Promoting Critical Thinking Through AI

Explore how artificial intelligence can help learners question information, evaluate evidence, solve problems and become more responsible users of technology.

Activity Type: Physical Mobility

Duration: 1-week course for professionals from all Erasmus+ eligible countries and all educational levels.

Developing Thoughtful and Responsible Learners in the Age of AI

Artificial intelligence is changing how information is created, accessed and evaluated. As its influence grows, educators must help learners use these technologies thoughtfully rather than accepting AI-generated content without reflection.

This course helps educators integrate AI tools into teaching while maintaining a clear focus on critical thinking. Participants will explore how AI can support questioning, reasoning, problem-solving, comparison of perspectives and evaluation of evidence.

Through practical workshops, educators will use AI-supported resources to design learning activities for subjects including languages, social sciences, history and STEAM. Participants will examine AI-generated responses, identify weaknesses and biases and create tasks that require learners to justify their conclusions.

The programme also addresses privacy, misinformation, media literacy, digital citizenship and ethical decision-making. Participants will consider how educators can establish responsible classroom practices and help students understand both the possibilities and risks of AI.

By the end of the week, participants will have designed an AI-supported lesson that promotes critical thinking, creativity, collaboration and responsible technology use.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

  • explain how AI is influencing information, education and society
  • identify opportunities for using AI to develop critical thinking
  • design AI-supported problem-solving and inquiry activities
  • help learners evaluate AI-generated information and arguments
  • recognise bias, misinformation and unsupported claims in AI output
  • use AI to encourage creativity, reasoning and collaboration
  • integrate media literacy and digital citizenship into AI activities
  • address privacy, transparency and ethical AI use
  • assess AI-supported learning in a fair and responsible way
  • develop and present an AI-enhanced lesson plan
Teachers discussing ideas during an interactive technology workshop

Schedule

Day 1 – Course Introduction and Setting Goals

Course Introduction

  • Overview of the course, the training organisation and the week's activities
  • Icebreakers exploring participants' experiences and perceptions of AI
  • Introduction to 21st-century competencies
  • Understanding the central role of critical thinking

Setting Goals

  • Identifying the needs and goals of each participant and their learners
  • Discussing AI and the current educational landscape in Europe
  • Group discussions and collaborative activities
  • Participant school and organisation presentations

Day 2 – Understanding AI and Its Educational Potential

  • Artificial intelligence: myths, facts and future perspectives
  • Overview of important categories of AI tools for education
  • Using AI for planning, differentiation and feedback
  • Workshop: designing an AI-supported learning activity
  • Reflection: AI as a tool rather than a replacement for educators

Day 3 – Fostering Critical Thinking Through AI

  • Exploring the connection between AI and critical thinking
  • Using AI to create reasoning and problem-solving activities
  • Comparing AI-generated answers, arguments and perspectives
  • Evaluating examples of AI-supported learning tasks
  • Encouraging learner reflection, questioning and justification

Day 4 – Ethical and Responsible AI Use

  • Understanding bias, privacy and ethical concerns
  • Identifying risks and developing classroom AI guidelines
  • Exploring digital citizenship, media literacy and misinformation
  • Analysing real-world ethical dilemmas involving AI
  • Helping learners think critically and ethically about technology

Day 5 – Designing AI-Enhanced Lessons

  • Best practices for integrating AI into lesson planning
  • Connecting AI activities with clear learning objectives
  • Designing tasks that require reasoning rather than simple generation
  • Participants develop and present an AI-supported lesson
  • Peer feedback, course evaluation and competency roundup

Day 6 – Course Closure and Cultural Activities

  • Final reflection and exchange of learning
  • Awarding of Certificates of Attendance
  • Excursion and other cultural activities

Evaluation of Learning Outcomes

Evaluation format:
Continuous assessment on class participation and self-assessment.
Evaluation criteria:
Participation in class debates, reflection and games.
Evaluation procedures:
Attendance, class participation.

Recognition of learning outcomes

Recognition conditions:
80% attendance to the course and class participation.
Recognition procedures:
The participant and the teacher trainer will be both in charge of recognizing the learning outcomes.
Recognition documentation:
Certificate of attendance. If applicable, submit a paper.

Practical Details

Duration: 1 week or 25 academic hours
Schedule: Classes are from Monday to Friday in the morning or in the afternoon. The definite timetable will be sent at least two weeks before the start of the class. Saturday is reserved for Cultural Activities.
Sundays are for arrival and departure.
Note: other durations and schedules can be arranged on demand.
Certification Details: Our organization is duly registered as en Erasmus Teacher Academy, with OID No. E10333486. Therefore, we issue the appropriate Certificates so that your course and trip get fully funded.
Support: Understanding Academy offers full support in terms of Erasmus+ mobilities, but unfortunately we do not provide transport or accommodation.
Fee: €480 Press here to see what is included

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Erasmus+ funding available for eligible participants