Unicorn Teaching in the Primary Classroom

Abstract Book of the 5th International Education Conference

Year: 2026

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Unicorn Teaching in the Primary Classroom

Dr. Verena Reiter

ABSTRACT:

Through the emergence of AI tools, the question arises of how teaching can be adapted to these new developments. Start-ups in the technology sector have coined and defined unicorns. Unicorns comprise the following characteristics: they identify a unique niche, are customer-centered, have a scalable model and validate it through iteration and innovation. Furthermore, technology, growth and a clear vision are at the core of these unicorns as well as building strong teams. In times of AI this unicorn model can also be applied to teaching because AI generates answers to questions in seconds and scaffolding and deconstructing information becomes an essential part of teaching. This development encourages us to develop different teaching approaches and models answering the following questions: How can the next generation succeed in an enhanced AI world? In what ways can creativity and critical thinking be fostered? What teaching scenarios and methods and what school settings are useful? What kind of thinking should be trained and what thinking skills have become essential?

Keywords: Disruptive Element, Teaching, AI, Primary Classroom