The A.I. Roadmap: Human Learning in the Age of Smart Machines

by Dr. John Spencer

The A.I. Revolution is here and many schools are scrambling with how to respond. The truth is nobody knows exactly how machine learning will change teaching and learning. Moving forward, educators will need to be adaptable in the face of these changes. But more importantly, our students will need to navigate a world where to corporate ladder is now a maze. They'll need to develop deeply human skills in a world of smart machines.This book does not offer a blueprint with specific directions for how to use generative AI. It doesn't offer a step-by-step instruction manual for how educators will need to re-imagine learning. But what it does offer is a roadmap for how we can navigate the changing terrain. We explore how AI works and how we can avoid the two dead-ends of the Lock It and Block It and the Techno-Futurism routes. In this roadmap, we offer a third way that is human-centered and tech-infused. We examine how AI is transforming creative thinking, information literacy, project-based learning, assessment, and personalized learning and how we might keep a human-centered focus as we navigate these changes. Finally, we analyze how AI is changing each subject area and how we can respond in a way that helps us leverage AI while maintaining our humanity.

Genres: Education, Artificial Intelligence

322 pages, Paperback

Published August 28, 2023

Reviews

[Jen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I did enjoy the writing style of the book. I felt like I was having a chat with a really helpful colleague. The ideas are a nice way to start looking at how we might use AI in our classrooms. I also really liked that it broke it down into different subject areas and that he actually included us all!! Overall a solid book, but if you're already partway down this AI rabbit hole, it won't be earth shattering. But worth a read, for sure.

[Debbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was very helpful to read before we start of school journey with using AI. I liked how it was simple, but informative and included information to help you better understand AI and how it works. I also liked the chapters where is gave examples of how it could be used with students in different subject areas. If you are looking for an overview or a better understanding of AI and how it works, I would recommend.

[ERIN SULLENGER · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a great reminder of how AI has been affecting our lives already and how we as humans have reacted to those changes. Dr. Spencer writes in a conversational style that is easy to read and keeps the reader engaged.
There are quite a few errors in word tense or extra words but it does not take away from the meaning of his writing.

[Christopher Vian · Rating 3 out of 5]

The book is fairly well written; however, I don’t think Spencer takes a critical enough look at AI and the implications of generative AI in education. There are some good resources in the book regarding how to use AI in various subjects and some thought-provoking conversations to be had. It just seems way less critical of the technology than it should be.

[Jenn · Rating 5 out of 5]

So well done. I appreciate Spencer’s balanced and rational stance to a shift in technology and education that can be both scary and overwhelming. Informative and thoughtful with a vision of how to move forward together.

[Bryan Neuschwander · Rating 2 out of 5]

Well. It's not Dr. Spencer's fault that I am grumpier about all this than he is. I appreciate his emphasis on the human element, the questions raised, and the calm approach, though I don't feel particularly inspired by the purported promise of A.I. in education.

[Marley Evans · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m going to give it 4 stars for ideas—it was interesting and helpful. But I just don’t know non fiction.