Educators have long envisioned personalized learning as a way to tailor education to the unique needs of each student. Advances in artificial intelligence are making this vision a reality. AI has the potential to transform the classroom by providing personalized learning experiences that are tailored to an individual’s strengths, interests, and learning needs.
At the same time, there is an increased focus on fostering the creativity and authenticity of students’ work. AI can play a pivotal role in supporting the creative process, from ideation to project refinement. By making the creative process more visible and accessible, AI empowers students to overcome obstacles and express their unique perspectives. This approach not only increases student engagement, it also prepares students for a future where creative thinking and problem-solving are essential skills.
Recently, EdSurge Brian JohnsrudDirector of Education, Learning and Advocacy Adobespeaks about the use of educational tools that not only harness the power of AI but also preserve the creative integrity of students and teachers. He highlights how AI helps personalize learning by allowing students to present their understanding and thoughts in diverse and individualized ways. The move from standardized assignments to individual projects makes learning more engaging and relevant for each student.
EdSurge: How can educators safely and responsibly leverage AI for more personalized learning?
Johnsrud: The dream of personalizing learning has been around for decades. The first phase focused on delivering the right content to the right student at the right time. Now, with the advent of AI, we are in the second phase, which is not just about personalizing content but also focuses on how students express their understanding and share their knowledge. The hallmark of creativity is uniqueness. So, if you want students to develop creative thinking, all 30 assignments undertaken by 30 students must be different.
When it comes to adopting AI safely and responsibly, schools are now paying close attention to a few things. The first step is to make sure the AI tool is actually designed specifically for education. If it’s not made for the classroom, it probably wasn’t made to enhance learning. It doesn’t necessarily have educational components built in, or the necessary accessibility or other EdTech integrations.
Designing for safety and responsibility also includes ensuring that tools do not train models on student or teacher projects, because the creative works we develop as teachers and students in the classroom should be respected and protected. If we are using tools that benefit or are inspired by creative masterpieces, then that is not truly aligned with our core creative values and academic integrity.
How can AI help foster creativity while preserving the authenticity of students’ work?
AI can support every part of the creative process. If a student is stuck on brainstorming, AI can help generate multiple ideas. If another student is good at brainstorming but needs help refining their piece, AI can act as a thought partner and provide critique. That’s the beauty of AI designed for creativity. AI can clarify the steps of the creative process and help students overcome obstacles. AI can take the fear out of a blank canvas.
I hope that AI will shift the focus from teachers being content creators to students taking on that role. One example that inspired me as a social studies teacher is that instead of having students write about continuity and change in a historical era, I would have them choose an era, choose a topic that shows continuity, and design a fictional propaganda poster for that era. The benefits of this creative assignment are clear to any educator; however, strict standards and a packed curriculum make it difficult to commit two weeks to it. Luckily, with AI, this assignment can be completed in just 30 minutes during class time.
Interestingly, in the age of AI, we crave authenticity more than ever. AI tools are moving beyond basic prompts and results, a “grab and run” approach. They are becoming integrated into our creative workflows, empowering us to realize our best ideas and express ourselves more authentically. The goal is not for AI to do the work for us, but to help us create more authentic and meaningful content, empowering us to be impactful storytellers ourselves. As teachers, we need to be able to see the unique voices of our students in their work.
How do AI literacy and creative thinking prepare students for future job market demands?
In just a few years, AI skills have become indispensable. According to the 2024 Labor Trends Index report: 66% of industry leaders said they would not hire someone without AI skillsIt’s surprising that this has become a hiring decision factor: In the same report, 71% of leaders said they would be more likely to hire a less experienced candidate with AI skills over an experienced candidate without AI skills. For students, this means that having AI skills puts you on an equal footing with more experienced professionals.
At the same time, creativity and creative thinking will be in high demand. According to the World Economic Forum’s Future of Jobs 2023 report: Creative thinking is the most important skill of the futureThe creator economy is booming, with 200,000 new creative jobs expected to be created in the US in 2023 alone. Students who can combine AI skills with creative problem-solving abilities have access to some incredible opportunities.
Research shows that the more students are able to express their creativity, the faster they will develop. And AI will provide even more opportunities for students to tap into that creativity. According to a 2019 Gallup report: Educators who value creativity and use technology in transformative ways are seeing great results — Students are more engaged in their studies, demonstrate better critical thinking skills, retain more, see connections between subjects, and achieve deeper learning. For teachers, seeing students engaged and proud of their learning can be incredibly rewarding, especially in an era when teacher burnout is on the rise.
How can educators easily incorporate creative thinking into their lessons?
First, identify areas in your curriculum where students need to deeply grasp a concept or fully demonstrate their understanding. These are moments when creative activities, rather than traditional methods like note-taking or multiple-choice questions, can yield broader and deeper learning outcomes.
