In The Age Of AI : Shaping The Future Of Education With Professor Loh

Professor Po-Shen Loh, a renowned mathematician and educator, shared his insights on the current state of education and the potential for change in shaping the careers of the future on March 16th at the ISW Center, Shrewsbury, MA. The event was jointing organized by IITAGNE and ISW. Professor Loh is not only a professor of mathematics at Carnegie Mellon University but was also the National Coach for the United States' International Mathematical Olympiad for 10 years.

While some of the audience had expected a step-by-step guide to ChatGPT, Professor Loh enlightened us with a much broader view of the future for students in the era of Generative AI. the brave new world of AI. He presented his vision of educational strategies that build relevant skills to thrive in this brave new world.

Drawing on his experience teaching students and talking to teachers from under-privileged schools to reputed colleges he has built a vision of the education of the future. He has created two online systems to put this vision into practice. He has provoked enough interest by his incessant lecture circuit, that Chief Human Resources officers of major corporations spent a day with him recently to learn what they should expect from prospective employees and how to adapt to the changing circumstances.

Education as a Contest:

Professor Loh believes that the current education system, largely based on tests, creates a rat race from middle school onwards. This is even more pronounced in a country like China, a sentiment affirmed by many Indians in the audience. However, his interest extends beyond mathematics. He aims to change societal values and cultivate students who are curious, adaptive, and ultimately more moral in the face of rapid technological and global changes. He cited the example of four of his former students, once Math Olympiad competitors, now collaborating to create a company that aims to teach mathematics to artificial intelligence.

Revamping Math Education with Interactive Learning:

Between math competitions and university classes, Loh has spent considerable time devising ways to make math learning less monotonous. In 2020, when nearly all students were attending classes via Zoom, he noticed that this was not an engaging method to teach a subject that many already found challenging. Consequently, he developed a fun and interactive approach to learning math, integrating elements of math, improv skills, and cheerleading.

Loh's innovative method involves a Twitch stream, where high school students teach middle school students. This new approach to online math education uses scaffolding with hints and includes a chat at the end of each session to help students consolidate their understanding. The reward system built into this method involves collecting Brain Emojis for providing hints and explaining concepts to others in the game, promoting cooperation over competition. The high school volunteers receive training in communication, and real actors provide real-time feedback based on the idea that imitation is the best way to learn. He explained that being online makes this possible and creates a more engaging learning experience for the students.

In the value chain of this system, middle schoolers pay to attend the interactive math classes, while nerdy high school seniors get coached in communication skills by underemployed Actors who get paid for this work. This approach benefits all participants, creating a more dynamic and engaging learning environment.

Conclusion:

In his thought-provoking lecture, Professor Po-Shen Loh shed light on the challenges and potential of the current education system in preparing students for the future. By critiquing traditional teaching methods, emphasizing the importance of curiosity and adaptability, and introducing an innovative and interactive approach to math education, he provided valuable insights for educators and institutions alike. As we move into an increasingly AI-driven world, it is essential to reflect on these ideas and work towards creating a more meaningful educational experience for students, ultimately shaping the careers of the future.

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