top of page


Hooked on AI: What's the point of college?
AI can be a "fantastic" study partner, but most college students use it to work less and learn less.

Joanne Jacobs
Apr 112 min read


AI is learning how to tutor -- but will students use it?
AI tutors aren't producing a "revolution in education," so far.

Joanne Jacobs
Apr 102 min read


Melania and the PlatoBot
Melania Trump is promoting robot teachers, but few think bots will replace humans in the classroom.

Joanne Jacobs
Mar 282 min read


In Shanghai, AI is the teacher's assistant
AI can help teachers with lessons, grading and diagnosing students' learning needs, Chinese educators believe.

Joanne Jacobs
Mar 132 min read


4th-grade homework gone wrong: AI created sexy Pippi for book report
When fourth-graders used AI to generate Pippi Longstocking for book report covers, the adventurous girl appeared as a sexpot.

Joanne Jacobs
Mar 41 min read


Why teachers assign less homework: Students won't do it -- but AI will
Most teachers assign less homework -- or none at all. Students won't do it, they say. But AI will.

Joanne Jacobs
Mar 42 min read


No need to listen, read, write or think: AI will do college for you
Will students offload all their college work -- classes, reading, writing, discussions, tests -- on AI?

Joanne Jacobs
Feb 262 min read


Edtech is booming, but so is 'brain rot'
Edtech hasn't improved learning, so far, say critics. And it may encourage students to offload thinking to a bot.

Joanne Jacobs
Feb 133 min read


China is training geniuses to compete in math, science and AI
China is using "genius" classes for top math and science students to train AI researchers.

Joanne Jacobs
Feb 33 min read


Plumber or programmer? Trades workers close the job gap
Boilermakers, pipe fitters, electricians and plumbers are more likely to be employed than four-year college graduates.

Joanne Jacobs
Feb 12 min read


Is knowledge obsolete? Beware of replacing academics with 'new' skills
Academic learning isn't obsolete, even in "the age of AI."

Joanne Jacobs
Jan 212 min read


It's AI all the way down: Colleges are using AI to screen applications
When AI reads college application essays, "it doesn't get grumpy" or "have a bad day," says Virginia Tech vice provost.

Joanne Jacobs
Jan 22 min read


Don't learn to code: Stanford grads compete with AI for programming jobs
Even elite computer science graduates are having trouble competing with AI for jobs.

Joanne Jacobs
Dec 30, 20252 min read


AI is not your child's best friend
AI companions seem "creepy and unsettling" for a reason, psychologists warn.

Joanne Jacobs
Dec 22, 20252 min read


We broke the ladder
Teenagers aren't learning work skills in entry-level jobs. Employers prefer to hire immigrants.

Joanne Jacobs
Nov 28, 20252 min read


Visioning synergies in the School of Human Narratives
Corporate blather won't restore faith in higher education, argues an English professor whose department may be merged into Human Narratives and Creative Expression.

Joanne Jacobs
Nov 22, 20253 min read


AI is learning how to teach: Will bots replace human teachers?
AI is transforming teaching and learning, but maybe not for the better.

Joanne Jacobs
Nov 11, 20252 min read


Futureness is the future!
Why settle for 21st-century edubabble when you can sell 22nd-century skills?

Joanne Jacobs
Nov 10, 20252 min read


Kids prefer memes and make-up videos to 'War and Peace'
Should we worry that young people are spending less time reading for pleasure and a lot more time watching YouTube videos?

Joanne Jacobs
Nov 8, 20252 min read


Is Alpha School the future?
Will San Francisco parents pay $75,000 a year for Alpha's tech-accelerated school?

Joanne Jacobs
Oct 1, 20252 min read
bottom of page