Title: Propelling Transformative Learning Through Human Collaboration with AI

Date & Time: Wednesday, 4 December 2024 from 1:00 – 3:00 pm

Venue: Charinyarasmi Hall, Aditayathorn Building

Conductors: Asst. Prof. Dr. Matthew Robert Ferguson

The workshop, “Propelling Transformative Learning Through Human Collaboration with AI,” conducted on December 4, 2024, at Charinyarasmi Hall, explored innovative approaches to integrating artificial intelligence (AI) into education. Led by Asst. Prof. Dr. Matthew Robert Ferguson, the event examined how AI can enhance teaching practices, personalize learning, and support curriculum design while addressing ethical implications.

The workshop outlined clear objectives: to demonstrate how AI can enhance teaching practices, personalize learning, support curriculum design, and improve student assessment. Participants explored how AI tools can provide innovative, adaptive solutions to meet diverse student needs and optimize learning outcomes. Beyond functionality, the workshop emphasized the ethical implications of AI in education, ensuring its integration aligns with societal and institutional values. Crucially, the event encouraged aligning AI applications with the values, skills, and competencies outlined in the curriculum to maintain educational coherence and purpose.

Participants left with several key insights. Firstly, they were encouraged to evaluate how AI aligns with the values and outcomes of their curriculum, ensuring that AI serves as a meaningful complement rather than a superficial addition. Secondly, the workshop highlighted the inherent inefficiency of human learning, shaped by the evolutionary processes of the brain, as a strength rather than a weakness. Educators were reminded to nurture this developmental process rather than bypass it. Finally, the event emphasized the importance of raising expectations for assignments and tasks to promote critical thinking and cognitive growth. Participants learned that AI should not be viewed as a shortcut but as a tool to propel students toward higher-order thinking and transformative learning.

In summary, the workshop underscored the immense potential of AI to transform education when applied thoughtfully and ethically. By fostering collaboration between human ingenuity and technological innovation, educators can design dynamic and impactful learning environments. This integration of AI provides a powerful tool to prepare students for the challenges of a rapidly evolving world.