Synopsis

Recent discourse on Generative AI in education is often polarised: it is portrayed either as a workload saviour or a threat to teaching quality. Critics warn that without guidance, AI tools default to “behaviourist” biases, churning out formulaic, teacher-centred plans that stifle student inquiry. But what actually happens when these tools are put in the hands of experienced, constructivist educators?

This session presents the findings of a rigorous qualitative study conducted with IB teachers at an international school in Singapore. The research uncovers a counter-narrative: experienced teachers are not passively accepting AI’s default pedagogy. Instead, they employ specific strategies to “tame” the algorithm.

Moving beyond generic “prompt engineering,” this presentation outlines a research-backed framework for success. We will explore how expert educators adopt the stance of the “Critical Curator,” using strategies like “Pre-loading” and “Iterative Dialogue” to maintain their professional agency. Attendees will leave with a clear, evidence-based model for using AI as a “thought partner” that enhances, rather than dilutes, student-centred learning.

Key Learning Outcomes / Takeaways

By the end of this session, attendees will:

• Spot the “Behaviourist Trap”: Learn to diagnose the specific ways unguided AI defaults to low-quality, teacher-centred instruction—and why “formulaic” output threatens student agency.
• Master the “Critical Curator” Stance: Move beyond passive consumption using the specific “refusal” and “selection” strategies expert teachers use to override algorithmic bias and maintain professional agency.
• Deploy “Context Stacking”: Walk away with a concrete framework for “pre-loading” your pedagogical values (e.g., inquiry, differentiation) into the AI before you ask for a lesson plan, ensuring alignment from the very first prompt.
• Flip the Script for Agency: Discover how to transform AI from a teacher-efficiency tool into a student-inquiry engine using real-world examples like Socratic debate partners and historical simulators.