Empowering Educators: CosmicAI and UVA Host Teacher Training Workshop on AI in the Classroom
Last weekend, 38 educators from across Virginia gathered at the University of Virginia for a teacher training workshop on AI in primary education, co-hosted by CosmicAI and the UVA Center for the Liberal Arts. As artificial intelligence rapidly reshapes education, the workshop aimed to provide teachers with the tools and knowledge to integrate AI into their classrooms effectively and responsibly.
The event covered key topics including:
How generative AI works and its evolving role in education.
Creative applications of AI in student learning.
Strategies to maintain academic integrity.
Paul Torrey, Co-PI of CosmicAI and a UVA faculty member, led sessions introducing foundational AI concepts. The workshop also featured contributions from leading experts in education:
Natasha Heny (Associate Professor of Education, UVA) led interactive sessions on LLM-augmented instructional design, helping teachers explore how AI can support curriculum development and student engagement.
Dana Little (Assistant Professor of English, UVA) guided discussions on the potential of multimodal AI-generated content to enhance accessibility and support diverse learning styles.
Alecia Blackwood (Assistant Professor of Education, Longwood University) provided an overview of AI educational tools, addressing privacy concerns and navigating school district adaptation policies.
Teachers engaged in hands-on activities and collaborative discussions, leaving with practical strategies to bring AI-based learning into their classrooms.
As AI continues to shape the future of education, CosmicAI remains committed to bridging the gap between cutting-edge AI research and real-world classroom applications. Stay tuned for future workshops and resources to support educators in this rapidly evolving landscape!
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