Educators in Sri Lanka gained foundational knowledge of AI and explored its everyday applications in education during a recent ‘Workshop on AI for Teachers’ held in Colombo. The event, aimed at equipping teachers with essential AI awareness, was jointly organised by the Commonwealth Educational Media Centre for Asia (CEMCA), the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) regional centre in Asia, and the Ministry of Education, Sri Lanka.
Key objectives included understanding AI fundamentals, exploring AI tools to enhance teaching and learning, integrating AI into the curriculum, and addressing ethical considerations in AI usage in education.
Led by COL-CEMCA facilitators and tutors, the workshop attracted 30 top educators from various educational institutions across Sri Lanka.
Through a blend of lectures, demonstrations, and hands-on activities, participants said they gained an understanding of AI concepts and tools. They actively engaged in sessions that allowed them to apply AI principles directly to their teaching practices. This practical approach was highlighted by the development of AI-integrated lesson plans, showcasing the participants’ creativity and commitment to enhancing their educational strategies.
As part of the workshop, Ms M.A. Vasana Surangi Edirirsuriya, Director/ICT, Ministry of Education, Sri Lanka, commented, “We had a wonderful three-day AI experience and are deeply grateful to the COL-CEMCA for all the support provided. The feedback from teachers regarding the programme and trainers has been great. We look forward to continuing such training programmes in the future.”
The workshop also emphasised collaborative learning, fostering a sense of community among educators. Ethical considerations and best practices for AI usage were a significant focus, ensuring participants could use AI responsibly in their teaching environments.
Dr B Shadrach, Director of CEMCA, remarked, “We see this training programme as an opportunity to prepare a cadre of teachers who would become exemplars in the use of AI in schools and become trainers who shall assist the Government of Sri Lanka and the Ministry of Education in their efforts towards infusing AI skills among students at the very early stages of schooling.”
