In this insightful edition of the KidsAI Interview Series, we’re excited to feature Dr. Nick Jackson, a visionary in the field of digital education and the founder of NowFutureLearning.com. Currently leading Digital Technologies at Scotch College – Adelaide, Dr. Jackson is dedicated to transforming educational practices with technology. His commitment to personalized and technologically enhanced learning opens new horizons in education. Join us as we explore his innovative approaches and deep insights into the future of learning empowered by technology.
In this insightful edition of the KidsAI Interview Series, we’re excited to feature Dr. Nick Jackson, a visionary in the field of digital education and the founder of Welcome to KidsAI, Dr. Jackson! It’s an honor to host a visionary dedicated to redefining educational paradigms through technology. As we navigate the intricate landscape of AI and learning, your insights stand as a guiding light. To begin, we’re keen to understand your perspective on AI’s emerging role in education. How do you see AI forging new pathways for learning, and what strategies would you suggest to make these pathways universally accessible and empowering?
AI forges new pathways in the following ways:
Personalised Learning: AI enables dynamic differentiation, tailoring education to individual student needs and learning styles, thus enhancing personalised learning experiences.
Automating Administrative Tasks: AI can automate routine tasks, freeing teachers to focus more on teaching and student engagement.
Enhancing Teacher Capabilities: Rather than replacing teachers, AI acts as a tool to augment their capabilities, offering new teaching methods and resources.
Facilitating Project-Based Learning (PBL): AI can enhance PBL methodologies, providing innovative ways to engage students in hands-on, interactive learning experiences.
Addressing Educational Challenges: AI brings solutions to complex problems in education, such as improving assessment methods and supporting diverse learning environments.
Future-Oriented Curriculum Development: AI influences curriculum design, encouraging the integration of future skills and competencies essential in the digital era.
Promoting Authentic Learning: The intersection of AI with human-centered design in education promotes more authentic, real-world learning experiences.
Strategies:
Infrastructure Development: Invest in digital infrastructure to ensure access to AI tools for all educational institutions, including those in underprivileged areas.
Teacher Training: Provide comprehensive training for teachers to effectively integrate AI into their teaching practices.
Inclusive Design: Design AI tools that cater to diverse learning needs, including those of students with disabilities.
Ethical Considerations: Address ethical concerns related to AI, such as data privacy and bias, to ensure trust and safety in its use.
Collaborative Approach: Foster collaboration between educators, technologists, and policymakers to align AI applications with educational goals and standards. Platforms for experimentation and sharing innovative developments are essential.
Continuous Evaluation: Regularly assess the impact of AI on learning outcomes and make necessary adjustments to ensure its effectiveness and relevance.
At NowFutureLearning.com, you’re at the forefront of equipping educators for the digital age. Could you share some actionable advice for those seeking to embrace digital tools amidst today’s rapidly changing educational environment?
System level:
Start with Training: Educators should receive thorough training in digital tools and AI to understand their potential and limitations. Involve students in this process.
Focus on Integration, Not Replacement: Use digital tools to augment, not replace, traditional teaching methods. Involve students in this process.
Prioritise Ethical Usage: Be aware of the ethical implications, including data privacy and potential biases in AI-driven tools.
Promote Digital Literacy: Incorporate digital literacy an critical thinking into the curriculum to prepare students for a technology-driven world.
Customise Learning Paths: Leverage digital tools for personalised learning experiences tailored to individual student needs.
Collaborate and Share: Foster a culture of collaboration and knowledge sharing among educators to leverage collective insights and experiences with digital tools.
Teacher level:
Enhance Your Skills: Prioritise learning about digital tools and AI to understand their applications in teaching. Network widely and understand that is ok to constantly be trying to keep up. Be prepared to experiment and struggle, adapt and change practice.
Use Technology as a Supplement: Integrate digital tools into your teaching methods to enhance, not replace, your instructional strategies.
Stay Informed on Ethical Practices: Be aware of data privacy, ethical issues and bias in AI.
Personalise Student Learning: Use digital tools to tailor educational content to individual student needs.
Collaborate with Peers: Share experiences and strategies with fellow educators to collectively navigate the digital landscape in education
Reflecting on your impactful tenure at Scotch College Adelaide, we’d love to hear about your methods for weaving digital technologies into the fabric of education. What significant outcomes have you observed in terms of student engagement and academic achievements?
