On October 12, 2024, the University of Cyprus and the Cyprus Pedagogical Institute hosted a pivotal event titled “Harmonizing Modern Technological and Educational Advancements with Artificial Intelligence and the STE(A)M Pedagogical Approach” at the Cyprus Pedagogical Institute in Nicosia. This event served as a central platform to disseminate insights and tools developed under the European project AI4EDU, an initiative focused on integrating conversational Artificial Intelligence (AI) into teaching and learning. AI4EDU is part of a collaborative effort across four European countries (Greece, Ireland, Cyprus, and Sweden) and aims to modernize education by developing AI-powered educational assistants that interact with teachers and students to support learning objectives.
The event began with a welcome address by Dr. Elena Hatzikakou, Director of the Cyprus Pedagogical Institute, who emphasized the significance of advancing education through technological innovation. This was followed by a presentation by Dr. Theodora Kakouri, a key figure in the AI4EDU project. Her session, titled “Artificial Intelligence in Education – Educational Applications through the AI4EDU Research Project,” showcased the transformative potential of AI in classrooms. Dr. Kakouri introduced “Teacher Mate,” an AI-driven tool designed to assist educators in personalizing learning experiences, automating routine tasks, and fostering student engagement through interactive feedback. She highlighted how AI4EDU prioritizes ethical considerations, ensuring transparency, fairness, and inclusivity in implementing AI technologies in education.
The event also explored the intersection of AI and STE(A)M education, with a focus on leveraging AI tools to enhance interdisciplinary teaching practices. This theme was carried into the parallel workshops. In one workshop, led by Dr. Kakouri and her team, participants engaged directly with the “Teacher Mate” platform, experiencing its functionalities in creating personalized lesson plans, quizzes, and dynamic student evaluations. This hands-on session demonstrated how AI tools developed under AI4EDU could revolutionize traditional teaching methodologies, enabling educators to cater to diverse learner needs efficiently.
Complementing this, the second workshop, delivered by Dr. Tasos Chovardas from The SEER project, provided insights into integrating STE(A)M principles into curricula. However, the focus consistently circled back to how AI tools like “Teacher Mate” can amplify these efforts, making STE(A)M education more accessible and impactful. Participants discussed the practical challenges of incorporating AI into classrooms and collaboratively brainstormed solutions, underscoring AI4EDU’s goal of co-creating tools with educators for real-world applicability.
The event marked a critical step in advancing AI4EDU’s mission to modernize education through innovative AI applications. Participants left with not only a deeper understanding of the capabilities of “Teacher Mate” but also practical experience in using AI tools to transform their teaching. This effort aligns with AI4EDU’s broader objectives to evaluate the educational impacts of AI-powered assistants and produce recommendations for ethical and effective AI integration in schools.
