Explore tips and tools for using artificial intelligence in the classroom

Overview

What role will Artificial Intelligence (AI) play in Australian classrooms? As technology continues to evolve, our educational landscape is also evolving, and AI has emerged as a powerful tool that has the potential to reshape the way we teach and learn. The integration of AI into Australian classrooms has the potential to revolutionize education. Has it? As we navigate the challenges and opportunities presented by AI, it is crucial to prioritize ethical considerations, equitable access, and practical teacher training. By embracing AI responsibly, we can create a future where education is more personalised, efficient, and effective in preparing students for the ever-evolving world.

Some potential types of AI in Education:

1. Personalized Learning: Adaptive learning platforms that tailor educational content and experiences to individual student needs.

2. Intelligent Tutoring Systems: AI-driven tools that provide real-time feedback and guidance to students as they work through learning materials.

3. Data Analysis and Insights: AI tools that analyze student performance data to identify learning patterns and inform instructional strategies.

4. Natural Language Processing (NLP): AI applications that enable language understanding, automated grading, and language learning support.

Target Audience

Those in leadership and specialist roles, curriculum coordinators and classroom teachers.

Benefits

AI enables teachers to address the diverse learning needs of students through customized content and pacing. Intelligent tutoring systems offer immediate feedback, enhancing student engagement and comprehension. AI-driven data analysis helps educators identify strengths and weaknesses, informing instructional adjustments. AI can streamline administrative tasks, allowing educators to focus more on teaching and student interaction. Equipping educators with the skills to effectively integrate AI tools into their teaching practices. Exploring how AI can support continuous learning beyond the classroom, adapting to changing skill demands. Considering AI's potential to revolutionize education by fostering creativity, critical thinking, and collaborative skills.

Tickets

Choose from one or two day ticket options. Tickets include arrival tea/coffee, morning tea, buffet lunch and a Certificate of Attendance (mapped to APST).

Speaker: Brett Salakas, HP Education Ambassador for Australia and New Zealand

An AI Odyssey – Navigating the Future of Education"

Embark on a captivating journey with Brett Salakas, 2024 Most Influential Educator in Australia, as he explores the transformative landscape of Artificial Intelligence in education through the lens of Homer's epic, The Odyssey.  Brett intertwines the timeless narrative of Odysseus with the modern voyage educators undertake in integrating AI into leadership and strategic practice. Discover the metaphorical "storms" that can blow your initiatives off course, identify the "monsters" and pitfalls to avoid, and learn about the "compass points" that will guide you towards successful and meaningful AI integration. Brett will also showcase a selection of practical AI tools and applications designed to empower school leaders and aspiring leaders, enhancing decision-making, administrative efficiency, and educational outcomes. Join this insightful session to equip yourself with the knowledge and strategies needed to confidently steer your school community through the evolving seas of AI technology.

Speaker: Laura Barker, Lead Consultant, InnovatEd Consulting

Navigating the challenges and opportunities of AI in education

With AI reshaping industries, schools have a responsibility to prepare students for a future transformed by these tools. The rapid advancement of AI brings both exciting possibilities and complexities to the classroom. This presentation will focus on ways to design curriculum that equips students to both utilise AI and critically assess its outputs.

Speaker: Ben Lawless, Researcher, Aitken College, and The University of Melbourne

Think Like a Machine, Teach Like A Dream: Using computational thinking to supercharge your teacher productivity with AI

Let’s explore how computational thinking can transform teaching workflows by leveraging AI as a productivity multiplier. By breaking down tasks into smaller components, teachers can "farm out" repetitive or ideation-heavy processes to AI tools. While AI isn't great at delivering high-quality final outputs, it excels at brainstorming, generating ideas, and offering initial feedback, freeing teachers to focus on more nuanced and creative aspects of their work. I will demonstrate how AI can handle differentiation, data analysis, and ideation, helping teachers work smarter, not harder.

Speaker: Sharaf Goussous, Founder & CEO, XponixAI

Discussion: Integrating AI Technologies into Classroom Practice

We will have an open discussion about Strategies, Experiences, Ethical Considerations, and the Future of AI in Education.

Speaker: Steven Kolber, Curriculum Writer, University of Melbourne

Bringing democratic teaching to an AI world

How can teachers make sure that they are applying best practice teaching in the era of AI - combining ancient and modern approaches to produce a pedagogical approach that leaves students truly engaged with the world beyond their schools.

Speakers: Janine Forbes-Rolfe, Lecturer in Education, Swinburne University of Technology

The use of AI to support reading engagement and comprehension

We will explore how GenAI can be harnessed as a powerful tool to enhance teaching and planning. You will have the opportunity to actively utilise GenAI to enhance reading engagement and comprehension across all curriculum areas. Moreover, we will delve into how GenAI can support curriculum planning, all the while preserving the distinctive voice of individual teachers. This session offers a comprehensive planning component suitable for all K-12 educators.

Speaker: Michael Murphy, PhD Candidate, University of Technology Sydney

Purpose Topography Project - AI

The Purpose Topography Project - AI, is a transformative initiative that seeks to redefine educational paradigms in the context of artificial intelligence. As part of a PhD project at the University of Technology Sydney, this workshop aims to explore how AI can enhance and reshape our understanding of the purpose of education for a sustainable and thriving future. Participants will engage in a dynamic mapping exercise to visualize their perspectives on how AI can redefine educational objectives globally. The workshop will consist of three key phases:

1. Exploring AI’s Role in Education - participants will embark on a global exploration of AI's impact on educational purpose, examining literature and case studies from various contexts.

