Welcome to Playground Post, a bi-weekly newsletter that keeps education innovators ahead of what’s next.

Here’s what we have on deck for today…

1. Why chatbots aren't adding up in math class

2. US students struggle with digital literacy

3. New USDA pick could spark fresh take on school nutrition

Why chatbots aren't adding up in math class

Despite the AI Gold Rush ($2.18B in investments in 2023), chatbots haven’t touched math classrooms yet.

A survey from RAND shows only 18% of K-12 teachers use AI. And those who do, mostly teach english and social studies.

Why is that the case?

Math education expert, Dan Meyer (VP of User Growth at Amplify, Writer of Mathworlds newsletter) suggests that it’s because chatbots use text-based interfaces.

While math uses some text, it’s largely visual.

It’s rare to write out a math problem with words.

Rather, math involves sketching, graphs, and nonverbal cues that AI struggles to / can’t process today.

The next breakthrough in math education is likely not with text based interfaces. But in tools that can process visual thinking and mathematical notation. The real opportunity is in enhancing — not replacing — the human elements of math.

US students struggle with digital literacy

Despite growing up with smartphones and laptops, US 8th graders are falling short on essential digital literacy skills.

The 2023 International Computer and Information Literacy Study (ICLS) found many students are struggling with basic skills like evaluating online credibility.

Maybe this generation of students isn’t “naturally digitally native.”

The wake up call is that only three states currently require media literacy education. This is wild considering the rise of AI-generated deepfakes which makes spotting misinformation increasingly challenging…

Maybe we shouldn’t assume that growing up in the digital age = digital literacy.

There’s a huge opportunity to develop curriculum that bridges the gap between casual tech usage and critical tech literacy.

New USDA pick could spark fresh take on school nutrition

Trump has selected Brooke Rollins, a Texas native and policy innovator to lead the Department of Agriculture — responsible for the nation’s massive school nutrition program that feeds millions of American kids daily.

Rollins has experience leading the America First Policy Institute and serving as White House Domestic Policy Director. She brings a fresh perspective and strong executive leadership to a department that's historically been run by traditional agriculture insiders.

This leadership change could potentially open doors for innovative approaches to school nutrition: from exploring public-private partnerships to pioneering new approaches for improving meal quality, while maintaining cost efficiency.

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We’ll be back with another edition on Friday. See you then!

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