Tainan elementary schools embrace AI and VR to reshape learning

台南小學擁抱人工智慧（AI）和虛擬實境（VR）技術，重塑學習模式

TAIPEI (Taiwan News) — Tainan elementary schools showed off new ways to use artificial intelligence and virtual reality in educational settings during EdTech Taiwan, which closed Sunday.

Tainan City Government said Wednesday that Chongsyue and Chang-an elementary school walked visitors through how they use digital tools to help students learn. Teachers explained the goal is to get students to ask more questions and take charge of learning.

Tainan Mayor Huang Wei-che (黃偉哲) said the city has pushed digital upgrades for years and wants tech to blend into daily lessons. Huang said the next step is to build courses that use local themes and new AI tools.

Cheng Hsin-hui (鄭新輝), director-general of Tainan's education bureau, said teachers now rely on digital platforms and AI support systems to help students work at their own pace. Cheng added that VR lessons let kids step into places they could never visit in real life and turn passive learning into active exploration.

One example came from teacher Chang Wan-hsiang (張琬翔) of Chongxue Elementary, who used an AI study buddy to help students look into renewable energy issues. Students used the tool to ask questions, sort ideas, and link concepts.

Another demo came from Chang-an Elementary teacher Huang Pin-jen (黃品甄), who led students into a virtual ocean to study how sound moves underwater. The school said the VR trip helped kids build curiosity about science and the environment.

Tainan Digital Learning Promotion Office Director Kao Chih-chien (高誌健) pointed out that 58 schools now use Tainan’s digital coaching system to train teachers. Kao said the city will keep working on AI tools and data analysis so technology can boost student motivation.

EdTech Taiwan is an annual expo that brings together schools, tech firms, and educators to present new tools that can change how students learn. It is an event where cities show digital teaching projects and test out ideas for future classrooms.