The first week of December 2024, four dedicated high school teachers from Romania embarked on an enriching two-morning sessions to explore the transformative potential of technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI) in education. Held on Tuesday and Wednesday morning, the sessions I gave highlighted the advantages of integrating technology into teaching by providing a blend of theoretical knowledge and practical applications that left the participants inspired and empowered.
Tuesday’s session began with an introduction to the ever- changing role of technology in today’s world of education. The teachers were presented with a summary of how digital tools and AI are transforming education by offering personalized learning experiences and, enhancing student’s engagement. The focus was on how these innovations are not replacing teachers but rather giving them valuable support.
Moreover, the teachers were introduced to a hand-selected choice of apps and tools designed for teaching purposes. Some of these included platforms for interactive learning, AI-driven assessment tools, and various resources for promoting collaboration and creativity among students. Each tool was demonstrated in order to highlight its practical benefits and simplicity of use.
The session came to a close on Wednesday morning where the teachers dived deeper into hands-on practices. In this final phase, they were given the opportunity to experiment with the tools they had previously been introduced to by applying them to real-world scenarios. The highlight of this final phase was when the teachers collaborated to design lesson plans that integrated technology and AI. These lesson plans displayed their understanding of the tools and their ability to enhance the process of learning. The teachers demonstrated creativity and innovation, catering the apps so they would meet their students’ specific needs and learning objectives.
Finally, the session concluded with a reflection on the resources provided and ideas on how to implement them. Each participant took away a series of practical resources and, suggested activities. All the materials were created to aid the teachers in perfectly integrating both technology and AI tools into their lessons.
In conclusion, most importantly, the participants were also encouraged to become ambassadors of technological innovation among their colleagues, promising to share their knowledge and experiences with them. In this day and age where AI and technology are continuously transforming every aspect of life, sessions like this are fundamental for equipping teachers so that they will be able to embrace the challenges and opportunities of the future. The Romanian teachers not only left with practical skills but also with the confidence to lead the change among colleagues and students alike.
Author: Catherine Perri – JUMP Trainer
