SCOH & Khan Academy

The School City of Hobart has been a Khan District since 2017. Sal Khan reached out to Dr. Buffington, the Superintendent of Schools, and Dr. Krieg, the Director of Secondary Curriculum, to showcase his partnership with ChatGPT, an AI model developed by OpenAI, in creating Khanmigo. During the demo, he emphasized that Khanmigo is designed to interact with users by coaching and guiding students in their learning, problem-solving, and writing, rather than simply providing answers. He also highlighted its potential as a valuable teaching aide for educators.

The demonstration was exhilarating. We were captivated by Khanmigo's innovative approach to learning, engaging students in dynamic Socratic dialogues that sparked our curiosity about the depth of understanding it could foster. We observed how Khanmigo could assess each student's skill level and guide them through personalized discussions, showcasing its potential as an equalizer for diverse learners.

While we recognized that this new technology would involve a learning curve, we felt confident that the investment would yield significant long-term benefits. Importantly, we understood that Khanmigo is not a replacement for teachers; instead, it enhances the educational experience. By using relatable analogies and adjusting rigor based on student progress, Khanmigo could transform tutoring. We left the demo excited about the possibilities for tailored guidance, increased engagement, and real-time progress monitoring, all while supporting our teachers in their essential roles.

The moment arrived when he expressed his desire for our school to pilot Khanmigo. He wanted to identify where the program’s guardrails were not functioning effectively and to determine what could be done to make the program more successful for learning. His philosophy was to break the system in order to make it better.

It was in the Spring of 2023 that Dr. Buffington had to persuade some teachers to pilot Khanmigo. This was a difficult decision due to being the last quarter of school for teachers and students. Yet, they were in! What happened after that was amazing! Students and teachers embraced the program and found the personalized tutor for students was fun for them and learning was happening! The teachers found the differentiation and lesson planning was so beneficial to them.

As the pilot continued, Khan's team sent researchers and developers to gather real-time feedback and make adjustments. Both students and teachers felt privileged to contribute to a globally recognized product, realizing they were part of a potential generational game changer in education—one that would benefit not only Brickies but all students—showcasing the collaborative nature of Khanmigo's evolution.

In the 2023-2024 school year, the School City of Hobart prepared itself to implement Khanmigo for every teacher and student in grades 3-12. The Khan team dedicated significant time to professional development for both staff and students, continuously gathering feedback from the School City of Hobart. Before their eyes, the program was growing exponentially, becoming increasingly functional for everyday tasks for teachers while offering students more tailored support in their learning.

The Khan organization met weekly with SCOH district administration to monitor usage and success. As Khanmigo’s capabilities expanded, we engaged in additional professional development to maximize its features. In the 2024-2025 school year, the Writing Coach was released, providing essential guidance for anyone facing a blank page and writer's block. This tool has the potential to be a game changer, enabling teachers to work with students in one-on-one and small group settings, much like a teaching assistant. By offering support throughout the writing process, the Writing Coach aims to level the playing field—addressing the long-standing challenges faced by writing teachers and students alike. While Khan has long excelled in math, this new tool represents a significant expansion into writing support, delivering valuable assistance rather than merely serving as a post-completion review tool.

Higher expectations are definitely the end result with students. Seeking information has become more nuanced, allowing for greater focus on problem-solving in classrooms. Concerns about cheating and loss of learning are diminishing as we become more adept at using these tools and adjusting the types of learning tasks, assessments, and writing prompts. Data shows that time on task and originality of work improve when copying and pasting is not an option. Students are increasingly mastering higher-order questioning to engage with the AI bot and achieve their goals. Work completion rates are rising, thanks to the availability of a tutor whenever needed. Building principals are also using Khan after school to support students in subjects like geometry and chemistry—areas that can be challenging for adults not actively practicing in these fields to feel confident in—by turning to Khanmigo for assistance.

The pilot of Khanmigo has been a true privilege. It has been inspiring to watch SCOH teachers embrace this innovation, especially in the wake of the initial panic surrounding the release of ChatGPT. Teachers have worked diligently to adjust assignments and find creative ways to engage their students. As a result, students are increasingly confident in their work and their ability to achieve at higher levels.

The opportunity to be featured on "60 Minutes," one of the longest-running television shows in history, is a tremendous honor for the SCOH. We want educators, parents, and communities to understand the invaluable role AI plays in the success of students, and Khanmigo exemplifies this beautifully. Through this episode of "60 Minutes and 60 Minutes Overtime," they showcase the transformative power of AI and encourage others to embrace it. The future belongs to those who can effectively and ethically utilize AI tools in the workplace. We are immensely grateful to Sal Khan and his organization for the guardrails they provide in AI, as well as for the opportunities we've been given on this extraordinary journey! We are extremely proud of the SCOH educators who went from pioneers to trailblazers using Khanmigo, as well as the Brickie students who found that AI can enhance learning and obtain higher achievement.

Brickies Featured on 60 Minutes: Discussing Khanmigo!