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A Week of Learning and Discovery. Our first Learning, Teaching, and Training Activity (LTTA 1) in Croatia was an inspiring and enriching experience for both students and teachers. Hosted across two schools, OŠ Pantovčak and Srednja škola Bedekovčina, this week-long event focused on deepening our understanding of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its applications in education and beyond. With a mix of lectures, workshops, hands-on activities, and cultural experiences, participants gained valuable insights into AI, its potential, and its limitations.
1st. Learning Training Teaching activity
3-7 february 2025
Zagreb & Bedekovcina. Croatia
Opening Ceremony & Ice-Breaker Activities
The week began with a warm welcome from the students of OŠ Pantovčak, who showcased their talents and presented guests with special Croatian gifts and handmade items. This heartfelt introduction made all participants feel at home.
Following the ceremony, student-led ice-breaker activities helped everyone get to know each other. These included musical chairs, a presentation on Croatian history, and a fun human bingo game where participants had to find others with similar interests. This student-designed and led session was a fantastic way to set the tone for an engaging and collaborative week.
History of AI & Practical Applications
The first academic session was an online lecture by Dr. Kristijan Lenac on the History of AI, introducing key concepts such as the Turing Test, the origins of AI, and recent advancements in machine learning. This lecture set the foundation for the week, providing both students and teachers with a strong historical context.
Later, participants engaged in a TikTok AI video challenge, where they explored creative ways to use AI in video creation. All videos were shared on Padlet, showcasing the diverse possibilities AI offers for storytelling and education.
FER (Faculty of Engineering & Research)
The University of Zagreb
Our visit to the University of Zagreb featured a series of lectures and workshops led by expert Marko Horvat. He reinforced key concepts from the previous day while highlighting AI’s limitations and real-world applications. One of the most engaging parts was a demonstration of AI-altered Tour de France footage, which fascinated participants.
The “Beat the Computer” Workshop introduced the concept of how AI learns through repetition. By playing games like Monkeys & Crocodiles Chess, students and teachers experienced firsthand how AI improves through experience.
The day ended with the Matchbox AI session, where participants played tic-tac-toe to understand how AI adapts and learns to always win over time. This simple but effective exercise illustrated machine learning in action.
Workshops & Cultural Exploration
Participants took part in various workshops, including AI for Storytelling with Arjana Blažić. This session encouraged students to use AI tools to bring their ideas to life through comics, videos, and even songs. Seeing the variety of creative outputs highlighted the potential for AI to enhance storytelling and creative learning.
In “Why the World Needs AI” with Marina Banov, students and teachers debated the role of AI in society. This interactive session encouraged critical thinking about AI’s benefits and ethical considerations.
A cultural session on Croatian inventions introduced participants to the history of the tie, with a hands-on demonstration on how to tie one. This was a fun and engaging way to learn about Croatian heritage.
AI in Action & Natural Wonders
A highlight of the week was the workshop with Brando Koch, who demonstrated how computers learn. He engaged the audience with a simple number-sorting activity that showed how repetition and patterns form the basis of AI programming. His explanation of AI’s predictive capabilities and his real-world experience in developing AI for accounting was particularly inspiring.
The Spot the AI Imposter workshop with Kristijan Lenac was another favourite. Students and teachers submitted questions for AI chatbots like ChatGPT and Gemini. Responses were then mixed with real human answers, and participants had to guess which were AI-generated. Many were surprised at how convincing AI could be, making this a great exercise in digital literacy and critical thinking.
To round off the week, the group visited Plitvice Lakes National Park, a breathtaking natural wonder. While not directly linked to AI, this experience sparked discussions about AI’s role in environmental conservation, such as using machine learning for wildlife monitoring and climate predictions.
Final thoughts...
Evaluation
The most valuable lesson from this LTTA was the realisation that AI is constantly evolving and reshaping various industries—from medicine and education to farming and banking. The potential for AI to positively impact society is limitless, but it is crucial for students and teachers to understand both its capabilities and limitations.
