Scaling Laws AI in the Classroom with MacKenzie Price, Alpha School co-founder, and Rebecca Winthrop, leader of the Brookings Global Task Force on AI in Education
Aug 26, 2025
MacKenzie Price, co-founder of Alpha School, advocates for personalized learning with AI, discussing innovative classroom practices. Rebecca Winthrop of the Brookings Institution shares global efforts and challenges in integrating AI into education. They dive into the balance of data privacy and educational benefits, exploring technology's impact on student engagement, particularly in under-resourced areas. With nuanced perspectives on generative AI, they call for collaborative approaches to enhance learning while mitigating risks.
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Set Higher Mastery Standards
- Raise mastery thresholds above typical adaptive-app baselines and measure accuracy plus response time, not just completion.
- Use those richer signals to challenge students at the right level and revisit prerequisite skills when needed.
Use Learning Data Consciously
- Treat learning data as a resource: collect fine-grained signals on accuracy, timing, and behavior to improve instruction.
- Use that data transparently to guide students, parents, and teachers toward targeted next steps.
Teach Creation Over Consumption
- Teach children to be creators and contributors with AI, not passive consumers, to reduce addictive scrolling and increase agency.
- Alpha emphasizes coding, content creation, and structured limits on AI companions to channel curiosity into skills.
