The Fear of Future Teaching

Lost Hopes: The Elusive Promise of AI and the Modern Education

It's been some time since I last wrote. The AI revolution, which once seemed unstoppable, has somehow settled down. It hasn't come to a halt, but rather it's seamlessly integrating into our daily lives.

This is a common pattern: whenever something groundbreaking emerges, there's an initial burst of energy and concern, and over time, as we adapt, it becomes part of the norm. Take this blog, "The Fearless Teacher" for instance. I started it with the anticipation of AI's transformative influence on education. The expectation was that AI would radically change the landscape, and I felt compelled to document that journey.

But did the dramatic takeover happen? It's debatable. And in a way so did my energy for this blog fade away. Perhaps I had greater hopes that now, at last, we would really see a transformation in schools. From the ground up.

I am left with a feeling of fatigue and concern for the future of schooling. Here in Stockholm, where I live, the daily life for many in the educational realm is shadowed by fears of gang criminality, lack of discipline, and rising mental health issues among many students.

There are days when it feels like the challenges we face in education have evolved, but not necessarily in the way we'd hoped. The integration of AI was in my mind supposed to be a solution, a beacon of hope. However, instead of being the magic wand, it's just another tool in the box, and while it certainly has its merits, it doesn’t instantly fix the underlying societal issues we grapple with.

However, it's also crucial to acknowledge the positives. Through AI, personalized learning has gained traction, enabling teachers to cater to individual student needs more effectively. Virtual classrooms, augmented by AI, have made education more accessible to students from remote locations or those unable to attend traditional schools.

Yet, it seems that while AI has provided us with new avenues, it hasn't been the panacea for all of education's challenges. It's a reminder that technology alone isn't the answer. We need societal change, a renewed emphasis on mental health, and a focus on creating safe environments for our students.

What are your thoughts? In the school where you work, have you found a way to meet all challenges without The fear of Future Teaching?