Societies have experienced an evident disruption characterised by rising levels of violence, and schools reflect these broader societal challenges. The requirement to foster an environment of respect for others and embrace otherness (Council of Europe, 2001) is therefore universally acknowledged in schools where it is essential to facilitate meaningful interactions with the aid of emergent technologies and AI, which dictate an irreversible shift in teaching and learning strategies. This presentation explores the potential of using of technology/AI in implementing intercultural projects (AI), enhancing the advantages and pitfalls, and ethical implications of their use. The research was guided by the primary question, “How can intercultural technology projects improve teaching and learning and also foster communication based on respect for individual and human rights?” The findings of this study suggest ways to implement projects and crosscultural encounters, mediated by technology and AI, to integrate linguistic goals and other competences into an intercultural curriculum and demonstrate their impact on learning. The use of technology and AI proved indispensable for providing a project-based learning approach, with authentic and interactive engagement and personalised learning experiences. Lastly, the results also demonstrate how intercultural encounters, mediated by technology, can be a remarkable and transformative experience but also reflect on the blurring role of technology-driven solutions and skepticism in education.

Speaker: Candida Neves Couto

Published in: International Conference on Information Society (i-Society-2024)

• Date of Conference: 26-28 August, 2024
• DOI: 10.20533/iSociety.2024.0001
• ISBN: 978-1-913572-72-3
• Conference Location: Churchill College, Cambridge, UK