EdTech and AI at UM

Critical Discussion about EdTech and AI at UM

“Generative AI models can create personalised feedback, recommendations, and interventions by analysing users’ learning patterns to tailor teaching to personal needs.” This too-good-to-be-true promise is taken from a “Government-wide vision on generative AI of the Netherlands” published by the Dutch government just last year. Many companies are now eagerly offering to fulfill this vision with AI products, assuring that teachers’ workload will be significantly reduced, e.g. with AI-generated feedback on student assignments. It is very important that these developments are accompanied by critical discussions among those who actually end up using the technology.

This is the purpose of this session: Not to wrap up, but to start or continue a critical dialogue about current AI and EdTech developments here at UM. Everyone is welcome to participate, especially if you have tried one of the many AI tools on offer to teachers and have thoughts and comments to share. I invite UM educators to discuss and connect over the following four questions:

    1. What are the pressing issues, concerns, tensions, and problems that surround EdTech here at UM?
    2. What social harms are we seeing associated with digital technology and education at UM?
    3. What does the Dutch political economy of EdTech look like? (A small input will be prepared but further insights are always welcome)
    4. What opportunities does the PBL-centred educational approach create with regard to the integration of EdTech at UM?

This session is created in the spirit of Neil Selwyn’s (Monash University) call for decentralized meetings of critical EdTech scholars around the world under the title CSET 2025. For more information, click here: https://criticaledtech.com/2024/07/26/cset-2025-critical-studies-of-education-and-technology-an-invitation-to-connect/

This activity may count towards your Continuing Professional Development (CPD) if relevant to your situation.

About the moderator:

Marte Henningsen is a PhD candidate at the Department of Philosophy in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. She holds Bachelor degrees in Computer Science and Computational Engineering. After this technical education, she focused on the societal implications of new technologies. During her Master’s program in Cognitive Science, Marte worked closely with the newly established Chair for Ethics of Artificial Intelligence. Her PhD project at UM focuses on the impact of AI technologies on the work of teachers within higher education. She is always happy to critically discuss AI.

Accessibility
At EDLAB, we strive to make our activities as accessible as possible and do our best to make accommodations when possible. You will have the opportunity to indicate any accessibility requirements after registration.

Note about the costs
EDLAB is currently offering all professional development activities free of charge. Please note however that we have paid to develop and offer this session together with the trainers, so if you sign up but cannot attend, we would greatly appreciate it if you could give us at least 5 days’ notice so that we can advertise your spot to others who may be interested. Cancellation without at least 5 days’ notice or failure to show up may result in your department being charged the full cost price.

EDLAB reserves the right to postpone this event should a minimum of 6 participants not be reached.

Activity full or can’t make this date? Then sign up for the waiting list and we’ll let you know as soon as this event is scheduled again.