AI in Informal and Formal Education: A Historical Perspective

This paper traces the evolution of educational technology through three major waves of innovation: the advent of microcomputers in the 1970s, the rise of the Internet, and the current emergence of generative artificial intelligence (AI). The historical analysis reveals that educational computing and AI have been intertwined since their inception, beginning with foundational work at MIT's Artificial Intelligence Laboratory, where Logo was developed as the first programming language expressly designed for children. The paper examines key developments from the 1950s through the present, including the creation of LISP and Logo, the establishment of Robert Taylor's influential framework of the computer as tutor, tool, and tutee, and the global adoption of computer literacy programs from the 1980s through the 2000s. The analysis demonstrates how each technological wave built upon previous innovations, with the Internet providing the vast digital data necessary for modern AI development. The paper presents current applications through National Technology Leadership Society (NTLS) Innovation Centers, which facilitate university-school collaborations on AI-assisted STEM education projects, including the development of 3D-printed scientific instruments such as affordable microscopes. These case studies illustrate how AI serves simultaneously as tutor, tool, and tutee in educational contexts while emphasizing the continued importance of subject matter expertise for quality control and evaluation of AI-generated responses. The paper concludes that while the fundamental educational goal of empowering learners to explore, experiment actively, and create remains unchanged, the current challenge lies in developing skills to effectively prompt AI agents and evaluate their responses, transforming both educators and students into collaborative partners in discovering new educational frontiers.