What do experts want to see in school AI adoption?
Experts are calling for educational leaders to be on the front foot with Artificial Intelligence (AI) adoption in schools.
Swinburne University of Technology’s Dr Tianchong Wang wants a framework that encourages and funds ongoing research into the impact of generative AI on learning and teaching.
The Secondary STEM Education lecturer said the framework should define the necessary knowledge, skills, and attitudes for teachers to understand Generative AI’s role in education.
Dr Wang said it should help teachers effectively integrate generative AI into their teaching practices.
He says such a framework should also provide guidance for beginning teachers and that it should consider equity, support ongoing research into the impact of AI on education.
Education ministers around the country are developing a framework to support schools and education systems in the use of AI.
AI in education systems is currently banned nationwide, apart from in South Australia, where select schools have been trialling the use of an AI chatbot app.
Experts say the line between teaching and parenting is blurring.
Pre-service teacher educator and early career researcher at Curtin University, Dr Saul Karnovsky says teachers fill the vacuum left when communities and families break down.
‘We need to give teachers the time and resources they have been calling out for. This includes helping with their administrative burden of their jobs and providing more in classroom support through specialised educational assistance,’ Dr Karnovsky said.
David Lynch, Southern Cross University TeachLab research director, said his research and development interests have focused on a rethink on teaching, teacher education and the role and skills required of school leaders to effect whole school teaching improvement.
He said there are three key things which need resolution and actioning.
‘First, define (get an industry wide consensus) what the teacher does and does not do and accordingly, develop a program that prepares people for each new role. The solution is not about trying to prepare the teacher to do all things.
‘The second is increasing research funding for education, because the field is largely piecemeal, small scale and often not specific to the day-to-day work of the teacher.’ He said education research has been underfunded and what research undertaken has not been packaged in ways that are user-friendly for teachers to consume.
‘Third is getting the theory practice regime in teacher education better calibrated. There is a dearth of informative studies into how best to prepare teachers and where there are innovative programs research capacity is limited because funding is sparse. For example, there are no studies that have follow teachers’ post-graduation over an extended period of time’.
Calls for initiatives that boost positive learning The National Catholic Education Commission (NCEC) has recommended the next National School Reform Agreement (NSRA) consider initiatives that target and boost positive learning environments, including through close engagement with parents, caregivers, and communities.
In its submission to the Federal Department of Education’s Review to Inform a Better and Fairer Education System, NCEC calls for a focus on improving student mental health and wellbeing, recognition of the shared responsibility of stakeholders for improving student outcomes and acknowledgement of the contribution that Catholic systems and schools make to school reform. Find the submission
here.
In brief: The
National Teacher Workforce Action Plan website is now live.
Find out more.
The
National Catholic Education Commission’s 2022 Annual Report is now available.
Read more.
What’s OnNational Science Week: 12-20 August with the 2023 theme ‘Innovation: Powering Future Industries’.
Find resources.
Applications for School Partnership Opportunities with Australian Schools Plus are now open. This is an opportunity for schools to secure funding, coaching and program management support for a strategic initiative that creates transformational change in school communities. Read more.
Rapid review of respectful relationships education in Australian Schools survey: School principals, wellbeing and pastoral care staff are invited to take part in an online survey on the rapid review of how respectful relationships education programs are being delivered in Australian primary and secondary schools.
Take survey before 1 September.
Delphine O’Shea grants: Open to Catholic organisations and adherents who are working with or promoting the Spiritual Exercises of St Ignatius Loyola and which can demonstrate that their ministry is in line with the purposes of the fund may apply for a grant. Applications close on Thursday, 31 August 2023. Find out more.
Jesuit Mission raffle: A $5000 shopping spree is on offer in Jesuit Mission’s annual raffle prize draw. All proceeds from the raffle go directly towards supporting at-risk communities in more than 10 countries. Entry is open to NSW, Vic and NT residents only. Purchase tickets.