Kim Smith on Recalibrating Innovation and Next Steps for Educators
Oct 11, 2023
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Guest Kim Smith, founder of LearnerStudio, discusses the rise of learner-centered education, re-architecting the education system, concerns in the ESA space, and reimagining education amidst financial crisis and declining enrollment in urban districts.
The education system needs to rally a wider base of allies to reimagine and rearchitect the system to better support innovators.
Philanthropy needs to provide a higher level of support and funding to drive the necessary rearchitecting efforts in education.
Deep dives
A Different Moment in Education
We are currently experiencing a unique moment in education with growing consensus around learner-centered education, rich learning experiences, and broad measures of success. There is excitement about new pathways and the use of credentials and learner records to unlock opportunities. However, there is also a snapback post-pandemic, where people want a taste of something normal. This has led to experimenting with new policies and unlocking opportunities outside the traditional system. Additionally, the rise of AI is causing a shift in the way we work and learn, raising questions about being augmented professionals and learners.
The Need for a Coherent Story
There are amazing innovators and change agents across the education system, but they are often fragmented and lack a coherent story. The current system is dysfunctional, and there is a need to rally a wider base of allies to reimagine and rearchitect the system to better support innovators. This requires bringing together allies from rural, suburban, and urban areas. Slowing down and explaining the innovations and advancements to new allies is crucial in order to build a foundation for rearchitecting the education system.
The Role of Philanthropy
Philanthropy plays a vital role in supporting the rearchitecting of the education system. However, there is a need for philanthropy to step up and provide a higher level of support and funding. The current level of funding is not sufficient for the magnitude of the changes that need to occur. Philanthropy is society's passing gear, and in this moment of change, a greater investment is needed to help drive the necessary rearchitecting efforts.
The Challenges and Opportunities of AI
AI is a significant factor driving change in education, but its true impact is still uncertain. While current AI innovations are mainly marginal efficiency plays, they are expected to reshape basic skills instruction, such as reading and math. This shift in instruction will have a ripple effect on freeing up human capital for more complex social-emotional development. The role of AI in education presents opportunities for redefining what it means to be an augmented professional and learner, but it also raises questions about the disruption and possible outcomes of the system.
On this episode of the Getting Smart Podcast Tom Vander Ark is joined by repeat guest Kim Smith to discuss a landscape analysis, the rise of learner-centered education and the three horizons.
Kim is the founder of LearnerStudio, a nonprofit intermediary accelerating progress towards a flexible, rigorous, equitable, and learner-centered education system, to ensure all our young people are inspired and prepared to thrive in life, career, problem-solving, and citizenship.
Previously, Kim was also the founder of the Pahara Institute, co-founder of NewSchools venture fund and Bellwether Education Partners, and a founding team member at Teach For America. She has helped to incubate numerous education and social change organizations and has served on a range of boards.