AI in the Classroom

A 2-part intensive training course for Principals & School Leader to navigate policy, governance and implementation of AI in schools and classrooms.

Participants may book 1 day or 2 days. It is assumed that participants booking day 2 only and exclusively will already have an established AI policy in their school.

Day 1 – AI Governance, Policy & Strategy for your School

A practical 1-day workshop to equip Principals and Senior Leaders of New Zealand primary and secondary schools or kura with the knowledge, tools, and confidence to lead the development of a future-focused digital strategy that incorporates AI. With a strong focus on governance, this session explores the opportunities, limitations, and risks of AI, and provides hands-on experience with leading AI tools to support effective planning, policy development, and engagement with your school board and community.

Day 2 – AI in the Classroom – Enhancing learning, teaching and assessment practice

Designed for educators to build confidence and understanding of AI in teaching practice to enhance student learning, facilitate equity in learning and the opportunity to optimise assessment.

This course day is designed for those participants that already have an established AI policy in place in their school, or are also registering to attend day 1.

Day 1 – AI Governance, Policy & Strategy for your School

Day 1 - Course outcomes

Understanding risks, opportunities for AI in your school and community
The hallmarks of a good AI policy
Walk away with a draft AI policy for your school
Understand pathways to effective engagement and implementation with board, business, teachers, students and caregivers
Establish metrics for measuring and monitoring outcomes
Build confidence to lead AI and digital strategy in your school or kura
Understand your management responsibilities and the governance role of the board
Learn how to create your own AI-powered and customised Digital Strategy Assistant
Walk away with a draft digital strategy and AI assistant for ongoing support

What you will need

Participants will need a laptop with internet access

Workshop Content

Welcome & Scene Setting

Workshop goals and outcomes for school boards and leaders
Introductions: mapping where you are at on your AI journey
Essential AI literacy for school leaders, focused on risk, responsibility, and opportunity. The principles of effective safe, responsible, and values‑led AI in schools
Understanding the governance and management dimensions of AI integration

Overview of AI Opportunities, Limitations and Risks

What AI is and how it’s being used in schools or kura
Responsibilities under the Education and Training Act 2020
Implications for your board’s decision-making and oversight
Opportunities: use cases for GenAI in school leadership
Risks and mitigation strategies: privacy, copyright, equity and fairness, and Māori data sovereignty
What schools should not be using AI for, and why

Governance and Your Board's Role in AI Adoption

Board responsibilities under New Zealand governance frameworks
Key oversight questions your board should ask
- Does this align with our vision and values?
- Are equity and inclusion considered?
- Are our policies and risk management processes fit for purpose?
- How will we monitor and evaluate the impact on student outcomes?
- What practical reporting and assurance should boards expect from principals?What are the Te Tiriti o Waitangi and digital equity obligations?
- How are decisions around digital technology impacting on student learning outcomes?

Building a Governance-Aligned Digital Strategy

Core elements of an effective school or kura digital strategy
Aligning AI adoption with your school’s vision, risk management, and resourcing
Building policies and frameworks that support strategic decisions
Adapting existing policies rather than creating entirely new ones
Connection to existing health and safety, privacy, and curriculum policies

Hands-on AI Experience

Assessing your schools’ digital readiness
Building a customised Digital Strategy Assistant using AI tools
Applying the AI Assistant to produce the first draft of your school’s Digital Strategy
Creating an AI tool to assist with Privacy Impact Assessments

Final Wrap-Up and Next Steps

Summary of tools, templates, and checklists
Creating your personal action plan
How to engage effectively with your board on AI and digital strategy

Day 2 – AI in the Classroom – Enhancing learning, teaching and assessment practice

Designed for educators to build confidence and understanding of AI in teaching practice to enhance student learning, facilitate equity in learning and the opportunity to optimise assessment.

This course day is designed for those participants that already have an established AI policy in place in their school, or are also registering to attend day 1.

Day 2 - Course outcomes

Increased confidence using AI tools safely in teaching practice

Clear understanding of ethical, legal, and privacy considerations
Practical examples of how AI can support learning, not replace teaching
Shared understanding of appropriate student use of AI
Alignment between classroom practice and school AI policy
Clear next steps for implementation within their school context

What you will need

Participants will need a laptop with internet access

Workshop Content

AI literacy for educators

What AI is and is not in an educational context
The difference between support tools and decision making tools
Building shared language across staff

Safe and ethical classroom use

Privacy, data protection, and age appropriate use
Copyright, originality, and academic integrity
Modelling ethical use for students

Tools in practice

Overview of Copilot, Gemini, and NotebookLM
Strengths, limitations, and appropriate use cases
When not to use AI tools

Teacher enablement and confidence

Prompting as a teaching skill, not a technical one
Reducing workload without reducing professional judgement
Supporting reluctant or cautious staff

Equity, inclusion, and accessibility

Using AI to support diverse learners
Avoiding bias and unintended harm
Aligning use with school values and community expectations

Assessment and student facing practice

What ethical AI use looks like for students
Designing tasks that remain valid in an AI enabled world
Consistency with school policy and expectations

From policy to practice

Translating AI policy into everyday classroom guidance
Shared expectations across teams
Practical next steps for schools

Facilitated by Danny Bedingfield, Learning, Development & AI Specialist

Empowering organisations to navigate their digital and AI transformation journeys, Danny is a certified consultant and facilitator bringing deep expertise across the Microsoft, Google, and Apple ecosystems. Danny supports schools, tertiary institutions, commercial enterprises, and government agencies to embrace technology and AI in meaningful, ethical, and sustainable ways.

Danny is a Microsoft Certified Trainer, Google Certified Coach & Trainer, and Apple Professional Learning Specialist, offering a unique ability to integrate platforms into cohesive solutions that drive collaboration, creativity, and productivity.

Danny works with organisations to design and deliver AI adoption strategies, cloud integration, and end-to-end solutions aligned to strategic goals. From redefining education through innovative tools to enabling commercial and government sectors to leverage generative AI responsibly, their focus is on creating sustainable, long-term impact.

With over 15 years of experience in learning design and facilitation, Danny combines strong technical capability with a human-centred approach. Their relaxed and engaging style makes complex concepts accessible, tailoring learning experiences to diverse audiences, including alternative learners requiring accessible solutions.

Danny Bedingfield

Facilitator - Learning, Development & AI Specialist

Register for this Event

This is a 1 or 2 day course.
Courses start 9am (coffee & registration from 8.30am) and run until 4.30pm / 5.00 pm each day.

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Auckland

September 15, 2026

Day 1 – AI Governance, Policy & Strategy for your School

September 16, 2026

Two Different Days, Book One Day or Both

Christchurch

November 19, 2026

Day 1 – AI Governance, Policy & Strategy for your School

*Booking both days – tickets are for
same attendee – tickets cannot be shared.

Brightstar offer inhouse training courses to suit your team’s learning needs and location. If you have groups of 4 or more people, please inquire for rates and dates.