In response to the expanding role of AI, Estonia is revolutionizing its educational methods by prioritizing AI literacy among educators. The Education and Youth Board has introduced a comprehensive teacher training course titled “How to Make AI Work for You.” This 14-hour online course, supplemented by 5 hours of independent study, is designed to integrate AI solutions within the teaching and learning framework.
AI Training for Teachers: Addressing Practical Questions
Ingrid Maadvere, one of the course developers, emphasized the necessity of the training: “Developing this training course was necessary since AI is already used extensively in a number of fields, including education. This has raised many practical questions among students and teachers requiring further discussion.” The course addresses critical questions such as how AI can assist in preparing learning materials, conducting lessons, and managing independent study, as well as how to use AI responsibly and ethically.
Course Highlights and Objectives
The training course combines AI with educational frameworks, enabling teachers to experiment with various AI-supported learning scenarios. These scenarios aim to enhance students’ learning strategies, mental and physical health, and digital competency, all while adhering to copyright law and GDPR regulations. Teachers receive materials detailing different AI uses in teaching, such as activating prior knowledge, soliciting feedback, and developing information retrieval and assessment skills.
AI and GDPR Compliance
Meeri Sild, an educator and course developer, highlighted the challenge of navigating GDPR restrictions while testing AI scenarios. “Most AI applications are permitted for users over 18, or sometimes 13, with parental consent,” she explained. The course also explores the evolving rules regarding AI’s role and recognition in educational content creation.
Practical AI Applications in Classrooms
During the course, teachers experimented with AI to:
- Conduct group exercises in health and social studies classes.
- Teach English conditional sentences.
- Create and design nature guide texts.
- Introduce nuclear energy topics.
- Plan video projects and generate scenes.
- Teach Grade 9 chemistry on “Carbon as a pure substance.”
- Structure research papers.
- Illustrate science fiction stories.
Framework Training Series
The course “How to Make AI Work for You” is part of a broader Framework training series, which includes:
1. Framework and Presentations: Ensuring student engagement.
2. Framework and Digital Self-Tests: Using Kahoot wisely.
3. Framework and Learning from Mistakes: Saying ‘no’ to the eraser.
4. Framework and AI: How to Make AI Work for You.
Expert-Led Webinars and Practical AI Tips
Condensed webinars, led by Piret Lehiste, an educational technologist at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, offered practical overviews of AI developments. Lehiste shared her extensive experience in effectively using AI in teaching, focusing on key aspects and broader implications of AI in digital literacy.
AI Tips for Teachers:
1. Start Small: Don’t try to harness all the power of AI at once.
2. Set Clear Goals: Decide if you want to use AI to generate ideas, create resources, or diversify learning processes.
3. Experiment and Collaborate: Test AI tools yourself or seek advice from colleagues.
4. Maintain Teacher Leadership: Remember, AI is a tool to assist you, not replace you.
5. Critical Thinking: AI can make mistakes or fabricate information; always verify its output.
6. Privacy Concerns: Avoid entering personal details or student work into AI applications without consent.
7. Check Terms of Use: Always review the terms of use and privacy policies of AI tools.
Collaborative Development and European Support
The course was developed by the Education and Youth Board in collaboration with experts like Ingrid Maadvere, Meeri Sild, and Heily Epro-Volmer, under the leadership of Kerli Požogina. This initiative is part of the Safer Internet project, co-funded by the European Union, highlighting Estonia’s commitment to advancing AI literacy in education.
This innovative approach ensures that teachers are well-equipped to integrate AI into their classrooms, fostering an environment where AI enhances learning while maintaining ethical standards and data privacy.
More: https://www.educationestonia.org/empowering-learners-with-ai-in-education/
