Can AI Teach Us to Learn Better?
I recently decided to start playing the piano again after a long break. This is my second attempt, and it feels more stressful than the first. I’m 34 years old, with a full-time job, and I have much less patience.
As a coach, I understand the value of setting concrete, small steps to start something new or make a change. So, I decided to make a plan for my first day, first week, and first month back at the piano. But I wasn’t sure where to begin, and I didn’t feel like hearing advice from a traditional teacher. Since I use AI tools extensively in my work, I decided to ask ChatGPT and Claude for guidance on how to start.
Before receiving any advice, I asked them: What do you need to know about me to make the best recommendation?
Claude provided a list of questions like, “What is your current level of playing?” and “Which genres do you enjoy?” But two questions really stood out to me, creating awareness both as a learner and as a coach:
- What is your learning style? Do you prefer structured learning or a more exploratory approach?
- How do you feel emotionally when you sit at the piano now?
These aren’t questions I often ask myself or my mentees. In fact, I don’t recall any teacher ever asking me these kinds of questions either.
We tend to focus on what we need to learn and where our development areas are, but rarely do we consider how we best learn and how we understand our emotions during the process. Unfortunately, many teachers and trainers don’t either.
As I reflected on these questions, I began to wonder: Why hadn’t I asked myself similar questions when designing training programs? What is the participants’ learning style? How can I really understand their needs and motivations? As trainers, we sometimes focus solely on the information we convey, but the real difference is in how we convey that information. Do we create a learning pathway that motivates learners?
After answering Claude’s questions to introduce myself more clearly, she gave me some recommendations:
- Explore new genres: Since you have a jazz background, consider exploring classical, pop, or other genres that interest you. This fresh approach might reignite your passion.
- Use technology: There are many apps and online resources for pianists at all levels. These can provide structure and motivation for your practice.
- Set realistic goals: Given your busy life as a transformation consultant, set achievable goals that align with your current lifestyle and interests.
- Consider casual performances: Once you’re comfortable, look for low-pressure opportunities to perform, like at community events or gatherings with friends.
- Integrate music into your work: As a transformation consultant, you might find ways to incorporate your musical skills into your professional life, perhaps in team-building exercises or creative problem-solving sessions.
Looking at these recommendations, I realized she focuses entirely on my learning experience taking into account my work, my motivations, and my preferences. She is trying to first address my emotions to alleviate my anxiety and make the learning journey a part of my life, integrating my work and casual performance opportunities. Unlike us, AI has no expectations at the very beginning of the process. She doesn’t say, “You have to do this” or “To be successful, you need to…”
Is this approach a small step toward personalizing our learning journey and creating effective learning strategies to reach our goals? Could AI really take on the role of an empathetic mentor, guiding us not just in skill but in improving the learning experience itself?
After this experience, I have three takeaways for my next training design:
1. Rather than preparing a training agenda, how can I design an experience to ignite participants’ learning journeys?
2. How can I understand participants’ needs and motivations?
3. How can I ensure that they integrate what they learn into their lives?
I’d love to hear from you if this resonates with your own experiences or if you’ve gained any new awareness around personalized learning. Whether you’re a mentor, trainer, or simply passionate about optimizing the learning process, I’m always open to discussing new approaches and insights.
