Revolutionising AI In The Classroom By Matthew Hall

Educator: Matthew Hall

School: Ursula Frayne Catholic College

Position: Head Of The Arts

Matthew Hall presenting at the 2024 Next Gen WA Showcase Event.

What Innovative Projects Or Practices Have You Implemented In Your Classroom Or School, And What Inspired You To Develop Them?

Generative Artificial intelligence continues to influence the teaching and learning experience. In response to the challenges and opportunities, pedagogies need to adapt.

As part of my teaching role, I have shared with colleagues methods that flip the interactions students have with AI so that AI is primed as the creative collaborator, not the creative competitor.

Can You Share Any Memorable Experiences Or Outcomes From Your Projects That Highlight Its Effectiveness In Preparing Students For Future Opportunities?

As part of a creative media production assessment, a memorable moment occurred when a student primed AI to ask Socrative questions, helping in the pre-production phase of the project. The AI tool did not provide any ideas.

Instead the, the AI tool supported human critical thinking and creative workflows. AI was used as a tool instead of a way to outsource high-order thinking. AI was interacted with in a way that prevented cognitive offloading.

How Do You Believe Your Innovative Practices Have Impacted The Overall School Community And Its Approach To Education?

I believe the school community has been impacted through the wider conversations about future-focussed pedagogies, and how teaching and learning should / be adapted to maintain human critical thinking in the AI era. The academic discourse represents a growth mindset and a future focussed approach to teaching and learning.

How Do You Define Innovation In Education?

Innovation in education is the continual reflection, evaluation, evolution and research of new ideas, methodologies and practices. Innovation in education must be implemented in a careful, considered and contextualised manner to meet the specific needs of the student and the needs of the community.

Looking Ahead, Are There Any Upcoming Projects Or Innovations You Have In Mind To Further Enhance The Educational Experience For Your Students? The wider implementation of AI flipped pedagogies into the teaching and learning community is the next project. The redesign of assessment and approach to assessment is also another project I wish to explore with the Heads of Department.

In What Ways Do You Encourage Other Educators To Embrace Innovation In Their Teaching Practices? Innovation is encouraged through a Professional Learning Community approach where new technologies can be explored and experimented with in a sandboxed, non-threatening environment, first with a small group of interested teachers before wider implementation and project expansion. The 'kinks' can be addressed through inquisitive play and integration of the technology.

What Advice Would You Give To Other Educators Looking To Incorporate More Creativity And Innovation Into Their Teaching Practice?

The advice I would give to other educators is always to maintain the purpose or the intended student outcome. Consider the purpose or the outcomes you hope to gain first, and always have them front and centre. When implementing any project, or innovating, always refer to your overall vision; reflect, evaluate and refine.

Matthew Hall participated in our Next Gen Awards 2024 program and were our one of our Top 10 for our WA Showcase Event. To find out more about the Next Gen Awards and how your projects and initiatives can be showcased head to: www.nextgenoftheyear.com