Latest news with #educators
ABC News
3 days ago
- General
- ABC News
Lord Howe Island's only preschool struggling to stay open amid housing shortage
Lord Howe Island's only preschool may be forced to shut its doors for the second time since its opening last year, as operators struggle to staff the facility due to the island's housing shortage. For more than a decade, resident and preschool committee president Rachael McFadyen advocated for the facility to be built on the island, located 600 kilometres off the coast of Port Macquarie, to help the community's working parents and provide essential early learning. After securing state government funding in 2018, the centre was officially opened in April last year. "That dream is finally a reality," Ms McFadyen said. However, due to staffing shortages, the newly built, $800,000 facility has sat empty for most of this year. Ms McFadyen said that after the resignation of one of their educators earlier this year, the centre did not have the two qualified educators legally required to operate. It meant the centre, which had about a dozen students, was forced to close its doors. "We had to call the parents and tell them there's no preschool," Ms McFayden said. With around 400 residents on the island, Ms McFadyen said a replacement educator had to be found from the mainland. After six months of closures, the preschool reopened in June when the committee secured a fill-in teacher. But Ms McFadyen said securing someone long term had been made difficult by a lack of housing, as the number of homes on Lord Howe was limited by its world-heritage listing. First preference for homes is also given to locals who have lived on the island for at least 10 years, or are descendants of early residents from before the 1950s. The fill-in teacher is house-sitting until the end of September. Beyond that, the committee said the preschool's future was uncertain. Lord Howe resident and preschool committee member Chelsea Holden juggles being a mum of two young boys with her own photography business and a part-time job. She said the preschool's closure cost her downtime and opportunities to grow as a businessperson. "Not only are they in a safe, nurturing environment where they're gaining the social and emotional skills that will set them up as confident learners for life, but it also gives me space to focus." Ms Holden said, despite some challenges, Lord Howe locals loved their island home, and access to essential education like early learning should not be determined by postcode. "Having the early learning on Lord Howe, there are a lot of benefits, and as a family, you feel confident you're making the right decision for your children because they're getting the same exposure they would on the mainland," she said. The preschool committee has called on the Lord Howe Island Board, appointed by the NSW government to manage the island, to consider new housing for essential workers, providing space for a permanent preschool teacher as well as additional nurses, teachers, and doctors when required. The committee has started recruitment for a new, permanent educator, and it has been able to get a local family to reserve future leasing of their property for when they start. But it is little relief for current tenants like Tina Dante, her partner, and one-year-old son, who now have weeks to find a new home. "They let us know a few weeks in advance that they will not renew the lease because they need the house for the preschool teacher," she said. Ms Dante said while she understood the decision, her family would be forced to consider leaving the island if they could not find a solution. In a statement, a Lord Howe Island Board spokesperson confirmed long-term accommodation for the preschool had been found, and that the board was reviewing the Local Environment Plan, which would "also consider adaptive housing solutions". It said accommodation for essential workers was already available, and the limit to the number of dwellings was in place "to protect the island's unique environment". Ms McFadyen said until additional solutions were found, the island's businesses and essential services would remain under strain.
