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From A.I. in the Classroom to 2016 Nostalgia: How K-12 Schools Can Build Critical Thinking, Confidence, and Future-Ready Skills

A new report finds that intentional A.I. use in the classroom can support learning

The Gist: A new report from the Brookings Institution’s Center for Universal Education finds that A.I. can support learning in classrooms, but only when it’s used with a clear purpose and guidance. While some educators see benefits for tasks like language learning and writing support, researchers warn that unstructured A.I. use may cause students to lean on the technology too much, instead of building critical thinking and problem-solving skills. The takeaway for schools is clear: A.I. works best as a learning partner, not a shortcut — and students need proactive guidance to navigate it in ways that support their learning. 

What to Know: According to the Brookings study, A.I. tools can support teachers and students in useful ways, like helping multilingual learners access content at the right level or assisting with grammar when students lead the thinking themselves.

At the same time, researchers raised concerns that easy reliance on A.I. might contribute to a “doom loop,” where students offload thinking to technology and lose opportunities to develop deep understanding, critical analysis, and creativity. Rebecca Winthrop, one of the report’s authors and a senior fellow at Brookings, emphasized that when A.I. simply gives answers, students may miss out on learning to identify fact from fiction, understand different perspectives, and analyze complex topics.

There are also concerns about how A.I. could shape social development if students begin forming emotional attachments to chatbots that always agree, with some worrying that it will potentially hinder real-world empathy and resilience.

This debate isn’t unique to one classroom: research from the Brookings study shows that schools across the country are struggling with how to help students navigate A.I. in healthy ways, rather than simply restricting it or letting it go unmanaged. As a result, educators are increasingly focused on helping students build the skills and confidence to navigate A.I. responsibly, whether or not restrictions around the tech tool exist.

TSI’s Take: The NPR-covered report shows that A.I., when used intentionally, has the potential to support students’ learning. However, when it’s used without guidance or in excess, it can undercut the very skills schools are trying to build. Here’s how educators can help students navigate the tech tool with confidence:

• Teach A.I. with intention: Go beyond how to use the tool and help students understand when and why it’s appropriate. Interested in exploring The Social Institute’s A.I. Literacy #WinAtSocial Lessons? Request a demo today.
• Help students recognize when A.I. isn’t the right tool: Teach students to notice moments that call for human judgment, creativity, or emotional intelligence instead of automation.
• Use lessons made with students, for students: Plug in ready-to-run lessons, like those in #WinAtSocial, that are made with students to ensure relevance and real-world impact.

With #WinAtSocial, it is easier than ever to prepare students to navigate A.I. in healthy ways. With plug-and-play lessons and family resources that align with each lesson, schools can prepare future-ready students who are ready to navigate whatever A.I. brings their way. Ready to get started? Check out our 3rd-5th grade #WinAtSocial Lesson: A.I. for everyday help.

A.I. is being used in medical education to strengthen communication skills, highlighting new opportunities for K-12 education

The Gist: Creighton University in Phoenix, AZ, nursing students are now using A.I. tools to practice delivering difficult diagnoses and navigating challenging conversations. The school is utilizing A.I. in its nursing program to improve students’ communication skills and practice real-life situations in a safe, risk-free environment. This innovative use of A.I. reveals an important lesson for K-12 educators: when A.I. is taught to be navigated positively, it can be used to help students learn new skills, build confidence, and equip them for their future careers. 

What to Know: At Creighton, A.I. isn’t replacing nursing instructors or clinical training; it’s helping nursing students prepare for some of the most challenging parts of patient care. Students use A.I.-powered simulations to practice difficult conversations, such as explaining a diagnosis, responding to patient concerns, or navigating emotionally charged situations. These tools create realistic medical scenarios where students can slow down, ask better questions, gather information, and practice clear, compassionate communication. By rehearsing these moments in a safe, low-stakes environment, nursing students build confidence, improve decision-making, and strengthen their ability to show empathy — skills that are essential before working with real patients.

A.I. is also currently used in healthcare education to review medical data and suggest possible diagnoses. These suggestions act as starting points for discussions, where students and educators work together to question, evaluate, and learn from the results. The key takeaway? A.I. works best as a thought partner, instead of an answer generator.

The same idea applies in K–12 classrooms. A.I. tools can personalize learning, spark student curiosity, and give teachers more time to focus on deeper learning, but students still need guidance to navigate these tools in positive and responsible ways.

