Call for Consultants: Design and delivery of training for ICT teachers on micro:bit and AI

Two Consultants – Design and delivery of training for ICT teachers on micro:bit and AI for Central Bosnia and Zenica Doboj Cantons as part of the 21st Century Schools programme – phase II

1. Background

The 21st Century Schools programme - phase two, builds up on 10 million GBP Western Balkan 21st Century Schools Programme funded by the UK Government and implemented by the British Council between October 2018 and May 2022 and British Council consequent programmes, Pilot Western Balkans 21st Century Schools programme for lower grade primary school teachers implemented from November 2021 to March 2022. This programme was designed to build up on the previously implemented programmes to respond to demand from WB Governments to ensure additional support, especially for scaling up the programme to lower grade primary school teachers, with the aim to enhance CTPS and coding skills in children 6-10 years old. Its goal is to foster an educational environment that encourages innovation and prepares students to leverage new technologies in their future careers, contributing to the region’s economic development.

The programme is closely aligned with ongoing education reforms in the region. Most recently, it has expanded to include development and delivery of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Education pilot programme with the aim to promote responsible use of artificial intelligence (AI) in primary and lower secondary education. The training modules will be designed in line with the ongoing reform of ICT curriculum in Central Bosnia and Zenica Doboj Cantons with aim of equipping teachers and learners with the skills to use micro:bit and understand, apply, and critically engage with AI in the classroom. Although Western Balkan countries are actively advancing digitalisation in education, specific policies or guidance on the use of AI in primary and lower secondary education remain underdeveloped. However, the existing emphasis on digital skills, infrastructure, and curriculum reform provides a strong foundation for AI integration in a pedagogically sound and policy-aligned manner. Moreover, as the PISA 2029 will introduce an additional set of questions related to Media & Artificial Intelligence Literacy (MAIL) assessment, pilot training will be developed to ensure that children are adequately prepared for upcoming testing. The training modules will be designed with the aim to capacity build teachers to use micro:bit and AI in educational process in an adaptable, responsible and critically considered way, in accordance with pedagogical, ethical and legal frameworks. Up to 100 ICT teachers in two cantons in Bosnia and Herzegovina will be trained during two-day face to face training as follows: up to 55 teachers from Central Bosnia canton; 30 ICT teachers from Zenica Doboj canton and up to 20 trainers will undergo two-day ToT training and mentoring scheme.

Specific objectives of the training programme are to enable participants to:

• Understand the basic principles of artificial intelligence and its potential applications in teaching and learning.
• Acquire practical skills in using micro:bit and AI tools for the preparation, delivery, and evaluation of the teaching process.
• Develop critical thinking and a responsible attitude toward the use of AI in education.
• Gain insight into the ethical, legal, and pedagogical challenges of applying AI and learn strategies to address them.
• Explore and encourage innovative approaches to teaching through the integration of AI, tailored to students’ needs and the teaching context.

2. Scope of Work

The Consultants will be responsible for, but not limited to, the following tasks.

A) Designing and preparing materials for face-to-face workshops for teachers, including materials on:

• overview of the basic features of the micro:bit and an introduction to the MakeCode environment.
• differences between versions v.1 and v.2,
• presentation of environment for coding in Python (both online and offline) with examples; activities or projects applying the micro:bit.
• prompt engineering and proper communication with AI,
• the use of AI as a teaching assistant (supporting teachers in lesson preparation, creating quizzes, evaluating student work, creating textual and visual materials),
• exercises to develop critical thinking in teachers through analysis of AI responses and error recognition,
• ethical and safe use of AI in teaching for both teachers and students,
• practical activities and demonstrations of integrating micro:bit AI in classroom teaching.

B) Designing and preparing materials for train the trainer workshop for local trainers, including materials on:

• the use of AI as a teaching assistant (supporting teachers in lesson preparation, creating quizzes, evaluating student work, creating textualand visual materials),
• exercises to develop critical thinking in teachers through analysis of AI responses and error recognition,
• ethical and safe use of AI in teaching for both teachers and students,
• practical activities and demonstrations of integrating AI in classroom teaching.
• overview of the basic features of the micro:bit and an introduction to the MakeCode environment.
• differences between versions v.1 and v.2,
• presentation of environment for coding in Python (both online and offline) with examples; activities or projects applying the micro:bit.
• prompt engineering and proper communication with AI

C) Mentoring trained local trainers:

• support local trainers to prepare for training sessions
• attend training sessions and provide feedback for further development
• provide short report on mentoring outlining recommendations for further work

D) Preparing materials for workshop evaluation and supporting the collection of participant feedback.

3. Deliverables

• Training content and materials for ICT teacher training on micro:bit and AI designed.
• Training content and materials for train the trainer programme
• Workshop materials, tutorials, and presentations for training designed.
• Training for up to 55 ICT teachers from Central Bosnia canton, 30 ICT teachers from Zenica Doboj Canton, and ToT for up to 20 delivered.

4. Timeline

The estimated duration of the consultancy is from 1 December 2025 to 31 March 2026.

Each consultant is expected to work up to 30 consultancy days.

5. Required qualifications

Educational and Professional Background:

• Bachelor’s degree (or higher) in Education, ICT, Instructional Design, Educational Technology, or related discipline.
• Minimum 5 years of professional experience in teacher training, instructional design, or curriculum development, ideally within the formal education sector.
• Proven experience in developing teacher professional learning programs
• Demonstrated understanding of education systems, policy frameworks, and curriculum alignment processes in public education contexts.

Technical and Pedagogical Expertise:

• strong understanding of Artificial Intelligence in Education (AIED), including:
• classroom applications of AI (e.g., adaptive learning, assessment support, content generation tools);
• AI ethics, data privacy, bias, and digital literacy;
• emerging trends in AI pedagogy for secondary-level learners;
• deep knowledge of teaching and learning strategies for ages 11–15, emphasizing inquiry-based, project-based, and competency-based approaches;
• experience designing blended, online, and in-person training modules using authoring and learning management tools (e.g., Articulate, Rise, Moodle, Canva, Genially, or equivalent);
• ability to translate complex AI and digital concepts into practical, classroom-ready;
• training experiences for teachers with varying levels of digital literacy;
• proficiency in English.

6. Reporting and supervision

The consultants will provide regular reports to the designated focal point at the British Council. Regular coordination meetings will be held to ensure alignment with project expectations and milestones.

7. How to Apply

Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) and Safeguarding

The British Council is committed to policies and practices of equality, diversity and inclusion across everything we do. We want to address under representation and encourage applicants from under-represented groups, in particular, but not exclusively, on grounds of ethnicity and disability.

The British Council is committed to safeguarding children, young people and adults who we work with. We believe that all children and adults everywhere in the world deserve to live in safe environments and have the right to be protected from all forms of abuse, maltreatment and exploitation as set out in article 19, UNCRC (United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child) 1989.