AI for Secondary Schools

Description

Artificial Intelligence is transforming modern education, challenging teachers to rethink and adapt their methods to the new learning styles of students who are already used to having daily access to digital tools and resources.

This change opens both new opportunities and new responsibilities for secondary school teachers.

This course offers a practical, hands-on introduction to AI and its applications in secondary education. Participants will learn how to effectively incorporate digital tools in their daily teaching practices and how to respond to the impact of these new technologies in the classroom.

They will explore how to design inclusive lessons, create and adapt materials, and support their assessment and feedback routines.

They will also reflect on how AI can promote creativity and critical thinking, and how these new tools can help enhance student learning experiences.

Through guided workshops, participants will discover accessible AI platforms (from writing and visuals tools to interactive learning tools and tutoring assistants), learning how to tailor them to the diverse needs of secondary school students.

This way, they will also have the chance to experiment with replicable classroom scenarios that balance digital innovation with pedagogical intent.

All of that while following European education goals, that is to say, facilitating the development of digital competency and active learning in students.

By the end of the course, participants will have acquired an overall knowledge of the most effective AI and digital tools, and they will feel confident integrating them into their teaching practice.

They will leave equipped with practical and realistic strategies to make learning more engaging, differentiated, and “future-oriented”, helping their students develop the digital awareness and competencies that are required by our fast-changing times.

Concept by Milena Krstic

Learning outcomes

The course will help participants to:

• Understand the basics of Artificial Intelligence and its use in Secondary education;
• Discover and discuss the impact of digital tools and AI on students’ learning styles and today’s classroom dynamics;
• Design and deliver interactive, engaging lessons that promote active learning and student participation;
• Encourage critical thinking and digital literacy through the thoughtful use of technology;
• Create inclusive learning environments that address diverse learners’ needs using accessible and easy-to-navigate digital resources;
• Apply strategies for digital assessment and AI-assisted tutoring to personalize learning experiences;
• Set classroom routines for ethical, safe, and transparent AI use to empower students.

Tentative schedule

Day 1 – Introduction to the course

• Introduction to the course and the Academy;
• Introduction to the host city and the week’s cultural activities;
• Icebreaker activities;
• Presentations of the participants’ schools and institutions.

Understanding the Digital Shift

• What AI is and how it works (strengths, limits, etc.), brief history;
• Brainstorming: how digital tools and AI are already changing lessons, homework, and assessment;
• Tool focus: Interactive whiteboards, learning management systems (LMS), collaborative tools (Padlet, Mentimeter, etc.).

Day 2 – How AI is transforming the classroom

• Which teaching approaches fit AI-enhanced learning (active/blended/flipped), and how to restructure “traditional” learning;
• AI Integration Framework;
• Digital citizenship and digital competences;
• Ethical implications (bias, data use, etc.);
• Tool focus: gamification apps, image generators.

Day 3 – Designing digital & AI-enhanced lessons

• Generative AI essentials: effective prompting, verification strategies, and avoiding bias;
• Cheating or learning? Make AI your pal (not just a shortcut);
• Lesson planning lab: designing an AI-enhanced lesson.

Day 4 – Enhancing engagement and critical thinking

• Student-centered approaches: 4Cs (creativity, critical thinking, collaboration, communication) and AI;
• Visual thinking and scaffolding with AI;
• Differentiation and personalization through AI and digital platforms;
• Tool focus: Presentation tools, formative assessment tools, and AI feedback generators.

Day 5 – From theory to practice: your digital toolkit

• Group challenge: Redesign a traditional activity using AI and digital tools (units, assessment plans etc.);
• Workshop: design a realistic implementation plan (routines, timeline, etc.);
• Group discussion: peer feedback;
• Course evaluation: round-up of acquired competencies, feedback, and discussions;
• Awarding of the course Certificate of Attendance.

Day 6 – Structured cultural activities

• Structured cultural activity(ies) according to the hosting location;
• Learning journal: individual written reflection on the course experience;
• Course reflection: self-reflection and review of course materials and resources.

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