Lightning Talk

The proliferation of Generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) is reshaping the information landscape, presenting both unprecedented opportunities and significant challenges for Australian high school students and teachers. As our young people navigate a world increasingly influenced by algorithms and automated decision-making, the development of AI literacy is no longer a niche skill but a fundamental component of digital citizenship. This proposal unpacks implementation of a program of AI Literacy lessons for the students of St VIncent’s College Potts Point. in response to the access to gen AI in the school network.

Drawing upon the Australian Framework for Generative Artificial Intelligence in Schools, this presentation will first establish the urgent need for a cohesive, school-wide approach to AI education. Using findings from recent Australian studies on the impact of AI on education and school data, highlighting the existing gaps in student understanding of AI’s underlying principles, its inherent biases, and its potential for misuse. The presentation highlights that the school library, as a trusted and discipline-agnostic space, is uniquely positioned to address these gaps. I will detail a program where teacher librarians collaborate with subject teachers to design and deliver a suite of learning modules. These modules will be tailored to various year levels and will focus on hands-on, inquiry-based activities that demystify AI.

The core of the presentation will be the unveiling of a replicable AI literacy toolkit for high school libraries. This toolkit will include a curated collection of resources, lesson plans, and assessment strategies designed to cultivate a range of competencies, from understanding the basics of machine learning to critically evaluating the credibility of AI-generated information and creating responsible AI-powered projects.

By the end of this lightning talk, attendees will be equipped with an understanding of the challenges and opportunities of AI Literacy in secondary education. They will leave with a practical framework and resources to start to champion AI literacy in their own institutions, thereby ensuring that our students are not just prepared for a future with AI, but are empowered to shape it.