Introduction On December 11, 2025, I attended the “From Research to Practice” webinar hosted by the Stanford AI Hub for Education.

The data presented offered a fresh perspective that challenges many of our assumptions about technology in schools.

As an EdTech researcher, I wanted to share three key takeaways from this event.

I also discuss how these findings surprisingly align with the research I am currently conducting in Iran.

۱٫ The Paradigm Shift: Teachers as “Power Users”…

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There is a common misconception that AI is primarily a tool for students to “shortcut” their homework. However, data from the SchoolAI platform, presented during the webinar, tells a different story.

According to Stanford’s report, “sticky behavior” is predominantly found among teachers, not students. The statistics revealed that 42% of teachers have evolved into regular or “Power Users.” Furthermore, the usage patterns (peaking mid-morning, Monday through Friday) suggest that AI has transitioned from a novelty to a professional “Teacher Co-Pilot” for lesson planning and classroom management.

۲٫ Project CRAFT: Prioritizing Critical Literacy

A significant portion of the session was dedicated to Project CRAFT. The core message was clear: AI literacy goes beyond coding; it is about critical thinking. The new resources introduced focus on challenging students with questions such as:

• AI or not AI? Distinguishing between human-generated and machine-generated content.
• Fact-checking: Techniques to verify AI hallucinations.
• Cognitive Comparison: Understanding the fundamental differences between the human brain and neural networks.

۳٫ Bridging Global Trends with My Research

What struck me most was how closely the concerns raised at Stanford mirror the findings of my own recent research. I recently conducted a study titled “Designing and Evaluating an Integrated AI-Based Educational System,” which was selected as a top paper at the University of Tehran’s International Conference on Cyberspace. In this study, focused on student-teachers of History and Social Sciences, I found that AI must serve as more than just a technical tool; it should function as a “Pedagogical Assistant.”

Interestingly, my findings suggest that even AI limitations and hallucinations—which Stanford also highlighted as challenges—can be valuable if managed correctly. I observed that these errors can trigger “Cognitive Conflict,” creating a fertile ground for deep, transformative learning. This alignment between my local research and global trends confirms that the future of education, whether in California or Tehran, lies not in replacing teachers, but in empowering them to become critical analysts.

۴٫ Tools for Bridging the Gap

To help bridge the gap between academic research and practical application, the webinar introduced tools like NotebookLM and Deep Research. These tools are essential for educational leaders, transforming dense academic papers into executive summaries and even audio podcasts to make research more accessible.

Conclusion

The December 2025 Stanford webinar delivered a clear message: The “AI Hype” era is fading, and we are entering the era of “Sustainable Integration.” Success in this new landscape depends on empowering teachers and fostering a critical mindset.