Wesley College of Education Champions Human-Centred AI Through Successful Teacher-in-the-Loop Workshop

The Wesley College of Education in Kumasi, Ghana, recently hosted a significant two-day "Teacher-in-the-Loop" (TiL) Co-Creation and Co-Mentoring Workshop, centered on the theme of "Human-Centred Artificial Intelligence in Education". This initiative, backed by the Commonwealth of Learning (COL) from Canada, brought together a diverse group of participants, including teacher educators, educational technology specialists, curriculum developers, and lecturers from various Colleges of Education across Ghana. The primary goal was to delve into the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence within the realm of teacher education. A highlight of the workshop was a keynote address delivered by Mr. Larry Kofi Agbador, Deputy Executive Director of the Centre for National Distance Learning and Open Schooling (CENDLOS). Speaking on the workshop's core theme, Mr. Agbador stressed the critical and indispensable role of teachers as ethical gatekeepers and agents of quality assurance in an era increasingly influenced by AI. Participants were strongly encouraged to view AI as a supportive tool that enhances and complements professional judgment and pedagogical expertise, rather than a technology designed to replace these essential human elements. Throughout the event, attendees actively participated in highly interactive co-creation and co-mentoring sessions. These sessions were dedicated to designing, refining, and validating educational resources that are specifically supported by AI. Adhering to the "Teacher in the Loop" philosophy, the discussions and activities underscored the importance of responsible AI utilization, fostered peer learning, encouraged collaborative problem-solving, and prioritized the protection of learners from potentially harmful or inappropriate content generated by AI. These engagements reinforced the necessity of maintaining human oversight in the development and deployment of AI-generated educational materials. A significant outcome of the workshop was the official unveiling and validation of three innovative academic programs. These programs, developed under the guidance of Professor Adu Manu-Sarpong, a Consultant to the Commonwealth of Learning, include "AI Pedagogy in STEM Education," "AI Literacy for Pre-Service Teachers," and "AI for Assessment in Education". These new curricula are slated for rollout during the 2026/2027 academic year. The introduction of these programs is expected to position Wesley College of Education at the forefront of AI-driven teacher education, not only in Ghana but also potentially across the broader region. The college expressed profound gratitude to all supporting organizations and individuals for their invaluable contributions and collaboration.