Workshop - how to develop a chatbot in less than 90 minutes: hands-on workshop on emerging technologies for active learning

In recent years, the rapid advancement of digital technologies, particularly generative artificial intelligence (AI), has significantly influenced how teaching and learning are designed, delivered, and experienced within higher education. One notable and increasingly relevant application is using chatbots as supportive tools for educators and students. Chatbots can reduce administrative workload, enhance student engagement, and enrich pedagogical strategies by facilitating active learning and personalised support. Despite their potential, these tools remain underexplored in many academic environments. This workshop offers an accessible and practice-oriented introduction to chatbot development, aimed at participants from all disciplines, regardless of their technical background. Through a structured six-step methodology and the use of Microsoft Copilot Studio, attendees will be guided through designing, building, and deploying a functional chatbot for active learning. The session combines theoretical insights with hands-on activities, including discussions on the broader implications of AI in education, exploration of advanced platform features, and critical reflections on technical and pedagogical limitations. By the end of the experience, each participant will have created a chatbot prototype applicable to their teaching practices or personal projects and will have gained a deeper, more critical understanding of the challenges and opportunities presented by artificial intelligence in contemporary educational contexts.