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: