Indonesia
EFL Teachers Explore AI for Innovative Teaching Materials
Faculty of Cultural Studies (FCS) Universitas Brawijaya (UB) held the “AI for English Teachers Workshop” on Thursday (14/11/2024) at the Aula Building A. It brought forty educators from junior and senior high schools to explore the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in developing English teaching materials and its integration into English as a Foreign Language (EFL) classrooms.
The event, as part of a research project entitled “Enhancing teachers’ capacity to implement the new curriculum in Indonesian secondary schools: A focus on artificial intelligence- based materials development and technology integration,” led by Prof. Zuliati Rohmah, highlighted practical uses of AI to create innovative teaching materials that enhance student engagement and learning outcomes.
The workshop featured five sessions, each focusing on a unique aspect of AI in education. It began with an introduction to AI principles and their transformative potential in education, presented by Mokh Syaifudin, M.A., Ph.D. Attendees learned how Artificial Intelligence in Education (AIED) can personalize learning, reduce teacher workload, and introduce immersive experiences like Virtual Reality (VR) and Augmented Reality (AR) into classrooms.
Subsequent sessions delved into specific applications. Session 2 demonstrated AI tools for generating text materials, enabling teachers to create tailored reading passages, writing prompts, and quizzes using ChatGPT and Canva.
Session 3 showcased AI video generators, where participants explored tools like Synthesia and InVideo to develop dynamic, visual learning aids.
Session 4 focused on creating interactive worksheets through AI, emphasizing tools like My Worksheet Maker, Worksheet, and Eduaide.ai to design engaging comprehension and language exercises.
The culminating session, led by Zuliati Rohmah, emphasized group collaboration. Teachers worked in teams to develop comprehensive teaching materials using a combination of AI tools introduced earlier. For example, one group created a vocabulary-focused activity for junior high school students using an AI-generated story about cultural dishes. In contrast, another group designed a role-play activity for senior high students based on AI-generated videos about environmental issues.
These materials demonstrated how AI can save time while allowing teachers to maintain contextual relevance and creativity. Participants reflected on their experience, citing collaboration and the practicality of AI tools as the workshop’s highlights.
“This workshop gave us hands-on experience with tools that simplify material creation and open new possibilities for engaging students,” remarked one attendee.
However, challenges such as navigating AI tool limitations and ensuring cultural relevance were also discussed.
The workshop ended with a call to action, encouraging participants to experiment with AI tools in their classrooms and share their experiences in follow-up forums. Organizers hoped this event would inspire a broader adoption of AI to transform teaching practices in Indonesia. [zr/dts/PR FCS]