Vibecoding and the Learner’s Apprentice - Interdisciplinary App Development for Learning with Chatbots

A recent New York Times article introduced “vibecoding” as the process of creating software without formal training in computer science or specific programming languages. This mirrors the thesis of a new book by Ken Kahn, which shares hundreds of project ideas for developing apps across the curriculum by using AI chatbots as apprentices or thought partners. This approach democratizes computing and computational making for learners of all ages. While Generative AI sparks both hype and fear, its inevitability can leave educators feeling powerless—either shouting into the void or retreating into passive consumption. Constructionists offer a third option: empowering children with the computational fluency needed to understand and control the technology shaping their world. Powerful AI tools like Wolfram Notebook Assistant, ChatGPT, and Claude now enable learners to create software without formal coding instruction. This session will share ways these tools can support meaningful, cross-curricular learning. When students engage in playful, developmentally appropriate computational making, they gain the agency to be creators—not just consumers—of technology. This hands-on session will showcase how even young learners and their teachers can design their own software and take charge of artificial intelligence. Join us for a forward-looking experience grounded in timeless traditions of progressive education.