AI and Education: Shifting Paradigms with Nick Potkalitsky

Technology is like the great disruptor or the great amplifier." -Nick Potkalitsky In this episode, the host, Ana Melikian, is joined by Nick Potkalitsky to delve into the multifaceted world of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education. They discuss the current challenges students face with AI, often due to a lack of proper mental frameworks and critical evaluation skills. Nick underscores the necessity for a shift in educational curricula to help students develop new mental frameworks to effectively work with AI. He discusses the works of experts like Ethan Mollik and how AI interaction requires an understanding of creative and conversational nuances. The discussion highlights the significance of AI literacy and ethical considerations, exploring how human expertise remains essential even as AI plays a larger role in educational settings. They also mention practical tools like Khan Academy's Khanmigo, which offers personalized tutoring, potentially revolutionizing student learning experiences. Ana and Nick dive deep into the concept of human-AI collaboration, emphasizing that high-quality AI-generated outputs require substantial human input. They discuss the importance of maintaining the relevance of traditional skills such as writing, and the challenges of integrating AI into educational systems without leading to burnout for educators. Let's dive in! This week on the MINDSET ZONE: 00:59 Guest Introduction: Nick Pokalitzky 01:58 Initial Reactions to ChatGPT in Education 04:17 Adapting Teaching Methods for AI 05:57 The Role of Writing in Learning 07:56 AI as an Augmentation Tool 09:59 Challenges and Opportunities with AI in Education 14:19 Future of AI in Education 19:03 Balancing Technology and Humanity 27:06 Environmental Impact of AI 28:17 Conclusion and Resources Guest Nick Potkalitsky, Ph.D., is the Founder and CEO of Pragmatic AI Solutions and author of AI in Education: A Roadmap for a Teacher-Led Transformation. With over 20 years of teaching experience, he is a scholar of media, communications, and rhetoric. He is author and editor of the Substack Educating AI and the LinkedIn newsletter Pragmatic AI Educator. An impactful keynote speaker and innovative instructional designer, Nick specializes in AI training for K–16 educators and is the creator of Pragmatic AI online courses. Reach out for a free consultation. Nick partners with school districts and companies to develop customized AI implementation strategies that align with their unique goals and needs. Connect with Nick Potkalitsky: Pragmatic AI Solutions: https://pragmaticaisolutions.com/ Pragmatic AI Online Courses: https://pragmaticaicommunity.sutra.co Educating AI Substack: https://nickpotkalitsky.substack.com/ Pragmatic AI Educator Newsletter: https://www.linkedin.com/newsletters/7152688575652765697/ LInkedIn Profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/nick-potkalitsky-phd-0313ba126/ Other Resources Mentioned: Co-Intelligence: Living and Working with AI by Ethan Mollick Brave New Words: How AI Will Revolutionize Education (and Why That's a Good Thing) by Salman Khan Related Content: Expand What’s Possible