Smart tech, smarter teaching: Chandigarh educators look to level up in AI age

Bringing together educators from Chandigarh Tricity under one roof to discuss “Education in the Age of Artificial Intelligence (AI)”, the Tribune publications in association with Chitkara University hosted The Tribune Principals’ Meet on Wednesday.

The event was attended by the representatives of more than 110 schools located in Chandigarh, Mohali and Panchkula. The event started with the initial registration of the participants, followed by the lighting of the lamp by Tribune Publications representatives and Dr Sangeeta Pant, Pro Vice-Chancellor, Psychology and Education Programmes, Chitkara University and Rani Poddar, Principal, Tribune School, Sector 29.

Dr Madhu Chitkara, Pro Chancellor, Chitkara University, was the guest of honour, while Dr Virat Chirania, author and life coach, was the chief guest on the occasion.

The session started with a presentation by Sanjeev Dosajh, Director, Office of Strategic Initiatives, Chitkara University. “Schools and teachers can use AI in different ways. It can be tasked with planning lessons using AI output for better classroom teaching. Quizzes can be organised featuring 10 MCQs for a better assessment of students and notes can be developed with short summary outputs from AI for better student revision. Teachers are a real guiding force behind the success of lakhs of students and AI can strengthen the

force further,” he added.

Thereafter, Dr Parul Sood, Dean Academics, Chitkara School of Education, also discussed the pros and cons of using AI. Sood, who has over 5,000 hours of training experience, later interacted with the participating principals and discussed the importance of “Absolute Intelligence”.

Chirania, meanwhile, said there was no way to escape the use of AI but emphasised on wise adoption, adding, “AI is not stronger than the human mind. So, proper use for nurturing a smart future of India is the need of the hour. I must congratulate The Tribune publications and Chitkara University for hosting such an insightful event, where principals responsible for building characters of individuals are involved.”

He also held a 20-minute meditation session to encourage the school heads to include it in the school syllabus for enhanced learning.

During an interactive session, representatives of various schools shared their views regarding the proper usage of AI. The heads of the institutions spoke about the age of artificial intelligence and new methodologies needed for teachers and students.

Dr Madhu Chitkara also interacted with principals and congratulated the Tribune publications for organising an event for the open dialogue. “This is one of the unique events, where the stakeholders from higher education and schools are engaging in an open dialogue to discuss the importance of AI. The young minds are capable of launching new innovations and this is where our role comes into play as their guiding force. At Chitkara, we have various AI-based courses and also signed memorandums of understanding (MoU) with many big names. And, on a platform like this, the pros-and-cons of AI usage are easy to discuss. Besides AI, the discussion on the importance of meditation is something we all should follow, as ‘self-love’ and ‘self-care’ are among the most important aspects of one’s life,” Chitkara added.