The current issue
Within arts and cultural education, we see that AI is becoming increasingly accessible to students. At the same time, it remains unclear how this technology affects creative processes, craftsmanship, and the development of skills that are essential for learning and creating. Students who use AI may no longer need to think critically, read critically, solve problems, make choices, experiment, or critically reflect on their work. However, in maker education, the process is just as important as the final product.
As AI becomes increasingly capable of generating creative outputs, there is a risk that students will be challenged less and that the technology will take over the creative thinking process. This raises important questions about how AI can be integrated into creative maker education in a way that supports, rather than replaces, students' creativity, critical thinking, and learning.
The practical challenge
How can AI be used as a brainstorming partner in creative maker education without allowing the technology to take over the creative and critical thinking process?
Development goal
Development of an AI tool that supports students throughout the creative thinking process and actively fosters creative, critical, and problem-solving thinking skills. Potential components of the prototype include:
- Identifying key creative, critical, and problem-solving thinking processes;
- Supporting and stimulating creative, critical, and problem-solving thinking processes;
- Making both the final product and the underlying process visible and understandable.
Are we a match?
We are looking for a business partner with expertise in AI, creative technology, digital art, educational technology, or innovative learning environments. Your organization may be a good match if you:
- Have experience with generative AI or other advanced AI applications;
- Are interested in the relationship between technology, creativity, and education;
- Would like to collaborate with teachers, students, and researchers to explore how AI can be meaningfully integrated into creative maker education within the arts curriculum;
- Have experience working within secondary education;
- Have experience with co-creation.
Please describe how you meet these criteria as clearly and specifically as possible in the application form.
Respond now
Would you like to participate in this project as a development partner? If so, please respond to this open call using the button below. Applications can be submitted until 30 September. Selected candidates will receive an invitation for an interview no later than 2 October. The first round of interviews will take place during the week of 5-9 October, followed by a second round between 26-30 October. The selection process is tailored to each case. Finding the right match with the school is the central consideration throughout the process.
Apply to become a development partner
About NOLAI
NOLAI is the national education lab AI for elementary, secondary and special needs education in the Netherlands. We are constantly gathering questions from teachers by organizing workshops throughout the country. These practical questions are the sole starting point for new co-creation projects in which a school, together with scientists and a company, researches and develops a prototype of educational AI. Over a three-year period the parties jointly progress through a concept, development and validation phase. NOLAI facilitates and funds the co-creation. The knowledge gained is shared as widely and openly as possible, to drive educational innovation.
