The German Jordanian University (GJU), through its Center for E-Learning and Academic Performance Improvement (CeLAPI), delivered a pivotal workshop on the practical applications of Artificial Intelligence for approximately 200 educators and administrators at the International Leaders Academy in Amman.
The session, titled "AI in the K-12 Classroom: A Practical Guide for Today's Educator", was held on Monday, August 25, 2025, and was presented by Qatada Damra, a lecturer at GJU's CeLAPI. The workshop moved beyond theory to provide tangible strategies for leveraging AI as a powerful educational tool.
Grounded in cognitive science, the workshop guided teachers on how to evaluate AI tools through the lens of established learning principles like cognitive load and "fast vs. slow" thinking. Mr. Damra provided live demonstrations of AI assistants for lesson planning and content creation, with a focus on effective prompt engineering for K-12 environments. A key theme was the risk of AI becoming a shortcut that bypasses learning, and how to instead use it to encourage the effortful thinking that builds long-term knowledge.
The training was met with enthusiasm by the academy's faculty. Mrs. Mona Ghanem, Principal of the International Department, remarked, "The training wasn't just about technology, it opened new horizons for us and gave us the motivation to think in more creative and innovative ways inside the classroom. My colleagues and I left the session feeling more confident and excited to put what we learned into practice."
In recognition of the impactful session, the Chairman of the Board of Directors for Leaders International School, Engineer Fouad Al-Manasra, presented Mr. Damra with a certificate of appreciation.
The workshop concluded with a framework for responsible AI integration, encouraging schools to develop clear policies that prioritize student cognitive development and define the irreplaceable role of the human teacher as a mentor and coach.