By Fiona Reynolds, Chief Learning Officer, UnconstrainED
Building AI Literacy in School Communities
At Graded School in São Paulo, we've been on a journey with parents these past few weeks, exploring the intersection of AI and education. Our focus extends beyond simply introducing tools like Goblin to support academic planning – we're talking about what it means to use AI ethically and responsibly in learning. Central to our discussions is the role of parents in supporting productive struggle – that valuable space where real learning happens.
The Persistent Challenge of Academic Integrity
Last week's parent conversation centered on academic integrity, examining both its importance and why students might choose to bypass it. Interestingly, research from Stanford University's School of Education reveals that AI hasn't increased cheating rates – they've remained steady, with 60-70% of students reporting at least one instance of cheating behavior in the previous month. (Stanford University School of Education. 2023, September 15. What do AI chatbots really mean for students and cheating? Stanford Education Everywhere)
Understanding the Root Causes
In our discussions with parents, we identified familiar patterns behind academic dishonesty: time constraints, confusion about content or assignments, and grade-related pressure. These aren't new challenges, and AI alone won't solve them. They point to deeper, systemic issues in education.
The Time Problem in Education
Our current educational model faces a fundamental challenge: the expectation that all students will master content within the same timeframe. We assess student progress when our predetermined unit time ends, knowing full well that students learn at different paces, and not all will have had enough practice to show proficiency. This one-size-fits-all approach often leaves some students behind while failing to challenge others adequately.
Reimagining Learning with AI
This is where AI presents a transformative opportunity. At UnconstrainED, we call this "Act 2" – the phase after building AI literacy where schools can fundamentally change their educational practices. By leveraging AI as a personalized tutor, we can:
Allow students to progress at their individual pace toward proficiency
Move away from rigid, time-based assessments
Track student progress comprehensively and transparently to students, teachers, and parents
Create meaningful collective learning experiences that apply new skills – this is where teacher time and creativity is most important
The Path Forward
The response from parents was clear, they said, “Ok, let’s do that.” They're ready for this transformation. This readiness for change, combined with emerging AI capabilities, creates an unprecedented opportunity to reshape schools. We can move from a system constrained by time to one that truly serves each student's learning journey.
Taking Action
Ready to explore how AI can transform learning in your school community? UnconstrainED is here to support your journey from AI literacy to school transformation. Contact UnconstrainED to learn more about building AI literacy and implementing personalized learning in your school community.
About the Author:
Fiona Reynolds is an accomplished and forward-thinking educational leader with over 30 years of experience in international schools across Africa, Asia, Europe, and the Americas. Previously serving as the deputy head of school at the American School in Bombay, Fiona has established herself as a professional learning leader. She is a member of multiple academic boards, as well as advisory and steering committees working to bring evidence based practices to all schools and students. Fiona has presented at a variety of conferences on topics such as fostering trusting school cultures, facilitating organizational change, and creating schools that are responsive to developmental needs. She is the Chief Learning Officer and one of the co-founders of UnconstrainED. UnconstrainED’s mission is igniting the transformation of education towards a human centered design through innovative technological solutions.