As educators, we’re constantly asking ourselves: Will new technology help our students—or distract from their learning? We’ve seen how tools like social media can be a double-edged sword. Now, with AI, we’re at a similar crossroads. The good news? Its impact is in our hands.
"The greatness of humanity is not in being human, but in being humane.” — Mahatma Gandhi
When it comes to addressing knowledge gaps, it helps to go back to basics—starting with concepts.
A concept is the fundamental unit of knowledge—like an atom in science. Concepts can be broken down into smaller parts. For instance, take the concept of a cup: it’s a vessel that holds liquid, often with a handle.
But our goal isn’t just for students to memorize facts. We want them to truly understand. That means recognizing the essence of a cup, no matter its color, size, or material. This kind of flexible understanding is called generalization—a crucial step in deep learning.
We help students generalize through examples, or what we call instantiations. The more examples they encounter, the better they become at distinguishing between similar concepts. This mirrors how AI learns—through exposure, repetition, and pattern recognition.
Next comes constructivism—the active process of learning by doing. When students create something (like building their own “cup” model), they’re not just absorbing information—they’re constructing meaning.
This is strengthened by feedback, or what we refer to as Knowledge of Results. Students learn best when they can compare what they’ve created to a clear example of the concept and make adjustments accordingly.
All of this forms the foundation of a teaching framework we call FEED:
- Feedback
- Examples
- Experiences
- Definitions
This model is flexible and applicable across subjects—from English to Math, Science to Languages, even Physical Education. I’ve used FEED for years to design meaningful, effective courseware—and it works.
But what about pacing and sequencing? That’s where the Knowledge Matrix comes in.
The Knowledge Matrix maps out how concepts relate to each other—showing which ideas are foundational and which build upon others. It’s an incredibly useful tool for designing lessons and scaffolding instruction.
Together, FEED and the Knowledge Matrix form a powerful toolkit to help students truly understand what they’re learning—and retain it.
Of course, managing this kind of individualized learning path for every student can be challenging without the right tools. That’s where AI comes in.
We’ve embedded the FEED framework and the Knowledge Matrix into the Knowledge Avatars platform. With it, you can create a digital persona—an AI-powered tutor—that teaches your subject with precision, consistency, and heart. Unlike generic chatbots, Knowledge Avatars are trained to guide students thoughtfully through your content.
🎉 Special Offer for Educators
We’re offering teachers a free 10-day trial of Knowledge Avatars, along with personal support to help you train your own Avatar. You’ll be surprised how easy—and powerful—it is. Register at knowledgeavatars.ai