EP351 What does learning science actually say about AI in the classroom? (with Erin Mote)

Everyone has an opinion about AI in classrooms right now, but very few of those opinions are grounded in what we actually know about how kids learn. In this episode, I sit down with Erin Mote, CEO and founder of InnovateEDU and co-founder of Brooklyn Laboratory Charter School, to cut through the noise and talk about what the evidence actually shows about AI as a learning tool. This isn't a conversation about ChatGPT, cheating, whether to ban devices, or what kids are doing with AI at home on their own time (which are separate topics worthy of their own discussion). We're talking specifically about AI-powered tools designed for classroom use that are being pitched to your district and showing up in your school, and whether they hold up when measured against what we know about how kids learn. In this episode you'll hear Erin share her thoughts on: Why "good enough" consumer tech is not good enough for students, and what to look for in tools that are actually built around learning The difference between sycophantic AI and Socratic AI, and why it matters for student outcomes What the early research is showing about AI as a learning tool, including what's promising and what we still don't know What to ask for and advocate for at the school and district level so these decisions aren't made without you If you've been feeling overwhelmed by the pace of change and unsure what to actually do, this episode will leave you with more clarity, and more confidence in what you already know about how kids learn. Listen in. Or read the transcription here.