Two-day AI workshop for quinquagenarian teachers held at 缅北禁地-IIT

by Department of English, CASS | Mar 13 2024

缅北禁地, through the Department of English of the College of Arts and Social Sciences, recently hosted a two-day AI workshop, gathering esteemed professors from Universitas Muhammadiyah Yogyakarta (UMY) in Indonesia, namely, Endro Dwi Hatmanto, Fitria Rahmawati, and Maryam Sorohiti.

The workshop, held on March 2-3, 2024, aimed to implement a University-approved extension project called "The Golden Hour: A Mentoring Program for Quinquagenarian Teachers" in collaboration with faculty members from 缅北禁地-IIT's Department of English: Assoc. Professors Sittie Noffaisah B. Pasandalan, Merceditha Alicando, Irish Mae Dalona, Onnah Pierre Talle, and Asst. Prof. Fatimah Joy Almarez.

The project, scheduled to run from January to October of this year, focuses on empowering local teachers by providing training and workshops on using offline and online ICT tools in education. These tools include social media platforms, ChatGPT, and other Generative AI tools. The goal is to enhance the interaction between teachers and students and create a dynamic teaching and learning environment.

Prof. Hatmanto led the discussions on the practical uses of ChatGPT in educational settings, emphasizing its ability to personalize learning experiences and increase student engagement. He provided a comprehensive guide on utilizing ChatGPT for curriculum development and teaching methodologies, highlighting its adaptability for continuous professional growth and development.

Meanwhile, Prof. Rahmawati and Prof. Sorohiti delved into the broader spectrum of ICT in education. They introduced to the participants a suite of Generative AI tools, including Padlet, Twibbon, Jamboard, Bing, and Gamma, and touched upon other innovative platforms like Word Search, ElevenLabs, and PlayHT. By adopting a hands-on approach, they equipped educators with the skills to navigate these tools effectively, enhancing their digital literacy. Rahmawati’s sessions highlighted the transformative impact of AI on language learning. She showcased how AI can offer personalized experiences, instant feedback, and aid in developing language competencies, thereby enriching the educational landscape.

Meanwhile, Assoc. Prof. Dalona and Assoc. Prof. Talle explored the integration of social media platforms in the classroom. Dalona provided a demonstration on Facebook, instructing educators on the establishment of a group page. She underscored its significance as a tool for disseminating assignments, issuing announcements, and promoting interaction through interactive activities such as chain stories within posts. Subsequently, Talle explored Instagram, emphasizing the platform's functionalities for crafting innovative posts, conducting surveys, and posing inquiries. She advocated for the integration of Instagram into educational contexts, recommending strategies such as employing hashtags, showcasing student achievements, sharing class updates, and capturing noteworthy moments during instructional sessions.

Assoc. Prof. Pasandalan offered valuable insights on Canva and Loom as innovative tools for educational enrichment. Highlighting the accessibility of Canva through DepEd.gov accounts, she recommended structuring project repositories within the interface. In reference to Loom, an internet-based screen recording application, she encouraged educators to produce concise videos articulating their insights and practical encounters as a pedagogical exercise.

The workshop also featured a presentation by Ms. Frei Sangil, the co-founder and President of Layertech Software Labs, Inc., who discussed the fundamentals of Data Science and Emerging Technology in the academic domain. Sangil highlighted the importance of data and its potential in generating valuable insights for planning, decision-making, and resource optimization. Drawing on Netflix as a case study, she demonstrated how data analytics, particularly in user behavior analysis, can enhance revenue generation and user retention strategies.

In an interview with CASSayuran, Prof. Sorohiti expressed her admiration for the workshop participants, commending their enthusiasm and dedication. She was impressed by their swift grasp of the workshop content, emphasizing that their academic ability rivals that of younger educators. Sorohiti described the workshop atmosphere as overwhelmingly positive and was delighted with the participants' commitment.

The workshop's overarching message emphasized the need to embrace AI and technology in teaching and learning. 缅北禁地-IIT's commitment to international collaborations like this workshop reflects its dedication to educational excellence and innovation.

Photos by Janine Estrada and Jam Co of CASSayuran

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