Dreaming About The Future

Personal learning mentors and the future of education.

GUEST COLUMN | by Dr. Clifton Dancy

This article was written with support from ChatGPT, a generative AI developed by OpenAI. The majority of the ideas and perspectives are my own; the AI was used to help develop structure and language.

GROK

Dream with me for a moment.

When I was in elementary school in the 1970s, I remember the quiet thrill of pulling out a color-coded reading card from the SRA box or turning the plastic page in a Programmed Reading booklet. These early systems let me move at my own pace, offering just the right challenge at just the right time. They made me feel seen as a learner—not just a face in the classroom, but someone whose path mattered.

‘These early systems let me move at my own pace, offering just the right challenge at just the right time.’

Fast forward to the early 2000s, and our classrooms began to embrace adaptive software to supplement instruction in reading, writing, and arithmetic. These tools—though more advanced—echoed the spirit of those earlier programs: meeting students where they are, providing differentiated feedback, and allowing progress to unfold on an individualized path. For more than two decades, we’ve built on that vision.

Now, imagine if we took that enduring philosophy and gave it wings.

A Tireless, Emotionally Aware Digital Companion

What if we could combine the personalized pacing of those early programs with the immense power of artificial intelligence? What if, instead of simply adapting content, we offered students a Personal Learning Mentor (PLM)—a tireless, emotionally aware digital companion that evolves alongside them from kindergarten through graduation?

The PLM is more than just software—it is a partner in learning. Powered by generative AI, it learns with the child, adapting to their academic needs, communication style, and emotional rhythms. It offers encouragement when they’re stuck, celebrates growth when they succeed, and keeps the learning journey moving forward—one meaningful step at a time.

Each PLM would feature a conversational interface using both voice and text, allowing even the youngest learners to interact with it naturally. Its tone and delivery would evolve as the student matures, shifting from playful encouragement in the early years to thoughtful academic coaching in the upper grades.

In this model, teachers are freed to do what only humans can do: build relationships, inspire reflection, and foster resilience. With the PLM handling real-time differentiation and feedback, educators can concentrate on cultivating what Pinar Demirdag—co-founder of Cuebric—calls the 5 Cs of human development: Creativity, Critical Thinking, Curiosity, Consciousness, and Collective Care.

These Aren’t Just Buzzwords

These aren’t just buzzwords—they represent the essential qualities that AI can support but never replace. Human educators will become the stewards of these competencies, guiding students to think beyond the algorithm, connect with one another authentically, and imagine new possibilities for themselves and the world.

The data gathered by the PLM over time would offer educators a longitudinal view of student growth—helping them move beyond static test scores to understand trends, needs, and opportunities for support.

Naturally, these tools must be held to the highest standards of ethical design. Transparency, student privacy, and the right to own one’s learning journey are paramount. PLMs must be regularly audited for bias, with oversight from third-party systems to ensure equity and inclusivity.

A thoughtfully designed avatar interface could enhance the experience further—helping young learners connect emotionally with their mentor. Over time, the avatar could be personalized to reflect the student’s identity and interests. And yes, with proper licensing, familiar characters like Bluey or Peppa Pig might one day serve as welcoming guides for early learners—creating a bridge between entertainment and education in the most meaningful way.

The Personal Learning Mentor is not a distant dream. It is an emerging possibility. And for the schools willing to take bold steps, it could redefine what learning looks like—one student at a time.

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Dr. Clifton Dancy is the Director of Information Services for the Derry Cooperative School District and an advocate for leveraging technology to create meaningful, student-centered learning experiences. Connect with Clifton on LinkedIn.

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