Rostock teacher uses AI to playfully promote reading in schools!

Rostock teacher uses AI to playfully promote reading in schools!

In Germany, around three million children and young people struggle to be able to read well. An ambitious school project at the St. Georg primary school in Rostock aims to counteract this trend. Here, class teacher Bianca Werner uses innovative methods to promote her students' reading skills and introduce them to the joy of reading. She attracted a lot of attention with her nomination for the German Reading Prize 2026 in the category “Outstanding Reading Promotion with Digital Media”. [Nordkurier] reports that Werner has developed a concept that is based primarily on artificial intelligence (AI) and digital media.

In order to increase the reading motivation of her fourth graders, she created a daily time window of 20 minutes dedicated to reading at the start of the 2024/25 school year. The children were actively involved in the process of writing stories. In group work, they selected main characters and worked out their characteristics. “It’s just fun!” say the students enthusiastically. Ideas for the actions came from the children themselves and were voted on anonymously - a creative process that strengthens personal responsibility.

Reading meets modern technology

One of the most exciting elements of the project is the use of artificial intelligence. However, this was only revealed later in the project so that students could learn without bias. “Working with AI was new for us,” says one student. “At times she seemed to make mistakes and that made us think.” The teachers hope that this modern approach will enable them to deal critically with digital media and their applications in everyday life. The best 20 chapters of the project were ultimately compiled into a book, available online.

Jörg F. Maas, General Manager of the Reading Foundation, recently commented and emphasized the immense social importance of promoting reading. “Every child’s future begins with reading,” he explained. The nomination of Bianca Werner highlights the importance of access to the world of reading, as confirmed by Astrid Kießling-Tascin from the Commerzbank Foundation, who congratulated the nominees and praised their commitment.

A look outside the box

Apart from these local developments, there are also interesting things to report far away from Rostock. For example, K-pop group ENHYPEN plans to release their new album “ROMANCE: UNTOLD -daydream-” on November 11th. This 2nd repackaged album promises an “unsaid love story” and includes collaborative tracks such as “Daydream” and “Your Eyes Only”. [Allkpop] highlights that the tracklist will be released on November 1st, further increasing fans' anticipation.

And while we're on the subject of education and culture, one might ponder the idea of ​​the perfect accommodation in Sydney, like the Hilton Hotel in the CBD. This hotel combines elegant design with extensive amenities, including a luxurious spa and several highly acclaimed restaurants. [Mapquest] describes the optimal transport connections that make it easier for guests to access the city's important attractions.

In the news, a local initiative to promote reading is combined with international developments in the music and hotel industries - all beacons of creative and cultural endeavors that enrich our everyday lives and make us think.