Link to the Letter

You can also watch the video podcast Here

In this special episode of the Reach Every Student podcast, Jon Bergmann shares insights from an AI symposium hosted by the Sloan Foundation at Rockefeller Center, where he joined top academics in rewriting his “Letter to Students” for a broader audience. This episode dives deep into what real learning means in an age when artificial intelligence can automate so many aspects of education.

Key Topics & Highlights:

Why teachers want to help students flourish—not just survive—as AI changes how we learn

The powerful comparison: how the industrial revolution changed physical fitness and how AI is now challenging cognitive fitness

The science behind “productive struggle”—effort as the key to brain growth and thinking skills

Dangers of letting AI do all the thinking (why it’s like bringing a forklift to the weight room!)

Maria Gleason’s perspective on writing and learning: why the process matters more than the product

How to use AI as a training partner (not a substitute): bringing your effort first, letting AI coach and challenge you afterward

Why discernment and critical thinking matter more than ever—trust but verify every AI answer

Future-proof skills for life and career in any automated world: adaptability, curiosity, creativity, judgment, agency, empathy, integrity

The “Cognitive Fitness Plan” for students (8 actionable steps):

Warm up with curiosity,

Do your own reps,

Invite AI to coach,

Find a human mentor,

Cross-train across disciplines,

Rest and reflect,

Work out together,

Track and test your progress

Why teachers will design assignments that challenge—not waste—your effort

An invitation for students and educators to join in signing and sharing the letter

Key Quotes:

“Using AI to do your thinking makes you weaker, not stronger.”

“Every major advance offers shortcuts, but understanding still requires struggle.”

“Don’t ask what AI can do—ask what you can become.”

Action Items:

Read, remix, and share the letter; sign to show support

Bring effort to your learning—use AI to amplify, not take away, your work

Share this episode with students and fellow educators to keep the conversation going!

More Info:
Creative Commons license—teachers and students are invited to personalize and use the letter in their own learning communities.

Join the Conversation:
Comment, share your thoughts on mental fitness in the era of AI, and let us know: How are you using technology to challenge yourself?

Are online classes/homework officially dead? In this eye-opening episode, Jon Bergmann pulls back the curtain on the shocking reality every educator needs to face: AI-powered browsers can ace ANY online assignment in minutes—so, is the traditional take-home task doomed forever? Hear gripping personal stories, candid debates with education thought leaders, and bold ideas for surviving the wild new world of Agentic AI. Discover why “flipped classrooms” might be the only way forward, how testing centers and oral exams are making a comeback, and what every teacher needs to know right now to keep students learning for real. Tune in, get inspired, and join the revolution that's reshaping the future of education—one courageous teacher at a time!

Link to the new and improved Letter: A Letter from Your Teachers: Learning to Think in the Age of AI

In this episode, Jon answers the question: Is Flipped Learning dead? There have been several people in the blogosphere who have posited that perhaps Flipped Learning is dead. Jon addresses these and more issues, including the role of AI in Flipped Learning's future.

Important Links

Link to the MIT Study Page

Jon had a frank conversation with his students about AI. He used his post: An Open Letter to My Students About AI to frame this conversation

Do you wish your students could "raise their hand" when watching a flipped video at home? With AI, you can. Listen in to Jon Bergmann's new hack.

Link to Jon's other podcast about making a difference - 

To get access to Jon's Courses on Flipped Classroom, go to jonbergmann.com/courses

Jon's Intro to Class - For His Students

Jon's Intro to Class - Parent Version

Are your students secretly using AI to complete their homework? In an age where ChatGPT can solve complex problems in seconds, how can educators ensure that genuine learning is still happening?

Join us for a critical discussion with veteran educator Jon Bergmann, who initially embraced AI as a revolutionary tool but quickly discovered its pitfalls. He shares a pivotal moment watching a top student shortcut her learning with AI and realized that the "hard stuff" can no longer be sent home.

In this episode, Jon argues that Flipped Learning is the essential strategy for the AI era. Discover how to shift the cognitively demanding work back into the classroom, freeing up class time for deep thinking, problem-solving, and authentic assessment. Learn why productive struggle is crucial for developing students' brains and how to use AI as a tool without sacrificing critical thinking. This is a must-listen for any educator navigating the disruptive new landscape of artificial intelligence.

Key Takeaways from This Episode:

The AI Dilemma: Why a tech-savvy teacher grew concerned about AI's impact on student learning and critical thinking.

The Problem with "Hard" Homework: How AI makes it nearly impossible to assign complex tasks for students to complete at home.

What is Flipped Learning? A clear explanation of the Flipped Learning model (flipping Bloom's Taxonomy) and why it's more relevant than ever.

In-Class is the New Homework: Practical strategies for bringing the "hard stuff"—like writing essays, solving physics problems, and language practice—back into the classroom.

The Power of Productive Struggle: Understand the neuroscience behind why students need to struggle to learn effectively and build their own "neural networks."

A Balanced Approach to AI: How to use AI tools like AI tutors in a controlled, effective way that enhances, rather than replaces, learning.

The Memory Paradox: A discussion of new research on why foundational knowledge is still essential in the age of AI.

Resources Mentioned:

Blog Post: Is AI Cheating Your Students Out of Learning?

Referenced Article: AI will Stupefy our Students Unless we do these Six Things

Research Paper: The Memory Paradox: Why Our Brains Need Knowledge in an Age of AI

Flipped Learning Courses: Visit JonBergmann.com for courses on implementing Flipped Learning.