From Coal to Code: Unraveling the Jevons Paradox in the Classroom in era of AI

Hey there, fellow educators, tech enthusiasts, and lifelong learners! I have recently been framing some of my AI workshops around a concept that starts in the dusty pages of the 1800s and zooms all the way to our current hyper-connected, digital classrooms of today. As we have seen time and time again in history we have another curious case of history repeating itself, but this time with a techy twist. Welcome to my nerdy dive into the Jevons Paradox, but with a flavor of AI in education.
So piicture this: the more efficient our gadgets get, the more we end up using them. Makes sense, right? But here’s where it gets twisted - this efficiency isn’t always leading us to the promised land of educational utopia(shocking I know). Instead, we might be sprinting down a path where our beloved AI tools start doing more of the heavy lifting than we anticipated.
Imagine a world where our role as educators starts to morph. Are we just becoming the guardians of these AI wonders? Don’t get me wrong, AI has the power to transform the game - personalizing learning at scale, zapping through admin tasks, and other benefits that I have shared time and time again. Yet, in this efficiency extravaganza, are we risking the essence of what makes learning truly impactful? More importantly, what is means to be human.
The Classroom Conundrum
Let’s not beat around the bush. The introduction of AI in our learning spaces is not just a mere addition; it’s a seismic shift(that I don't think has even started yet) in how we define education. I created this video “From Coal to Code: Unraveling the Jevons Paradox in the Classroom,” to work through some of my recent shifts in thinking and hoping it is not just another average tech talk. It’s a heartfelt call to ponder, to question, and yes, to get a bit uncomfortable about how we balance the scales of tech and teaching.
This is where you and I, and every educator out there, come into play. It’s our mission to ensure that this tech wave enhances the learning journey without washing away the critical thinking, the creativity, and the human touch that are the cornerstones of education.
Check out the video and consider
Have you noticed tech taking the wheel more than you’d like?
Or have you found the perfect harmony between AI and traditional teaching?
Drop your thoughts, your worries, and your victories in the comments or reach out directly. This is a conversation that needs all our voices.
Together, we can navigate this new landscape, ensuring that as we embrace the power of AI, we remain steadfast in our commitment to nurturing minds that are as capable of dreaming as they are of doing. And as you hear in the video this is less about AI and more about doing the things that we know work and yet still don't do decades later.
In this journey of transformation, let’s pledge to keep our educational values front and center, using technology as a tool, not a crutch. Let’s shape a future where AI and educators are partners in crafting learning experiences that ignite minds and hearts alike.
So, what do you say? Are you ready to explore this paradox with me(I have more videos coming)? Let’s embrace the challenge, fuel our curiosity, and, most importantly, keep the coffee brewing because it’s going to be an exciting ride.