2. Interactive Mapping of Perspectives - building on the innovative research methodology, participants will engage in peer interviews during the session. This will allow them to articulate their views on AI's role in education and how these views may evolve.

3. Commitments to Action - finally, we will discuss the future implications of AI in education, encouraging participants to formulate personal action plans.

Speaker: Naz Zengin, Leading Teacher, Department of Education Victoria

Beyond Algorithms: Equipping Students for a Collaborative Future with AI

The Fourth Industrial Revolution is ushering children into a world defined by digital technology and Artificial Intelligence (AI). While technology provides vast resources and opportunities, it cannot instill the resilience needed to navigate an uncertain future. This session will inspire educators to discover meaningful approaches to help students find purpose and direction in an increasingly complex landscape.

We will explore the importance of critical thinking, creativity, and collaboration, emphasising the human skills essential for thriving alongside AI. Together, we will examine strategies to empower young generations to coexist with AI, fostering a mindset that embraces innovation while cultivating essential human qualities. Can practices like mindfulness and fostering creativity serve as vital tools for children to adapt and flourish? Join us in this engaging session as we redefine education for a new era and empower the next generation.

Speaker: Dr Hemachandran Kannan, Director of the AI Research Centre, Associate Dean of the School of Business, and Area Chair of the Analytics Department, Woxsen University

Using AI to Monitor and Support Student Mental Health: Practical Applications for Schools

This session will focus on specific AI-driven tools designed for monitoring student mental health in school settings. Dr Hemachandran will showcase how AI algorithms can detect early signs of stress, anxiety, and other mental health issues, enabling timely interventions by educators and counselors. Concrete examples of AI applications in daily school operations will be shared, with a focus on actionable strategies schools can adopt immediately.

Speaker: Clarence Goh, Senior IT Teacher, Plenty Valley Christian College

Delivering effective classroom by Harnessing the power of AI - Innovative Ideas for Projects across all subjects

We will delve into the cutting-edge advancements in artificial intelligence with a focus on object recognition technologies. By leveraging AIs ability to analyze and interpret visual and audio data, industries ranging from education to autonomous systems are being transformed. We will explore practical use cases, including how AI-powered object recognition enhances classroom learning environments and improves efficiency in various real-world scenarios that are practical and can be employed in the classroom across a range of subjects. Attendees will gain insights into the latest innovations, tools, and techniques that are making AI object recognition and speech recognition more accessible, accurate, and impactful.

Speaker: Sharaf Goussous, Founder & CEO, XponixAI

AI in the Classroom

This presentation explores how artificial intelligence is revolutionising education by addressing the diverse learning needs of students through customised content and pacing. It explains the role of intelligent tutoring systems that offer immediate feedback, enhancing student engagement and comprehension. The session highlights how AI-driven data analysis helps educators identify student strengths and weaknesses, informing instructional adjustments for improved learning outcomes. Additionally, it discusses how AI can streamline administrative tasks, allowing educators to focus more on teaching and student interaction.
The presentation emphasises equipping educators with the skills to effectively integrate AI tools into their teaching practices. It also explores how AI supports continuous learning beyond the classroom, adapting to changing skill demands. By considering AI's potential to foster creativity, critical thinking, and collaborative skills, the session underscores its transformative impact on education and prepares students for the future.

Speaker: Shynade Smith, Teacher, Mackillop Catholic College

Empowering Classrooms with AI: Harnessing Innovative Tools for Engaged Learning

This session will explore the evolving role of AI in education, focusing on practical applications at MacKillop Catholic College. We will begin by outlining our current policies on AI, providing insight into how our school and the wider Diocese approach AI integration. We will then introduce a range of AI tools and resources that are currently being used by both staff and students. You’ll learn how AI is helping staff streamline their workload, allowing for more time to focus on meaningful teaching practices.

Additionally, we'll showcase how AI supports students, enabling them to engage more deeply with their learning and achieve higher standards. Whether you're new to AI or looking to expand its use in your school, this session will offer valuable insights into how AI can transform both teaching and learning environments.

Speaker: Dr Ken Silburn, STEM Ambassador, Science and Technology Australia

AI: Effect on education and our future workforce. Message from the chalk face

Dr Ken Silburn is a science educator, communicator, certified Google Trainer, and Microsoft expert who is passionate about teaching 21st-century Skills and increasing students' educational opportunities globally. Ken will help us explore the AI landscape and its implications for teaching, learning, and students' employment prospects.

Speaker: Dr Suzana Sukovic, Director of Research and Publication, PLC Sydney

Artificial intelligence for natural minds: Educators’ perspectives on AI in schools

Education is often seen as one of the most promising areas for transformation through generative AI. While much of the attention focuses on cutting-edge AI adoption in schools and higher education, combined with some practical advice, the picture of what is happening in everyday classrooms remains less explored.

This presentation draws on insights from a year-long investigation into educators’ perspectives on AI, and a range of school practices. Through interviews with leading education experts and focus groups with teachers directly involved in AI adoption, educators discussed the opportunities, challenges, and practical realities of bringing AI into the classroom. I will highlight the different ways in which schools approach AI adoption and will discuss how this research informed PLC Sydney’s AI strategy, providing a case study in how schools are navigating this complex educational and technological landscape.