We have worked hard to:
Grow confidence in the use of AI in teaching and learning
Establish a culture of being proactive with AI and understanding that is a key component of contemporary education and life from this moment on
Involve the whole community in our developments and experimentation with AI
This has meant there is:
Open discussion for the most part about AI
Use of AI by teachers and students in the learning process although this is still at an early stage
Education provided about AI and how it works, how to use it responsibly (see https://nick-s-site-694e.thinkific.com/courses/scotchstudentsai )
The intentional use of digital technology in classrooms can be transformative. We’re curious about the philosophies and practices you’ve adopted in this regard and their influence on the overall educational journey.
My role sees me leading a team of teachers who are tasked with integrating technology across the curriculum both in Junior and Senior school. I work closely with a Director of Information and Innovation and the Head of Teaching and Learning in the school to shape the foci around developing technology enhanced education across the school.
My philosophies of open communication, positivism, inclusiveness, showcasing and student agency sit at the heart of how I operate.
You can see my work on student empowerment here:
https://bridges.monash.edu/articles/thesis/Teachers_knowledge_and_practice_The_role_of_secondary_school_students_in_technology_integration/19729927/1
I publish a newsletter every week within the college, curating commentary and resources primarily on AI to share knowledge and upskill our staff.
I run sessions of all kinds from drop-in workshops, larger professional learning, community events that exposes what we do and how we do it as well as upskilling other educators and the wider community.
You will see by my work on Linkedin ( https://www.linkedin.com/in/nickjac/ ) that I share widely and fervently. Such sharing and global community involvement is also at the heart of my beliefs in transforming practice.
Your research passionately advocates for student empowerment via technology. What are the most effective methods you’ve employed to actively involve students in this transformative process?
I think I have answered this mostly in previous questions however, I can add that I have set up:
Student Digital Leaders in my school that works in various areas such as AI development, esports and even on our helpdesk
Student involvement in assisting other schools and students in responsible AI use
With your extensive background in digital technologies and AI, what thrilling opportunities and challenges do you anticipate at the convergence of these disciplines within the educational sphere?
If we appreciate that the point, we are at currently is the worst version of AI we will ever experience, then the ways in which this technology will develop are largely unthinkable. However, I am excited by the possibilities and opportunities in:
Personalised learning and how that changes the dynamics for education for students and teachers. For example, how AI provides opportunities for those with learning needs to access learning and demonstrate their learning in new and more flexible ways.
Localised AI where schools/districts/authorities/communities can create datasets on their students in their context and use this data to forecast, set up interventions and shape better education, wellbeing and environments for all involved.
AI fused with other technologies to create experiences that are currently unimaginable. This could involve robotics, immersive technologies, for example.
How AI will disrupt what education looks like, how it works and how institutions like schools and universities change and adapt to new realities that will open up.
As a dynamic public speaker and educator, you convey critical messages about the nexus of education and technology. What is the primary takeaway you strive to leave with your audience?
I pride myself on:
Honesty and sharing – I always present about what I have done/seen, what has worked and not worked, what I think about things and why. I start each session I do by saying, “I am not an expert in AI or in AI in Education. I’m just somebody who has a lot of experience in education and education technology who has a passion and ‘sad’ level of interest in experimenting and exploring what this technology can do to enhance education, so much so that I live and breathe this every day, and I am here to share what I see”
Humour – I think it is important to lighten the mood around AI and technology. It scares some people and makes others uncomfortable. Using humour breaks down barriers, allows more people to access what can be a complicated and uncomfortable area.
Provocation – I like to provoke thought and challenge peoples’ beliefs, ways of doing things, comfort zones. As an educator, this, to me is vital in the development of teaching and learning. Being an educator is not just a job. It carries responsibilities and the willingness to further enhance and develop practices sit at the heart of that.
Thank you, Dr. Jackson, for sharing your valuable insights and innovative visions in the field of educational technology. Your contribution to enhancing learning experiences through digital platforms is truly inspiring
KidsAI Closing Insights
KidsAI Closing InsightsIn our enlightening discussion with Dr. Jackson, we explored vital themes such as the role of AI in educational administration, the impact of project-based learning, and the necessity of a future-focused curriculum. Additionally, the importance of robust digital infrastructure, continuous teacher development, and inclusive educational design were highlighted. For more enriching perspectives on these subjects, we invite our readers to explore other interviews in our series, available in the Interviews section, where thought leaders share their insights on shaping the future of education.
