Revolutionising Education: The Potential Power of AI and Mobile Tech in Classrooms.
Revolutionising Education: The Potential Power of AI and Mobile Tech in Classrooms.
Why we shouldn't ban the very thing that might help us...
It’s always nice to represent The AI Teacher Course on the radio when being asked about technology and education. As a new idea to try to help teachers teach with AI, it's a really important conversion to have. So thanks for the BBC for having it. It surrounds the political activity around a key question…
“Should headteachers be banning mobile phones in schools?”
As someone with a teenager daughter in school as well as over 25 years experience working with and in schools this is something I (and my co-founder Janine) are very passionate about at The AI Teacher Course.
Let’s discuss how strategic integration of mobile technology can prepare students for the technology-driven future. Additionally, I will touch upon the age at which parents should consider giving their child a mobile phone, taking into account factors such as brain development and potential risks associated with smartphone use.
The Benefits of Allowing Mobile Phones in Schools
The use of mobile phones in schools has long been a controversial topic, with many arguing for a ban due to the distractions they can cause. However, mobile technology, when used responsibly and in conjunction with artificial intelligence, can actually enhance learning in the classroom. We have to remember that we have a technological revolution happening, which allows students to utilise artificial intelligence on their mobile phones. This means that teachers can now incorporate AI into their lessons, when they learn how to do so, something that was previously impossible.
“We cannot look this gift horse of AI in the mouth. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity not to missed by education.”
Dan Sodergren
By allowing students to use their mobile phones in a controlled manner, they can access resources and tools that can help them learn more efficiently. I am not advocating for unlimited phone use, but rather for a strategic and purposeful integration of mobile technology into the classroom. As banning technology is counterproductive to the efforts made in the past to increase access to technology in schools.
In today's technology-driven world, it's important for students to develop the skills necessary to navigate and utilise mobile phones in a responsible manner. Banning mobile phones from the classroom may seem like a solution to potential distractions, but it could be a detriment to their learning and future development.
By integrating mobile phones into the curriculum and promoting self-directed learning, teachers can help students harness the power of technology for educational purposes. This approach will prepare them for the future where they will need to use artificial intelligence and mobile phones extensively.
We need to teach teachers how to use AI rather than reduce the abilities of them to do so.
A slightly different question asked me on the radio was around when should young people have access to this type of technology. And my answer might surprise you. I might be a tech futurist but I am also a parent too.
Deciding when to give a child their first mobile phone is a difficult decision that many parents grapple with. While there is no one-size-fits-all answer, it's important to consider a child's age, brain development, and the potential risks associated with smartphone use.
Experts suggest that giving a child a smartphone with internet access and social media apps before the age of 13 or 12 may not be advisable. This is because there are age restrictions on these platforms for a reason, and children may not have the necessary maturity to navigate them safely. I have championed for many years for tech companies to be more reasonable about who accesses them. We have to remember that online.
“If you are not buying a product - you are the product”
Dan Sodergren
Do we want this to start happening to our younger children and members of society? I advise that we do not. And perhaps that a dumb phone might not be such a dumb after all. However, ultimately, the decision should be based on each individual child's level of responsibility and understanding of the potential dangers associated with mobile phone use. However, we parents and teachers are we really teaching young people enough about technology and things like AI when perhaps we don’t know a HUGE amount ourselves…
In the end, education is key.
For everyone, which is why we started The AI Teacher Course.
Dan from AI Teacher Course on BBC Radio.
About The Author
Keynote speaker, professional speaker, Ted X talker, serial tech startup founder, ex marketing agency owner, digital trainer, and now author and media spokesperson Dan Sodergren’s main area of interest is the future of work, technology, data and AI
He was co-founder of www.YourFLOCK.co.uk — the employee feedback platform using machine learning. And is co-founder of the AI Teacher Course to help teachers learn how to teach using AI and has just started an online course to help entrepreneurs and marketing people use the power of AI in their marketing.
In his spare time, as well as being a dad, which comes first, Dan is a digital marketing and technology (and now AI) expert for TV shows and the BBC and countless radio shows.
Occasionally donning the cape of consumer champion on shows like BBC WatchDog, the One Show and RipOffBritain and being a marketing tech specialist for SuperShoppers and RealFakeAndUnknown and BBC Breakfast.
He is also a host and guest on podcasts and webinars speaking as a tech futurist. And a remote reporter / content creator for tech companies at tech events and shows. His main interest is in the future. Be that the future of marketing, or the future or work or how AI and technology will change the world for the better as part of the #FifthIndustrialRevolution
Find out more about him over on bit.ly/DanSodergren
And his books on https://futureofwork.gumroad.com
And his course on www.aimarketingcourse.co.uk
And with Janine Atkin: The AI Teacher Course.