Chatbots, Constructionism, and AI in Education - Ken Kahn

In this Wide Walls episode, I’m honored to welcome Ken Kahn — a true pioneer in using technology to support creative learning.

Ken has spent over 30 years as a researcher in programming languages, computer animation, and programming systems for children.

After completing his doctoral thesis on creating computer animation from story descriptions, Ken taught at MIT, Stockholm University and Uppsala University, before joining Xerox Palo Alto Research Center as a research scientist.

In 1992, Ken founded Animated Programs and developed ToonTalk, an award-winning, game-like programming language for kids.

He went on to become a Senior Researcher at Oxford, where he developed AI programming resources for students, and held visiting positions at NUS - National University of Singapore - and Yale-NUS.

With his recent - and fantastic - book, The Learner’s Apprentice: AI and the Amplification of Human Creativity, Ken demonstrates how generative AI can foster rich educational experiences and support creative learning, a topic we discuss in depth in this episode, answering questions such as:

🤖 What roles can chatbots play in supporting children's learning and development?

🎨 What kinds of ideas and projects can children explore using AI tools?

🌱 How can we design learning experiences with generative AI that both benefit children and ensure their safety?

🏫 What are effective ways to integrate AI into traditional classroom settings?

Find more about Ken’s work:

* Ken Kahn on LinkedIn

* Ken’s book: The Learner’s Apprentice: AI and the Amplification of Human Creativity