The new school year has started, and what better way to kick it off than with an inspiring festival for teachers? Just like last year, I was invited as a freelance AI and SEO specialist to deliver two workshops for NUOVO Scholengroep. This time the sessions focused on ‘ChatGPT for beginners’ and ‘AI for advanced users’. It was a great opportunity to explore the possibilities of AI in education. Below I share the key insights and experiences.
AI: from unknown to indispensable
Last year, AI was largely uncharted territory for most teachers. This year I noticed a striking shift. A number of teachers had already experimented with AI tools in their lessons. A great example is an Art teacher who has her students recreate a painting she first generated herself using MidJourney. The challenge? Understanding and identifying which art movement was used. A wonderful way to combine creativity with analytical thinking.
Tip: Use AI tools like MidJourney to integrate creative assignments into your lessons. It encourages both creativity and critical thinking.
Summaries are a thing of the past
Another trend that emerged is how AI is changing traditional education. Where summaries used to be a standard part of the curriculum, many teachers now find them less relevant. Why? Almost every student uses ChatGPT these days. Some teachers are now placing more emphasis on oral or practical assessments, keeping the focus on real knowledge and skills rather than AI-generated answers.
AI still in its early stages
There is still a long way to go before AI becomes a fully integrated part of education. The beginner session was attended by many teachers who had never worked with ChatGPT before. Fortunately, they quickly saw how AI could make their lesson preparation more efficient. At the same time, the advanced session attracted genuine pioneers: teachers eager to apply AI broadly. Together we explored how AI can not only support teachers but also help students in their development.
Tip: Start small. Try simple AI tools like ChatGPT first, then gradually expand to more advanced solutions.
Tools and practical applications
During the sessions I shared various tools that can make teachers’ work easier:
- ChatGPT and other generative AI tools: for faster and more effective lesson materials.
- MidJourney and image generators: for creative assignments such as in Art class.
- Custom GPTs: tailored solutions that align AI more closely with specific teaching needs.
A key insight from my experience is that AI does not replace the role of professionals, it complements it. In copywriting, for example, the copywriter remains indispensable for creative input and quality control.
Collaborating on future-proof education
The workshops were an opportunity to explore together how AI can be deployed responsibly in education. Think of developing custom GPTs specifically aimed at improving lesson materials and supporting teachers. The enthusiasm of the attending teachers and their willingness to learn were truly inspiring.
