And what if artificial intelligence became the “fourth teacher”? Not merely a tool, but an integral part of the learning environment. How can generative AI reshape learning environments, transform pedagogical interactions, and open up new perspectives for more adaptive and inclusive teaching? Conference by Professor Jo Tondeur and Antonio Bucchiarone. Tuesday, October 20, from 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm
Presentation by Prof. Jo Tondeur and Antonio Bucchiarone titled “AI-Enhanced Learning Environments: Exploring
Future Scenarios”
The design of learning environments has long been understood as a decisive factor in shaping teaching and learning, captured in the notion of the learning environment as the “third teacher”.
This talk argues that digitalisation, particularly the rise of generative artificial intelligence, fundamentally reconfigures this perspective. We propose the concept of a “fourth teacher” to conceptualise digital agents not merely as tools, but as adaptive pedagogical presences that actively shape participation, spatial use, and learning processes across physical and digital settings. To move beyond tool-centred accounts of AI in education, we introduce the Fourth Teacher part of a socio-technical ecosystem, as a system-level space in which multiple interoperable agents, at learner, classroom, teacher and institutional levels, coordinate learning. We conceptualise the role well-designed AI tools could have to support teacher agency, inclusive participation and evidence-informed decision-making. The talk contributes a conceptual lens for understanding AI as an integral component of contemporary learning ecologies, highlighting implications for the learning environment. Ultimately, we argue that the fourth teacher reframes learning environments as adaptive choreographies in which human and digital actors co-evolve.
Registration is required
Jo Tondeur is Professor at the Vrije Universiteit Brussel.
Prior to academia he was a teacher across various levels of schooling. His research interests are in the field of educational innovation, technology use, online and blended learning, and professional development. Most of his current research focuses on the interplay between (digital) innovations and pre/in-service training. As a lecturer of Instructional Design he is also committed to finding solutions to real problems by setting up design research.
For more info :
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Jo-Tondeur/research
https://www.linkedin.com/in/jotondeur/
Antonio Bucchiarone is an Associate Professor at the University of L’Aquila.
His research focuses on software engineering for adaptive socio-technical systems, with a strong emphasis on the design and development of educational tools and AI-driven agents for learning. He specializes in adaptive and motivational digital systems, gamification, and applying Model-Driven Engineering to create models, languages, and platforms that foster engagement and adaptability.
He is the Coordinator of the Erasmus+ AIM-PRO project (AI Literacy for Multidisciplinary Professional Readiness and Outreach) and has been actively involved in numerous national and European R&D initiatives, including the Erasmus+ ENCORE project on open educational resources.
For more info :
https://bucchiarone.bitbucket.io/