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Tech-enhanced learning: edtech trends, AI and the future of education

What is the purpose of learning? Education means many things to many different people, and the only definitive answer to the question of its purpose seems to be an ambiguous one: it depends — on cultural and historical contexts, social and political factors, philosophical views, educational theories, individual preferences, and disciplines (STEM or the humanities, for example). Even linguistically, education is synonymous with a range of related notions — teaching, schooling, training, development, coaching, improvement, instruction — that differ in subtle ways.

In Classical Athens, for example, elementary education included the paidotribēs (athletics and fitness), the kitharistēs (music and lyric poetry), and the grammatistēs (reading, writing, and arithmetic), whereas mediaeval grammar schools combined Classical learning with a decidedly Christian dimension. Based on the ideas of Alexander von Humboldt, the eighteenth-century German notion of education (Bildung) emphasised lifelong selfdevelopment in contrast to skills training (Ausbildung).

Closer to our own time, education is no longer the privileged domain of the wealthy, no longer available only to (young) men, and no longer primarily associated with religion, but many challenges nevertheless remain in terms of aims, rationales, and accessibility, especially when we add the digital classroom and tech-enhanced learning into the mix. And yet, despite the challenges, education will continue to serve as a cornerstone for skilling and reskilling, empowering individuals and societies to navigate the complexities of our rapidly changing world. 

AI-powered learning in our post-COVID era, for example, underscores the complex intersection of education and technology, one that necessarily presents both challenges and opportunities for students, educators, and policymakers. In the following article, we’ll explore how emerging technologies, particularly the confluence of edtech and AI, are already re-shaping the future of learning, and, along the way, highlight a number of innovative European edtech startups taking the lead on the use of technology to enhance and support education.

Excerpt extracted and adapted from: https://www.eif.org/blog/all/techenhanced-learning-edtech-trends-ai-and-the-future-of-education

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        In the Star Trek universe, the audience occasionally gets a glimpse inside schools on the planet Vulcan. Young children stand alone in “capsules” surrounded by 360-degree digital screens. Adults walk around but do not talk to the students. Instead, each child interacts only with a sophisticated artificial intelligence (AI). Although this is not the reality in today’s classrooms on Earth, there are people for whom a vision of personalized learning conducted by artificial intelligence has considerable appeal.

        Individualized learning has its place. But decades of educational research also demonstrate that learning is essentially a social endeavor. Classrooms that privilege personalized AI chatbots overlook that fact.

        Generative AI is quickly coming to classrooms. If decades ago educators worldwide promoted the benefits of “One Laptop per Child”, today we may be approaching the model “one chatbot per child.” What does educational research tell us about what this model could mean for children’s learning and well-being?

        During much of the 20th century, learning was understood as mainly as a matter of individual cognition. A misconception, if compared to today’s comprehension of what learning involves. Scientists now understand that apparently individual processes – such as building new knowledge – are actually social interactions with the world around us. In classrooms, this suggests that opportunities for daily personal interaction can strongly support brain health and academic learning.

        Therefore, it is important to understand generative AI’s real-life impact on students.

        For example: How does it feel to learn from a chatbot, day after day? How will long-term use of AI affect children’s mental health? How does AI use affect children’s relationships with each other and with their teachers? What kinds of relationships might children form with the chatbots themselves? More broadly, we could also ask: What do we, as a society, actually want children to learn?

        Good teaching and learning blends social and individual processes. I see the beneficial application of any new technology in the classroom – AI or otherwise – as a way to build upon the social fabric of human learning. My concern about personalized AI tutors is how they might displace already infrequent opportunities for social interaction, further isolating children in classrooms.

(Niral Shah. www.converstion.com, 15.12.2025. Adaptado)

Compreensão de textos em Língua Inglesa

The Importance of Didactics and

Methodology in English Language Teaching

Teaching English involves much more than explaining grammar rules or asking students to memorize vocabulary. Effective English language teaching requires careful planning, appropriate teaching methods, and an understanding of how students learn.

Didactics refers to the principles and strategies that guide the teaching and learning process. It helps teachers organize lessons, define learning objectives, choose suitable materials, and evaluate students’ progress. Good didactics creates a positive learning environment where students feel motivated to participate and develop their language skills.

Methodology, on the other hand, focuses on the methods and approaches used in the classroom. Throughout history, different methodologies have been developed to improve language learning. For example, the Grammar-Translation Method emphasizes reading, writing, and translation, while the Communicative Language Teaching (CLT) approach encourages students to use English in real-life situations through meaningful interaction.

Modern English teaching often combines different methodologies to meet the needs of diverse learners. Teachers may use games, technology, group work, role-playing activities, and project-based learning to make lessons more engaging and effective. This flexible approach recognizes that students have different learning styles, interests, and levels of proficiency.

Assessment is another essential part of the teaching process. Besides traditional tests, teachers can evaluate students through presentations, classroom participation, portfolios, and collaborative projects. Continuous assessment allows teachers to monitor students’ progress and adjust their teaching strategies when necessary.

Finally, an effective English teacher is not only knowledgeable about the language but also reflective about their teaching practice. By evaluating their lessons and seeking professional development, teachers can continuously improve their instructional methods and better support their students’ learning.

The Evolution of Digital Design

By Coursera Staff

(Available at: https://www.coursera.org/articles/skeuomorphism – text specially adapted for this test).