Technology in the Classroom
At GATE, technology is treated as a tool to be understood and purposefully used. AI is here and is rapidly changing many assumptions about our world. It is not a substitute for education - kids need to learn how to use their own brains before they can possibly evaluate what's going on around them, including AI generated materials.
GATE teaches our kids how to think aka inquire – by practicing the skills of observing, reasoning, analyzing, summarizing, creating, and making connections. This skills-based practice gives kids the ability to actually understand what is going on around them, or at least know how to figure it out. (The practice of inquiring is also known as "robot proofing" to quote a respected AI researcher and neuroscientist.) We are certain that students must acquire skills of deep reasoning and understanding to navigate their world both now and in the future, particularly when it is being modified by and dependent upon AI usage at rocket speed.
For starters, we limit GATE computer use to in-class instruction under direct teacher supervision in the Upper School. Our kids do not have access to personal electronic devices, including smart watches, at school.
We scaffold our student's usage of technology. When our students begin using computers (in the Upper School) they are given literacy training. Then, they use computers as functional tools to help them with word processing, spreadsheet preparation, slide deck development and image manipulation/movie creation. Students also are taught how to query effectively for internet searches, and they practice ways to evaluate trustworthiness and bias of websites. Our kids do not use AI to find sources, summarize research, write documents, analyze data, and create or "think."
When our kids' brains are more developed, we teach them how to use AI and to assess its result. We do this by having AI to critique a project that they have conceived, researched and created. Specifically, In 8th grade, our graduating students choose a "heart's desire" project to pursue. Each student comes up with a question they are interested in, and then they create their own learning adventure, ultimately preparing a live presentation, often including physical models and/or visual props. AI does not do their research: they rely primarily on primary source materials. Nor does AI design or prepare their presentation: they write it themselves.
After they have done the work themselves, students ask AI to critique their preliminary presentation. At that point, GATE teachers help the student to troubleshoot the resultant AI critique, deciding what is meaningless, what is helpful or on point, what is gratuitous flattery or fictional criticism, and what may indeed open up another path of inquiry for the student to explore.
Understanding what AI is, not mistaking it for humanity, and using it in positive ways, can only be possible by experience – doing the hard and rewarding work of observing, reasoning, puzzling through, and creating. GATE's technology policies make it possible for our students to learn how to observe, reason and create on their own, which is about the only thing that can prepare them for a world that will be far different from what we know today.
This page is written by a human (as is all content on our website).
GATE teaches our kids how to think aka inquire – by practicing the skills of observing, reasoning, analyzing, summarizing, creating, and making connections. This skills-based practice gives kids the ability to actually understand what is going on around them, or at least know how to figure it out. (The practice of inquiring is also known as "robot proofing" to quote a respected AI researcher and neuroscientist.) We are certain that students must acquire skills of deep reasoning and understanding to navigate their world both now and in the future, particularly when it is being modified by and dependent upon AI usage at rocket speed.
For starters, we limit GATE computer use to in-class instruction under direct teacher supervision in the Upper School. Our kids do not have access to personal electronic devices, including smart watches, at school.
We scaffold our student's usage of technology. When our students begin using computers (in the Upper School) they are given literacy training. Then, they use computers as functional tools to help them with word processing, spreadsheet preparation, slide deck development and image manipulation/movie creation. Students also are taught how to query effectively for internet searches, and they practice ways to evaluate trustworthiness and bias of websites. Our kids do not use AI to find sources, summarize research, write documents, analyze data, and create or "think."
When our kids' brains are more developed, we teach them how to use AI and to assess its result. We do this by having AI to critique a project that they have conceived, researched and created. Specifically, In 8th grade, our graduating students choose a "heart's desire" project to pursue. Each student comes up with a question they are interested in, and then they create their own learning adventure, ultimately preparing a live presentation, often including physical models and/or visual props. AI does not do their research: they rely primarily on primary source materials. Nor does AI design or prepare their presentation: they write it themselves.
After they have done the work themselves, students ask AI to critique their preliminary presentation. At that point, GATE teachers help the student to troubleshoot the resultant AI critique, deciding what is meaningless, what is helpful or on point, what is gratuitous flattery or fictional criticism, and what may indeed open up another path of inquiry for the student to explore.
Understanding what AI is, not mistaking it for humanity, and using it in positive ways, can only be possible by experience – doing the hard and rewarding work of observing, reasoning, puzzling through, and creating. GATE's technology policies make it possible for our students to learn how to observe, reason and create on their own, which is about the only thing that can prepare them for a world that will be far different from what we know today.
This page is written by a human (as is all content on our website).
