Episode 19: One Big Question, What is Worth Learning? Education must co-evolve with AI.

“AI in traditional classroom settings won't transform education unless schools fundamentally change.”

A Quick Summary

This episode of the podcast 'Where's Your Head At?' featured a conversation with Dr. Yong Zhao, a distinguished professor in education. The hosts Richard Henry, James Dalziel, and James McDonald engaged in an insightful discussion about the future of international education and AI's role in transforming education.

Dr. Zhao shared his unique educational journey, describing how he entered education because he was 'bad at farming' during China's Cultural Revolution. He emphasized that his success came from giving up on areas where he struggled rather than maintaining a 'growth mindset.'

Regarding international education, Dr. Zhao praised its progressive nature while acknowledging the pressures faced by international schools. He highlighted how international education defies traditional measurements like PISA scores and represents a valuable cultural experience beyond territorial boundaries.

On the topic of AI in education, Dr. Zhao argued that education hasn't significantly improved despite numerous reforms. He emphasized that using AI in traditional classroom settings won't transform education unless schools fundamentally change their approach. He advocated for personalization in education and redefining learning as 'doing' rather than traditional teaching methods.

Dr. Zhao criticized the current educational system's focus on meritocracy and standardized measurements. He suggested that schools should move away from forcing children to compete and instead embrace personalization and problem-solving. He emphasized the importance of finding problems rather than just solving them in the AI age.

Regarding school leadership, Dr. Zhao advised leaders to focus on their core responsibilities and create opportunities for others to contribute. He emphasized the importance of having a moral mission and thinking philosophically about education's role in shaping civilization's future.

We hope you enjoy this episode of WYHA, voted the number 7 international education podcast according to Feedspot. https://podcast.feedspot.com/international_education_podcasts/

Key Highlights:

• 00:02:38 Introduction to Dr. Yong Zhao and His Background

Richard Henry introduced Dr. Zhao as a foundation distinguished professor at the University of Kansas, highlighting his extensive career including positions at the University of Oregon and Michigan State University. His background includes founding various educational centers and publishing over 100 articles and nearly 40 books.

• 00:05:58 Personal Educational Journey

Dr. Zhao shared his unique path into education, starting in rural Sichuan during the Cultural Revolution. He emphasized how being 'bad at farming' led him to education, challenging conventional wisdom about growth mindset.

• 00:09:50 State of International Education

Dr. Zhao discussed the current state of international education, praising its progressive nature while acknowledging the pressures faced by international schools. He highlighted how international education represents a style that defies traditional measurements.

• 00:13:11 AI's Role in Education Transformation

Dr. Zhao emphasized that education hasn't significantly improved despite reforms, arguing that AI won't transform education unless schools fundamentally change their approach to teaching and learning.

• 00:39:38 Rethinking Educational Leadership

Dr. Zhao advised school leaders to focus on their core responsibilities and create opportunities for others to contribute. He emphasized the importance of having a moral mission and thinking philosophically about education's role.

 

Bio

Dr. Yong Zhao is a Foundation Distinguished Professor in the School of Education at the University of Kansas. He has held several prominent positions, including Presidential Chair, Associate Dean, and Director of the Institute for Global and Online Education at the University of Oregon, and University Distinguished Professor at Michigan State University, where he founded the Center for Teaching and Technology and served as executive director of both the Confucius Institute and the US-China Center for Research on Educational Excellence. He is an elected member of the National Academy of Education and a fellow of the International Academy of Education.

Dr. Zhao has received numerous awards, such as the Early Career Award from AERA, the Outstanding Public Educator award from the Horace Mann League, the Distinguished Achievement Award from the Association of Education Publishers, the ACEL Nganakarrawa Award, and the AECT 2022 Outstanding Digital Learning Artifact Award and AECT Distinguished Development Award. His work often explores the implications of globalization and technology on education.

An accomplished author, Dr. Zhao has published over 100 articles and nearly 40 books. Throughout his nearly four-decade-long career, he has led several large-scale research projects, directed research and practice centers, designed schools, curricula, and textbooks, and developed software systems for learning and professional purposes. His collaborations span teachers, schools, professional organizations, businesses, and governments across Asia, Australia, New Zealand, the Americas, and Europe.

Originally from Sichuan Province, China, Dr. Zhao earned his B.A. in English Language Education from the Sichuan Institute of Foreign Languages in 1986. After six years of teaching English in China, he moved to the United States as a visiting scholar at Linfield College in 1992. He then pursued graduate studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, earning a master's degree in Education in 1994 and a Ph.D. in 1996. Dr. Zhao joined the faculty at Michigan State University in 1996 after serving as the Language Center Coordinator at Willamette University and a language specialist at Hamilton College.

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