Problem Solving in Schools

Pre-College Issues High School Life
1

Hi!
I am a Sophomore in High School, and I would like to hear an opinion regarding the following topic.

Because of improving technology and the increasing capability of AI, the future of jobs that require simple thinking and basic problem solving skills does not look good. AI is already able to do many computational and physical tasks, and it has a lot of potential to replace jobs that require simple thinking skills in the near future.

As a result of this problem, schools have to prepare students for more creative jobs that would not be replaced with AI as fast. Jobs that require critical thinking and problem solving skills would be the only available ones, as the lower-level jobs would be dominated by AI. Schools can do this by providing opportunities for students to develop critical thinking and problem solving. This can be done by going over “hard” problems in class and giving them for homework so students can practice and develop these skills.

On the contrary, basic problem solving and simple calculations should not be emphasized as much, as AI will do most of that work in the future. For example, silly mistakes done when calculating the solutions to a simple problem (like a quadratic) should be emphasized less than the logic involved when solving a more complicated equation that requires critical thinking (like a quadratic with an absolute value). In the future workforce, we will have to critically think to solve a “hard” question, and the computations would be done correctly (without silly mistakes) with an AI.

Problem-Solving and Analysis skills can be developed in other subjects like English, by going over questions that require in-depth analysis in class, in History, by emphasizing the world today and how learning from past historical events can help us make better decisions now, and in Science, by fostering “application” skills and providing opportunities for students to practice such skills.

By practicing problem solving and critical thinking, students will gain a better understanding of the world around them and be more prepared in the future when getting employed for a job that is not replaced by the increasingly powerful AI.

I would like to hear some viewpoints regarding my opinion on such educational modifications.
Thanks, and have a nice day!

2

Is this a homework assignment?

I think every HS has a curriculum goal that sounds like this.

3

I am posting this since it is the goal for all schools, but they are doing nothing about it.

4

The problem is that very frequently they’re too caught up in day to day details to handle those big issues.

They’re trying to prevent violence in schools. To prevent bullying–both cyber and one on one. They’re trying to ensure that their kids are not being mistreated at home. To ensure that everyone has a hot meal at least once a day. To deal with countless kids with anxiety issues. To deal with childhood obesity. To deal with “nice” kids who have been pushed through the system without the basic knowledge they need. To deal with kids who don’t speak English yet are in classes spoken in English. To deal with kids whose parents are unwilling or unable to get the kids to show up for school. To deal with the kids who are vaping-- and heaven knows what they’re vaping. To get opiods and other drugs out of the schools. To deal with kids whose parents are alcoholics or drug addicts or gambling addicts… To deal with kids suffering from the same issues. To deal with kids whose families are being torn apart.

Then, at the other end of the spectrum, to deal with the helicopter parents who demand everything they can think of for their kids. The parents who refuse to hold their kids responsible for their actions. The parents who insist that the world stop because their child is applying to college or to a summer program and needs the paperwork done NOW.

I’m very fortunate. I’m in a school where the vast majority of kids aren’t dealing with any of these issues. Where the parents and the administration tend to be supportive. But I would be incredibly naive to believe that none of my kids are dealing with these issues.

So if you’re not happy with the education you’re receiving, it’s up to you to do something about it. There’s nothing stopping you from doing the harder problems in the textbook and stopping by extra help to go over it. There are summer math programs offered all over the country-- get a part time job and earn the money to attend one.