Teaching App Inventor, AI, and Computational Action to College Students in Japan
At a week-long workshop for college students at the Kanagawa Institute of Technology in September, I introduced MIT App Inventor as an easy-to-use yet powerful platform. Even though all the students arrived with prior programming experience, they were still amazed by how effortlessly they could build custom, functional apps and instantly deploy them to their phones.
Beyond core coding, we challenged the students to think creatively about real-world impact everyday. For instance, after building a chatbot app, they brainstormed how to tailor the technology to support a sports coach, a librarian, or an English teacher. After programming a translator app, they designed custom features to meet the needs of an elderly Japanese grandmother living in the United States.
We also explored AI from multiple angles. In addition to building AI-driven apps, we analyzed real-world case studies and debated ethical considerations. In one memorable exercise, students wrote their own jokes and compared them to AI-generated humor. The reflection was clear: true comedic timing requires an observation of human nature, a mastery of language, and a genuine love for humor that AI simply cannot replicate.
Throughout the workshop, presentation was key. Students presented, presented, and presented. It was heartwarming to watch them open up and gain confidence as the week progressed.
For their capstone project, students were tasked with building an app to assist the elderly. The room buzzed they brainstormed, developed wonderful ideas, and brought them into reality. While presenting in English was a challenge for some at first, their persistence paid off—they worked hard and delivered fantastic final presentations. The students were also coached to ask thoughtful, engaged questions after each presentation, turning the showcase into a supportive and collaborative exchange.
When AI can do a lot, we focus on using technology with empathy, creativity, and the confidence to share your ideas, empowering students to solve real problems and create a positive impact in their communities.
