Shifting Schools: Conversations for K12 Educators How Generative AI Can Deepen Critical Thinking in K12, Not Replace It
Nov 3, 2025
Explore how generative AI can elevate critical thinking in K-12 education. Discover the concept of 'disagreement by design' that fosters constructive opposition in classrooms. Learn about prompt engineering as a tool for unlocking curiosity and inquiry. Hear how custom chatbots can be the new essay assignment, enhancing research and critical dialogue. Plus, find out how these technologies can build community and empower educators to tailor learning experiences.
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Design Against The Agreement Machine
- Most mainstream generative AIs act as agreement machines and amplify confirmation bias.
- Designing AI to disagree constructively injects cognitive resistance into decision-making.
Cohort Bots Explore Live Streaming Futures
- Tricia built two research-backed chatbots for a futures literacy cohort to explore live streaming's impact on schools.
- The bots were designed to stretch leaders' thinking and surface assumptions about live streams replacing traditional communications.
Force Constructive Counterarguments
- Build prompts or bots that intentionally take opposing stances and reveal unstated assumptions.
- Ask your AI to present the strongest counter-argument and identify blind spots in plans.