Education University offers free AI course for teachers, parents

Teachers, parents, and administrative staff can now apply for free classes to learn Artificial Intelligence tools, as the Education University of Hong Kong launched the third phase of its AI Literacy Program yesterday.

This came as Li Ka-shing donated another HK$5.5 million to the university this year to move forward with programs to equip the general public with necessary AI skills.

Li said in a press release it is crucial to promote AI awareness and education as the technology is essential for the future. He has donated more than HK$10 million in the first two stages of the program since 2020.

The 10-week program comprises 60 hours of face-to-face lessons, tutorials, self-learning exercises, and presentations, and is expected to benefit over 800 primary and secondary teachers, parents, administrative workers from SMEs, and senior secondary students.

The program's third phase will focus on real-life practice of generative AI tools and raise participants' ethical awareness when using AI, says Kong Siu-cheung, director of the Artificial Intelligence and Digital Competency Education Centre.

Secondary students will learn how to improve their writing using AI tools like ChatGPT to prepare for the Diploma of Secondary Education exams. Teachers will learn how to develop differentiated instruction materials to foster individualized learning through such generative AI tools.

"AI tools can not only enhance teaching effectiveness but also narrow the learning gaps among different learners," Siu said.

Courses designed for administrative staff in SMEs will empower learners to use AI tools, thus increasing their productivity and quality of work at their workplace. For example, they can learn how to put down meeting notes more effectively with AI.

Teachers and administrative staff who want to apply for the program are required to get approval from their department heads first, and applicants except students need to pay a deposit of HK$6,000, which will be refunded after program completion.

Training for teachers and parents will start on January 13, next year and last for three months, during which participants will have in-person courses or self-learning arrangements every Saturday.

Courses for administrative staff take place from April to June, comprising six-day on-site sessions and four-day self-learning. Secondary students will have courses from May to June. All the participants will get certifications upon finishing the courses.

The application is on a first-come-first-served basis, but Siu said the university would try to have more companies and schools involved in programs for teachers and administrative staff by reducing the quota allocated for every institution if applications exceed the quota.

"AI should not be mysterious or too hard to understand for the public. Instead, everyone can learn about the concepts and try to make use of AI," Siu said.