What we’ve learned from teaching AI in schools around the world (and what you can learn too)
Whether you're a teacher, principal or curriculum designer, figuring out how to teach AI in your school is a shared challenge. At Code School Finland, we’ve worked with educators all over the world to bring AI education to learners of all ages. Here are three powerful lessons we’ve learned.
Make AI education project based and meaningful
Teaching AI in K12 works best when it’s tied to real life problems. Students engage more deeply when they build solutions that matter to them.
At Tec de Monterrey in Mexico, student teams joined an AI innovation challenge even though most had no prior experience with AI. In just six weeks, they created working prototypes for an AI powered lesson planning tool and a digital platform to support teacher training.
What made this possible was our teaching approach: Design-based project learning. Students were guided through a real world challenge using structured teamwork and creative thinking.
Tec de Monterrey’s Education Innovation Program students
Even young children can learn AI if it’s fun
Can kindergarten students learn AI? Yes, when the teaching is playful and age appropriate.
In Malaysia, we introduced AI and computational thinking to 5 to 6 year olds using our Little AI Learner course. Through hands-on, screen free activities, children explored ideas like what data is, how machines learn patterns and how we can talk to robots.
All of this was taught through games, drawings and storytelling to give young learners a fun and engaging start to their digital literacy journey.
Little AI Learner Student in Malaysia
Teachers want to teach AI but need the right training
All over the world, teachers are asking for help with how to teach AI in schools. They’re not afraid to try it but they need practical tools and support.
In Finland, we launched a national teacher training program focused on AI in education. We planned for 120 participants. More than 400 signed up. The feedback said it all:
“Now I understand how AI works and it’s not as difficult as I thought. Thank you. I feel confident to keep teaching AI on my own.”
– Teacher participant, Finland
What you can take into your classroom
From preschool to high school, from urban innovation labs to rural schools, AI education is possible everywhere. Here’s what we’ve learned:
Make learning relevant and project based
Start early and keep it playful
Support your teachers with efficient training
If you want to bring AI learning to your school through teacher training, curriculum or student projects, we’re here to help.
Let’s connect. We’re happy to share more from our global work and support your journey with AI in education.
Contact
Kaisu Pallaskallio
CEO Code School Finland
kaisu@codeschool.fi
+358 44 355 7355