The Challenge

When generative AI tools like ChatGPT burst into the mainstream, classrooms became an immediate frontline. Students were already using the tools, often before teachers had a chance to understand them. Educators faced a gap: they needed to guide students on responsible AI use, but many lacked the training, resources, or confidence to do so.

In a pioneering partnership, Microsoft teamed up with us to create the “Classroom Toolkit: Unlocking Generative AI Safely and Responsibly.” This innovative toolkit aims to enlighten educators and students on the safe and responsible use of generative AI tools, such as ChatGPT and Microsoft Copilot. Given the burgeoning popularity of these AI tools in educational settings, the project seeks to bridge the knowledge gap and support the education sector.

Research First

The toolkit's conception began in 2023, a time when the world was actively grappling with the effects of generative AI on education. To understand the challenges faced by educators, we started by surveying teachers to understand their current comprehension and use of generative AI in education. The findings confirmed the gap: most educators had received little to no formal training on the topic, despite strong interest in learning more. This insight shaped everything that followed — the toolkit needed to meet teachers where they were, not assume prior expertise.

The Classroom Toolkit

Working with Microsoft, we developed Unlocking Generative AI Safely and Responsibly — a classroom toolkit designed for students aged 13–15. Rather than a dry instructional guide, we built the resource around storytelling: two narrative characters, Gina and Alex, guide students through real-world AI scenarios involving content fabrication, privacy, bias, and mental wellbeing.

The toolkit includes:

• Lesson slides with flexible pacing (deployable as a single 90-minute session or four shorter parts)

• A teacher's guide with facilitation notes

• A classroom agreement template for establishing shared norms around AI use

• A classroom poster on prompt engineering fundamentals

• Hands-on exercises where students interact directly with tools like Microsoft Copilot

The resource is co-branded with Microsoft and published on the Microsoft Educator Centre, making it freely accessible to teachers globally.

Train-the-Trainer Sessions to Build Educator Capacity

A toolkit only works if teachers feel confident using it. To support adoption, we developed a comprehensive training layer:

• Online webinars: A series of train-the-trainer sessions walking educators through the toolkit and its pedagogical approach

• In-person training: A dedicated session at the National Library Board in Singapore for local educators

• Video resources: Four training videos covering foundational concepts, lesson planning and pacing, AI applications in education, and a full classroom walkthrough demonstrating how to teach with the toolkit

What Makes This Different

Most AI safety resources tell students what not to do. This toolkit is designed to build practical judgement – helping students understand how generative AI works, where it can go wrong, and how to use it as a tool rather than a shortcut. The storytelling approach keeps students engaged; the hands-on exercises ensure they leave with real skills, not just warnings.

For teachers, the combination of ready-to-use materials and layered training support means the toolkit can be picked up and delivered without extensive preparation — critical for educators already stretched thin.