The panel discusses the impact of AI and social media on education and teenage mental health.1️⃣ AI in Schools – Help or Hindrance? 02:15 The UK government is investing £14 billion into AI, claiming it will transform education and reduce teacher workload. But will it actually help?AI is already used in classrooms to help with subjects like maths and English, adapting to student needs in real time.It can save teachers time by helping with lesson planning, marking, and admin.But… students still value human feedback. A computer might mark an essay, but students want their teacher’s personal comments.Could AI replace traditional classrooms? The panel agrees that education is shifting, but human skills like communication, empathy, and teamwork will always need real teachers.Takeaway: AI can support teachers, but it can’t replace the human connection that makes education meaningful.2️⃣ Is Social Media Really Causing a Mental Health Crisis? 14:41For years, social media has been blamed for the rise in teenage mental health issues. But new research suggests it might not be the main culprit.Some studies show that social media helps young people connect, just like magazines, TV, and pop culture did in the past.Schools struggle with its influence—students bring trends into the classroom, and teachers often deal with the consequences.Many schools aren’t teaching online safety properly, and banning social media may actually make it more tempting for students.Instead of blaming social media entirely, the panel suggests looking at exam pressure, curriculum gaps, and real-world stress as major factors affecting mental health.Takeaway: Social media isn’t entirely to blame—young people need critical thinking skills, media literacy, and support from schools and parents to navigate it wisely.3️⃣ Lesson Drop-Ins – Useful or Just Stressful? 28:57Walk-ins, drop-ins, observations—whatever you call them, they make most teachers nervous. But are they really helpful?In the past, teachers closed their classroom doors and got on with it. Now, leadership teams regularly drop in to check progress.In theory, drop-ins should be supportive—helping teachers improve and share good practice.In reality, many teachers feel it’s more about scrutiny than support. Some even say it creates a culture of mistrust.Could leadership teams handle this better? The panel suggests more peer-to-peer collaboration instead of a “top-down” approach.Takeaway: Observations should help teachers grow, not make them feel like they’re constantly being judged.4️⃣ Should We Be Teaching More Human Skills? 40:32With AI and online learning on the rise, should schools focus more on skills like communication, critical thinking, and emotional intelligence?Subjects like drama teach teamwork, empathy, and confidence—things that AI can’t replace.Students are frustrated with a curriculum that doesn’t match the modern world—should we update it to include media literacy, AI awareness, and real-world skills?Schools need to prepare students for the future, not just teach them to pass exams.Takeaway: The education system needs to balance traditional subjects with real-world skills that help students adapt to a rapidly changing world.🔹 Banana Break – Fun and Quirky Highlights 42:57🍌 Paul’s Pick: A tribute to filmmaker David Lynch and his thoughts on creativity—great ideas are like fish; you have to catch them.🍌 Lucy’s Pick: The power of playing games in class—whether it’s a learning tool or just for fun, students of all ages love it!🍌 John’s Pick: Did you know the Latin word for chewing gum is gummi masticatum? This leads to a discussion on why Latin is disappearing from state schools, and why we need more "useless but interesting" knowledge in education.🎤 Final ThoughtsThis episode tackled big topics:✅ AI is useful, but teachers are irreplaceable.✅ Social media isn’t the only reason for rising mental health issues.✅ Lesson drop-ins should support teachers, not stress them out.✅ Schools need to prepare students for the real world, not just exams.The world is changing fast, and education needs to evolve with it—without losing the human connection that makes learning special.