On Point | Podcast How to redesign schools for the AI age
6 snips
Sep 3, 2025 
Linda Darling-Hammond, an expert in education policy, and Rebecca Winthrop, a senior fellow at the Brookings Institution, engage in a thought-provoking dialogue about the urgent need to redesign schools for the AI era. They discuss the challenges of outdated educational models and emphasize fostering critical thinking skills. The conversation critiques traditional testing methods, advocating for project-based learning to enhance real-world applications. They also highlight the disparities in AI access between communities, stressing the importance of equitable educational environments.
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Teacher Bans AI To Preserve Classroom Talk
- Kayla Jefferson, a Brooklyn teacher, bans AI for assignments to force students to engage in discussion.
- She reports students struggle to participate because they lean on AI in other classes.
Teacher Compares AI To An Encyclopedia
- Ludrick Cooper allows AI at home but not in class, likening it to the encyclopedia his parents used.
- He frames AI as a learning tool if used responsibly rather than a cheating shortcut.
AI As Catalyst For Systemic Change
- AI has become the catalyst many schools needed to question longstanding structures and policies.
- It reveals regulatory and incentive barriers that keep outdated practices in place.
