As Bogotá restricts phones in schools, teachers explore AI in the classroom
The city issued a regulation that limits the use of mobile phones in both public and private schools. The post As Bogotá restricts phones in schools, teachers explore AI in the classroom appeared first on The Bogotá Post .
In Bogotá, a public school located in the Bosa neighborhood decided to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) into its curriculum through an educational initiative called PorvenIA. This project, developed by educators Lina Montenegro and Soranlly Paola Vasco Zamudio, aims to teach students how to use AI as a tool for developing their own ideas rather than merely familiarizing them with new technology.
The program, which has involved around 120 students in basic secondary education over the past three years, received third place at the International Educational Innovation Awards held in Málaga, Spain.
With the implementation of Resolution 1037 of 2026, the city of Bogotá has imposed restrictions on the use of mobile phones during school hours, including breaks, in both public and private institutions. This measure does not, however, aim to eliminate technology from classrooms, but instead seeks to define appropriate contexts for the use of mobile devices.
According to the regulation, mobile phones can be used pedagogically from the eighth grade forward, provided there is a clear purpose and learning objective, and under the supervision of a teacher. Screen time is also limited based on the students' age, while activities related to Technology and Informatics are exempt from these restrictions.
PorvenIA's approach to AI integration in education presents a unique challenge for teachers, who must strike a balance between allowing students to use AI tools responsibly and avoiding distractions or dependency. In Montenegro's computer science classes, students employ generative AI to create videos, infographics, stories, comics, and programs, all based on specific educational goals and teacher supervision.
One project, titled "Pollution Monsters," encourages students to design creatures representing various forms of environmental pollution, using AI-generated images to develop characters, and later create a board game centered on environmental care.
By transitioning from passive screen users to active participants in the learning process, students gain a deeper understanding of how technologies function. Montenegro emphasizes that the project aims to preserve students' creativity and autonomy, ensuring that AI does not replace their ability to research, analyze, and express their own ideas.
Andrés Chiappe, a professor at the Universidad de La Sabana and director of the doctoral program in Educational Innovation using ICT, cautions about the risks associated with excessive cognitive delegation. If students allow AI to perform reasoning processes they should undertake themselves, the educational value of such experiences diminishes.
Written by urgent.news from The Bogotá Post's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
