I know it’s been a minute, but I’ve been working on some exciting new projects (more on those in the next few weeks), so I haven’t had a chance to blog and share as much as usual.
On top of those “top-secret” projects, I’ve been traveling around the country this summer, meeting with schools and conferences to talk about the shift from “AI-enhanced learning” towards “human-centered design” (hint: one of my new projects centers around this). In the last 17 days I’ve been to New York, Alabama, Texas, Arkansas, Tennessee, Pennsylvania, and tomorrow I’ll be in New Jersey speaking to superintendents around the state.
I share that to say this. It’s been interesting to see how the national perspective around AI has changed so much the last 3 years. Actually — not even the national perspective — my perspective too. I started out teaching about the tools and now I’m working with teachers on designing the best possible learning experiences alongside AI. Which brings me to this post.
Yesterday, I was working with a school in Hershey, PA. It’s a great staff that invited me back after my work with them last year, which I consider an honor. Because we’d already done a lot of the “surface-level” work around AI last year, I was able to dive much deeper with this staff than I do with others. We spent a lot of time exploring design thinking, iteration and work that “makes humans human.” One activity, in particular, really stodd out: designing the WORST school possible.
That’s right. What would school look like if you were designing the worst school possible? The only parameters were that it actually needed to be a school building, couldn’t break any laws, and a focus on maximum frustration.
I captured the results on this Padlet and some of their ideas ranged from funny (like the School for Painful Learning image shared at the top of this newsletter) to topical (all teachers are robots like what this NY school tried earlier this month).
What amazed me was how MANY of the ideas already exist in schools today. Things like:
- Learning from a text book
- Standardized testing dominates the calendar
- Grades become the primary measure of success
- Homework over authentic learning
- No student choice
- Sit-and-get instruction
- Canned instruction and curriculum
- Unsupportive administration
- Constant new initiatives
And this is just the tip of the iceberg.
Going into this activity, I expected people to dream up ridiculous ways to punish kids and create an environment so miserable that learning would be impossible. Instead, waht emerged was something much more revealing: an unburdening the current practices we already know don’t work. In many ways, this exercise went stopped being satire and became a reflection of some of our current realities.
We know some of our practices aren’t in the best interest of kids and learning, yet why do we continue to do it? What are your thoughts? How would you design the worst school ever?
I left the Padlet open if you want to add your thoughts to it, or just post your comments on this blog.
The first step toward improvement is being honest about what needs improving.
Carl Hooker is a 28-year educator that speaks with communities and schools around the thoughtful integration of technology including AI, screen time, and digital wellness. Check out his latest books ZENgaged and Learning Evolution:2nd Edition. For more information on how to book Carl for you next convocation, staff training or community event, fill out this form.
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