Dr Ewan Wright, Associate Professor in the Department of Education Policy and Leadership at EdUHK, partnered with Dr Stephen Sowa and Dr Tae-hee Choi from the School of Education at the University of Southampton to develop an online “mini-course” on AI and Education on 26 November and 10 December 2025.
This mini-course brought together students and graduates from the Executive Master of Arts in International Educational Leadership and Change (IELC) at EdUHK and the MSc in Education at the University of Southampton, fostering international connections and collaborative learning.
The collaboration followed previous mini-courses organised with the University of Southampton on professional learning communities (2023) and student leadership (2024).
The 2025 edition focused on how generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT, are reshaping educational practice in schools. Participants were introduced to the latest research on how educators are leveraging AI to enhance teaching and leadership. Discussions explored the influence of AI on social and educational values, time management, implications for pedagogy, leadership, and decision-making, as well as recommendations for effective practice.
This year’s mini-course drew 25 participants from 12 countries or jurisdictions, including Azerbaijan, the Chinese Mainland, Germany, Hong Kong SAR, India, Iran, Italy, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and the United States, creating a global platform for cross-cultural dialogue and learning.
Taking place between November and December 2025, the mini-course was structured to maximise both learning efficiency and impact, comprising four stages:
· Stage 1: A pre-recorded video lecture by Dr Stephen Sowa on AI and Education
· Stage 2: The first online synchronous meeting, featuring an introduction, brief lecture, small group discussions, reporting back, and instructions for a group presentation task exploring AI’s impact on educators’ work in schools.
· Stage 3: Collaborative group work, with participants meeting at least twice online to prepare for a presentation.
· Stage 4: A final online synchronous meeting for group presentations, conducted in parallel sessions, followed by a plenary discussion with all participants.
Reflecting on this third mini-course collaboration, Dr Ewan Wright commented: “It has been a real pleasure to work alongside colleagues and students at the University of Southampton over the past few years. These online mini-courses offer a fantastic opportunity to connect educators from diverse backgrounds, sparking insightful conversations, sharing innovative ideas, and building professional networks. The focus on AI and Education this year is especially timely, highlighting how educators worldwide are responding to both the challenges and opportunities presented by AI tools. I was delighted to see participants engaging critically with AI, not only addressing common concerns but also sharing practices that can positively influence their work and the experiences of the students they support.”
