When AI Promises Speed

When AI Promises Speed

What a $65K School Model Sparked in Our Faculty Conversations

Recently, we came across an article describing a private school charging $65,000 per year, where students reportedly learn primarily through AI in just two hours a day. The premise was bold, efficient, and provocative. On the surface, it sounded like innovation.

But inside our school, it sparked something far more important than agreement or disagreement. It sparked conversation.

At digiTIES, this article prompted a deep staff discussion about what learning actually requires, what AI can realistically support, and what risks emerge when speed and automation are prioritized over development.

The First Question: Just Because We Can, Should We?

 

Our initial reaction was not fear of AI. It was concern for what gets lost when learning is reduced to efficiency.

Two hours a day of AI-driven instruction raised immediate questions. Where is the time for foundational skills like memorization, deep reading, and problem solving? Where do students practice critical thinking, collaboration, ethical reasoning, and self-regulation? Where do they build identity, confidence, empathy, and leadership?

These are not extras. They are the core of education.

Several teachers shared that even with limited and supervised AI use, many students already struggle to evaluate information, distinguish credible sources from misinformation, or move beyond copy-paste responses. This made us pause. If students are still developing these skills, what happens when AI becomes the primary driver of learning?

Learning isn’t just about speed. Our children need time, guidance, and human connection

Nadia A.

ELA Teacher, digiTIES

Teachers Are Not Optional

 

One point our staff returned to repeatedly was this: students learn from teachers.

AI cannot replace modeling, questioning, emotional awareness, or moral guidance. Students need teachers to slow them down, challenge assumptions, and help them think deeply. They need human feedback, human accountability, and human care.

In fact, as AI tools become more powerful, the role of the teacher becomes more critical, not less. Without strong teaching, AI risks becoming a shortcut that weakens thinking rather than strengthening it.

Misinformation, Worldview, and Responsibility

 

Another major concern was misinformation and worldview alignment. AI systems can surface content that is inaccurate, misleading, or fundamentally misaligned with our values. Without guidance, students may accept polished outputs as truth.

Our teachers raised important questions. How do we teach students to identify AI hallucinations? How do we help them distinguish between credible sources and generated content? How do we ensure students understand history, religion, and ethics accurately rather than absorbing whatever an algorithm presents?

These questions cannot be answered by technology alone. They require supervision, dialogue, and intentional instruction.

AI can support learning, but it can’t replace the teacher your child depends on.

Nour N.

Math Teacher , digiTIES

A Measured, Human-Centered Path Forward

 

As a team, we agreed that moving quickly with technology is not always wise. Instead of extreme shifts, we believe in a measured, supervised approach.

This means starting with conceptual learning and foundational skills. It means teaching students how to use AI, not relying on AI to teach students. It means modeling how to question, verify, cross-check, and reflect. It also means recognizing that not all students are developmentally ready to self-regulate without close guidance.

AI can support learning. Tools like skill reinforcement platforms can help practice and review. But they cannot replace the depth, culture, and mentorship that education requires.

Students Need a Voice

Another important insight from our discussion was the role of student leadership. Rather than positioning students only as rule-followers, we want to invite them into the conversation.

How can students practice evaluating AI outputs? How can they explain why something is credible or flawed? How can they take ownership of ethical decision making?

These are leadership skills. And they must be practiced, not assumed.

Choosing Intention Over Hype

 

The article we read made one thing clear. AI in education is moving fast, and bold claims will continue to surface. But speed is not the same as wisdom.

What we are building at digiTIES is not a system driven by headlines or price tags. It is a learning environment grounded in human development, values, supervision, and care.

AI will continue to evolve. Our responsibility is to ensure that students do not lose the ability to think, reason, question, and lead as humans.

That work cannot be compressed into two hours a day.

It requires time, teachers, and intention.

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Why Immersive Learning Still Matters

Why Immersive Learning Still Matters

 

Recently, Meta announced that it is shifting focus away from the metaverse, at least for now, and placing greater emphasis on artificial intelligence. While the rise of AI in education is important and exciting, stepping back from immersive virtual environments may be a missed opportunity, especially when it comes to online learning.

At digiTIES, we see a powerful educational use case for metaverse-style tools that goes far beyond novelty or entertainment. Our school serves students from all over the world, with teachers teaching from different countries and time zones. While online learning offers flexibility and access, it can also bring a sense of isolation. Too often, students experience learning alone, seated behind a screen.

Now imagine something different.

Imagine students entering a virtual classroom where they are present together, not just logged in. Imagine a teacher standing at a board, teaching naturally, but looking out through her headset and seeing her students seated in front of her as if they were physically in the same room. Students are no longer small boxes on a screen. They are active participants in a shared learning space.

Now imagine the instructional possibilities.

