AI tools may improve education outcomes
The National Catholic Education Commission (NCEC) says increasing awareness and understanding of AI tools across the education sector will encourage appropriate use and innovation while mitigating data, privacy and security risks.
The comments appeared in the NCEC submission to the federal government’s Inquiry into the Use of Generative Artificial Intelligence in the Australian education system.
Recommendations include research into the impacts of AI on students, development of frameworks for schools and systems to evaluate and make decisions on which tools are fit for purpose. They also called for equity of access to AI tools for students across all education sectors. Read more.
Funding boost for Catholic schools in Central Australia
Additional Commonwealth support to Central Australian schools next year will assist underfunded Catholic schools in one of the most disadvantaged parts of Australia.
The On Country Learning measure announced in the 2023-24 federal Budget committed $40 million over 2023-24 and 2024-25 to support improved attendance and engagement at the 46 schools in the Central Australia region including Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic College, St Joseph’s Catholic Flexible Learning Centre and Ltyentye Apurte Catholic School in Alice Springs. These schools are currently operating below the 100 per cent Schooling Resource Standard (SRS). Read more.
Holistic approach to education reforms
The third element of the Australian government’s review into the education system, the Universities Accord, was outlined recently at the National Press Club in Canberra by Minister for Education Jason Clare.
It follows the government’s reviews into the nation’s early childhood and school education sectors. Mr Clare said the National Press Club how the three reviews connect and had the potential to make Australia’s education system better and fairer.
Read the speech
here.
Our Lady of Good Counsel wins Victorian Kids in Space final
Students from Our Lady of Good Counsel School, Deepdene, have won the Victorian final of The Andy Thomas Space Foundation ‘Kids in Space’ program. The next stop is Adelaide for the national final in October.
A project by St Joseph’s School, Hawthorn also took out the peer prize.
The Kids in Space program challenged students to use technologies to identify and solve problems in space, or on earth, moderated against United Nations sustainability goals. Read more.
Celebrating Catholic women’s education
Australian Catholic University (ACU) is celebrating the diamond jubilee of its Signadou campus in Canberra.
The celebration will pay tribute to the Dominican sisters whose commitment to education for women, by women shaped the foundation of the campus and empowered generations of students.
The Signadou Dominican College of Education was designed to create an environment where women had the freedom and opportunity to teach and learn from one another. It was officially opened in 1963 by then Prime Minister, Sir Robert Menzies.
The Dominican sisters included First Nations women, embracing diversity and inclusion as integral elements of their educational philosophy.
In brief
Our Lady of the Sacred Heart Catholic College (OLSH) Alice Springs welcomed the federal Minister for Education, Jason Clare MP, and National Catholic Education Commission executive director Jacinta Collins this week as part of a high-level education delegation looking at the unique challenges facing central Australian schools. Read more.
A new free Artificial Intelligence-inspired (AI) app called FaithGuide will deliver quick and reliable answers to people’s questions about the Catholic Church and its teachings.
The Australian Catholic University will open a state-of-the-art human metabolic chamber at its Melbourne campus – the only one of its kind in the southern hemisphere.
What’s On
National School Improvement Colloquium: Registrations are now open for the 6th national colloquium to be held from 15-17 October, hosted by Catholic Education Western Australia. Register.
Walking Together Training – Brisbane: In this half-day workshop, participants gain a deeper understanding of who we are as a nation and how to take meaningful action towards reconciliation. The content covers the importance of a Voice to Parliament, how individuals and organisations can play a role in ensuring it is established, and why reconciliation is an ongoing journey that requires action from us all.?When: 4 Aug 2023, 12-2pm
Where: Francis Rush Centre, 196 Charlotte St (Hanly Room), Brisbane City
Register.
Train The Trainer – Brisbane: workshop is aimed at participants who have completed the Walking Together educational workshop and want to take action on the upcoming Voice referendum in their community. Trainees are provided with resources and support to facilitate educational sessions and table talk conversations within their own networks and communities.
When: 4 Aug 2023, 3-5pm
Where: Francis Rush Centre, 196 Charlotte St (Hanly Room), Brisbane City
Register.