Human energy: Your children need it

By General Education Advice

For someone my age, I embrace technology.  Indeed, I’m an optimist by nature and, while recognizing the dangers of AI, I am also eager to use its possibilities to help others.

Strangely enough, one of my first quotes in national media was “Human energy is irreplaceable.” I made the comment in relation to what was then called “E-learning”.  This novel approach was making some traction in 2001 and I was in a consultant for a company that was arguably the lead e-learning consultancy. I thought e-learning (online learning!) was potentially amazing.  But I also knew that it would supplement but not replace people.

We are herd animals.  We are at our best when cooperating.

In both counseling and tutoring students for the last couple decades from Guilford, Madison, Old Saybrook, Old Lyme, Essex, East Lyme and other Shoreline, CT towns, I have noticed the obvious: students are less social and students are less happy.

They interact with devices during their free time.

I plan on using ChapGPT and every other AI device in a positive way.  But I am thankful my children – ages 25, 22, and 19 – have escaped before AI becomes one more dominant diversion  -away from human energy – for teens.

In fact, I have noticed with surprise – and delight – that numerous students who came to meet with me reluctantly (often for math enrichment) have urged their parents for more meetings.  I am hopeful that my charming personality is partly the reason 🙂 But I also know that many are longing for connection.