New program brings Indigenous scientific knowledge to the classroom

CSIRO, Australia’s national science agency, and Chevron Australia have today launched a new program, ‘Living STEM’, aimed at connecting students to Indigenous scientific knowledge in the classroom.

<https://www.csiro.au/en/news/All/News/2023/August/CSIRO-and-Chevron-Australia-launch-Living-STEM>

living STEM brings first nations knowledge to the classroom

Chevron Australia is proudly partnering with CSIRO to deliver the Living STEM program – enhancing the connection between First Nations’ knowledge and the classroom.

<https://australia.chevron.com/news/2023/living-stem-brings-first-nations-knowledge-to-the-classroom>

Draft schools AI framework open for consultation

The next step in developing a framework to guide the safe and effective use of artificial intelligence in the nation’s schools is underway with the draft being released for consultation.

<https://ministers.education.gov.au/clare/draft-schools-ai-framework-open-consultation>

Schools AI framework to grant students access to ChatGPT

Students would be allowed to use generative AI tools like ChatGPT for assessments under a draft framework developed by a taskforce of experts to guide the safe and ethical use of the technology in Australian schools.

<https://www.innovationaus.com/schools-ai-framework-to-grant-students-access-to-chatgpt/> 

Ethical AI in the classroom: National taskforce releases draft framework

The federal government is calling for submissions on an artificial intelligence (AI) framework in schools, following an agreement by state and territory education ministers to release the document for feedback.

<https://www.themandarin.com.au/226589-ethical-ai-in-classroom-national-taskforce-releases-draft-framework/>

AI framework to allow use of ChatGPT in schools [subscription]

Students will likely be allowed to use generative artificial intelligence tools like ChatGPT at school soon.

<https://educationhq.com/news/ai-framework-to-allow-use-of-chatgpt-in-schools-152090/>

Designing learning to their needs: new report charts way forward for AI in schools [subscription]

Rapid advances in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and experiences from the shift to remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic all demand practical strategies to ensure education remains human-centred as new tools alter teaching and learning, a new report argues.

<https://educationhq.com/news/designing-learning-to-their-needs-new-report-charts-way-forward-for-ai-in-schools-152085/>

Science program to boost Indigenous girls in tech [subscription]

From bush-food management to cultural burning and astronomy, science has always played a fundamental role in the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

<https://educationhq.com/news/science-program-to-boost-indigenous-girls-in-tech-152071/>

Immersive technology and teacher capacity

‘The result of unresolved concerns could well lead to an unwillingness to use immersive technology with students. Yet, often, the barriers are surmountable.’ Dr Susan O’Donnell and Adrian Rayner, from the VR Learning & Design Hub, look at teacher’s prior concerns and some of the solutions.

<https://www.teachermagazine.com/au_en/articles/immersive-technology-and-teacher-capacity>

Teacher Staffroom Episode 49: Technology to engage students and enhance learning

Augmented Reality is an immersive tool that allows students to engage in learning in new and exciting ways. This month on Teacher, we shared a few stories on the topic of Augmented Reality and technology in education, which we share with you in this episode.

<https://www.teachermagazine.com/au_en/articles/teacher-staffroom-episode-49-technology-to-engage-students-and-enhance-learning>

Immersive technology in education – our Augmented Reality journey

‘…we strive to ensure that all modules open up learning opportunities for all students, regardless of their academic abilities, by building in learning differentiation rather than simply bolting on at a later stage.’ Dr Susan O’Donnell and Adrian Rayner discuss the AR modules designed and developed by the Learning & Design Hub for use by F-6 students.

<https://www.teachermagazine.com/au_en/articles/immersive-technology-in-education-our-augmented-reality-journey>

NSW high schools to get four new digital and IT subjects in 2024

Students in NSW will have access to four new digital and IT subjects from the 2024 school year, in the first major overhaul of the state’s computing technology curriculum since 2003.

