Moving from "Marble" to "Manifesto": The Praxis Method presented in iacetl Lisbon conference 18.3.2026
Updated: Apr 21
The future of the humanities lies in the synergy between pedagogical tradition and technological innovation. By utilizing Generative AI as a sophisticated "Co-Teacher," we can finally move beyond using technology as a mere search engine and instead use it as a powerful scaffolding tool. The Praxis Method demonstrates that when AI functions as the "More Knowledgeable Other" (MKO), it doesn't replace the student; it bridges the Zone of Proximal Development (ZPD), offloading data retrieval so the human mind can focus entirely on deep, critical analysis.
In Lisbon at the International Academic Conference on Education, Teaching and Learning (IACETL), I presented how this method restores rigorous inquiry to the classroom.
The Problem: The "Museum Effect"
When students stand before Michelangelo’s David, they often suffer from the "Museum Effect". They see the beautiful, aesthetic marble, but they miss the message. Without a "Period Eye," the statue remains a static object rather than the dynamic political manifesto it was in 1504.
To bridge this gap, we must prioritize "Context before Content".
The Praxis Method: A Three-Phase Cycle
Inspired by the work of Paulo Freire, the Praxis Method is a continuous, reflective cycle of Theory, Action, and Reflection.
Phase 1: Theory (The AI Historian)
Before students engage with the visual artwork, they use the AI Historian. This tool functions as a context-aware partner, helping students actively interrogate the political landscape.
The Goal: Discover the specific threats facing the fragile Florentine Republic—from the exiled Medici family to the pressure from Papal forces.
The Result: The student reconstructs a detailed "socio-political matrix" of 1504, creating the necessary intellectual foundation for analysis.
Phase 2: Action (The Praxis Decoder)
Next, we move to Deconstruction using the Praxis Decoder. Students analyze specific details of the work to find their hidden philosophical and political meanings:
The Eyes: Representing Terribilità—the Republic staring down a looming enemy.
The Stance: Facing toward Rome as a physical shield against external threats.
The Oversized Hand: Representing the mano della giustizia (hand of justice)—symbolizing David as a divine instrument of the Republic ready to strike against tyranny.
Every details is symbolic.
Phase 3: Reflection (The Curriculum Architect)
Finally, the Curriculum Architect supports the "Translate & Synthesize" goal. It automates the creation of structured, grade-specific lesson plans based on the user's field observations. Whether it is an IB-style plan or a specific national curriculum, the tool ensures the learning experience is scalable and lasting.
Conclusion: The Human-in-the-Loop
The core of this research is that "The AI provided the map; the student walked the territory". By keeping the "Human-in-the-Loop," we ensure that AI serves as a bridge to higher-order thinking rather than a shortcut that bypasses it.
We are moving from viewing art as mere "Marble" to understanding it as a "Manifesto".
What do you think? How do you see the role of the history teacher evolving in the AI era?