Sustainability Times
3 days ago
- Sustainability Times
'They Blamed the Students—But It Was Us': Professors Caught Using ChatGPT as Secret Weapon While Cracking Down on Classroom Cheating
IN A NUTSHELL 📚 Teachers are increasingly relying on digital assistants to handle educational tasks, reshaping traditional teaching methods. are increasingly relying on digital assistants to handle educational tasks, reshaping traditional teaching methods. 🤖 The use of AI by educators often goes unmentioned, leading to student concerns over transparency and trust in the classroom. by educators often goes unmentioned, leading to student concerns over transparency and trust in the classroom. ⚖️ Universities are crafting ethical frameworks to manage AI's role in education, promoting disclosure and human oversight. to manage AI's role in education, promoting disclosure and human oversight. 🔍 Students are becoming adept at identifying AI-generated content, highlighting the need for honest communication about its use. In recent years, the educational landscape has undergone a profound transformation as teachers increasingly rely on digital assistants to aid in their duties. This silent shift is reshaping the very essence of knowledge transmission. What was once a straightforward exchange of wisdom between teacher and student is now mediated by artificial intelligence (AI), raising questions about transparency and trust. While the integration of AI into education may seem a natural progression in a tech-driven world, it becomes contentious when its use remains concealed from students, challenging the fundamental trust that underpins educational relationships. The Silent Automation of Teaching Practices The use of artificial intelligence in education is not solely a tool for students; teachers, too, are increasingly harnessing its capabilities to streamline their workloads. From creating instructional materials to crafting quizzes and providing personalized feedback, AI's presence is growing in the classroom. Notably, David Malan at Harvard has developed a chatbot to assist in his computer science course, while Katy Pearce at the University of Washington uses AI trained on her evaluation criteria to help students progress even in her absence. Despite these advancements, some educators choose to keep their use of AI under wraps. Overwhelmed by grading and time constraints, they delegate certain tasks to AI without disclosure. Rick Arrowood, a professor at Northeastern University, admitted to using generative tools for creating his materials without thoroughly reviewing them or informing his students. Reflecting on this, he expressed regret over his lack of transparency, wishing he had better managed the practice. 'These Kids Read in 6 Months': This Elementary Teacher's Shocking Method Defies 30 Years of Reading Education Norms AI Use in Education Sparks Student Tensions The non-transparent use of AI by educators has led to growing unease among students. Many notice the impersonal style and repetitive vocabulary of AI-generated content, prompting them to become adept at identifying artificial texts. This has led to instances like that of Ella Stapleton, a Northeastern student who discovered a direct ChatGPT request within her course materials. She filed a complaint and demanded a refund of her tuition fees. On platforms like Rate My Professors, criticism of standardized and ill-suited content is mounting, with students perceiving such materials as incompatible with quality education. This sense of betrayal is heightened when students are prohibited from using the same tools. For many, teachers' reliance on AI signifies injustice and hypocrisy, fueling further discontent. 'This Should Never Have Happened': Scientists Horrified as World's First Octopus Farm Sparks Ethical and Ecological Uproar Ethical Frameworks for AI Use in Education In response to these tensions, several universities are establishing regulatory frameworks to govern AI's role in education. The University of Berkeley, for instance, mandates explicit disclosure of AI-generated content, coupled with human verification. French institutions are following suit, acknowledging that a complete ban is no longer feasible. An investigation by Tyton Partners, cited by the New York Times, found that nearly one in three professors regularly uses AI, yet few disclose this to their students. This disparity fuels conflict, as emphasized by Paul Shovlin from Ohio University. He argues that the tool itself is not the issue, but rather how it is integrated. Teachers still play a crucial role as human interlocutors capable of interpretation, evaluation, and dialogue. 'China Prepares for War in Space': HQ-29 Missile System Can Destroy Satellites and Ballistic Threats Mid-Air Some educators are choosing to embrace transparency by explaining and regulating their AI use, using it to enhance interactions. Though still a minority, this approach could pave the way for reconciling pedagogical innovation with restored trust. As we navigate this evolving educational landscape, the balance between technology and transparency remains a pressing concern. How can educators and institutions work together to ensure that the integration of AI enhances rather than hinders the educational experience? This article is based on verified sources and supported by editorial technologies. Did you like it? 4.5/5 (30)
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Free AI-powered summer camp helps Arizona kids catch up in class—and have fun doing it
A group of Arizona educators is trying something different to help Arizona students become more confident learners with the use of artificial intelligence and teachers in the classroom.
