Join Rappler’s ‘AI in classroom’ workshop for educators on November 29 

As generative AI transforms the way Filipinos work, communicate, and learn, educators in the Philippines face a critical question: How can we integrate these tools responsibly into our classrooms while keeping human judgment and critical thinking at the center?

Rappler, through its learning platform RappLearn, is hosting a one-day, hands-on workshop titled, “Teaching and Thinking in the Age of AI,” on Saturday, November 29, 2025, at the Rappler newsroom. It is designed to help Filipino educators make sense of generative AI and apply it responsibly in their classrooms. 

The session moves beyond the hype and fear, combining foundational knowledge of how generative AI tools work, with practical exercises for meaningful application.

About the workshop and resource persons

By the end of the workshop, participants will understand how AI is transforming the world of work and education, learn the basics of generative AI, gain hands-on experience with AI tools, and explore ways to keep learning human-centered while safeguarding critical thinking and academic integrity. 

Rappler’s own experiences reflect this evolving landscape. Through its development of Rai, a newsroom chatbot built with strong editorial guardrails, and the publication of its Guidelines on Artificial Intelligence, it has effectively harnessed AI in its operations while recognizing that AI should never replace human judgment, critical thinking, or ethical decision-making. 

The workshop will be led by Gemma Mendoza, Rappler’s head of digital services, and Don Kevin Hapal, head of data and innovation at The Nerve, a digital forensics consultancy born from Rappler’s investigative work on disinformation.

Gemma Mendoza is an award-winning investigative journalist who leads Rappler’s initiatives on fact-checking, digital literacy, and community workshops. She has pioneered projects connecting journalism and data with citizen action, providing a strong foundation for teaching critical thinking and responsible AI use.

Don Kevin Hapal brings expertise in AI strategy, digital forensics, and understanding how disinformation is weaponized. His work offers participants practical insights into the opportunities and risks of AI in education and learning design.

The one-day workshop, from 9 am to 4 pm, will cover the following topics: 

• AI, the Future of Work, and Our Students – This session connects classroom teaching with the fast-changing world of work. It highlights why AI literacy is essential and helps teachers understand the skills and tools their students will need in the modern workplace.
  
  
• Demystifying Generative AI – This module explains generative AI in simple, non-technical terms, helping participants understand how these tools work, how they “think,” and why they sometimes make mistakes.
  
  
• Hands-on Lab: Practical AI for the Classroom – In this hands-on session, participants will use AI tools to explore their capabilities and limits. They will practice writing effective prompts, evaluating AI outputs, and learning how to teach these skills to students.
  
  
• Protecting Critical Thinking in the AI Era – This session highlights AI’s risks to critical thinking and learning. It helps teachers shift from being the sole source of knowledge to guiding and assessing students’ thinking and human-centered skills.
  
  
• Quick Takeaways & Practical Assessments – The workshop wraps up with a short synthesis activity, where participants apply lessons learned in a sample module. 

How to join the workshop

The workshop is open to Filipino educators, education advocates, and professionals. Individuals or groups can register through the registration form below until November 28, 2025. 

The workshop fee for individuals is ₱15,000 each, covering participation, materials, tools and additional resources. Early bird rates are available until November 16, while group discounts apply for those registering at least 5 number of participants.

For additional information or questions, email learn@rappler.com. – Rappler.com