AI in education: A look back at workshops at NUOVO Scholengroep

The new school year has begun, and what better way to kick it off than with an inspiring festival for teachers? Just like last year, I had the privilege, as a freelance AI and SEO specialist, to deliver two workshops for the 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 still largely uncharted territory for many teachers. This year, I noticed a significant shift. Some teachers had already experimented with AI tools in their lessons. A great example is an Art teacher who has students recreate a painting she first generated with MidJourney. The challenge? Understanding and applying the artistic movement used. A fantastic way to combine creativity and analytical thinking!

💡

Tip:

Use AI tools like MidJourney to integrate creative assignments into your lessons. It fosters both creativity and critical thinking.

Summaries Are a Thing of the Past

📝 Another trend that emerged is how AI is transforming traditional education. Where summaries were once a standard part of the curriculum, many teachers now find them less relevant. Why? Nearly every student uses ChatGPT nowadays. Some teachers now emphasize oral or practical exams, keeping the focus on real knowledge and skills rather than AI-generated answers.

AI in Its Infancy

🤖 Yet there’s still a long way to go before AI becomes an integral part of education. In the beginner session, many teachers had never used ChatGPT. Fortunately, they quickly realized how AI can make lesson preparation more efficient. Meanwhile, the advanced session included 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, and then expand to more advanced solutions.

Tools and Practical Applications

During the sessions, I shared various tools that can make teachers' work easier, such as:

• 💬 ChatGPT and other generative AI tools: For faster and more effective lesson materials.
• 🎨 MidJourney and image generators: For creative assignments, such as in Art classes.
• 🔧 Custom-GPTs: Tailored solutions that better align with specific teaching needs.

A key takeaway from my experience is that AI doesn’t replace professionals but complements them. For instance, in creating advertising copy, 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 responsibly implemented in education. This includes developing custom GPTs specifically aimed at improving lesson materials and supporting teachers. The enthusiasm of the participating teachers and their willingness to learn were truly inspiring.