World First Report from University of Newcastle Explores AI

BY MEGHAN RICHARDSON

Researchers from the University of Newcastle have released a wold first report which aims to assist schools with adapting to new technologies and integrating artificial intelligence into their work.

The report was commissioned by the Australian Government Department of Education and Training  and led by Associate Professor Erica Southgate with Dr Karen Blackmore and Dr Susan Grimes.

It aims to provide advice to teachers navigating new ethical conundrums caused by AI and familiarise schools with emerging technologies in education.

These emerging technologies include augmented, mixed, and virtual reality.

Associate Professor Erica Southgate says these innovations introduce a new ethical responsibility that teachers, students, and parents must adapt with.

Professor Southgate said the aim of the report was three fold.

"The first was to write a report so teachers could understand the implications of emerging technologies, in particular Artificial Intelligence and VR for classrooms," she said.

"It was also to provide info-graphics for students to use in classrooms so they can understand the technology, and finally to do a curriculum mapping of really good resources that teachers in Australian schools can use."

The report offers the first custom designed framework for ethical use of technology in schools and
explains the complex social, technical and ethical issues associated with the technologies in an accessible fashion.

"This is a world first report. There's no other reports like this on artificial intelligence and virtual reality for the school sector." Southgate confirmed.

The report includes a number of case studies on AI and VR that demonstrate the practical aspects of introducing the technology into classrooms, how to use them effectively, and how to teach students about them.

"We know that AI will come through intelligent tutoring systems and helpers in educational computer programs, and also be part of learning management systems" Professor Southgate said but assured that AI is already utilised in search engines and phone assistance like SIRI.

"It (Artificial Intelligence) probably wont come in the form of robot teacher anytime soon or if ever but we are really interested in the way we can harness that technology so that we can create personalised learning.

Image Source: The University of Newcastle 

University of Newcastle Expansion Announced

BY ALICE PEART

The University of Newcastle has announced plans for the development of a multi-campus presence on the Central Coast following an 18 million dollar investment from the federal government. 

The expansion will take the form of a health and innovation hub for university students alongside the Central Coast Medical School and Research Institute forecasted to open in 2020, creating a health precinct in Gosford’s CBD. 

The investment, following on from the previous federal funding of  85 million, seeks to address the estimated additional 4300 workers needed in healthcare and social assistance roles needed over the coming years on the Central Coast. 

The precinct will have an emphasis on entrepreneurship and community engagement using technology such as augmented and virtual reality. 

The university has already piloted virtual reality teaching programs in health with The Road to Birth designed to teach skills which would either be otherwise too dangerous or expensive to be experienced in the classroom. 

This will be expanded by the innovation hub to provide enhanced teaching, conference, community engagement and social learning facilities. 

Many courses offered by the new precinct will be unique to the Gosford campus says the Dean Dr Brok Glenn, such as the proposed Master of Medical Imaging and Master of Professional Prescribing. 

The investment from the federal government represents just part of the 250 million dollars needed to complete the multi-campus university.

Image by the University of Newcastle. 

Virtual Reality Celebrating Aboriginal Heritage

BY ARIANA GATTI

In honour of NAIDOC celebrations this week, Lake Macquarie City Council have launched a new virtual reality experience, shining a light on the region's extensive and diverse Indigenous heritage.

The virtual technology provides an insight for users into when the Awabakal people were the sole inhabitors of land, providing an immersive, cultural experience.

The software will allow users to view and explore Lake Macquarie's Aboriginal history, dating back some 250-years-ago, showcasing three native stories.

These stories include: 'Niridiba' - about Moon Island; 'Malangbula' - the story of two sisters at Swansea Heads; as well as 'Kurrurkurraan' - which is the story of Blackhalls Park and the Petrified Forest area.

The virtual reality experience has been created in partnership with Lake Macquarie City Art Gallery's Aboriginal Reference Group, to provide the most real and accurate experience possible.

Aboriginal Reference Group Member, Doug Archibald, says these stories are essential pieces of history in which the public should all witness.

"These sites have been chosen because they're very significant to Aboriginal people here in Lake Macquarie - they span from Dreaming stories, daily life, right through to first European contact", he says.

"Through this project, now as our community moves throughout the City, they can be aware of these sites and stories, and their significance to the Awabakal people and our Aboriginal communities of Lake Macquarie today".

Image Sourced:https://www.lakemac.com.au/news/2018/07/09/lake-macquaries-aboriginal-heritage-comes-to-life-through-vr