Khaleej Times
5 days ago
- Automotive
- Khaleej Times
Dubai's Parkin announces monthly parking subscription for students, teachers
Here's good news for students and school staff to save on their parking expenses: Parkin Company PJSC announced on Wednesday new parking subscriptions designed for students, educators, and users of multi-storey parking. Students with cars can now subscribe to a seasonal parking permit starting at Dh100 per month. Parkin, Dubai's largest provider of paid public parking facilities, said students can 'maximise savings with the student parking subscription, granting (them) access to both roadside and plots parking with zone codes A, B, C, and D, within a 500-metre radius of their campus. Staff of private educational establishments can also subscribe to a seasonal parking card from Dh100 monthly to enjoy 'convenient and budget-friendly parking near their campus.' Subscription to multi-storey parking is also now offered starting at Dh735 monthly. This will give motorists 'convenient multi-storey parking near (their) home, workplace, or favourite destinations in Dubai,' Parkin posted on social media platform X. Parkin introduces new subscriptions designed for students, educators, and multi-storey parking access, with flexible options to suit your daily needs. Discover them now on our app or at — ParkinUAE (@ParkinUAE) July 16, 2025 Several motorists have raised the issue of incurring additional expenses after Dubai introduced variable parking fees across the emirate in April this year. Peak hours tariffs The implementation of variable parking fees has translated to higher parking fees during peak hours in locations designated as premium areas. For example, parking at a residential area in Al Barsha that carries code 373CP (designated as a premium area) is now Dh6 for one hour during peak hours (8am to 10am; and from 4pm to 8pm), from the previous rate of Dh2. Parking charge goes up to Dh12 for 2 hours (from Dh 5); Dh18 for 3 hours (previously Dh 8 for 3 hours); Dh24 for 4 hours (Dh 11 for 4 hours before April 4) Peak pricing applies for 6 out of the 14 chargeable hours per day — from 8am to 10am (2 hours) and 4pm to 8pm (4 hours), excluding Sundays and public holidays. Premium parking is categorised as parking facilities in high-demand, densely populated areas, including adjacent to or near public transport infrastructure. The zones are marked with dedicated signage and tariff details on display. Dh273.3 million revenues Parkin posted a record Dh273.3 million total revenue in the first quarter this year, marking a 27 per cent increase compared to the first three months of 2024. The income was posted before the implementation of variable parking tariff. Parkin has yet to release its second quarter revenues but earlier expected a 'growth in revenues driven by the implementation of the variable pricing tariff policy and expansion of (our) public parking portfolio." Early this month, Parkin announced signing an agreement with Dubai Municipality giving them the opportunity to operate parking facilities at some public parks in Dubai.
Forbes
5 days ago
- Business
- Forbes
Embracing Live Assessment In The Age Of AI
How's a teacher to know if students are actually learning or are just passing off AI-generated work ... More as their own? Live assessments such as oral defenses, real-time project planning, or on-the-spot problem-solving allow educators to observe how students think, adapt, and communicate in the moment. Earlier this year, we noticed something strange about the job applications coming into The Learning Agency: they all felt remarkably alike, as if the all the applicants had collaborated on a template cover letter and resume. Our hiring team found it difficult to distinguish one candidate from another. They suspected the applicants were relying heavily on ChatGPT, or one of the other popular AI platforms like Claude or Gemini. This is not unlike the dilemma facing educators and schools, where students are increasingly using AI to assist them in completing their assignments. How's a teacher to know if students are passing off AI-generated work as their own? In both circumstances, the solution is not to lash out at AI or to institute draconian rules limiting the technology's usage. Rather, the most reasonable and realistic path forward is for decision-makers, like schools and employers, to rethink their operations to account for AI use. One of the best and most effective ways to do that is to incorporate live assessments into their evaluation processes. Live assessments such as oral defenses, real-time project planning, on-the-spot problem-solving, or collaborative group work allow educators and hiring teams to observe how individuals think, adapt, and communicate in the moment. A Change In Our Hiring Process At The Learning Agency, this means asking job candidates to perform a final screening task where they have to verbally respond to a question related to an answer they had previously submitted. Candidates are given one minute to read the prompt, one minute to prepare, and one