In today’s rapidly evolving world, mastering AI skills has become more crucial than ever. With applications spanning countless industries, AI is transforming the way we learn, work, and live — and education is no exception. We had the privilege of speaking with Haishuo Lee, Superintendent of Wagor International School, to explore how AI is shaping the future of education. In this first article of our series, Superintendent Lee shares insights into how Wagor integrates AI into its curriculum and operations, empowering students and educators alike to embrace this transformative technology.
AI for School Leadership and Management
Q: As the superintendent of a large international school, how do you use AI to streamline school management and operations? Can you share specific tools or systems you rely on?
As the superintendent, I prioritize ease of use when integrating AI tools into our school operations to ensure accessibility for both students and teachers. We rely on popular tools like ChatGPT, Google Gemini, and Claude AI applications, which have proven highly efficient. For instance, these tools help streamline tasks such as organizing meeting discussions into minutes or conducting data analysis that previously required extensive time and effort. Now, with just a few prompts, these tasks are completed seamlessly.
I encourage all educators and administrators to incorporate AI into their workflows, as it offers a simple yet powerful way to enhance efficiency. While we are starting with basic tools, we’re also taking steps to establish a centralized AI platform for our educational group. This platform will allow us to manage data more effectively, enable data intersection across departments and schools, and optimize collaboration. Currently, we are in discussions with several companies and aim to finalize the platform by the next semester.
AI for Personalized Education
Q: How has AI helped you address the diverse needs of your student body, from gifted learners to those requiring extra support?
Artificial intelligence (AI) is incredibly versatile, much like the medicinal use of apples, which can address both diarrhea and constipation. Similarly, AI can support both slower learners and advanced learners by catering to their unique needs.
For Advanced Learners
AI empowers advanced learners to explore topics far beyond their current curriculum. These students are often self-motivated and capable of independent learning, requiring minimal guidance from teachers. However, I believe the key role of the school is to provide them with the right direction. When given proper guidance and access to AI tools, these students often deliver extraordinary results.
For Slower Learners
AI truly shines in supporting slower learners or those with special needs. In Taiwan, there are already AI applications designed specifically for children requiring additional assistance. AI offers unlimited patience, tailored repetition, and occasional variety, which are essential for these students’ growth. For example, students who transfer to our school at a later stage, such as in fifth or sixth grade, often struggle with Chinese reading and writing proficiency. By leveraging AI, they can quickly grasp the essence of articles, improve their comprehension, and enhance their writing skills.
Enhancing Overall Learning Outcomes
Beyond addressing individual learning speeds, AI helps schools achieve higher educational outcomes more efficiently. It allows students to reach traditional goals, such as high scores, faster than ever before. However, this efficiency prompts an important question for educators: once AI achieves these outcomes, what should teachers focus on next?
Focusing on Durable Skills
At our school, we emphasize skills that remain relevant despite AI’s advancements. For example, we encourage students to engage with real-world issues — such as analyzing prices or conducting research — then return to the classroom to debate and collaborate with peers to develop the best solutions. These real-world skills, such as critical thinking, collaboration, and effective communication, are what truly prepare students for the future.
In summary, AI is not just a tool to enhance learning speed; it’s a way to redefine the role of education by helping students and teachers focus on the skills that matter most in an AI-driven world.
AI for Crisis Management
Q: Have you found AI useful in managing unexpected challenges, such as adapting to online learning during the pandemic? What lessons did you learn?
The lessons we learned during the pandemic, particularly regarding online learning, seem to have faded in Taiwan’s current educational landscape. After the pandemic, both educators and students have shown a clear preference for more human interaction, moving away from extended periods in front of a screen. While online learning gained significant traction during those years, it’s evident that it no longer holds the same appeal today.
That said, AI remains incredibly valuable in managing unexpected challenges or crises. By their nature, crises often involve situations we are unprepared for. If a challenge is something we’ve already planned for, it no longer feels like a true crisis. This is where AI can play a critical role: it helps us respond to unanticipated situations by providing actionable solutions based on the information we provide.
However, the key to leveraging AI effectively in these scenarios lies in the quality and detail of the input. A vague or overly general explanation will only result in mediocre outputs. To get high-quality, actionable insights, we must provide AI with detailed, context-rich descriptions of the situation. For example, when facing a crisis in school management, providing AI with a thorough explanation of the circumstances often leads to surprisingly effective solutions.
Interestingly, the process of describing a problem to AI can be just as valuable as the solution itself. Often, as you carefully articulate the details of an issue, you may uncover insights or answers on your own. In this way, AI not only acts as a problem-solving tool but also as a means of helping us better understand the challenges we face.
I encourage educators and administrators to experiment with using AI for their personal or professional dilemmas. When paired with advanced AI models, the results can be truly remarkable. But remember, the true power of AI lies not just in the answers it provides but in the clarity it brings to the problem-solving process.
Conclusion
As Superintendent Haishuo Lee highlights, AI is not just a technological tool but a transformative force in education. Wagor International School's innovative use of AI demonstrates how schools can adapt to a changing world, fostering an environment where students are not only equipped with AI skills but are also prepared to thrive in an AI-driven future. By integrating AI into its curriculum and daily operations, Wagor is paving the way for a new era of education that prioritizes adaptability, creativity, and lifelong learning.
In the next part of this series, we’ll dive deeper into the role of AI in teaching. From streamlining lesson planning to providing personalized learning experiences, we’ll explore how AI empowers educators to teach more effectively and inspire the next generation of innovators. Stay tuned to discover how AI is revolutionizing the teaching profession!