TSI’s Take: What we’re seeing in health sciences education shows that A.I. can be a strong learning partner when paired with human judgment and critical thinking. Schools can help students navigate A.I. in ethical and effective ways by:

• Helping students know when A.I. is helpful, and when it’s not: Teach students to recognize when they need to rely on their own thinking, voice, or empathy instead of using a shortcut.
• Using A.I. to practice real-world communication: Whether explaining ideas or navigating tough conversations, A.I. can help students strengthen their communication skills.
• Making ethics and transparency part of daily learning: Encourage students to explain how they used A.I., what decisions they made, and how their work stayed true to their values.

With #WinAtSocial, students learn how A.I. can support their ideas, not replace them. Through age-appropriate lessons that elevate student voice, schools can help learners navigate A.I. responsibly, creatively, and with purpose. Ready to bring this learning to life? Check out our 9th-12th grade #WinAtSocial lesson: A.I. and human creativity.

2016 nostalgia is trending online — and A.I. might be the cause

The Gist: A wave of nostalgia for 2016 has surged across social media, with users sharing throwback visuals and memories as a way to reconnect with a time that many on social media claim was less complex. As A.I. becomes more ingrained in everyday life, shaping how we learn, work, and communicate, this trend reflects a growing desire, especially among students, for simplicity, clarity, and human connection amid rapid technological change.

What to Know: Social platforms are currently filled with videos, memes, and filters that reference 2016’s pop culture, fashion, and viral moments, like the explosion of Pokémon Go, the dominance of skinny jeans, and Snapchat’s well-known dog filter. Users describe 2016 as a time when social media felt more playful and less driven by polished branding or algorithm pressure, which may be appealing amid today’s fast-moving digital environment.

This trend comes at a time when students and families are navigating questions about how new technologies like A.I. will shape education and job opportunities after graduation. While uncertainty can fuel longing for “simpler times,” research shows that A.I. is expected to create new opportunities, with the World Economic Forum (WEF) estimating that A.I. will create approximately 170 million new jobs by 2030. As a result, schools are left with an opportunity to help students look forward with confidence, building the skills, adaptability, and character they’ll need to thrive in a future shaped by A.I.

TSI’s Take:
Nostalgia trends like this often reflect uncertainty about the future, especially as technology like A.I. becomes more present in school, work, and everyday life. Educators have a powerful opportunity to respond by helping students feel confident, informed, and prepared to navigate A.I. in ways that help them reach their goals. Schools can support students by:

• Framing A.I. with opportunities, not fear: Teach students how A.I. will impact careers and creativity in positive ways, helping them see technology as a tool for future success, rather than something to be intimidated by.
• Building confidence with A.I. skills: Equip students with practical A.I. Literacy habits so they can understand, create with, and evaluate A.I. tools thoughtfully in learning, problem-solving, and everyday life.
• Connecting past, present, and future thinking: Discuss how technology, media, and skills have evolved and what that means for students’ future goals and opportunities after graduating.

Schools can start helping students navigate A.I. with confidence through the #WinAtSocial Lesson, A.I. that works for us, where students level up their knowledge on all things A.I., from how to craft a helpful prompt to how to navigate these powerful tools more responsibly.

From K-12 classrooms to healthcare training, A.I. is proving most effective when it’s used with purpose, guidance, and human judgment. As students navigate rapid technological change and even long for “simpler times,” schools have a powerful opportunity to build confidence, critical thinking, and empathy through intentional A.I. education. Learn how educators can help students consider A.I. as a learning partner, not a shortcut.

The Social Institute (TSI) is the leader in equipping students, families, and educators with modern life skills to impact learning, well-being, and students’ futures. Through #WinAtSocial, our interactive, peer-to-peer learning platform, we integrate teacher PD, family resources, student voice insights, and more to empower entire school communities to make positive choices online and offline. #WinAtSocial Lessons teach essential skills while capturing student voice and actionable insights for educators. These insights help educators maintain a healthy school culture, foster high-impact teaching, and build meaningful relationships with families. Our unique, student-respected approach empowers and equips students authentically, enabling our solution to increase classroom participation and improve student-teacher relationships. Through our one-of-a-kind lesson development process, we create lessons for a variety of core and elective classes, incorporating timely topics such as social media, A.I., screen time, misinformation, and current events to help schools stay proactive in supporting student health, happiness, and academic success.