As teachers, we are increasingly encouraged to incorporate technology into our classrooms. From interactive learning platforms and educational games to artificial intelligence and digital collaboration tools, technology offers exciting opportunities to make learning more accessible, engaging, and personalized. Yet, as I have explored different educational technologies, I have found myself asking a more fundamental question: what is education ultimately for? as a prerequisite to: how can technology be used to contribute to this vision?
As educators, we have to be wary of just throwing new things at our students with the naïve hope that new things will more effectively lead to the desired outcomes. Is it just mastering the curriculum that’s important? What about preparing our students to be resilient and productive lifelong learners in a changing world?
We need to first step back and have a very clear vision of our objective.
Useful from this perspective is the (unfortunately) long-lost tradition of classical education—the way of educating that has its roots in the ancient Greeks and Romans and that significantly influenced the development of the university as we know it today. In my humble opinion, we are doing a huge disservice to the current generation of students by completely abandoning the educational traditions and practices that helped shape the foundations of higher education.
In brief, classical education is an educational tradition centred on the formation of the whole person rather than the acquisition of grades or job-specific skills. It aims to develop students’ knowledge, reasoning, communication, character, and capacity to pursue truth, beauty, and goodness—all competencies absolutely irreplaceable by AI, leading to more resilient, valuable, intellectual and productive 21st century citizens.
As educators, we have to be wary of just throwing new things at our students with the naïve hope that new things will more effectively lead to the desired outcomes. Is it just mastering the curriculum that’s important? What about preparing our students to be resilient and productive lifelong learners in a changing world?
We need to first step back and have a very clear vision of our objective.
Useful from this perspective is the (unfortunately) long-lost tradition of classical education—the way of educating that has its roots in the ancient Greeks and Romans and that significantly influenced the development of the university as we know it today. In my humble opinion, we are doing a huge disservice to the current generation of students by completely abandoning the educational traditions and practices that helped shape the foundations of higher education.
In brief, classical education is an educational tradition centred on the formation of the whole person rather than the acquisition of grades or job-specific skills. It aims to develop students’ knowledge, reasoning, communication, character, and capacity to pursue truth, beauty, and goodness—all competencies absolutely irreplaceable by AI, leading to more resilient, valuable, intellectual and productive 21st century citizens.
Traditionally, it is structured around the Trivium—grammar (learning foundational knowledge), logic (learning to reason), and rhetoric (learning to communicate and defend ideas)—often alongside mathematics, science, literature, history, philosophy, and the arts. Classical education therefore represents a more integrated educational philosophy and structure.
Technology can enhance education in line with this vision when it serves the aims of the Trivium rather than replacing them. In the grammar stage, digital flashcards, quizzes, videos, maps, and online archives can help students acquire and practise foundational knowledge. In the logic stage, students can use research databases, simulations, collaborative tools, and AI to compare perspectives, evaluate evidence, identify assumptions, and develop arguments. In the rhetoric stage, podcasts, presentations, documentaries, blogs, and digital publications can provide opportunities to communicate and defend ideas. Technology can also cultivate wonder through virtual museums, scientific visualization, and access to great works of art and literature.
However, technology can also go against these aims when it becomes an end rather than a means. Excessive screen use may fragment attention, discourage sustained reading and reflection, or replace genuine dialogue and human relationships. Similarly, relying on AI to produce answers can undermine the development of knowledge, reasoning, creativity, and intellectual independence that classical education seeks to cultivate.
What is technology doing in your classroom? Creating learners or replacing them?
Some relevant works to learn more include:
Clark, K., & Scott-Jain, R. (2020). The Liberal Arts Tradition (Revised Edition): A Philosophy of Classical Christian Education. Classical Academic Press.
Markos, L. (2025). Passing the Torch: An Apology for Classical Christian Education. IVP Academic.
Piper, J. (2023). Foundations for lifelong learning: Education in serious joy. Crossway.
Whatley, M., Whately, S. (2017). Shaping Hearts and Minds: A Case For Classical Christian Education. Eagle Child.
Wilson, D., & Olasky, M. (2022). Recovering the Lost Tools of Learning: An Approach to Distinctively Christian Education. CanonPress.
Wise Bauer, S., & Wise, J. (2024). The Well-Trained Mind: A Guide to Classical Education at Home. WW Norton.
Technology can enhance education in line with this vision when it serves the aims of the Trivium rather than replacing them. In the grammar stage, digital flashcards, quizzes, videos, maps, and online archives can help students acquire and practise foundational knowledge. In the logic stage, students can use research databases, simulations, collaborative tools, and AI to compare perspectives, evaluate evidence, identify assumptions, and develop arguments. In the rhetoric stage, podcasts, presentations, documentaries, blogs, and digital publications can provide opportunities to communicate and defend ideas. Technology can also cultivate wonder through virtual museums, scientific visualization, and access to great works of art and literature.
However, technology can also go against these aims when it becomes an end rather than a means. Excessive screen use may fragment attention, discourage sustained reading and reflection, or replace genuine dialogue and human relationships. Similarly, relying on AI to produce answers can undermine the development of knowledge, reasoning, creativity, and intellectual independence that classical education seeks to cultivate.
What is technology doing in your classroom? Creating learners or replacing them?
Some relevant works to learn more include:
Clark, K., & Scott-Jain, R. (2020). The Liberal Arts Tradition (Revised Edition): A Philosophy of Classical Christian Education. Classical Academic Press.
Markos, L. (2025). Passing the Torch: An Apology for Classical Christian Education. IVP Academic.
Piper, J. (2023). Foundations for lifelong learning: Education in serious joy. Crossway.
Whatley, M., Whately, S. (2017). Shaping Hearts and Minds: A Case For Classical Christian Education. Eagle Child.
Wilson, D., & Olasky, M. (2022). Recovering the Lost Tools of Learning: An Approach to Distinctively Christian Education. CanonPress.
Wise Bauer, S., & Wise, J. (2024). The Well-Trained Mind: A Guide to Classical Education at Home. WW Norton.
AdamF@NUO
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