Post

CNN
@cnn.com

New York City is banning the use of generative artificial intelligence for public school students from 2K through 8th grade, part of a larger move to restrict classroom technology in the nation’s largest school district. https://cnn.it/4iGlH79

Foxmeadow
@foxmeadow.tech

This is good as long as educators also develop programs on digital literacy and digital citizenship. I think wholesale bans on AI will lead to the same issues that plague the current generation in terms of tech literacy. Kids know how to scroll social media, but do not know how to use computers.

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beckymeier.bsky.social
@beckymeier.bsky.social

Plus, classroom teachers taught kids how to create their own media and give presentations and complete assignments using various programs and referring back to what the media specialist taught. By 3rd grade, most of my students were very computer literate and would help each other.

beckymeier.bsky.social
@beckymeier.bsky.social

What do you mean? In my school district (I'm retired), the media specialist taught many lessons for K-5 on computer literacy, identifying reputable sites, coding, various programs, etc. Plus using library catalog, finding books, helping kids find books they want to read, etc.

Foxmeadow
@foxmeadow.tech

This varies by district though. I worked in the top school in one of the best states and the students who were actively in robotics or computer related classes were proficient, but the rest of the district struggled to operate their computers at basic levels. Both teachers and students.

Asmoranomardicadaistinaculdacar
@redophiuchus.bsky.social

A kid asking AI to open a file for them or start an app for them or whatever is learning even less about how computers work. Using AI != Understanding AI either. The people who use it often have the largest misunderstandings about it. Some come to believe it is actually alive, for instance.

Foxmeadow
@foxmeadow.tech

I guess that is what I mean when I am saying they should learn digital literacy. It's a major issue in the workplace right now. Kids do not have the skills to operate computers at a basic level. In my experience in IT, they have a much harder time than older folks.

Foxmeadow
@foxmeadow.tech

LLMs are just another layer of abstraction, but it's necessary to understand the underlying technology to be able to tap into the technology's strengths and be aware of its weaknesses. And unfortunately a lot of folks assume the kids are proficient with computers because they use phones / tablets