<https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/parenting/school-life/nsw-high-schools-to-get-four-new-digital-and-it-subjects-in-2024/news-story/6f0bb8a518fb3f896be3b482917628d9>

A virtual Achilles? Teaching ancient worlds through VR

Teaching agendas have been recently dominated by discussions about the use of Virtual Reality in education. Schools and universities have been eager to consider the benefits of teaching with VR together with creative ways in which it can help promote meaningful education. Humanities have a very important role to play in the exploration of these benefits. Right now, there are pockets of VR exploration across the discipline but there is little work concerning the teaching and learning of ancient languages and literature, meaning we are still at the very beginning of a long and exciting road of exploring technological marvels that can facilitate the transmission of knowledge about the ancient world.

<https://www.bettshow.com/bett-articles/virtual-achilles-teaching-ancient-worlds-through-vr>

UNESCO concerns on regulation of education tech

A report from UNESCO on technology in education has highlighted what it describes as a “lack of appropriate governance and regulation”.

<https://www.lawsociety.ie/gazette/top-stories/2023/july/unesco-concerns-on-regulation-of-education-tech>

Call for Chapters: Transforming Education With Generative AI: Prompt Engineering and Synthetic Content Creation

Intro: The rise of generative AI marks a momentous stride in the evolution of Large Language Models (LLMs) within the sphere of Natural Language Processing (NLP). This advancement brings profound implications in numerous aspects of our lives, especially in education (Bozkurt et al., 2023). Central to the interaction between humans and generative AI is the essential engagement in in-depth dialogues between both parties, underscoring the importance of meticulously constructed prompts which necessitates a profound grasp of prompt engineering (Bozkurt & Sharma, 2023). An essential aspect of prompt engineering is ensuring that our prompts enable the generation of authentic content. This necessitates crafting prompts that are carefully tailored and well-structured.

<http://www.asianjde.com/ojs/index.php/AsianJDE/announcement/view/16>

Points taken from this working group

Adobe Summit
This is a great opportunity for our members to learn about the latest trends in digital marketing and communications. The summit will feature keynote presentations from industry leaders, as well as breakout sessions on a variety of topics.

Business Mindset

Using resources from GROK Learning, students develop the skills they need to be successful in the workplace and understand the importance of risk management and data security.

Other points covered were:

• The applications of decision support systems and expert systems

• The hardware used in intelligent systems

• The disruptive effects of intelligent systems

• The social and ethical issues of intelligent systems

• The current and emerging technologies associated with intelligent systems

• The role of intelligent systems in surveillance

• The creation of intelligent systems

Units that were being developed
Year 11

Unit 1 - Interactive media and the user experience

This unit will focus on developing front-end web applications. Students will learn about data journalism and data science, and how to visualise data using graphs and charts. They will also learn about VR and low-code options for developing apps.

Unit 2 - Networking systems and social computing

This unit will cover communication systems, network theory, and network diagrams. Students will learn about Raspberry Pi and Microbit devices, and how to configure them to model a network.

Unit 3 - Principles of cybersecurity

This unit will focus on the principles of cybersecurity. Students will learn about privacy policies, data security, and how to protect their own data. They will also learn about the attributes of a data breach.

Year 12

Unit 1 - Data science

This unit will focus on data science, including data collection, storage, and analysis. Students will learn how to develop front-end web applications for data visualisation.

Unit 2 - Data visualisation

This unit will focus on data visualisation using Excel and other tools. Students will learn how to create infographics and other visual representations of data.

Unit 3 - Intelligent systems

This unit will focus on intelligent systems, including chatbots. Students will learn how to design and implement chatbots that can interact with users in a natural way.

Unit 4 - Enterprise project

This unit will focus on a capstone project that will allow students to apply the skills they have learned throughout the year.

The discussion provided ideas for teaching software automation in the HSC Software Engineering course.

