In the fourth episode of the podcast, host Lauren Anders Brown sits down with Ryan Hazen, instructional technologist, TEDx speaker, and a key figure at Moodle, the free and open-source learning platform. Together, they delve into the complex and evolving role of Generative AI (GenAI) in education, unpacking its potential, ethical implications, and the future skills learners need in an AI-driven world.
What is GenAI and Its Role in Learning?
Generative AI refers to technologies that create content—be it text, images, or even code—based on patterns in the data they’ve been trained on. Ryan highlights how GenAI is already transforming e-learning by personalising learning journeys, automating content creation, and enabling real-time feedback. From AI-driven tutors to customisable learning modules, its applications are vast.
“GenAI offers new ways to connect learners with knowledge, but it’s up to us to ensure that this connection is ethical, inclusive, and impactful,” Ryan explains.
Balancing AI and Human-Centric Learning
Despite its benefits, Ryan emphasises the need to maintain the human element in learning. While GenAI can provide resources, it cannot replace the critical thinking, empathy, and mentorship that educators and peers bring to the table.
“There’s still immense room for human interaction in learning. AI can augment the process, but it’s the human connections that foster collaboration, creativity, and critical engagement,” he says.
Ryan suggests a balanced approach where AI serves as a tool to enhance learning without overshadowing the value of human-guided education.
Teaching GenAI and Avoiding Risks
A key takeaway from the discussion is the reciprocal nature of learning with AI. While GenAI can teach us, we also teach it through prompt engineering and the data it consumes. Ryan warns of the risks of amplifying biases or misinformation, stressing the importance of critical analysis when using AI-generated outputs.
He shares an example of an inclusive prompt:
“Explain how diverse cultural perspectives influence global problem-solving in language that is accessible to all learners.”
This approach ensures GenAI delivers responses that are broad, balanced, and sensitive to varying viewpoints.
Skills for the Future: Learning in an AI World
With GenAI becoming more embedded in education, Ryan argues that learners must develop skills that go beyond traditional curriculums, including:
Critical thinking: Evaluating AI outputs for accuracy and bias
Digital literacy: Understanding how AI works and its limitations
Prompt engineering: Crafting inputs that yield meaningful, inclusive responses
As AI continues to evolve, its role in education will grow—but so will the responsibility of educators and technologists to guide its use ethically. Ryan envisions a future where AI and humans work together to create learning experiences that are not only efficient but also inclusive and inspiring.
Find more about Ryan Hazen
Website: moodle.org/plugins/mod_gamoteca
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/ryandhazen
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