AIware: The Artificial Intelligence-Aware Classroom

Artificial Intelligence, and in particular machine learning, has become a highly discussed topic in society. People are concerned about the enormous progress, which might lead to both challenges and opportunities for the job market and for individual careers. However, Artificial Intelligence has not made it into the curricula of most countries in Europe.

This is the starting point for the AIware project: We aim at creating a ready-to-use solution for schools consisting of a model curriculum, learning scenarios and materials for different aspects of AI for teachers and students of grades 7-12.

Artificial Intelligence has already changed the job market and individual careers – AI-powered algorithms outperform human beings in different aspects of personal and business life. Many job types, even for well-educated people, will disappear in the coming years. It will be a key competency for people to understand how to utilise AI in their jobs and personal lives productively. Furthermore, concrete competencies are necessary regarding the creation and utilisation of AI-based systems, e.g., to analyse, interpret and utilise different types of data. Last but not least, dangers and concerns need to be taken into account.

For this purpose, we aim at creating the following:
• Curriculum describing competencies for teachers and students (between grades 7 and 12/13).
• Pedagogical framework based on problem-based learning in real life.
• Learning scenarios for different aspects of Artificial Intelligence as Open Educational Practices.
• Learning Materials for different aspects of Artificial Intelligence as Open Educational Resources.
• Collection of Open Educational Resources for AI.
• Validations of the learning scenarios and materials.
• A certification scheme for the “AI-ready school”.
• Policy and curriculum recommendations.

Therefore, we provide solutions for incorporating AI into schools, which is validated and transferable as a reference for further initiatives.