Baby Steps (and Falling Down)
We’ve all heard the advice to just take baby steps. Sure, small steps matter. But here’s the part we forget: babies fall a lot. And what do they do after they fall? They get back up and keep toddling like little human boomerangs.
When we bring AI into classrooms, the same thing applies. Baby steps don’t just mean small wins; they also mean we’ll stumble. The key is getting back up. Because soon enough, those wobbly steps turn into confident strides.
👉 The lesson? Don’t just expect small progress, expect some falls, too.
Learning to Drive is Effortful
There’s a quote that says: “Learning to drive is more effortful than driving itself.” And wow, is that true.
I’ll never forget the first time I drove my dad’s pickup. I hit the brake and gas pedal at the same time, and plowed right into the garage wall. Not my finest moment. I was hesitant to try again, but eventually I had to.
- First, I practiced in the driveway.
- Then, in an empty parking lot.
- Later on, quiet back roads.
Each step felt awkward and effortful. But without those missteps, I never would have learned.
Learning to implement AI in education works the same way. The beginning is clunky. Mistakes happen. But with practice, confidence grows.
The Conscious Competence Model
Enter the Conscious Competence Model (thanks to Gayle Smerdon, PhD, for her clear breakdown of this). It describes the stages we move through when learning something new:
- Conscious Incompetence – You’re painfully aware of what you don’t know. Frustrating, effortful, and easy to quit.
- Conscious Competence – You can do it, but it requires full attention.
- Unconscious Competence – You’ve mastered it. It’s second nature.
That first stage? That’s where most of us are with AI right now. We’re aware of how much we don’t know, and it feels heavy. But if we keep practicing, keep failing forward, eventually AI becomes like driving is to me now: effortless.
Bringing It Back to AI in Education
Learning AI tools isn’t about instant mastery. It’s about embracing the awkward stage and pushing through. Just like learning to drive, or learning to walk, you’ll:
- Stumble at first.
- Feel clunky and unsure.
- Get frustrated by mistakes.
But those mistakes are evidence of growth. The payoff? Reaching unconscious competence, where using AI feels natural and you can focus on what truly matters: your pedagogy and your learners.
For more inspiration on embracing discomfort, I recommend taking this advice from Jen Sincero in her book You Are a Badass (affiliate link): “The only failure is quitting. Everything else is just gathering information.” It’s a reminder that progress comes from showing up, even when you don’t feel ready.
Your Turn
Where are you right now on the conscious competence model with AI? Still crashing into garage walls, or starting to cruise?
👉 Share your thoughts below in the comments. Let’s learn from each other’s baby steps and breakthroughs.