Classroom 2030: Designing for the Classroom of the Future by Integrating Emerging Technologies into Secondary Education

Digital Education Futures Initiative Cambridge (DEFI)

13-17 April 2026, Cambridge, UK

Hughes Hall, University of Cambridge

Reimagining Pedagogy and Educational Leadership for a New Era

Headline: Is Your School Teaching for 1930 or 2030?

The India-AI Impact Summit 2026 sent a clear message to the world: Technology is ubiquitous, but Great Pedagogy is the differentiator.

As school governors and leaders, the challenge isn’t just installing smartboards—it’s evolving the very way our children think, argue, and create.

DEFI Cambridge, Hearth Advisors, and EduNow invite you to Classroom 2030, an exclusive immersion programme at the University of Cambridge designed to put pedagogy back at the heart of the school.

Whom is this programme for?

Target Audience: School Owners, Trustees, Governors, and Principals.

Why is this programme different?

  • Most “future of education” events focus on hardware. We focus on Heartware and Headware.
  • Dialogue over Dictation: Implement the Cambridge “Dialogic Education” framework to turn passive classrooms into vibrant hubs of inquiry.
  • Beyond the Exam: Learn to design assessments that align with NEP 2020’s focus on competencies and character, not just grades.
  • Teacher as Mentor: Transition your faculty from “Sages on the Stage” to expert facilitators of student agency.
  • Cambridge Research: Access cutting-edge insights into metacognition and the “Science of Learning.”

This isn’t just a trip to Cambridge; it’s a strategic pivot for your institution. Join a select cohort of 15-20 leaders to redefine what excellence looks like in your classrooms.

This executive residency empowers school leaders and policymakers to bridge the gap between global innovation and national mandates. By synthesising Cambridge University’s research in emerging technologies with the core pillars of India’s National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 and the National Curriculum Framework (NCF), participants will master the tools of future thinking to design inclusive, technology-driven ecosystems. Leaders will emerge with a strategic roadmap for implementing competency-based assessments and ethical AI, earning a prestigious Certificate of Participation from DEFI Cambridge

Programme Fees: INR 3,30,000 + GST (currently @18%) per participant

We would encourage early confirmation as the number of participants is limited.

The programme fees cover the course development costs by DEFI Cambridge, Hearth Advisors, and EduNow; faculty and teaching staff; teaching materials; certification charges from DEFI and Cambridge; room and teaching space; tea/coffee during the teaching sessions; and a light breakfast during the opening session. We also generally cover incidental expenses that may arise during the session (e.g., field visit entry fees).

We will also hold a sit-down Cambridge University formal hall dinner at the iconic King’s College, Cambridge, the cost of which is included in the programme fee.

What is not included:

  • Board and lodging, travel, and incidentals are not covered by the programme fees.
  • We can assist with arrangements, but we encourage participants to book directly, as we would incur administrative overhead and taxes, which increase logistics costs.

The cost estimates for what is not included at the Cambridge end are as follows:

  • Hotel in Cambridge (per night, breakfast included): £80 – £150
  • Train (best option) between London and Cambridge: £28 – £43 per journey
  • Local taxis in Cambridge (or walking, which is the best option): £10 per journey (average)
  • Lunch, dinner (cost varies as per preference)

Additionally, the international travel costs are estimated at:

  • India-UK return air ticket: INR 1,00,000
  • UK short-term visa: INR 16,5000 (we can provide invitation letters and refer travel agents)
  • Travel insurance (recommended): INR 1,500

For participants who may wish to remain in Cambridge or visit notable institutions in Oxford or London, we can explore options and provide suggestions and introductions.

Registration link: https://zfrmz.com/oNO5hrHIWeu34LPcCgCa

Regulatory and Policy Research

The Five-Day Curriculum: A Journey in Educational Innovation

  • Day 1: Schools of the Future: The Science of Learning and Future-Thinking. Understanding how the brain learns in a digital age and applying Design Thinking to school-wide curriculum design.
  • Day 2: Innovation Strategies for Education: Deep Pedagogy in Practice. Exploring “Dialogic Education”—how to facilitate classroom environments that prioritise critical thinking and collaborative problem-solving.
  • Day 3: Ethics and Inclusion in Educational Technology: Ethical challenges and inclusion in the design and deployment of AI and EdTech.
  • Day 4: The Future of Assessment: Designing internal school systems that measure what truly matters: creativity, empathy, and complex reasoning, supported by ethical data insights.
  • Day 5: Strategic Leadership for Change: Building a “Pedagogical Roadmap” for your institution. How to lead cultural change among staff, parents, and students.

There will be field trips, guest lectures and group work on every day.

Strategy

In this group project, you will work in teams to design a future-oriented curriculum for school-level instruction, with particular emphasis on integrating emerging technologies, including generative AI, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and data analytics. Your goal is to reimagine how higher education can be enhanced by these technologies, with a focus on innovation, accessibility, inclusivity, and future readiness.

Throughout the week, you will apply concepts from the lectures and workshops to develop a comprehensive curriculum that reflects the rapid advancements in educational technology. This project encourages creative, anticipatory thinking while remaining grounded in practical application within your subject area.

Project Objective:

To design a school-level curriculum that effectively integrates emerging technologies to address modern educational challenges and future needs. The curriculum should be adaptable, inclusive, and capable of fostering 21st-century skills, including digital literacy, collaboration, creativity, and critical thinking.

Deliverables:

Each group is required to submit the following by Day 5 of the course:

  1. Curriculum Design – A detailed outline of the proposed course or curriculum
  2. Presentation – On Day 5, each group will present their curriculum to the cohort

Focus Areas:

Each group should focus on the following areas while designing their curriculum:

  • Technology Integration: How are generative AI, AR, VR, or other tools used to support learning? Which tools best align with the subject area and learning outcomes? Consider practical applications and ensure the technology serves pedagogical goals.
  • Ethics & Inclusion: Ensure your curriculum is inclusive, accounting for diverse student populations and the ethical implications of AI and other emerging technologies.
  • Futures Thinking: Use futures-thinking methods to anticipate changes in the education landscape and to design a curriculum that can adapt to technological advancements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Please bring your confirmation email, a valid identification document, and any personal items you may need for the day, such as a notebook, pen, and your electronic device (laptop or tablet).

Participants will receive background reading materials about 4 weeks before the programme starts. All necessary materials, however, will be provided during the course.

Water, coffee and cookies will be provided during the programme. For lunch options, please check with our team. We will be hosting a Formal Hall dinner at King’s College on one of the programme evening. There is no extra charge for the Formal Hall.

After successfully completing the programme, participants will receive a certificate from the Digital Education Futures Initiative (DEFI) Cambridge.

The programme cost is INR 3,30,000 (exclusive of GST). To register for the programme and receive a payment invoice, please use the form available at: https://zfrmz.com/oNO5hrHIWeu34LPcCgCa

If you are unable to attend the programme, please let us know as soon as possible. If we can find someone to take your place in the programme, we will offer you a refund, after deducting an administrative fee.