Imagine conducting a frog dissection in science class through a Meta headset, where students can explore anatomy in a detailed, ethical, and repeatable virtual environment. Imagine students manipulating three-dimensional geometric figures in math, rotating shapes, measuring angles, and exploring volume right in the virtual palm of their hands. Abstract concepts suddenly become tangible, interactive, and deeply engaging.

This kind of immersive learning has the potential to transform online education. It restores what many virtual classrooms struggle to replicate: presence, curiosity, and embodied understanding. Instead of being confined to a flat screen, students step into their learning. The classroom opens up.

The world opens up.

For global schools like digiTIES, immersive technologies could bridge distance in ways traditional video platforms cannot. They offer shared attention, collaboration, and a stronger sense of community, all of which are essential for motivation and meaningful learning.

AI can personalize learning, streamline workflows, and support teachers. But immersive technology addresses a different and equally important need: helping students feel connected, engaged, and fully present.

From Online Learning to Real Community

From Online Learning to Real Community

Building community in a virtual school requires intentional effort, especially when students spend most of their time learning through screens. As the principal of digiTIES, I’ve seen firsthand how meaningful connections can form online, but also how powerful it is when those relationships move into real, shared spaces.

Over the past few days at the annual winter Dawrah in Philadelphia, our digiTIES students who have spent months (and some years) learning together online finally met in person. Watching familiar names and pixelated video images turn into real smiles, conversations, and collaboration has been one of the most rewarding moments of the year. Those virtual connections became something deeply human and tangible. Students I’ve known only through screens, some returning and some brand new, were suddenly standing right in front of me. Fully present. Faces, voices, expressions, and personalities on full display. It was exciting, energizing, and a powerful reminder of why building community in a virtual school truly matters.

When Online Students Meet In Person: The Unexpected Shyness

One thing that always surprises me at in-person community events is how shy students are at first. These are children who have spent  months learning together online participating in class discussions, collaborating on assignments, and engaging comfortably in virtual spaces. Yet when they meet face to face, there’s often hesitation.

They pause. They observe. They’re unsure of where to stand or how to begin.

This moment of awkwardness is natural…but it’s also an opportunity.

Turning Awkward Moments into Leadership Opportunities

When I notice that hesitation, I step in to redirect attention toward something purposeful. At Dawrah, volunteering becomes the bridge.

Some students help sell snacks in the store for attendees. Others assist in the kitchen preparing hoagies. Some jump into decorating and setting up for the evening madih festivities. These shared responsibilities shift the focus away from self-consciousness and toward teamwork.

And almost immediately, something changes.

Watching Students Shine Through Service

With just a small nudge, students begin to open up. Conversations start flowing naturally. Laughter replaces silence. They communicate effortlessly in their own Gen Z rhythm and language. The barriers dissolve.

At that point, I can step back and simply watch and try to learn from them.

I see confidence grow. I see leadership emerge. I see students who moments ago were unsure now taking initiative, collaborating, and connecting with ease. These are the moments that affirm the power of service-based community building.

Why In-Person Moments Still Matter in Virtual Schooling

digiTIES is a virtual school by design, serving families across multiple regions and time zones. Online learning offers flexibility, access, and academic rigor, but experiences like this remind me that intentional in-person gatherings deepen relationships in ways technology alone cannot.

These moments ground our students. They reinforce that behind every screen name is a real person with shared values, shared purpose, and shared responsibility to the community.

A Principal’s Reflection on Community and Belonging

Watching our students find their rhythm at the winter Dawrah has been one of the highlights of this year for me. It’s a reminder that sometimes all young people need is a shared task, a little encouragement, and a space where they feel safe to be themselves.

From screens to smiles; this is what meaningful education looks like.

Charting Your Course: Finding the Right Path to College (and Saving Money!)

Charting Your Course: Finding the Right Path to College (and Saving Money!)

Charting Your Course: Finding the Right Path to College (and Saving Money!)

As our students in the Class of 2025 embark on the exciting journey towards higher education, we want to take a moment to celebrate some early successes. A huge congratulations to those graduates who have already received acceptances to the University of Kansas and York College! Your dedication and hard work have paid off, and we couldn’t be prouder.

For all our students navigating their post-secondary options, it’s important to remember that many paths can lead to a fulfilling and successful future. Whether your sights are set on a large state university like Florida State University (FSU) or the Penn State University, or perhaps a more intimate setting like Widner University, the options can feel both exhilarating and overwhelming.

We often focus on the “dream school” – the one that captures their imagination with its vibrant campus, renowned programs, or winning sports teams. And while these aspirations are important, it’s also crucial to consider the various routes to achieving those dreams. One often-overlooked but incredibly valuable option is starting at a community college.