minute to deliver their response on video. Such an approach requires candidates to be prepared and comfortable enough to deliver concise, thoughtful responses under time constraints, and gives evaluators insight into how they respond to different scenarios without outside help or support. As a company, our hiring managers have found these tasks helpful in highlighting each candidate's unique qualities. Similar opportunities await in education. A 2024 report from Inside Higher Ed found that nearly half (47%) of the 2,000 students polled said that generative AI has made it much easier to cheat. As concerns over AI-enabled cheating and plagiarism rise, teachers should shift their focus toward real-time, live assessments that measure genuine student understanding. Blurring The Lines Of Academic Integrity As AI tools become more accessible, the boundary between acceptable support and academic dishonesty is increasingly unclear. Is it cheating to use AI to brainstorm ideas or edit a draft? When does assistance become misrepresentation? What qualifies as original student work in the age of AI? Rather than banning these tools, educators should rethink how they assess learning. If the goal is to determine what a student truly knows and understands, teachers should look to include assessments that are insulated from AI misuse, and that often means doing it live. Economist David Deming sees an opportunity to change assessments for the better in the age of AI. In a recent interview with the 'Plain English' podcast, he offered an important insight: the use of AI to complete assignments may indicate that the tasks teachers have been assigning are too shallow. He argued that AI will push educators to shift toward deeper forms of learning that require students to embody knowledge and apply it meaningfully. 'You might imagine in a classroom, almost returning to an older tradition of oral education,' he said. 'We focus more on, can you make a presentation? That's AI proof because…you have to actually be able to do it in the moment and defend your position.' This perspective was also echoed by Carie Cardamone, Associate Director for STEM & Professional Schools at Tufts University, who noted in an article for Teaching@Tufts that AI exposes weaknesses in traditional assessment methods that rely on independent, out-of-class work. She also encouraged teachers to rethink assessments, and to integrate in-class activities that demonstrate knowledge with traditional assignments to make it more challenging for students to rely solely on AI. What both Deming and Cardamone are describing is a form of live assessment. Traditionally, student assessment comes in two forms: formative and summative. Formative assessments measure a student's progress over time, providing ongoing feedback that helps identify strengths and weaknesses through activities like journal responses, class discussions, or exit tickets. Summative assessments, on the other hand, evaluate learning at the end of an instructional period, often through final exams or projects, or standardized tests, like those give in Advanced Placement courses. As AI permeates teaching and learning, the next step forward is live formative assessments. Moving Toward Live Formative Assessments Live formative assessments require teachers to monitor student progress in real time, with the potential to provide immediate feedback. They go beyond take-home tests, projects, and essays, which are vulnerable to AI misuse due to the lack of supervision and difficulty verifying authorship. Live assessments offer deeper insight into student understanding and allow educators to authentically assess learning. For example, instead of assigning a reading and then asking for a four-page essay on the piece, students could be asked to develop their essay in class while engaging in discussions about key symbolism and receiving peer feedback. The advantage here is that teachers can directly observe how students build arguments, solve problems, and communicate ideas. This not only supports academic integrity but also encourages students to engage meaningfully with the content. It's important to recognize that live assessments may not work for every classroom. Students who are English learners, neurodivergent, or who experience performance anxiety may struggle with real-time tasks, especially those that involve being in front of their peers. However, live assessments can be designed in ways to accommodate a learner's needs, such as giving students more time with tasks, having students draw from their lived experiences, or working in small groups. Preparing Students For An AI World Generative AI is changing the educational landscape, and that is both a challenge and an opportunity. As I've seen in hiring here at The Learning Agency, live assessments can help uncover the human voice behind the resume. The same is true in education. By investing in live formative assessments, schools can help protect academic integrity, promote deeper learning, and prepare students for a future where AI is a tool, not a shortcut.