The following was discussed:

• • Algorithms in machine learning

  • Distinguishing between artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML)

  • Exploring models of training ML

  • Supervised learning

  • Unsupervised learning

  • Semi-supervised learning

  • Reinforcement learning

• The document provides a variety of resources for teaching these topics, including videos, articles, and online learning platforms.

• The document also suggests ways to differentiate instruction to meet the needs of all students.

Here are some of the key takeaways

• Machine learning is a powerful tool that can be used to automate tasks.

• There are different types of machine learning, each with its own strengths and weaknesses.

• It is important to understand the different types of machine learning in order to choose the right one for a particular task.

• There are a variety of resources available to help teachers teach machine learning.

Other thoughts

• The HSC Software Engineering unit should include a section on software automation, with a focus on machine learning (ML).

• This section should start by defining AI and ML, and then discuss how ML can be used to automate tasks through DevOps, robotic process automation (RPA), and business process automation (BPA).

• The section should also cover the different models of training ML, including supervised learning, unsupervised learning, semi-supervised learning, and reinforcement learning.

• There are a number of resources that can be used to teach this section, including videos, online learning systems, and interactive quizzes.

The list includes resources on drones, droids, and robots, as well as motivation for learning this unit, and control systems with sensors-controller-actuators.

The resources are from a variety of sources, including the Australian Science Week website and the Boston Dynamics YouTube channel.

Here are some specific resources that the working group recommends:

• The online booklet "Drones, Droids, and Robots" from the Australian Science Week website.

• The Boston Dynamics YouTube channel, which has videos of their Atlas and Spot robots.

• The video "Control Systems with Sensors-Controller-Actuators" from the YouTube channel Control Systems Engineering.

This discussion focused on the course design to give students the skills and knowledge they need to be successful in the computing industry. It looked at the following topics, including web design, mechatronics, and game design.

Year 9

• Term 1 & 2: Designing for the modern web

• Term 3 & 4: Biomedical mechatronics

Year 10

• Term 1 & 2: Games for change

• Term 3 & 4: Presenting Data Differently

By the end of the course, students will be able to:

• Select and apply safe, secure, and responsible practices in the ethical use of data and computing technology.

• Apply iterative processes to define problems and plan, design, develop, and evaluate computing solutions.

• Manage, document, and explain individual and collaborative work practices.

• Understand how innovation, enterprise, and automation have inspired the evolution of computing technology.

• Explain how data is stored, transmitted, and secured in digital systems and how information is communicated in a range of contexts.

• Communicate ideas, processes, and solutions using appropriate media.

• Design, produce, and evaluate algorithms and implement them in a general-purpose and/or object-oriented programming language.

• Design and create user interfaces and the user experience.

Capstone Project

In the final term of Year 10, students will complete a capstone project. This project will give them the opportunity to apply their skills in web design, mechatronics, or game design to design a system that gathers and presents data in a useful and meaningful way.

This provides an overview of the key elements of the Digital Technologies program in the primary classroom discussed, as well as some of the key pedagogies that can be used to teach technology usage effectively.

Key Elements of the Program
The Digital Technologies program in the primary classroom covers the following key elements:

• Coding: This element of the program teaches students the basics of coding, including how to create simple programs using block-based coding languages.

• Robotics: This element of the program teaches students how to build and program robots.

• Digital Citizenship: This element of the program teaches students about the safe and responsible use of technology.

Key Pedagogies
There are a number of key pedagogies that can be used to teach technology usage effectively in the primary classroom. These include:

• TPACK pedagogy: This pedagogy focuses on the knowledge that teachers need to effectively integrate technology into their teaching.

• PRIMM pedagogy: This pedagogy is a highly scaffolded and modelled approach to teaching programming.

• High Possibility Classroom (HPC) pedagogy: This pedagogy focuses on using technology to create more engaging, challenging, and relevant learning experiences for students.

• Visible Thinking Routines (VTRs): These are a set of research-based pedagogical tools that help students make their thinking visible.