For some students, heading straight to a four-year institution right after high school is the perfect fit. They’re ready for the full university experience and have a clear academic trajectory in mind. However, for others, the transition might feel daunting, or perhaps their academic focus isn’t yet fully defined. This is where community college can shine.

Springtime Nuggets: A Fresh Start for Muslim Students Ready to Bloom!

Springtime Nuggets: A Fresh Start for Muslim Students Ready to Bloom!

🌸 Springtime Nuggets: A Fresh Start for Muslim Students Ready to Bloom! 🌸

Alhamdulillah, spring is here! The air feels fresh, flowers are blooming, and everything around us feels alive again. It’s the perfect time to take a break from screens, stretch your legs, and enjoy the beautiful blessings Allah has blessed us with.

As online students, you have a great opportunity to turn spring into your classroom! A simple walk outside can become a science lesson—watch the trees grow new leaves, spot birds building nests, or observe bugs buzzing around. Then, write or draw what you see for a fun language arts project.

🌿 STEM & Science Fun You Can Do at Home This Spring:

🔬 Plant a Mini Garden: Grab some seeds (flowers, herbs, or veggies) and start a garden in your yard or with small pots at home. Keep track of how they grow—measure the height, observe the leaves, and journal your findings. It’s a hands-on way to learn about plant life cycles. It’s a great way to see with your own eyes the fact that the creation changes, and affirming that Allah does not change in any whatsoever.

🪴 Sprout Seeds in a Jar: Place a damp paper towel inside a clear jar, tuck a few dry beans or seeds in between, and watch them sprout! Observe how roots grow down while the stem grows up toward the light.

🍃 Nature Scavenger Hunt: Create a list of things to find outside (a flower, a bird, a rock, a leaf with veins, etc.) and turn it into a science adventure. You can even research each thing you find!

🌈 Rainbow Walking Water Experiment: Grab 6 clear cups, food coloring, and paper towels. Watch as the colored water “walks” from cup to cup and mixes to make new colors! A fun way to learn about absorption and color mixing.

📱 Virtual Field Trips: Check your local AICP center’s announcements or social media—there might be virtual science workshops or field trips you can join from home. Don’t miss out!

🎯 Spring Challenges to Keep You Growing:

✅ Memorize a new surah
✅ Finish a new book
✅ Write a short story or poem about spring
✅ Start a daily nature journal to track what you see, hear, and smell outside
✅ Challenge siblings to a science project competition (parents can give prizes!)

🌼 Happy Spring! 🌼

Embracing Diversity

Embracing Diversity

Title: Embracing Diversity: How Our Islamic Online School Supports Students from Immigrant and International Families 

Introduction 

At digiTIES, we believe that diversity enriches the learning experience for students. Much like Tesla’s mission to accelerate the world’s transition to sustainable energy through innovative solutions, our school is committed to transforming education by offering an inclusive and supportive environment to students from diverse backgrounds, regions, and needs. Much like proponents of sustainable energy seek to empower humanity with cutting edge technology, we empower students with high quality academics, personal obligatory knowledge, and cultural understanding. 

Welcoming Immigrant Families 

Starting anew in a different country can be overwhelming for families, especially when it comes to their children’s education. Our school recognizes these challenges and provides dedicated resources to support immigrant families through: 

  • Multilingual Support: We offer language assistance to ensure parents and students can communicate effectively with teachers and staff. 
  • Cultural Sensitivity Training: Our educators are trained to understand diverse cultural backgrounds, ensuring every student feels seen and heard. 
  • Flexible Learning Options: Our online program is designed to meet the unique needs of each student, whether they require additional language support or customized learning pathways. 

Building a Strong Foundation in Faith and Academics 

Just as AI solutions combine the latest innovation with functionality, we combine modern educational tools with Islamic values into a seamless holistic learning experience. Our curriculum incorporates: 

  • Qur’anic Studies and Islamic Values: Helping students stay connected to their faith. 
  • STEM and Digital Learning Tools: Preparing students for success in an ever-changing technological world. 
  • Emphasis on learning and implementing Islamic knowledge: We always keeping in mind what our Prophet Muhammad taught, that One is not a complete follower of the Prophet if one did not display mercy towards our youngsters and respect towards our elderly, and if one did not enjoin the lawful and forbid the unlawful.” (At-Tirmidhiyy). 

Creating a Supportive International Community 

Community is vital for immigrant families adjusting to new environments. Our school fosters connections through: 

  • Online Social Groups: Enabling students to build friendships and interact with peers from diverse backgrounds. 
  • Parental Support Programs: Offering workshops and resources to help parents stay informed and engaged in their children’s education. 

Conclusion 

By embracing diversity, we empower every student to thrive in both their academic journey and religious growth. We welcome immigrant and international families to join our vibrant learning community, where their unique backgrounds are celebrated and nurtured. 

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