.
• Discuss the principles of digital footprints and privacy. Students can use AI tools to analyze how much information about them is accessible. An easy lesson using Google search is a basic AI tool. Students can develop self-awareness and discuss privacy ethics. (The New York Times)
• Students can create a campaign or a set of guidelines that promote the responsible use of AI among peers, allowing students to advocate and take social responsibility.

Open-minded

Students who are open-minded understand others' perspectives, values, and traditions. They seek out and evaluate a range of points of view and are willing to grow from the experience.

• Use AI-driven news aggregation platforms to collect news articles from around the world on the same event. Students can discuss how perspectives vary. Sites like All Sides help students develop cultural awareness, critical media literacy, and comparative analysis.
• Use AI to generate narratives on historical events. Students can then compare the narratives to actual historical events. This can help students develop historical empathy and understanding of history. Students can use platforms such as Flintk12.com with prompts or premade chats with Hello History.
• Use AI art generators, like Wonder App to create art based on different cultural inputs and have the students interpret the art. Students can discuss elements that they recognize, and reflect on what the AI captured and what it may have missed or interpreted differently from humans.

Caring

Students who are caring show empathy, compassion, and respect towards the needs and feelings of others. These students have a commitment to service and act to make a positive difference in the lives of others and the environment.

• Use Virtual Reality to immerse students in environments that simulate real-world issues such as a Syrian refugee camp, becoming homeless, or someone with a disability. After the immersive experience have discussions or reflective assignments about student's insights.?
• Use AI to create ethical dilemmas where students must make decisions that impact the lives of others. Prompt the AI to develop challenges and students must work together to make decisions. Then have the class choose what to do. Monitor the discussion as a whole group. Example Prompt: “Imagine that you are part of a group of people who have been shipwrecked on a deserted island. The island has limited resources, and your group needs to make crucial decisions on how to survive until rescue arrives, which could be in a month. Your AI simulation will present you with various scenarios and dilemmas where you must make decisions that will impact the well-being of different members of your group, some of which may have conflicting needs and interests.“
• Use AI tools to analyze social media or polls to determine the most pressing needs of a community. Then design service projects that address one of those needs.?

Risk-taking

Students who are risk-takers approach unfamiliar situations and uncertainty with courage. These learners are willing to explore new roles, ideas, and strategies. They are resilient and understand that failure is often part of a learning process that can lead to success.

• Have students learn basic AI programming by altering parameters in machine learning models to achieve different outcomes. A great platform is Dale Lane 's Machine Learning for Kids website. Have them experiment and reflect on the outcomes of these models. (*ISTE2, 12)
• While working on AI projects, have students keep a log of their failures and successes, reflecting on what didn’t work and celebrating what did. Have them analyze how they learned from their mistakes in order to make better choices/prompts and products with AI.
• Encourage students to compose AI-generated music or art. Have them experiment with generating exhibitions of their work, citing their contributions versus AI’s contributions. Encourage them to consider ways that AI can help them expand their creative processes.

Balanced

Students who are balanced understand the importance of fostering a balanced lifestyle with intellectual, physical, and emotional balance for their well-being.

• Facilitate classroom discussions on how AI can help promote balanced lifestyles or improve mental health. Students can consider how AI tools that track wellness metrics can help to give them a better understanding of where time is spent throughout the day.
• Use AI-powered mindfulness and meditation apps in the classroom to teach students about the importance of emotional well-being.

Reflective

Students who are reflective give thoughtful consideration to their learning and experiences. They are able to understand their strengths and limitations in order to support their learning.

• Implement regular sessions where students can use AI tools to get feedback on their work. Have students reflect on specific aspects of their learning process.
• Introduce students to the analytics of their learning platforms. These AI insights are not only good for teachers to explore, but can also give students the opportunities to reflect on their progress and set goals.

The International Baccalaureate (IB) learner profile characteristics encompass a set of attributes that aim to develop well-rounded individuals. Through integrating AI into the curriculum, we can further enhance students' abilities to be Inquirers, Knowledgeable, Thinkers, Communicators, Principled, Open-minded, Caring, Risk-takers, Balanced, and Reflective. As educators, it is our role to guide students to use AI not only to advance their learning but also to develop future-ready skills.?

As always, please check with all AI products that you use in school to confirm that they are COPPA Compliant, FERPA, and GDPR safe. Every platform is different and some are not intended for children under the age of 18 or 13.

Resources

Common Sense Media. "AI and Our Kids: Common Sense Considerations and Guidance for Parents, Educators, and Policymakers." Common Sense Media, 2023, https://www.commonsensemedia.org/sites/default/files/featured-content/final-ai-and-our-kids-final-for-web.pdf.

"Integrating AI with the IB Learner Profile." International Baccalaureate, 16 Oct. 2023, https://blogs.ibo.org/2023/10/16/integrating-ai-with-the-ib-learner-profile/.

ISTE. "AI and Global Development Standards and Examples." ISTE, 2020, pp. 12, https://cms-live-media.iste.org/www-root/Libraries/Documents%20%26%20Files/Artificial%20Intelligence/AIGDSE_1120.pdf?_ga=2.2883122.347508390.1699097747-1597599415.1699097747.

ISTE2* International Society for Technology in Education. "AI and Global Development Curriculum Standards." ISTE, 2020, pp. 12, https://cms-live-media.iste.org/www-root/Libraries/Documents%20%26%20Files/Artificial%20Intelligence/AIGDCS_0820-red.pdf?_ga=2.30585149.347508390.1699097747-1597599415.1699097747.?

Ng, Andrew. "Andrew Ng: Why AI Is the New Electricity." Stanford Graduate School of Business, 2017, https://www.gsb.stanford.edu/insights/andrew-ng-why-ai-new-electricity.

The New York Times. "Can You Hide a Child’s Face From A.I.?" The New York Times, 14 Oct. 2023, https://www.nytimes.com/2023/10/14/technology/artifical-intelligence-children-privacy-internet.html.