FutureForward is an Erasmus+ co-funded project (Project No: 2024-1-IT02-KA220-ADU-000253630) aimed to empower adult learners and educators by fostering future-oriented skills and innovative practices. The project focuses on equipping individuals with the knowledge and competencies needed to navigate the challenges of a rapidly evolving world, particularly in areas like digital transformation, sustainability, and social inclusion.

As part of the Erasmus+ co-funded FutureForward: Empowering Adult Learners to Use AI for Everyday Life and Workproject (Project No: 2024-1-IT02-KA220-ADU-000253630), Budakov Films recently conducted an insightful focus-group interview to gather expert perspectives on developing a meaningful and accessible AI curriculum for adult learners. This session, a key activity within Work Package 2, brought together five highly qualified AI and education experts to discuss the essential skills, challenges, and approaches needed to empower adult learners in adopting AI effectively.

In this article, we explore the methodology behind our focus group, emphasize its inclusivity, and dive into the key findings that will shape our curriculum development.

Methodology: An Inclusive and Engaging Session

The focus group interview took place online to ensure accessibility for all participants, regardless of their location. Conducted via MS Teams and moderated by Prof. Dr. Petyo Budakov of Budakov Films, the session lasted 90 minutes, offering a structured yet flexible environment for in-depth discussion.

The methodology was designed to be highly inclusive and participatory:

  • Welcoming Environment: Prof. Budakov began by introducing himself and inviting participants to share their backgrounds and experiences, establishing a comfortable and collaborative atmosphere from the outset.
  • Clear Objectives and Guidelines: The moderator outlined the session’s goals, which were to identify competencies, methodologies, and resources that would best support adult educators in delivering AI education to learners with diverse needs and abilities. Participants were briefed on the rules of participation, the planned duration, and informed that the session would be recorded for accuracy.
  • Encouragement of Equal Participation: Prof. Budakov actively ensured that each participant had the opportunity to share their insights, fostering a balanced dialogue. Time was carefully monitored to allow every expert to contribute their unique perspectives and expertise.
  • Inclusive and Structured Approach: The session was organized into thematic blocks covering the prerequisites of trainers, the pros and cons of AI technology, course design strategies, areas of AI application, implementation of didactical modules, and insights on FutureForward’s planned modules and community resources.
  • Concluding Summary: Toward the end of the session, Prof. Budakov invited each participant to briefly summarize their key takeaways and suggestions. This allowed for reflection and reinforced each expert’s contributions.

Key Findings from the Focus Group

The focus group revealed critical insights that will guide the FutureForward project in developing a curriculum that aligns with the needs of adult educators and learners. Below are the core themes that emerged from the discussion:

1. Prerequisites for Trainers

The experts underscored the importance of equipping trainers with a foundational understanding of AI, digital skills, and ethical considerations. Trainers need a solid base in AI concepts and tools to guide learners effectively, especially since many adult learners may have limited technological backgrounds. Ethical awareness, particularly in areas like data privacy and bias, was emphasized as essential for trainers to communicate AI’s complexities responsibly.

2. Pros and Cons of AI Technology

The discussion highlighted both the benefits and challenges of AI:

  • Pros: AI offers vast potential for enhancing productivity, automating repetitive tasks, and fostering creativity. By incorporating AI, learners can streamline their workflows and explore new avenues of creative expression.
  • Cons: The experts noted several risks associated with AI, including data privacy concerns, biases in algorithms, and the risk of over-reliance. These challenges need to be discussed openly in training, encouraging learners to approach AI with critical thinking and a focus on responsible usage.

3. Course Design: Learning Outcomes, Didactical Approaches, and Methodologies

A structured approach to course design was recommended. Experts suggested that learning outcomes should be clearly defined to establish expectations and guide both trainers and learners. A blend of didactical approaches was encouraged to cater to diverse learning styles, including visual, auditory, and kinesthetic methods.

The experts proposed active, hands-on methodologies such as:

  • Case Studies: Real-world examples showing AI applications in various industries, enabling learners to connect AI concepts to practical uses.
  • Interactive Exercises: Activities that allow learners to practice using AI tools, reinforcing their understanding through application.
  • Reflection Activities: Opportunities for learners to reflect on how AI could impact their personal and professional lives.

4. Areas of AI Application in Daily Life and Work

The experts stressed the importance of covering AI’s applications in both everyday life and work settings. Examples discussed included:

  • Daily Life: Personal assistants, recommendation algorithms, and smart home technologies.
  • Professional Contexts: AI tools in data analysis, content creation, and predictive analytics, which can improve decision-making and efficiency.

They recommended incorporating industry-specific case studies to make learning relevant to participants from diverse professional backgrounds. These examples would help learners see the tangible benefits of AI and its potential to enhance their daily lives and work tasks.

5. Implementation of Didactical Modules

A modular approach to structuring didactical content was favored, as it allows learners to progress through manageable, focused sections. The experts agreed that FutureForward’s planned modules—covering everything from an Introduction to AI to AI tools in practice—offer a logical, sequential path for building AI literacy. Modular content ensures that learners can build on each topic gradually, enhancing comprehension and retention.

6. FutureForward Modules: A Solid Foundation

The experts endorsed the FutureForward module structure, which includes:

  • Introduction to AI
  • How AI Works
  • Benefits and Risks of AI
  • Transversal Tools vs. Specific Tools
  • How to Access and Use AI Tools
  • AI Tools in Practice: Examples

They noted that this progression—from foundational knowledge to practical application—addresses both theoretical understanding and hands-on experience, equipping learners with the confidence to explore AI independently.

7. FutureForward Community of Practice

The FutureForward Community of Practice was praised as a valuable resource for continuous learning and professional development. The experts highlighted several benefits:

  • Peer Support: A space for educators to share best practices, ask questions, and discuss challenges they face in teaching AI.
  • Access to Extra Resources: A repository of articles, tutorials, case studies, and tools that educators can use to stay updated and deepen their AI expertise.
  • Collaborative Learning: A platform for exchanging ideas, co-developing resources, and fostering a sense of community among AI educators, making the learning process more enriching and collaborative.

Looking Ahead: Recommendations and Future Steps

Based on the insights gathered, the FutureForward project team is set to make several enhancements to its AI curriculum:

  • Real-Life Case Studies: Integrating industry-specific examples to contextualize AI applications.
  • Ethical Discussions: Adding content on AI ethics to ensure learners approach AI use responsibly.
  • Flexible, Inclusive Resources: Providing tools like visual aids, interactive exercises, and downloadable materials to cater to diverse learning needs.
  • Expanded Community of Practice: Enhancing the Community of Practice to support peer collaboration, ongoing learning, and resource-sharing.

Through these recommendations, FutureForward aims to create an impactful, accessible AI training experience that empowers adult learners to harness AI confidently and responsibly in their daily lives and work.

*Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the Agenzia nazionale Erasmus+ INDIRE. Neither the European Union nor the granting authority can be held responsible for them. 2024-1-IT02-KA220-ADU-000253630