The misnamed AI does not seem to be a good ally for education, as it is called. Why call it "intelligence", because it "learns" from its user? The highly valued capacity of reprogramming or reconfiguration of technologies such as ChatGPT, in no case implies something similar to human capabilities, no matter how exponential and vertiginous the development of its potential is. A less pretentious and substitutive name, for a more modest and collaborative one, would make this technology a better ally for education. For example, "Artificial Personal Assistant" or "Artificial Study Advisor" are terms that are at our service. This would make it easier for pedagogy to welcome this technology "with open arms", as long as it develops and improves in the learner basic skills such as reading, writing, listening, speaking, memorization, thinking or reasoning.
The meteoric growth of ChatGPT and other AI users in just a few years has shaken us all. But this change of era, if we look at it calmly, does not have to be a threat, but an opportunity, for many fields, including education. For it can be one more way for the pursuit of excellence in our children or students, rather than a way to facilitate compliance with the law of least effort. It all depends on how we use it. That is why, in order to make the most of it, we must think about how to implement this tool, which allows us to develop the student's faculties and not atrophy them. Doing this process quickly and in any way, in the long run, can be expensive.
Gregorio Luri recently said: "Artificial intelligence presents marvelous tools and great utilities, but always depending on one's own training and culture". Therefore the School, if it is thinking about the exit profile of its students, should not only be aware of the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics), but also and above all, of the broad culture and critical thinking, of the Humanities.
But what is culture?
By culture we can understand what André Maurois said, it is what remains after having forgotten what was learned. In the school, this means teaching or learning in order to leave a mark. That is, we must work not only to pass tests, but to "cultivate" in our students a knowledge that is useful, but at the same time, that gives meaning to their lives within a society. If we get educated students, who have their own criteria, eagerness to know and who relate new knowledge with the already assimilated, we will have students prepared to use tools such as an Artificial Personal Assistant (AI).
What are the criteria for responsible use of this technology, which is here to stay, among "minors"?
Empantallados.com, a platform for educators on the use of technology, suggests as a criterion for the delivery of the first cell phone, that your child is able to manage his clothes in the closet, the order of his room or maintain a high academic level. If they are able to manage their daily life, they will be able to use the cell phone correctly, as long as there is previous training on the part of the parents, and a progressive learning process on the part of the child. This criterion is equally valid for AI and other tools. That is why the family that allows the use of this technology, without being clear about this criterion, will be doing a disservice to their children. Because in addition to generating an addiction, when their brain is in full development, it will not facilitate its maturity or its cultivation, so that they will not take proper advantage of the technology.
What skills to develop to enhance culture and critical thinking, in the face of the ease that AI provides us?
We can speak of six basic capabilities to be developed in any student:
- Reading is the first and most important. It is to read, daily, a wide variety of books appropriate to the age and cultural level of the reader. To acquire culture and to develop reading comprehension.
- Writing. Expressing what has been learned in writing, on a regular basis.
- Oral expression. In which we show our ideas in public. It can be practiced through short presentations, podcasts, poetry recitation, plays, or reading aloud.
- Also by listening carefully. Not only to those closest to us, but also to those around us. Or also listening to thematic content of a podcast, videos, ... Appropriate to our age and cultural level. And after listening, debating with arguments that subtract what we have heard, to draw conclusions.
- Memorizing, since it is fundamental for what has been learned to remain. In the same article mentioned above, Luri says: "memorization is wonderful, although there are those who want to dismantle it". The idea he conveys is that information is not the same as knowledge. And for there to be knowledge and for us to cultivate ourselves, there must be memorization.
- Finally, developing understanding and thinking. To understand what has been memorized and to make sense of what has been learned, time must be spent reflecting on what has been read and heard. This requires time and the daily routine of studying, so as not to let ourselves be carried away by improvisation, when things are left to the last minute.
These basic skills should be developed at home, with the help of parents. And in class, with activities that encourage the improvement of these skills. The more our children or students have developed these skills, the more prepared they will be for the use of technology. Because they will be cultivated and cultured, and therefore better prepared.
The example of adults, as always in life, will have a stronger impact on them. Therefore, the habit of improving these basic skills on the part of the father, mother or teacher will have a positive impact on our children and students, and it will be easier for them to develop these habits. Ismael Sanz says about the benefits of parental example in reading: "It is interesting to note that Spanish fourth grade students, whose parents like to read a lot, score 540 points on the PIRLS international reading test. However, primary school students whose parents do not like reading at all score 498 points. The difference between 540 and 498 points is almost one school year. In other words, students whose parents like to read are already almost a grade ahead in fourth grade compared to those who do not have that example at home".
Logically, these habits, if developed from the beginning of the learning process, will make everything easier.
The capacity to transmit, receive and generate general culture is usually built through different types of more specific cultures. These tend to coincide to a great extent with the subjects taught in the Educational System. For example.
- Linguistic Culture. Thanks to which we gradually learn the origin of each word and how it is spelled.
- Historical culture. They allow us to understand the universal facts in their time, as well as the history of your country, knowing how to place them in the timeline.
- Religious culture. In which we gradually master the episodes and characters of the Bible or the verses of the Koran.
- Hispanic Culture. In which we learn about Spain's legacy and footprint around the world.
- Anglo-Saxon culture. That is, learning English in the context where it is used. Or learn situational thematic English that can be learned by age.
- Mathematical Culture. To know why we used an operation and how we arrived at that conclusion.
- Biological Culture. To understand how nature works within a context.
- Artistic culture and sensitivity. To know how to perceive art from an early age and to express ideas and feelings.
- Literary culture. To know how to appreciate new works little by little.
The human factor is fundamental
As human beings, example is very important, but more important is the process of "humanization". That is, in order to "become" or "be" more human or better people, we have to talk to and be guided by our mother and father. They explain to us what they want from us and how to achieve it. A good education requires and needs good conversations, which make us better people. These conversations also have to be with older siblings, grandparents,... or also with teachers, coaches and all those who influence our education.
Cultivation or training costs... What is the role of effort in this training process?
This process requires, logically, effort. This means that parents and educators must make demands on their children and students from the time they are very young. Later, when they begin to have their own conscience, they must be made to understand little by little, an idea that Francisca Javiera del Valle used to transmit: "Do not set your eyes on what it costs; set them on what it is worth; it has always been like this: what is worth a lot costs a lot".
This is achieved step by step. That is to say, the work habit must be developed little by little, daily, but it is the key to be able to have the capacity to learn. And it requires that you are demanded and want to improve. This habit is best formed when you have been demanded from the beginning and you have done your part.
We can conclude that to get the best out of technology, you have to be well trained. Or rather cultivated.
