Viktor Wang, a professor of educational leadership and technology at California State University, San Bernardino, has released his latest scholarly work, “Integrating AI into Pedagogical and Andragogical Education,” which is his 61st peer-reviewed book. It explores how artificial intelligence (AI) can be integrated into education to address current system shortcomings and provide students with a more personalized learning experience.

The book covers key topics, such as integrating AI into teaching philosophies and dispositions in higher education, AI's role alongside human educators, the transformative pathways of andragogy in the age of AI, and the ethical use of AI in education. It is a vital resource for educators, administrators, and policymakers looking to enhance educational practices through informed AI integration.

AI, a transformative field within computer science, aims to develop systems that can think, learn, and solve problems as humans do. Machine learning, a cornerstone of AI, allows computers to improve their performance over time, holding great potential across various sectors, including education. In this context, AI promises personalized learning, administrative efficiency, and enhanced feedback, revolutionizing educational methods through innovative technologies like symbolic AI and generative models.

“AI's integration into education is reshaping traditional teaching methods (pedagogy) and lifelong learning (andragogy),” Wang said. “While pedagogy focuses on structured learning for children, andragogy emphasizes self-directed learning for adults. With AI becoming more embedded in society, skills like metacognition and critical thinking are increasingly important for lifelong learning.”

Wang notes that teachers adopting an andragogical approach empower learners through personalized, self-directed experiences. By fostering environments of innovation and creativity, educators equip students to navigate a world increasingly driven by AI. These practices not only prepare learners to embrace AI but also promote a culture of continual improvement and innovation in organizations.

However, Wang also acknowledged that AI integration in education remains sporadic.

“AI is often seen as supplementary rather than central to learning,” he said. “To integrate AI effectively, educators need to model its use in everyday tasks and encourage creativity and innovation. Initiatives promoting AI literacy among educators can help drive organizational learning and better prepare future generations to harness AI's potential.”

This book comes at a critical time as the California State University Chancellor’s Office has initiated efforts to promote AI integration into teaching and learning across the CSU system. Wang’s work aligns with these efforts, as he has attended multiple training sessions to support the system’s AI integration goals.

 “The collaboration between pedagogical and andragogical approaches is key to the digital transformation of education,” Wang said. “AI, when used effectively, can enhance learning outcomes and foster innovation. As engineers in China use AI to flatten mountains and build homes, educators are using AI to clean data and personalize their teaching, making it more effective.”

This book is the first formal work addressing the integration of AI into both pedagogical and andragogical education. It also marks a milestone for CSUSB, with contributions from four faculty members and a cutting-edge chapter from Wang's doctoral students.

“I am incredibly proud of the contributions by CSUSB faculty and doctoral students, whose chapters received high praise during the blind review process,” Wang said.