Learning About Learning:
AI in Education: Finding the Third Way
Based on ideas from Dr John Spencer.
A Balanced Approach
When it comes to AI in schools, people often fall into two camps:
- Techno-Futurism – “AI will transform everything, let’s go all in.”
- Lock It and Block It – “AI is too risky, ban it.”
There’s a third way. This approach is human-driven and asks:
How can we use AI ethically and intentionally?
Instead of being “pro” or “anti” AI, we use it as a tool when it helps learning, and we set limits on AI use when human interaction matters more.
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A Continuum of AI Use
Spencer suggests thinking about AI on a spectrum:
- AI-Resistant – no AI, fully human-centred tasks.
- AI-Assisted – teachers use AI for planning, but students don’t use AI for learning.
- AI-Integrated – students and teachers both use AI, thoughtfully and with clear learning goals.
- AI-Driven – AI reshapes what and how students learn.
Teachers may shift between these modes in a single lesson, depending on what best serves students.
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Centaurs and Cyborgs
Ethan Mollick offers two metaphors:
- Centaurs divide tasks – humans do some, AI does others.
- Cyborgs blend human and AI in real time, working more like partners.
The most effective users are reflective and curious. They don’t let AI take over; they use it to enhance human thinking.
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The Limitations of AI
It’s important to stay aware of what AI cannot do:
- It lacks context – it doesn’t know your class, your community, or what was just said in a discussion.
- It can get facts wrong and sometimes makes things up (“hallucinations”).
- It contains bias – often reflecting stereotypes in its training data.
- It mimics creativity and empathy, but doesn’t truly feel or care.
This is why teachers and students must always bring critical thinking and media literacy to AI use.
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The Opportunities of AI
Used well, AI can:
- Create learning supports such as writing frames or graphic organisers.
- Help differentiate texts and tasks so every learner can access content.
- Offer feedback on student work, helping them revise in the moment.
- Save teachers' time on planning, emails, rubrics, and slide decks.
- Act as a brainstorming or inquiry partner for students.
The key question to ask: Does this deepen learning for our students?
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Moving Forward
Generative AI is not a fad, and we don’t need to rush or panic.
What matters is curiosity, conversation, and careful experimentation.
As a school community, we can:
- Keep students at the centre.
- Use AI as a tool, not a replacement for human connection.
- Stay flexible, updating policies as we learn.
- Focus on what only humans can bring: creativity, empathy, and real relationships.
From Tongan Language Week:
