Lalitpur, Nepal – August 6, 2024 — Kathmandu University’s School of Education (KUSOED), through its Continuing and Professional Education Center (CPEC), organized a transformative workshop titled “Integration of AI in Inclusive Education”, marking the first in its Inclusive Journey Series. The event brought together educators, researchers, and professionals to explore the intersection of artificial intelligence and inclusive education practices.
Held at Sayal Batika, Mahalaxmi Sthan, the workshop aimed to raise awareness about how AI can be harnessed to foster inclusive learning environments. With an emphasis on community, equity, and technological integration, the workshop fostered in-depth discussions, reflections, and collaborations.
Impact and Outcomes
The workshop achieved significant milestones:
1) Enhanced understanding of how AI can support inclusive education.
2) Increased awareness of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) and AI-assisted approaches.
3) Empowerment of educators to become AI-friendly and inclusive in their teaching practices.
4) Demonstration of practical AI tools to support learners with diverse needs.
5) Development of a more ingratiating and inclusive educator community.
With over 70 participants, including AI and inclusive education experts, the event fostered a rich exchange of knowledge. Attendees left with practical skills, renewed perspectives, and a commitment to promote inclusion using cutting-edge technology.
Learning Outcomes
Participants reported gains in:
1) Understanding the real-life application of AI in inclusive educational settings.
2) Identifying AI tools that support classroom diversity and learner needs.
3) Creating more responsive and equitable learning environments.
4) Developing strategies for ensuring data accuracy and ethical AI use.
Workshop Highlights
The program began with a welcome address by Sandip Dhungana, setting the tone by introducing the university’s vision for inclusive and tech-integrated education. Dr. Sushil Shrestha delivered an insightful talk on the evolving role of AI in education, emphasizing how AI enhances access, efficiency, and equity in teaching practices. He stressed that AI, when integrated thoughtfully, can become a powerful ally in meeting diverse learning needs.
The session was followed by a compelling presentation on inclusive education by Ms. Sarita Khadka and Mr. Ramesh Baral, who shared powerful insights into the realities of exclusion and the transformative potential of Universal Design for Learning (UDL). Their talk underscored the importance of giving learners choices and highlighted how AI can support individual needs through adaptive, responsive technology.
Manish Joshi contributed additional perspectives on the relationship between climate change and AI, expanding the scope of AI applications in inclusive policy and practice. Deviram Acharya, as a guest speaker, brought a policy-level view, highlighting the challenges and opportunities in addressing inclusive education through national frameworks and technological tools.
A lively panel discussion, moderated by Sahas Bhandari, featured key speakers exploring practical questions about integrating AI into inclusive educational settings. Participants actively engaged in the discussion, reflecting on their own practices and aspirations for creating more inclusive classrooms with the help of AI tools. The summary of the discussion was provided by Padam Mahar, who highlighted key takeaways from the session.
Closing
The program concluded with remarks by Deviram Acharya, who reinforced the importance of policy support and collaborative efforts in scaling AI-enabled inclusive education. The session closed with appreciation for the speakers, panelists, and participants, setting the stage for continued collaboration in future sessions of the Inclusive Journey Series.
Contact:
Continuing and Professional Education Center (CPEC), Kathmandu University School of Education
Email: cpep@kusoed.edu.np | Phone: 9768443851 / 9862041993
Location: Hattiban, Lalitpur, Nepal