Reinventing Learning with AI

Ruth

Alright, let’s dive right in. So, the traditional image of education we all grew up with—rows of desks, teacher at the front, whiteboard covered in notes—it’s kind of stuck, right? But here’s the thing: the research has been discrediting this model for decades now. I mean, did you know students in that setup typically forget half of what they’ve learned in just 24 hours? Half. I still get stuck on that.

Ruth

And, well, here’s another paradox for you. Despite spending more money per student than pretty much any other country, U.S. students are seriously struggling. They’re ranked 28th globally in math. And get this—over a third of them can’t even read at their own grade level. And I’m not just talking about a short-term trend or something isolated; the latest results, like the 2024 NAEP tests, show the lowest scores in 30 years. Thirty years! That’s a long time for a system to be failing.

Ruth

I remember my first year teaching—in this big, bustling classroom. I was so focused on making sure my lesson plans were solid, you know, covering every standard. But it wasn’t until I started really looking at my students that it hit me: so many of them were just silently struggling. They sat in the back, eyes glazed over, just kind of... lost, you know? And I realized, they weren’t being served effectively. It wasn’t about effort—it was the structure, this one-size-fits-all approach where students either kept up or fell further and further behind. No safety net.

Ruth

And and the tough part is, we’re still using a system designed during the Industrial Revolution. Seriously! A model built to churn out factory workers isn’t exactly, let’s say, optimized for today’s world. It’s rigid, pace-driven, and basically assumes that everyone learns at the same speed, which—spoiler alert—they don’t. And it creates these compounding gaps, which, I mean, you can imagine, lead to more disengagement.

Ruth

But why do we keep clinging to it? I don’t get it. It’s a system where efficiency and coverage trump understanding and mastery. And the result is, well, it’s obvious. Kids are falling behind, and we’re not giving them the tools to keep up.

Ruth

So, let’s talk solutions. We know the traditional model isn’t working, but what if there were a way to completely flip the script? Enter AI tutors—this is where things start getting really, really exciting. With AI, students are learning about 40% faster. Forty percent! And, on top of that, they’re scoring 25% higher on standardized assessments. Those are game-changing numbers.

Ruth

But the real magic here is how these AI tutors work. They adapt, in real time, to each student’s exact level. It’s like having a one-on-one tutor with you, 24/7, who never gets tired and always knows exactly what you need next. It’s, honestly, one of the most practical applications of AI I’ve seen in education so far. There’s no falling behind because the system adjusts to you, meeting you right where you are. It’s personalized, and that’s the key here.

Ruth

And then there’s mastery learning. Now, I can’t stress this enough—this is such a big shift from how things are traditionally done. In the old model, we push students forward whether they’re ready or not. You know, as long as they meet a passing threshold, they move on, even if they only understand, what? Seventy percent of the material? It’s wild. But mastery learning flips that on its head. You don’t move forward until you’ve truly mastered the content. It’s not about rushing—it’s about understanding in full. And honestly, it’s just common sense. I mean, think about it: we wouldn’t let a surgeon operate if they only knew half of their training. So why are we okay with that logic in schools?

Ruth

And and if you really want to see this in action, just look at Alpha School in Austin, Texas. This place is like, the perfect case study. They use a hybrid setup with AI tutors for core academics—math, literacy—and then dedicate the rest of the time to life skills like public speaking, coding, entrepreneurship. The results are incredible. Their students are literally achieving double the standard academic growth. Some are even completing two grade levels in just six months. Six months! And their high schoolers? They’re averaging an SAT score of 1470. That’s up there with elite schools. It’s proof that this combination of AI and mastery-based progression works. It’s scalable, it’s efficient, and it’s just... transformative.

Ruth

And it’s not just for privileged students, either. Even disadvantaged students are crushing it, with kindergarteners hitting the top 1% in knowledge acquisition.

Ruth

One of the most profound changes AI brings to the table is in how we think about the role of teachers. We’re moving away from the era of the "sage on the stage," where teachers deliver endless lectures, to something more dynamic and meaningful. In these new classrooms, teachers aren’t just instructors—they're coaches, mentors, and guides. They focus on what I think we’ve always known is critical: social-emotional learning, building confidence, and fostering connections.

Ruth

With AI stepping in to handle the more repetitive, content-heavy aspects, like delivering lessons or grading assignments, teachers get back precious time. Time they can use to really connect with students, to ask those deeper questions, like: “What’s blocking you here?” or “How can we work through this together?” It’s about tackling the hurdles that are harder to see, but often have the biggest impact.

Ruth

Take personalized learning, for instance. AI tutors adapt instantly, pinpointing exactly where a student is struggling and offering immediate feedback. Now, as a teacher, you’re not left guessing—you have real-time data to guide your interactions. And that real-time feedback? It changes the game. Suddenly, students feel like they're being seen, like the system actually gets them. It’s empowering in ways we couldn’t even dream of before.

Ruth

I once worked with a student who was struggling with fractions—like, really struggling. I used an AI learning module to guide them step-by-step, sitting right beside them as the AI walked through examples and gave hints. You could almost see the lightbulb moment. For the first time, they didn’t just get the right answer; they understood why it was right. And more importantly, their confidence seemed to skyrocket. They went from "I can’t do math" to "Maybe I don’t hate this as much as I thought."

Ruth

And that’s the magic here, right? When AI takes care of the foundational stuff, educators have the space to focus on the big picture. It’s not just about numbers on a test; it’s about building resilience, curiosity, and a sense of agency in these students. Something as small as mastering a single skill can ripple out into their confidence, their independence, and even their future choices.

Ruth

So, where does this leave us? The teacher’s role isn’t diminished—it’s amplified. They’re essential in guiding not just academic growth but emotional and personal development too. And when you pair that kind of coaching with the precision of AI, the possibilities are, honestly, endless.

Ruth

And with that, we’ve reached the end of today’s discussion. I hope I’ve left you with a glimpse of what the future of education could look like—a future where learning is personalized, mastery is the goal, and educators get to do what they do best: inspire and connect. Thanks for tuning in to this episode of "Reinventing Learning with AI." Until next time, take care and keep learning!