This week was an incredible success, strengthening international collaboration and deepening our knowledge of AI in engaging and practical ways. As we return to our schools, we carry with us new ideas, skills, and an excitement to continue exploring AI’s role in education.
A huge thank you to all the organisers, speakers, and participants who made this LTTA such a memorable and valuable experience!
Both, teachers and students filled severals surveys before the meeting and after the meeting.
Workshops & Lectures
Our first Learning, Teaching, and Training Activity (LTTA 1) in Croatia was a dynamic and enriching experience for both students and teachers. Hosted at OŠ Pantovčak and Srednja škola Bedekovčina, this week-long event provided deep insights into Artificial Intelligence (AI) through interactive workshops, lectures, and cultural experiences. Each day offered valuable learning opportunities, with participants gaining hands-on experience in AI applications, critical thinking, and collaboration.
Day 1. 3 Feb.
History of AI - Kristijan Lenac (Lecture)
Participants explored AI's origins, the Turing Test, and the evolution of machine learning.
Outcomes:
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Students gained historical context for AI development and its real-world applications.
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Teachers deepened their understanding of AI’s foundational theories.
Pedagogical Use of AI - Dr. Keith Quille (Lecture. Teachers Only)
Teachers explored strategies for integrating AI into education.
Outcomes:
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Teachers learned methods for incorporating AI-driven tools into classroom activities to enhance learning.
Tik tok AI video challenge (Workshop)
Students explored creative ways to use AI in video creation. All videos were shared on Padlet, showcasing the diverse possibilities AI offers for storytelling and education.
Day 2. 4 Feb. Zagreb University (FER)
What´s AI ? - Marko Horvat (Lecture)
Participants examined AI’s real-world applications and ethical considerations.
Outcomes:
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Students and teachers enhanced their understanding of AI’s strengths and limitations.
Monkey Crocodile Chess (Workshop)
A hands-on game demonstrating AI learning through trial and error.
Outcomes:
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Students understood how AI refines strategies through experience.
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Teachers gained a practical example to apply in the classroom.
Matchbox AI (Workshop)
A tic-tac-toe activity illustrating machine learning and adaptation.
Outcomes:
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Students observed AI’s ability to optimize decision-making.
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Teachers gained insights into simplified AI learning models.
AI-Powered Sightseeing Challenge (Workshop)
Teams used an AI app to navigate Zagreb and identify people, pictures, and places.
Outcomes:
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Students applied AI technology in real-world exploration.
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Teachers saw innovative ways to integrate AI into educational fieldwork.
Day 3. 5 Feb.
Storytelling with AI - Arjana Blažić (Workshop)
Students used AI tools to generate comics, videos, and stories.
Outcomes:
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Students improved digital literacy and creative thinking through AI-enhanced storytelling.
Why the world needs AI? - Marina Banov (Workshop)
Interactive session encouraged critical thinking about AI’s benefits and ethical considerations.
Outcomes:
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Students and teachers debated the role of AI in society.
How AI Learns to Be Smart? - Marina Banov (Workshop)
Participants discussed AI training processes and ethical considerations.
Outcomes:
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Students developed a critical understanding of AI’s decision-making processes.
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Teachers explored ways to teach AI literacy in classrooms.
Day 4. 7 Feb.
AI for Everybody - Brando Koch (Workshop)
A hands-on demonstration of AI's learning process through pattern recognition activities.
Outcomes:
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Students understood AI's ability to process and predict patterns.
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Teachers explored ways to incorporate AI activities in teaching.
Beat the Chatbot - Kristijan Lenac (Workshop)
A game where participants identified AI-generated vs. human responses.
Outcomes:
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Students improved critical thinking and digital literacy.
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Teachers gained a practical tool for teaching AI bias and accuracy.
Design Your Own AI Escape Room - Daniela Usmiani (Workshop)
Teams developed AI-driven puzzles, reinforcing problem-solving skills.
Outcomes:
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Students combined AI knowledge with creativity and logic.
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Teachers saw an innovative application of AI in interactive learning.