Hackathons are short, fast-paced events where participants work in teams to develop solutions to real-world challenges. We ran an educational hackathon with pre-service teachers as a pilot CPD model to support teachers in exploring, innovating, and addressing the use of AI in their practice. During the conference, hackathon participants will be in the lobby to share their innovative solutions and reflect on their experience of the process – offering peer to peer insights.
Dr Ran Peleg is an Associate Professor in Science Education at the Southampton Education School at the University of Southampton. His research explores innovations in educational design and the design of informal learning environments, including museums, theatre and educational games. He leads the Educational Innovations Hub, a makerspace for the Southampton education community that supports creative, collaborative approaches to teaching and learning. He holds degrees in Natural Sciences and Chemical Engineering from the University of Cambridge and a PhD in Science Education from the Technion. Before joining Southampton, he gained experience as a science teacher and instructional designer, including work on EU-funded initiatives.
Dr Cyrus Golding is a Senior Teaching Fellow and Co-Director of Online Programmes in the School of Education at the University of Southampton. He advises school groups on AI adoption, curriculum and provides staff training in the UK and in Asia.
Rachele Newman is Director of Teacher Professional Learning at Southampton Education School and the co-founder of the Education Research Practice Network (ERPN). Having been a secondary teacher for 13 years, Rachele has spent a further 15 years as a Teacher Educator holding a variety of roles including Director of Initial Teacher Education.
Rachele is particularly interested in teacher professional learning, with a focus on teacher autonomy and identity. Rachele believes strongly in the importance of teacher agency in their own development and in the power of collaboration. She co-founded the ERPN to provide a collaborative space for teachers and researchers to work together, to share knowledge and ideas and drive authentic professional learning experiences for teachers and school leaders
