For many of us, we can pinpoint that one person who helped us become who we are today. Whether it was a parent helping decide what career to pursue, a teacher igniting passion about a topic, a counselor offering understanding and belonging, or something else, interaction with that person changed the course of our lives. Sparking that flame of curiosity is the reason why many of us show up every day to work for a learning company like Macmillan Learning, and it’s also the reason why instructors’ and authors' work is more important than ever.
It’s that feeling that Macmillan Learning CEO Susan Winslow evoked in her keynote speech at the Textbook and Academic Authors Association annual meeting last month in Nashville. Her discussion with authors, most of whom were also educators, focused on the critical role that they can and should play in guiding AI use in the classroom. Her key message was this: learning is very much a human experience and while the integration of AI and other tech tools in educational settings may change how teachers teach and learners learn, the core of the experience -- what makes us want to learn -- has not.
Learn more about what she had to say about how authors and educators can shape AI and how AI can be used as a tool to help students learn even better below. You might also gain some practical tips about how to integrate AI in your classroom.
AI in Education Today
AI is fast becoming a familiar presence in classrooms. From students' use of large language models (LLMs) to conduct research, to AI-driven tutoring systems, to automated grading and personalized learning platforms, it’s hard to avoid its impact on teaching and learning. And while these developments are welcome, getting here wasn't seamless.
As many of us were enthusiastic, there were also just as many who were apprehensive and skeptical about the benefits of AI in educational settings. Winslow shared her own experience with this and explained that shortly after ChatGPT launched, "we were slammed with very urgent worried messages from instructors saying, 'I think my students just cheated their way through the final.'" Instructors wanted a voice in how AI was being used in their classrooms, and while cheating was the initial reaction, it wasn't their only concern. Many were also worried about the potential for increased inequities, the perpetuation of biases within AI systems, and their inability to keep up with the rapid changes.
She used her own learning journey as a means of embracing her own “stages of learning” as it related to AI; and ultimately, she was able to move from early denial to a place where she was enthusiastic about the opportunities ahead. She encouraged Macmillan Learning employees to learn as much as possible and experiment with different technologies as quickly as possible because “even to experiment you have to protect content and understand what AI is capable of.”
With Winslow's own learning journey and the company’s experimenting came important and still unanswered questions: How is this going to affect equity? How are we going to empower learners with the skills they need for the AI-enabled workforce of the future? What did all of this mean if nobody was speaking with educators to do it? While big tech companies had been chasing the dream and the challenge of AI, educators had not been brought to the proverbial table to discuss where it went next.
Shaping AI Through Collaborative Efforts
Macmillan Learning's initiatives in customizing AI tools to meet specific educational needs have shown promising results. "The most successful projects in the past were when that little synergy came to life and we went from serendipity and big ideas to ‘yes let's make that happen,” Winslow said. Educators' involvement in the design and implementation phases ensures that AI tools are developed with a deep understanding of educational needs and contexts.
On the flip side, passive adoption of AI could lead to unintended consequences, including increased inequities and the perpetuation of biases. Educators bring unique insights and expertise that are crucial in refining and improving AI tools, ensuring they serve the educational community effectively.
Winslow's keynote emphasized the necessity for educators to actively engage with AI tools rather than adopting them passively. "We need you in this space more than ever. You are the critical piece," Winslow said.
Alongside instructors and students, who are beta testing new products, Macmillan Learning is actively exploring how and to what extent AI should be integrated in its products and services. Internally, the company has conducted experiments with AI tools to understand their capabilities better. Upcoming products, such as the AI Tutor and iClicker Question Creator, are designed to assist instructors in creating more engaging and personalized learning experiences.
Practical Steps for Educators and Authors to Integrate AI
Integrating AI into the classroom may feel overwhelming, but there are practical steps that instructors and authors can take to engage effectively with this technology. Susan Winslow emphasized the importance of experimenting with AI tools and sharing findings with peers. Here are some actionable steps based on her insights:
Engage in Safe Exploration: Platforms like Playlab.ai offer educators a safe space to experiment with AI tools, create assignments, and share experiences without risking intellectual property issues. Winslow highlighted that using such platforms helps educators get familiar with AI, brainstorm new ideas, and rethink classroom activities with AI skills. Winslow further stressed that educators should not underestimate how confused students can be about the rules of AI use in the classroom. By experimenting with AI tools and sharing their experiences, educators can learn what works and what doesn’t, and develop ethical guidelines for AI use.
Participate in Training and Workshops: Given the rapid advances of AI, it’s a good idea to stay up to date on the latest thinking on AI and education. Winslow shared her own journey of learning about AI by attending conferences, reading research articles, and staying updated on the latest developments. Educators and authors should continuously seek knowledge about AI and its implications for education. One good way to do that is through participation in workshops and training sessions, such as the AI for Educators eight-week course offered by the Institute at Macmillan Learning. These sessions provide structured support and professional development on AI basics, helping educators and authors understand AI’s capabilities and limitations.
Collaborate with Publishers: Working closely with publishers in this space can provide valuable feedback and insights. Winslow mentioned that Macmillan Learning frequently organizes gatherings where educators can play with tools, give feedback, and discuss the practical applications of AI in education. This collaboration ensures that AI tools are developed with a deep understanding of educational needs and contexts.
Address Ethical Considerations: Winslow highlighted the ethical concerns related to AI use, such as ensuring equity and addressing biases. Educators should consider these factors when integrating AI into their teaching practices. Creating a transparent and honest environment where the use of AI is documented can help mitigate some of these concerns.
Focus on Human Connection: Despite the capabilities of AI, Winslow noted that human interactions are essential for deep learning. Educators should leverage AI to enhance, not replace, human interactions in education. AI can handle administrative tasks and provide core explanations, but it cannot offer the deeper insights and emotional engagement that human instructors can.
Looking ahead, Winslow envisions a future where AI and human educators work together to enhance learning outcomes. She believes, "In a future where AI is changing our jobs and skill sets and is still prone to hallucinations and is still citing awards and articles that do not exist, the reverse is true of what some of the media says … expertise matters more. Good training matters more." The ongoing role of educators in shaping and refining AI tools will be crucial in ensuring that AI enhances rather than replaces human interactions in education.
While AI tools can provide good core explanations about topics, “they don't offer deeper insights or answer questions about what students should now do with the information they just learned.” And that is yet another reason why the human component of learning is so important. As we move forward, it is more important than ever for educators and authors to take proactive steps in shaping the future of AI in education, ensuring that it serves to enhance, rather than undermine, this very human experience of learning.
Stay tuned for even more insights from the TAA meeting in the coming weeks and months. To read more about AI and the Inherently Human Experience of Learning from Susan Winslow, click here and to learn more about Susan's presentation at TAA click here.
