Class Disrupted

Latest Episodes:

Processing AI in Education Out Loud May 14, 2025

Show notes

Diane and Michael talk through what they’ve learned from their recent miniseries on AI in education. They discuss how AI offers unprecedented access to expertise, but also highlight concerns about its effectiveness for young learners. Throughout, Diane and Michael grapple with skepticism, optimism, and the practical challenges of embedding AI in educational systems, all while looking ahead to what meaningful, student-centered innovation could look like.

https://archive.org/download/96905-future-of-education-processing-ai-in-education-out-loud-v-2/96905_Future%20of%20Education_Processing%20AI%20in%20Education%20Out%20Loud_v2.mp3

Episode transcript:

Title_ Processing AI in Education Out Loud Download

The Premortem on AI in Education with Rebecca Winthrop Apr 15, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Class Disrupted, hosts Michael Horn and Diane Tavenner chat with Rebecca Winthrop, a senior fellow and director at the Brookings Institution, about the impact of AI on education. The conversation kicks off by highlighting Rebecca’s idea of a premortem approach, which involves anticipating the negative impacts of AI before they occur and strategizing ways to mitigate these risks. They identify key concerns such as cognitive offloading, manipulation, and the effects on socialization and consider how this technology might catalyze a rethinking of the purpose of education.

https://archive.org/download/winthrop-video/Winthrop%20Video.mp3

Episode transcript:

The Premortem on AI by Rebecca Winthrop Download

The Challenges AI Poses for Learning How to Write Mar 28, 2025

Show notes

In this episode, Diane Tavenner and Michael Horn delve into the role of AI in writing education with Jane Rosenzweig, director of the Harvard College Writing Center. Jane underscores the importance of writing as a process of thinking and warns against the “deskilling” of students because of an overreliance on AI. The conversation explores how AI may aid resource shortages in education, while also pondering if AI’s efficiency overshadows the importance of deep learning and authentic writing skills.

https://archive.org/download/93863-v-2/93863_V2.mp3

Episode transcript:

Jane Rosenzweig Download

Needed: Real Experiences, Real People Mar 16, 2025

Show notes

On this episode, Diane and Michael welcome guest Julia Freeland Fisher, a distinguished researcher from the Clayton Christensen Institute, whose work delves into the intersection of AI and education. The conversation explores the potential and challenges AI presents in the educational landscape. Julia shares her insights on the importance of using AI to enhance personalized learning experiences and facilitate real-world connections for students. She also voices her concerns about AI’s impact on human connection, emphasizing the risk of AI replacing genuine interpersonal relationships.

https://archive.org/download/92929-future-of-education-julia-freeland-fisher-on-class-disrupted-with-intro-v-01/92929_Future%20of%20Education_Julia%20Freeland%20Fisher%20on%20Class%20Disrupted%20with%20intro_V01.mp3

Episode transcript:

Real Experiences, Real People with Julia Freeland Fisher Download

How AI Could Lead to a Massive Productivity Boost in Education Mar 02, 2025

Show notes

In this episode of Class Disrupted, Michael and Diane chat with Siya Raj Purohit, who works on education initiatives at OpenAI, about the transformative potential of AI in education. Siya shares her career journey and how it led her to focus on bridging the gap between education and workforce development. Highlighting the immense value of AI tools like ChatGPT, particularly in university settings, she underscores its potential to personalize learning, reduce teacher burnout, and enhance classroom interactions. Siya also addresses concerns around AI by emphasizing that while AI can elevate thinking and productivity, the irreplaceable human element in teaching—such as mentorship and personal inspiration—remains vital.

https://archive.org/download/massive-productivity-boost/Massive%20Productivity%20Boost.mp3

Episode transcript:

The Massive Productivity Boost – Transcript Download

Why AI Doesn’t Think Like Us Feb 21, 2025

Show notes

Techno-optimists have high hopes for how AI will improve learning. But what’s the merit of the “bull case”, and what are the technology’s risks? To think through those questions, Michael and Diane sit down with Ben Riley of Cognitive Resonance, a “think and do” tank dedicated to improving decisions using cognitive science. They evaluate the cases made for AI, unpack its potential hazards, and discuss how schools can prepare for it.

https://archive.org/download/ben-riley-ai-audio/Ben%20Riley%20AI%20-%20Audio.mp3

Episode transcript:

Ben Riley on AI Download

Democratizing Access to Expertise: AI in Education Feb 06, 2025

Show notes

On this episode, John Bailey, who advises on AI and innovation at a number of organizations, including the American Enterprise Institute, Chan Zuckerberg Initiative, and more, joins Michael and Diane. They discuss AI’s potential to democratize access to expertise, weigh the costs and benefits of its efficiency-boosting applications, and consider how it will change skills required for the workforce of the future.

https://archive.org/download/john-bailey-audio/John%20Bailey%20-%20Audio.mp3

Episode transcript:

Transcript – Democratizing Access to Expertise_ AI in Education Download

Our ‘Biases’ About AI Jan 22, 2025

Show notes

At the outset of an AI-themed season, our hosts take stock of their prior assumptions, hopes, and concerns about the technology’s applications in education. They dive into where they see it being used to make adjustments to the current educational model and envision how it could be applied to revolutionize learning.

https://archive.org/download/our-biases-about-ai-audio/Our%20%27Biases%27%20about%20AI%20-%20Audio.mp3

Episode transcript:

Our ‘Biases’ about AI – Transcript Download

We’re Back—with Job Moves Dec 03, 2024

Show notes

As Diane and Michael launch a sixth season of Class Disrupted, they talk through Michael’s newest book, the bestseller Job Moves: 9 Steps for Making Progress in Your Career, and map its implications back to K12 schools and students through Diane’s startup, Futre.me.

https://archive.org/download/class-disrupted-s-6-e-1-final/Class%20Disrupted%20S6%20E1%20final.mp3

Episode transcript:

Transcript – Class Disrupted 11_27_2024 Download

What the Science Shows a Mentorship Mindset Can Do for Student Motivation Aug 06, 2024

Show notes

On their first ever summer episode, Michael and Diane are joined by David Yeager, psychology professor at University of Texas Austin and author of 10 to 25, a new book on youth development. They discuss lessons on healthy youth development tackled in his book, including the science of mentorship, importance of transparency, and strategies for how to help youth reframe stress.

https://archive.org/download/80125-future-of-education-what-the-science-shows-a-mentorship-mindset-can-do-for/80125_Future%20of%20Education_What%20the%20Science%20Shows%20a%20Mentorship%20Mindset%20Can%20Do%20for%20Student%20Motivation_v2.mp3

Episode transcript:

Transcript – Class Disrupted with David Yeager Download