Wednesday, November 12, 2025, Joensuu, Finland

Introduction

Cognitive, socio-cultural, and critical traditions within the learning sciences have long provided solid foundations for computer science education research. Each of these traditions has different theoretical underpinnings and priorities, as they typically place emphasis on cognitive processes, participation in social practices, fostering critical consciousness about the impact of and social construction of computing, and/or cultivating collective action against oppressive socio-technical practices.

The theories of learning within these traditions offer essential foundations for diverse pedagogical models, classroom practices, and learning research. However,  in AI education (i.e., teaching students how AI works and how to create new technologies with AI) discussions about the field’s learning-theoretical foundations are only just beginning to emerge.

To deepen such discussions, this one day workshop, organized jointly between the CreateAI and Generation AI consortia, brings together researchers from diverse disciplinary backgrounds to share their theoretical expertise, empirical insights, and value-driven aspirations for how contemporary learning theories can offer conceptual tools and different levels of explanation for understanding, studying, and promoting learning and agency in and for AI education.

At the same time, the workshop aims to encourage critical reflection on how to conceptualize and foster learning and agency at individual,  social, and societal levels through AI education research. In doing so, we seek to create a space for inter- and trans-disciplinary theoretical dialogue about how we can collectively advance the complex goal of providing equitable AI education, where opportunities for culturally-sustaining learning and agentic action are valued, expanded, and understood .

Before the workshop, attendees will submit short vignettes envisioning possible AI education futures. These vignettes will then be presented and used within the workshop (details will be sent to attendees prior to the workshop). The workshop will include theory-focused talks and collaborative writing. The collective output will be a theory-rich manifesto for AI education, synthesizing contributions from different traditions.

Workshop organizers

• Professor Matti Tedre, School of Computing, University of Eastern Finland
• Associate Professor R. Benjamin Shapiro, Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science & Engineering, University of Washington
• Dr. Henriikka Vartiainen, School of Applied Educational Sciences and Teacher Education, University of Eastern Finland

Workshop program

The full day workshop starts in the morning of Wednesday, November 12. The detailed workshop program will be announced soon.

Workshop venue and travelling

The pre-conference workshop will held at the University of Eastern Finland, Joensuu campus. The exact location of the workshop in the campus will be announced later.

The pre-conference participants may book a hotel in Joensuu for two nights (Tuesday November 11 – Thursday November 13). The recommended hotels within a walking distance from the workshop venue are as follows.

• Scandic Joensuu
• Original Sokos Hotel Vaakuna
• Lietsu Boutique Aparthotel
• Greenstar Joensuu
• Omena Hotel Joensuu

Please, note that accommodation in Joensuu is not part of the conference package for the main conference, but the workshop participants are expected to book and cover these hotel costs separately.

The Koli Calling bus to the main conference at Break Sokos Hotel Koli will depart from Joensuu at Thursday morning, November 13. Exact time and the pick-up locations will be announced closer to the event for the registered participants who are joining to the main conference at Koli. The Koli conference bus takes the participants back to Joensuu after the conference on Sunday morning. Please, refer the conference website for more details about the schedule.

Workshop registration and participation fee

A registration fee of 15 EUR will be collected to cover lunch and coffee during the workshop. This fee may be paid together with the main conference registration. If you are participating only for the workshop, and not to the main conference, please contact the organizers at conference@kolicalling.fi for registration.