Reimagining Education: From Transactional Tools to Relational AI

I recently attended the Education in AI conference in Brisbane, Australia. I was particularly intrigued by a session led by Jason Lodge, Deputy Associate Dean (Academic) and Associate Professor of Educational Psychology at the University of Queensland. His insights on "Learning and Assessment into the Future" offered a transformative perspective on generative AI. Lodge emphasized that what makes generative AI revolutionary is its potential to be a relational, rather than merely a transactional learning tool. This distinction could reshape the future of education in profound ways.

Transactional learning tools have long been a staple in education. From the 16th century with books to calculators and the computer software of the last century, these tools have served primarily to convey information or facilitate specific tasks. They are designed for efficiency, productivity, and time-saving. 

For example, books provide access to a vast repository of knowledge. Calculators enable quick and accurate computations and software programs streamline administrative tasks.

These tools, while invaluable, operate on a transactional basis: they provide a direct, often one-way, transfer of knowledge or assistance. The focus is on the end product—acquiring information, solving problems, or completing tasks.

While transactional tools have significantly enhanced productivity and efficiency in education, they also have limitations. They often foster a surface-level engagement with content, emphasizing the completion of tasks over a deeper understanding of the knowledge. This approach can lead to a passive learning experience where students may memorize facts or follow steps without fully grasping underlying concepts. This is shown by my experience of being a teacher of teenage boys and having been one. They are generally focused on the product (the grade) of the learning rather than the more enriching process.

Moreover, this emphasis on efficiency and productivity can overshadow the importance of developing critical thinking, creativity, and interpersonal skills. Learning becomes a series of transactions aimed at achieving specific outcomes rather than a holistic process of growth and development.

From my conversations with teachers and students, most have approached generative AI with the same transactional mindset. For example, students might copy and paste assessment questions into a large language model, receive responses, and submit them as examples of their learning. While convenient for the student, this approach fails to show AI's transformative potential for student learning.

Generative AI, unlike traditional tools, can foster relational learning. Relational learning is based on the importance of relationships and interconnectedness in the learning process. Unlike transactional learning, which focuses on the direct transfer of information and skills, relational learning prioritizes the development of meaningful connections between students, teachers, knowledge, and the broader community. It can engage with students and teachers in dynamic, interactive ways, creating opportunities for deeper understanding and personal growth. Rather than merely providing answers, AI can facilitate exploration, discussion, and reflection. In short, teaching students to learn how to learn.

Using generative AI as a relational tool means leveraging its capabilities to build meaningful connections between learners and knowledge. Some examples are illustrated below:

Interactive Dialogue: Encourage students to use AI to simulate conversations, helping them articulate their thoughts, question assumptions, and explore different perspectives. For instance, AI can role-play historical figures or hypothetical characters, enriching the learning experience. Teachers can use these dialogues to better understand students' thinking processes and tailor their teaching strategies accordingly.

Personalized Feedback: Use AI to provide tailored feedback, guiding students through their learning process and helping them identify areas for improvement. AI can analyze student learning and offer specific, constructive suggestions for enhancement. This allows teachers to spend more time on developing relationships with students and less on repetitive grading tasks.

Continuous Learning Support: Implement AI as a 24/7 learning assistant, offering support and resources outside class. This can help students explore topics of interest at their own pace and provide timely assistance when needed. Teachers can use insights from AI interactions to identify common misconceptions and areas where students need additional support.

Professional Development: Teachers can use AI to access personalized professional development resources, and engage in reflective practices through dialogue with the AI. AI can recommend articles and new approaches based on individual teaching goals and interests, fostering continuous growth and learning. I use ChatGPT's speech-to-text functionality to converse with AI on improving my practice on my morning walk.

Relational learning aligns with many indigenous worldviews, which see relationships as fundamental to understanding the world. For example, in Māori culture, knowledge is not merely a commodity to be acquired but is deeply connected to people, places, and the community. This contrasts with the capitalist emphasis on transactions and efficiency.

By embracing a relational approach to AI, educators can create learning environments that reflect these indigenous values. This approach prioritizes connections, community, and holistic development, offering a richer and more meaningful educational experience.

As we reimagine the role of AI in education, it is crucial to move beyond the limitations of transactional tools. By recognizing and harnessing the relational potential of generative AI, we can create a more engaging, dynamic, and inclusive learning environment. This shift requires us to rethink our educational practices, valuing relationships and interconnectedness over mere efficiency.

In doing so, we not only enhance the learning experience for our students but also honour and integrate diverse cultural perspectives that emphasize the importance of relationships in all aspects of life. Let us embrace this opportunity to transform education, using AI to build connections, foster understanding, and inspire growth.