Resources
There are a number of resources available to help teachers teach Digital Technologies in the primary classroom. These include:

• The Digital Technologies Hub: This website provides a wealth of resources for teachers, including lesson plans, activities, and tools.

• The Australian Curriculum: This curriculum includes the Digital Technologies content standards for the primary classroom.

• The CSIRO STEM Professionals in Schools program: This program provides teachers with the opportunity to work with STEM professionals to develop their own Digital Technologies teaching skills.

On the weekend of the 29th and 30th of July, 60 of our members gathered at the ACARA offices in Sydney for the Winter Writers Workshop where we spent time analysing the new syllabus and developed scopes and units of work to deliver this content.

We would like to thank Julie King, Kim Vernon, Melanie Hughes from ACARA for hosting us. Thanks also go to Liz Rose and Peter Davies from the NSWDET and Chris Woldhuis from AISNSW for their presentations. It was a memorable event with all sectors of education represented.

At ICTENSW, we are committed to supporting ICT, STEM and Computer Science educators from all sectors and at every level in NSW. Through our professional learning program, we provide resources, networking and advocacy efforts for our members. We support the development of digital literacies, digital citizenship and the use of best practice pedagogies that build students capability to use and create with technology to solve tough problems.  

We are intentionally working to assist teachers become upskilled to teach in the hyperconnected world of AI and Machine Learning. Having the methodologies and practices to facilitate students' deep learning from early learning through to tertiary levels.

Another area of focus is supporting teachers to develop strategies for assessment, with concentrated attention being given to formative assessment and the feedback loops that enable iteration and improvement.

NSW Curriculum Reform

NESA is preparing for the next stage of consultation on the following K-6 and 7-10 Syllabuses. 

• K - 6 Creative Arts, HSIE, PDHPE, Science and Technology K–6
• 7-10 HSIE, PDHPE, Creative Arts

ICTENSW is preparing a response to the new Science and Technology K–6 syllabuses and would love to hear your feedback. If you have any comments that you would like to be included in our response or would like to hear more about the conversation, please email secretary@ictensw.org.au. 

Key Dates

• Have Your Say start date31 July
• Have Your Say end date 11 Sep 

The following link below provides a video overview of the changes.

https://youtu.be/FqBMQqPyIS4 

For more information

https://educationstandards.nsw.edu.au/wps/portal/nesa/about/news/consultations

UNESCO calls for global ban on smartphones in schools

A new UN report raised concerns on Wednesday about the excessive use of smartphones, calling for them to be banned in schools worldwide. According to the UN's education, science and culture agency UNESCO, the over-use of mobile phones impacts learning.

<https://news.un.org/en/story/2023/07/1139122>

UNESCO Urges World Governments to Ban Smartphones in Schools

The United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has issued a major report on the role of technology in education. Among the report’s many findings and recommendations, the UN is now urging governments worldwide to ban smartphones in schools due to their detrimental effect on learning.

<https://www.govtech.com/education/k-12/unesco-urges-world-governments-to-ban-smartphones-in-schools>

‘Put learners first’: Unesco calls for global ban on smartphones in schools

Smartphones should be banned from schools to tackle classroom disruption, improve learning and help protect children from cyberbullying, a UN report has recommended.

<https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/jul/26/put-learners-first-unesco-calls-for-global-ban-on-smartphones-in-schools>

Teachers: share your experiences of students using smartphones in school

We would like to hear from teachers worldwide about their experiences of how smartphones affect school life. Are smartphones permitted among students at your school? Do you have any concerns?

<https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2023/jul/25/teachers-share-your-experiences-of-students-using-smartphones-in-school>

Digital Equity Isn't Just About Devices and Internet Access

A tech leader breaks down the four components of equitable access to digital technology.

