Beyond the Ban: Sunaina Sharma on AI, Student Motivation, and the Future of Classroom Technology

In this episode of The Smarter Campus Podcast, Zach sits down with Dr. Sunaina Sharma, Assistant Professor at Brock University and longtime English educator, to explore one of the most pressing questions facing schools today: What happens when educators feel caught between the promise of AI and the realities of classroom life?Drawing on more than two decades of experience and recent research involving hundreds of secondary school teachers, Sunaina shares how the relationship between students, technology, and learning has fundamentally shifted since the pandemic. While many teachers are already using AI behind the scenes to support their work, uncertainty around policy, parent expectations, and institutional support often prevents them from bringing these conversations directly into the classroom.The episode also examines the growing "revolt" against technology in schools, where some educators are returning entirely to pen-and-paper assessments in an effort to preserve authentic learning. Sunaina challenges listeners to think beyond an either-or mindset, arguing that the real opportunity lies in creating thoughtful guardrails, meaningful professional learning, and classroom experiences that help students understand why their learning matters.For educators and leaders, this conversation is a powerful reminder that the challenge isn't simply about adopting new technologies—it's about building cultures of trust, support, and mutual respect that allow innovation to happen responsibly.