Empowering educators to harness digital tools for critical thinking, creativity, and 21st-century learning.
Description
In a world where information is abundant but time and attention are limited, teaching students to think clearly, creatively, and critically is more important than ever. This hands-on course equips teachers with digital tools and strategies to help students organise their thoughts, explore ideas visually, and use technology—including AI—intentionally and responsibly.
Participants will explore visual thinking methods, such as mind mapping and concept design, and learn how to integrate artificial intelligence in meaningful and age-appropriate ways. Throughout the training, we will focus on how these tools support metacognition, collaboration, and differentiated instruction in diverse classrooms.
Aims and objectives
The course uses active learning methods, including interactive workshops, digital tool exploration, collaborative tasks, and practical project design. Educators will be encouraged to create ready-to-use materials and test ideas with peers in a supportive, creative environment.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the course, participants will:
- Understand and apply visual thinking and mapping tools in the classroom
- Gain confidence in using AI tools for planning and instruction
- Develop digital materials and projects to support learner thinking
- Enhance student engagement, metacognition, and creativity
- Reflect critically on the role of technology in 21st-century education
Target groups:
- Primary and secondary school teachers, teacher trainers, digital coordinators, and educational innovators who want to enhance their classroom practice with visual and AI-supported tools.
Minimum level of language: English, B1/B2
Location: Budapest (Hungary), Umag (Croatia)
Duration of training: 25 lessons, 5 days
Dates:
Budapest:
- 29 March-02 April 2027 Planned
Umag:
- 25-29 May 2026 Planned
- 05-09 October 2026 Planned
- 24-28 May 2027 Planned
- 04-08 October 2027 Planned
The final confirmation of the course is subject to reaching the minimum number of participants.
Price:
Budapest and Umag: EUR 400 + EUR 50 REGISTRATION FEE,
This price includes the course, certificate, Erasmus+ documentation (if needed)
Prices are NET prices. VAT: 0% for organisations with a valid EU VAT number; in all other cases VAT may apply – please contact us for details.
Applicable funds: As part of the Erasmus+ Key Action 1 (KA1), all costs for mobility /travel expenses, course fees, accommodation, subsistence fee/ are covered by the fund.
Planned program
Day 1: Monday: Visual Thinking Foundations
- Course introduction and expectations
- Visual thinking: benefits for memory, creativity and structure
- Concept maps vs mind maps – when and why?
- Digital tools demo: MindMeister, Miro, Canva, Padlet
- Hands-on activity: create your first visual map
- Group discussion: teaching thinking through visuals
- Sharing classroom experiences and setting personal goals
Day 2: Tuesday –Classroom Design Thinking & Creativity
- Introduction to design thinking in education
- Using digital platforms for brainstorming and ideation (e.g. Jamboard, Canva, Lucidchart)
- Designing learning experiences around real-world problems
- Visual storytelling for comprehension and expression
- Mini group project: design a creative, subject-related visual thinking task
- Peer feedback and refinement
Day 3: Wednesday–Introduction to Artificial Intelligence in Education
- What is AI and how does it affect education?
- Exploration of tools: ChatGPT, DALL·E, Magic Write, Diffit
- Ethical implications, biases, age-appropriateness
- AI-assisted differentiation, content generation, student engagement
- Create an AI-supported learning resource
- Reflective dialogue: opportunities and limits of AI in schools
Day 4: Thursday – From Tools to Integration: Making it Work in Practice
- Strategies for combining tools in lesson planning
- Project-based learning with digital thinking tools
- Planning a short unit or module using visual + AI tools
- Template-based curriculum integration
- Begin group project development
- Collaborative work with trainer support
Day 5. Friday – Cross-Curricular Projects & Presentation Techniques
- Exploring interdisciplinary potential (STEM, languages, humanities)
- Visual formats for student presentations and portfolios
- Finalisation of group projects and preparation for presentation
- Peer coaching and review circles
- Group project presentations
- Feedback session and idea exchange
- Digital self-assessment and skill mapping
- Building your own classroom “thinking tools” toolkit
- Personal action planning: how to apply your learning
- Sustainability: how to support colleagues and scale impact
- Certificate ceremony and informal networking
Trainer
Orsolya Carrick
Founder and operational leader of Kids and Teens English Club
Orsolya Carrick is the founder and operational leader of Kids and Teens English Club, a private language school specializing in children’s English language education.