<https://www.edweek.org/technology/digital-equity-isnt-just-about-devices-and-internet-access/2023/07>

How to Use STEM Teaching Tools in Your Classroom

You’re probably familiar with the perks that come with getting students interested in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) classes. It’s no secret that STEM careers are budding. Therefore, furnishing students with the much-needed experience through effective activities and tools can help foster interest in these lucrative and in-demand professions.

<https://stemeducationguide.com/use-stem-teaching-tools-classroom/>

Coding for Kids: How Long Does It Take to Learn Coding?

Well…it is not going to be overnight, but it's going to be a fun journey! That being said, it also does not have to take years – your kid does not have to have graduated college to code at least something!

<https://stemeducationguide.com/coding-for-kids/>

What Is Computer Science For Kids? How to Get Kids Started Coding

Computer science is an exciting, ever-changing field with a lot to offer. It is no surprise that people of all ages are interested in how to find out more about it, especially children.

<https://stemeducationguide.com/what-is-computer-science-for-kids/>

Meet education’s future thought leaders

Nine aspiring school leaders will now have the chance to share their groundbreaking work in education on a greater level after being selected as the recipients of Education Perfect’s (EP) inaugural Fellowship program.

<https://www.theeducatoronline.com/k12/news/meet-educations-future-thought-leaders/282791>

With STEM You Can: unlocking the code to tech entrepreneurship

A background in international relations and politics helped Tash understand complex systems and how they impact people, which led to a successful STEM career.

<https://www.csiro.au/en/news/All/Articles/2023/July/STEM-Tash-Jamieson>

RoboRebels are riding high

Narooma High School’s RoboRebels team are riding high after recent trips to Sydney and the US.

<https://education.nsw.gov.au/news/latest-news/roborebels-are-riding-high>

Simple Ideas for Introducing AI Into Your Teaching

Teachers can use emerging generative AI tools both to augment their teaching and to assist with behind-the-scenes tasks.

<https://www.edweek.org/technology/3-simple-ideas-for-introducing-ai-into-your-teaching/2023/06>

PISA’s new focus on computational thinking and coding

As technology continues to advance at a rapid pace, how we educate students should evolve accordingly — including making computer science a core subject. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) recognizes the importance of computational thinking and computer science and, in a groundbreaking move, plans to adapt its triennial Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA), which evaluates education systems worldwide by testing the skills and knowledge of a sampling of 15-year-old students. In 2025, PISA will add computational thinking and block-based coding to the list of skills it evaluates.

<https://codeorg.medium.com/pisas-new-focus-on-computational-thinking-and-coding-fbe90e456c5f>

Happy campers: Behind the scenes with Future Shapers

Agnes fell in love with astronomy in Kenya when she’d go stargazing with her Dad. One day, she hopes to be an astrophysicist. Agnes got to look through a telescope for the first time ever at a STEM Together Future Shapers camp. Agnes is one of 26 students from around Australia selected to take their interest in science, technology, engineering, or mathematics (STEM) further. Future Shapers are from groups we want to encourage to pursue STEM careers. This includes Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, girls, and children from regional or lower opportunity schools.

<https://www.csiro.au/en/news/All/Articles/2023/July/STEM-future-shapers>

Urgent regulation on edtech needed – global report

Countries need to take immediate action to ensure technology never replaces in-person, teacher-led instruction, a global report urges.

<https://www.theeducatoronline.com/k12/news/urgent-regulation-on-edtech-needed--global-report/282930>

UNESCO calls for smartphone ban in schools

A major international report released today calls for smartphones to be banned in schools, pointing to concerns about data privacy, cyberbullying, wellbeing and among children themselves. Here are the key messages from the UNESCO 2023 Global Education Monitor Report on technology in education.

<https://www.teachermagazine.com/au_en/articles/unesco-calls-for-smartphone-ban-in-schools>

New courses to combat out-of-field Technology teaching

Studies show that almost half of the teachers currently teaching technology classes in public schools lack a formal qualification in these critical areas, piling additional pressure on already busy staff and reducing subject options for students.

