Reclaiming Agency

Educators as Architects of AI-Enhanced Learning Architectures

Bodong Chen
cbd@upenn.edu • bchen.net

Associate Professor in Learning Sciences and Technologies
University of Pennsylvania Graduate School of Education

Language Educator Symposium 2025

Spring 2023

My first AI policy

Here is Alex

I wasn’t answering a simple question.

“Can I use X for Y?”

These are questions on the architecture for learning.

Shearing Layers of Change

Each layer changes at different pace, and acts as a platform for the layer above it.

  • Stuff (days-months) Furniture, books

  • Space Plan (3-30 yrs) Interior layout

  • Services (7-15 yrs) Wiring, plumbing

  • Skin (20 yrs) Exterior surfaces

  • Structure (30-300 yrs) Load-bearing

  • Site (eternal) Geographical setting

Learning Architectures

Classroom A