Bridging Continents and Classrooms: Martha Allen Nakonechnyi Builds a Bridge Between Teachers and AI Technology

Recognizing the global need for clarity, Computer Science student from Mount St. Joseph University, Martha Allen Nakonechnyi recently traveled with a group of MSJ students to Finland where they helped build a bridge between technology and classroom practice.

Partnering with Finnish peers at Laurea University, the group set out with a purpose to help educators, primarily at the high school understand how generative AI can be used responsibly and effectively and not just to provide blackbox answers without any deeper understanding.

"My specific focus was explaining how large language models, such as ChatGPT, could be used as tutoring tools for students," Martha explains. "I showed educators how these tools could help students ask questions, receive explanations, practice difficult concepts, and work through problems while still encouraging independent thinking."

The Power of Global Cross-Collaboration

The international journey was a blend of collaborative planning and active community training. A typical working day would begin with a traditional Finnish breakfast at a local spot called Picnic, located right inside the train station connected to the student's hotel, before heading next door to Laurea University to work alongside international peers.

"At Laurea University, we worked with Finnish students to develop ideas and prepare for each of our AI training events," Martha recalls. "We discussed how artificial intelligence was viewed in Finland, compared our different experiences with AI in education, and organized the presentations and activities we would use with educators."

In photo: First full day in Finland during one of the working days for the students.

The groups spent alternating days planning how to integrate generative AI into education and working directly with educators to explain AI concepts, demonstrate practical uses, and answer questions about how these tools could be used responsibly in teaching and learning. Many of the teachers were interested in AI but were uncertain about how to use it responsibly. Some of their biggest concerns involved student misuse, inaccurate information, academic honesty, privacy, and the possibility that students might become too dependent on AI.

To ease these anxieties, the students championed a philosophy that treats artificial intelligence as a collaborator rather than a replacement.

"We explained that AI should be treated as a support tool rather than a replacement for teachers, student effort, or critical thinking. We encouraged educators to use approved tools, avoid entering personal or sensitive information, and always verify AI-generated content. We also demonstrated how teachers could give AI a clear role and purpose through better prompting. For example, instead of simply asking AI to answer a question, a teacher could ask it to act as a tutor, explain a concept at a specific grade level, provide examples, or ask the student guiding questions without immediately giving away the answer."

Demystifying AI: From Automation to Mentorship

The breakthrough for many educators came through a specific focus on transforming large language models into patient, structured mentors. By teaching instructors how to give AI a clear role and purpose through better prompting, Martha and the rest of the students unlocked a world of practical classroom applications.

In photo: Laurea University and MSJ students giving a presentation on AI as part of the University Initiatives student presentations.

"If you prompt the LLM with a prompt such as 'Pretend you are a patient tutor and need to explain adding fractions with make example and analogies,' it will take on the role not just provide answers without any critical thinking involved. Through this approach, instead of giving away answers immediately, the AI can be instructed to provide guiding questions, tailor explanations to specific grade levels, and help students practice difficult concepts while still encouraging independent thinking."

Moving forward, Martha believes teachers will implement this training by using AI to reduce repetitive preparation work, such as creating discussion questions, lesson outlines, practice activities, examples, review materials, or different versions of an explanation for students with different learning needs.

A Shared Vision for Innovation

Stepping onto the global stage ultimately revealed that despite geographical differences, the core values of education remain universal.

"This experience showed me that many of the questions surrounding AI in education are shared internationally," Martha reflects. "Even though educational systems and classroom environments may be different, teachers in both the United States and Finland are thinking about how to prepare students for a changing technological world while still protecting creativity, academic integrity, and meaningful learning."

In photo: Laurea University faculty, MSJ students, and teachers at an AI training session.

For Martha, the journey has solidified a passion for human-centered technology, emphasizing that innovation is only as good as our ability to communicate its purpose.

"The trip also strengthened my belief that technology is most valuable when it is understandable and accessible to the people using it. It is not enough to create advanced technology. We also need to help people understand how to use it confidently, safely, and in ways that solve real problems. As a computer science student, this experience encouraged me to continue exploring work that connects technology, education, and practical problem solving."

Interested in Our Artificial Intelligence Major?

Artificial intelligence is transforming how people work, communicate, learn, conduct research, solve problems, and make decisions. The Artificial Intelligence major at Mount St. Joseph University prepares students to understand how AI works, apply AI tools responsibly, and develop technical skills in programming, data, machine learning, and ethical technology use. Learn more on our program page here!