From August 2–9, Astra Daugėlienė, an English language teacher at Visaginas “Žiburys” Basic School, took part in the National Education Agency’s project “Continue: Join, Improve, Contribute” („Tęsk: ateik, tobulėk, prisidėk“) —a professional development internship “Teaching with AI: Tools & Techniques” held in Funchal, the capital of Madeira (Portugal).
During the internship, teachers from five European countries deepened their knowledge of applying artificial intelligence in education, strengthened her digital, pedagogical, and critical thinking competences. Special attention was given to the possibilities of personalized learning: with the help of AI tools, tasks can be created and adapted to students with different abilities, learning styles, and special educational needs.
The acquired knowledge will help organize teaching more effectively, increase student engagement, monitor progress, and contribute to improving the quality of teaching as well as implementing digital technologies in school.
The training program was complemented by various cultural activities that allowed participants to discover Madeira’s diverse nature, history, culture, and traditions. They had the opportunity to visit Funchal’s most important sites, hike in Madeira’s mountainous areas, observe dolphins and whales in the Atlantic Ocean, and taste traditional local dishes. These experiences not only enriched cultural awareness but also highlighted the value of travel as a form of learning and professional growth.
The international internship became not only an opportunity for professional development but also for cultural enrichment, strengthening the teacher’s professional and personal competences and inspiring new perspectives on applying AI in modern education.
Astra Daugėlienė
English Language Teacher
Visaginas “Žiburys” Basic School
