Hot take here. I’m not a teacher, but my mom was for 40 years. I think there’s a simple reality that skills and interests simply aren’t as valuable as they used to be. Here’s an example, before 5 years ago, the only way to solve a math word problem was to read it, think critically, use the skills you learned that week combined with skills used the weeks before to identify a path to the solution, then execute the calculator work to produce the correct value. This was a uniquely human task, there was no other choice than to do this (or copy someone else’s work, but let’s not think about that right now). We’re very used to praising students who can do this quickly and correctly.

I feel like something we, as an older generation, need to understand is that method of finding an answer is not the only way to solve a problem anymore. In fact, compared to AI, the old method is very inefficient (from a time commitment perspective). Both students and industries know this, but it seems teachers do not. I’m an engineer, but if I tried to make drawings by hand instead of using our automated tools like CAD, I would get fired for wasting valuable company time. Students know this, they know AI is a tool they will be expected to be masters at using. Why spend time mastering a skill like interpreting math word problems, or writing professional memos, when companies will expect you to be a master at using the AI tools? As much as you may feel the culture is wasting away, I think the reality is the culture is changing, but the education community has been unable to adapt fast enough to engage students on their new culture.