Saturday 07.03

In this talk, starting from Plato’s allegory of the Cave, we will explore how Extended Reality (XR) and Artificial Intelligence (AI) can act as catalysts for Personalized Deep Meaningful Learning. Participants will learn fundamental concepts, key characteristics of immersive technologies, and evidence-based good practices for pedagogical utilization. Examples of integrating AI and XR into authentic learning scenarios will be presented, as well as instructional design frameworks with an emphasis on increasing motivation through gamification. Finally, practical directions for professional development and lifelong learning for teachers will be presented. The talk is aimed at teachers, education executives, trainers, and researchers who wish to move from the impressiveness of technology to strategies for empowerment and sustainable transformation of educational practice.

The talk discusses the redefinition of academic integrity in the era of productive Artificial Intelligence, focusing on the consequences of the transition from simple digital support to the co-production of texts and solutions by humans and AI systems. Critical changes in academic work and the main challenges are analyzed: non-transparent use of tools, confusion of the boundaries between assistance, collaboration and substitution of the human factor, reinforcement of superficial learning practices and undermining of assessment based solely on the final product. The limitations of detection tools are highlighted and a framework of “regulated pedagogical exploitation” is presented. The presentation is addressed to teachers of all levels and education executives who are looking for clear directions for fair and valid assessment in an environment of hybrid knowledge production.

The presentation examines how Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be leveraged to improve the quality of teaching and enhance educational inclusion for children with disabilities. Innovative AI-based tools and pedagogical approaches will be presented, enabling educators to adapt teaching, personalize learning, and effectively respond to the diverse needs of students in inclusive learning environments.

The rapid development of Artificial Intelligence is not a simple technological addition to the classroom, but a powerful catalyst that is fundamentally reshaping the way we learn, teach and communicate. The “School of the Future” is no longer a distant theoretical concept and is becoming a reality that is already taking shape today, confronting the educational community with critical challenges. In this context, we are called upon to redefine the transition from passive memorization to the cultivation of critical thinking and creativity, while ensuring that technology enhances student autonomy rather than leading to intellectual inertia. In this new digital landscape, the role of the educator is radically transformed. In a world where information is now accessible everywhere, the teacher is evolving from a simple transmitter of knowledge to a mentor, animator and designer of meaningful learning experiences. The inspiring school must function as a living organism and an ecosystem that goes beyond the narrow boundaries of buildings and rigid programs. It is a space that supports personalized paths, highlights the unique talents of each child and uses technology as a tool to strengthen the pedagogical relationship and not as a substitute for it. This presentation attempts to outline a vision where innovation coexists harmoniously with tradition and technological developments serve timeless human values. The ultimate goal is to prepare citizens capable of actively participating in a world that is constantly changing, transforming education into an experience that gives “depth and soul” to the present and future of our students. Can we change the way we think, anticipating the developments that are already here?

What principles govern the responsible use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) tools? From which examples of the use of GenAI in an educational context can I be inspired to fruitfully utilize GenAI tools in educational practice? How can I raise awareness among my students about the responsible use of GenAI? Do I finally know the risks and limitations of GenAI tools? We will answer these and other questions by presenting the GenAI policy developed by the Aristotle University of Thessaloniki in response to the modern challenge of protecting all of us from the ethical and other risks of the irresponsible use of GenAI.