Not unlike general education, our Jewish day school and yeshiva community is currently experiencing one of the most rapidly changing and complex challenges and transformations in recent memory. In fact, these challenges are currently evolving at breathtaking speed and meteoric frequency; and., are now on a trajectory of unlimited scope and magnitude.
As we know, many of today’s technological advances have evolved for years and are only now being recognized as being transformative as evidenced in many of our schools. In fact, these evolutionary technological changes in our schools, represent mirror images of the challenges and realities which we are currently experiencing in our general society, especially in the areas of science and through super-intelligence technology
Although one can write volumes describing these challenges, from a practical perspective, this blog will only focus on those specific areas which have the potential to change or improve our Jewish day school and yeshiva as institutions which are evolving in an ever-expanding 21st century technological ecosystem.
Today’s technological realities in education can be divided into two broad categories – those which are in our control; and those which require a significant paradigm shift in the values, culture and zeitgeist of our community.
Irrespective of whether these changes are or are not within our control, one reality is almost certain… the impact of technology, especially AI technology is evolving fast and is impacting virtually every aspect of our lives. It therefore behoves all of us in Jewish educational leadership positions to understand, appreciate, utilize and respect the impact of this technology on our communities and institutions.
The one particular area of focus which requires series review is the tremendous impact of technology and artificial intelligence (AI) in our schools and on the teaching-learning process.
This critical conversation is no longer about whether technology should or should not be permitted or accepted in our Jewish educational institutions, or whether its uses are good or bad, “healthy” or “unhealthy”…… but, rather how we as a community utilize and celebrate the AI technological revolution as a beneficial 21st century reality and as an integral part of our educational community and society.
It is interesting to note that this reality does not suggest that all AI technology is 100% beneficial or “safe” for our schools and students. Like all innovations, especially those that are ubiquitous such as AI or “super” AI technology, it is essential that our schools, their leadership and educational communities utilize these technologies responsibly and with high levels of a priori knowledge, understanding, insight, sensitivity, transparency and accountability.
What motivated me to write this blog was a fascinating conversation I recently had with several well-respected forward- thinking Jewish educators in the corridors of a major Jewish day school.
The conversation suggested that our Jewish educational community must to be more knowledgeable and mindful about the efficacy of AI technology to the same extent we are (or were) when Google was first introduced 1996.
When Google was first launched in 1997/98 many critics and proponents including senior educators, scholars and religious leaders were very concerned and uncertain as to how the use of Google technology would affect or impact our educational system and on society in general… and, in particular, on the student learning process.
Several decades later, we now witness the tremendously impressive proliferation and impact of this technology on education and on society. To be sure, the speed in which information is now amassed and disseminated and the ability and capacity to spread information, knowledge and opinions in milliseconds have had and continues to have a profoundly positive impact on our lives, our institutions and communities.
There are currently a series of very impressive and enlightening articles on this important topic. This includes the recent publication Yeshiva University’s December 20024 Edition of Torah To-Go, entitled Illuminating the Future: Jewish Values and AI.
In that Issue, we are presented with a wide array of fascinating perspectives regarding moral responsibility, AI and halachic decision making, and other AI related perspectives which impact upon our Jewish communities and their institutions
It goes without saying that like all man- created innovations, technology requires specific “guardrails” in order to insure its proper, ethical, moral, and legal application.
The AI Revolution and its Impact on Our Jewish Day School and Yeshiva Administrative Operations and Education.
With the recent explosion of AI technology, our Jewish educational institutions are currently experiencing administrative and educational advances as never before imaginable From record keeping, payroll, maintenance contracts, inventory control, the purchasing of school material supplies, the processing of student admissions, registration and teacher applicant interviews as well as comparative bids, to the processing and selection of scholarship applications, transcripts, report cards and accreditations requirements – AI technology, supported by its algorithmic complexities is now an indispensable and a formidable reality in our schools.
In addition to the unlimited ways in which AI improves and enhances our day school and yeshiva administrative processes, procedures, capacities and effectiveness, it also has tremendous power, capacity and capabilities to improve and enhance the education and learning process of our students – both within the four walls of our school, our classrooms, in the community and in our homes.
Having said that, the impact of AI technology on quality assurances in education is in its infancy; and, the jury is still out regarding its actual impact on the quality of education, learning and instruction. But, most experts opine that the challenge of educational quality are being currently being resolved and its gaps are now beginning to close fast.
AI Educational Applications
Not unlike its administrative utility, AI technology possess amazing educational application and potential for student learning, teaching and instruction in our schools.
Several of these may include but are not limited to:
- 24/6 Tutoring Assistance
- Class and lesson planning review; and simulated testing, quizzes and academic assessments;
- Reference material for student learning and faculty instruction;
- Havruta study and the provision of Judaic reference material;
- Teacher/Faculty performance assessments via algorithmic generated data and metrics;
- In-depth lesson and unit planning
- Personalized learning material for Special Needs, Gifted and talented Students
- Scalability and interpretation of academic grades and assessment scores
- Test/Assessment Preparation
- Coding for Increased AI connectivity
- Professional Development (PD) Programs and training modules spanning the entire curriculum
- In-depth analysis and descriptions of Jewish Values, Moral Behavior and Middot Tovot
- Jewish Literacy including the teaching and learning of Hebrew language, as well as the teaching and learning of Chumash TaNach, Mishna and halacha;
- AI assistant teachers and AI guided substitutes faculty; and,
- The identification of curricular gaps as they relate to standards and outcomes based assessments.
EndNote
As our Jewish day schools and yeshivot begin to experience AI use and its transformative application on both the school administration and curricular innovation, our communities and their educational institutions will be challenged to “keep-up”the feverish pace of its growth and evolvement in order to utilize and exploit this powerful educational tool.
From a Jewish day school and yeshiva perspective, the next AI challenge or frontier to be explored will be how to utilize AI effectively in the home, school and classroom without compromising high quality or ethical moral standards.
It is one level to understand, appreciate and embrace AI generated innovation; its another level of cognition to learn how to use it and apply it effectively as well as how to celebrate its use in our schools.
At the end of the day, it’s all about the proper and appropriate application of AI, which may take decades to refine and improve.