<https://www.theeducatoronline.com/k12/news/new-courses-to-combat-outoffield-technology-teaching/282929>

Girls have overtaken boys in science participation. In workplaces, it’s a completely different story

The number of young women enrolling in science and maths in year 12 has nearly reached parity with young men, but while the battle for the minds is being won at school, jobs in these industries continue to be dominated by men.

<https://www.smh.com.au/national/girls-have-overtaken-boys-in-science-participation-in-workplaces-it-s-a-completely-different-story-20230726-p5drah.html>

If your kid is home sick from school, is unlimited screen time OK?

Not so long ago, if a child was home sick from school, the main screen-based entertainment was daytime television. The options were limited to The Price is Right or reruns of Home and Away.

<https://theconversation.com/if-your-kid-is-home-sick-from-school-is-unlimited-screen-time-ok-207922>

Female STEM participation slow to pick up - report

Female participation in Australia’s science, technology, engineering and math- (STEM-) qualified jobs has increased by 15%, or four percentage points, in the decade to 2022, the federal government revealed this week. ... For the first time, this year’s monitor includes Year 12 enrollment data, showing Year 12 enrollments of girls in all STEM subjects has increased only slightly from 45% to 47% from 2013 to 2021.

<https://www.miningweekly.com/article/female-stem-jobs-slow-going---report-2023-07-21/page:48>

The state of STEM gender equity in 2023

The monitor is a national data resource on women’s and girls’ participation in STEM. It captures the state of STEM gender equity in Australia and measures changes and trends. You can use the interactive data to explore girls’ and women’s participation in STEM through school, higher education graduation and the workforce.

<https://www.industry.gov.au/news/state-stem-gender-equity-2023>

How an old Disney movie inspired Daniya to create a medical robot

Bright, ambitious and enthusiastic – Daniya Syed and Andrew Chung are breaking new ground as Australia’s next generation of innovators. We look at how HSC courses give students the chance to develop exciting new technologies and products for market.

<https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/how-an-old-disney-movie-inspired-daniya-to-create-a-medical-robot-20230529-p5dc8r.html>

Dr Karl Kruszelnicki gives his tips for HSC Science

<https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/dr-karl-kruszelnicki-gives-his-tips-for-hsc-science-20230531-p5dcp9.html>

Artificial intelligence teaching and learning: The future of education in NSW [subscription]

Artifical intelligence is being implented in the classrooms, and most teachers have come out and said they support its rise. See how technology is reshaping education.

<https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/artificial-intelligence-teaching-and-learning-the-future-of-education-in-nsw/news-story/78c2c9af5720a4b0cd792bd114ecd38c>

How college educators are using AI in the classroom

While developers of artificial intelligence and industry leaders debate the risks and precise consequences of the technology, there’s no question that AI will greatly influence teaching and learning in the coming years.

<https://hechingerreport.org/how-educators-are-using-ai-in-the-classroom/>

Welcome to the 'Walled Garden.' Is This Education's Solution to AI's Pitfalls?

A new kind of chatbot would generate responses based only on vetted content.

<https://www.edweek.org/technology/welcome-to-the-walled-garden-is-this-educations-solution-to-ais-pitfalls/2023/07>

AI Isn't the Problem. It's How We Use It, Especially in Schools

The problem is not the technology, but the kinds of tasks we ask students to do.

<https://www.edweek.org/technology/opinion-ai-isnt-the-problem-its-how-we-use-it-especially-in-schools/2023/07>

UNESCO issues urgent call for appropriate use of technology in education

A new global UNESCO report on technology in education highlights the lack of appropriate governance and regulation. Countries are urged to set their own terms for the way technology is designed and used in education so that it never replaces in-person, teacher-led instruction, and supports the shared objective of quality education for all.

<https://www.unesco.org/gem-report/en/articles/unesco-issues-urgent-call-appropriate-use-technology-education>