LearnerStudio is a catalyst for systems change, dedicated to reimagining education in the age of AI by supporting innovative leaders, funding new initiatives, and fostering collaboration. The organization envisions a future where learning is personalized, future-focused, and deeply connected to identity, purpose, and real-world competencies. In this conversation with 5 Questions, Kim shares insights on the urgent need for systemic change, the growing momentum for learner-centered education, and how AI is shaping the next generation of learning experiences.
What should people know about LearnerStudio?
At the LearnerStudio, we imagine a future where young people are inspired and prepared to thrive in the age of AI – as individuals, in careers and for our diverse democracy.
We believe this will require system re-architecture. We imagine a future learning ecosystem where young people are able to have real agency – to learn how to make decisions to drive their own learning and life – where they master modernized knowledge and competencies for the future of work and democracy, and develop a strong sense of identity, purpose and belonging.
Across the country, we are beginning to see a cadre of education and community leaders making this promise real for the students they serve. We want to accelerate this transition to reach all learners. We are a field catalyst for systems change – we provide funding, develop and disseminate knowledge, and help leaders across the system collaborate to build this future.
Why is this work important?
Look, the data are really clear: our education system is not meeting the needs of modern learners. Young people know this. Parents know this. Employers know this. Educators know this. We can see signs in the youth mental health crisis, in chronic absenteeism, in demands from learners and families for more relevance and agency, in educator burnout, and dwindling pipelines. The polling data show us broad dissatisfaction with the current system, as well as a great deal of alignment on what we want and need: to prepare our young people to thrive in life – including in careers and communities.
When people can get together as humans and talk to each other… there is a lot more agreement than we might be led to believe. This is critical as we chart a path forward for the future of learning that is designed not by red/blue priorities, but one that balances the needs of individual learners and our common good.
Our work supports terrific leaders in the field who are already building learner-centered environments but are forced to operate on the margins of an efficiency-based education system. Simultaneously, we aim to catalyze the new tools, infrastructure, design, and collaboration needed to help these environments reach more learners.
What's been the biggest surprise in your work?
We know we live in divided times. One pleasant surprise has been uncovering just how much common ground exists. Polling, interviews, etc., reinforce that there are meaty shared goals and beliefs. When people can get together as humans and talk to each other… there is a lot more agreement than we might be led to believe. This is critical as we chart a path forward for the future of learning that is designed not by red/blue priorities, but one that balances the needs of individual learners and our common good.
The next horizon of learning exists in pockets throughout our country and internationally, and has been active for many years. We believe these pockets will widen and spread in the next five years as families and young people desire something different.
How do you see the landscape shifting over the next five years?
The next horizon of learning exists in pockets throughout our country and internationally, and has been active for many years. We believe these pockets will widen and spread in the next five years as families and young people desire something different. There is momentum across institutions (ex. momentum to replace the Carnegie Unit) and an ecosystem of entrepreneurs focused on a new way of learning for all students. We are excited to support the entrepreneurs in our portfolio as they pilot new approaches and prepare to deepen and scale what works.
AI will fuel transformation in many aspects of our lives, begging questions of its purpose, limitations, risks, and applications. In Robot Proof J. Aoun suggests a new discipline for higher education in the Age of AI called “humanics.” He includes data literacy, technology literacy, and “human literacy.” There is so much to define and unpack in that last one…
One question we are considering as we assess how AI will shape the coming years: Does “humanics” provide a useful frame to guide how we re-architect our K-12 education system? Or will we need to create a new sort of unified field theory for K12 that combines humanics with other things, including the aspirations and mental health needs of young people, the science of learning and development, and the civic needs of our diverse democracy?
What else should people know?
When we talk about the future, many envision scenes from Ready Player One or The Jetsons. At LearnerStudio, when we think about the future of learning, we imagine an ecosystem prioritizing belonging, community, agency, flexibility, and rigorous opportunities for young people to master future-focused knowledge, competencies, and mindsets. The future of learning extends beyond the walls of a school – learning can happen anytime, anywhere, and throughout communities of adults and young people. LearnerStudio sponsored a recent blog series with Getting Smart called “Horizon Three Learning” to help describe progress more concretely and explore what this future horizon of learning can look and feel like.
We encourage you to explore what could be possible in this moment of paradigm shift – and we’d love to hear your ideas on the transformation underway!
