Yes, AI is disrupting Australian education. Matt Esterman thinks it's a good thing.

When high school educator Matthew Esterman received one of 12 Teaching Fellowship Awards last year in the annual Commonwealth Bank Teaching Awards presented by Schools Plus, this recognition helped spotlight how Australian education in the coming years and decades can be challenged and reshaped. 

Specifically, with new and future-focused programs that centre on students using technology and AI. 

As the Director of Innovation and Partnerships at Western Sydney high school Our Lady of Mercy College (OLMC), Matthew says the intersection of AI and education is often met with some hesitation. 

But Matthew sees it as a good thing — believing it offers practical, real-world opportunities for both teachers and students.

Here are 5 things he wants us to know.

1. Unease about AI should be met with more open conversation.

“There is understandable trepidation about any new change in education,” says Matthew. “Then layer onto this a brand-new technology that is itself changing incredibly rapidly, and it’s totally normal for people to feel unease and fearful about what’s going on.”

A cause of this apprehension, Matthew says, is from a lack of practical and accessible information about the use of these technologies. 

“Some of us are trying our best to run workshops, write books or articles, create posts, and indeed speak to media, and there is where the value lies. We need to engage our stakeholders in a conversation about the benefits and the pitfalls — and be realistic about what’s possible. Even if what’s possible changes next week.”

2. AI in schools isn’t anything new.

While there may be a perception that the use of AI in Australian schools is a relatively new concept, the reality is that it’s actually been around for years.

“Australian schools have been using AI for quite some time, almost always without realising it,” Matthew says. “Any time a student completes a Google search, or a teacher uses Microsoft Teams, a parent uses Siri or Netflix, AI systems are helping.”

In addition, most schools have started introducing teachers to some of the most easily accessible tools, often organically – as one teacher finds out a new feature or strategy and then shares it with a faculty or team. 

“Those teachers might try designing a lesson plan with AI, or drafting an assessment task, or brainstorming ideas for a new unit of work,” he says.

3. AI can save teachers a lot of time.

“One principal I spoke to saved 40 hours on reviewing report comments. By using AI to help draft the comments, teachers were able to maintain a higher quality and consistency of voice, lowering the time required by the principal to refine it,” says Matthew. 

He also says parents revealed they received better feedback on student progress. 

Matthew further points out, another benefit of using AI is the reduction of time spent on administrative tasks.

“Some teachers are finding the admin elements of their work can be streamlined significantly using AI tools, and that they can reach new levels of capability — not just productivity — as we can do new things without having to invest extraordinary time on training to do so.” 

Matthew says that it's a positive, as it allows teachers to focus on more effective and valuable areas of their highly complex work.

4. AI gives kids in Australia real-world opportunities.

Matthew’s work at OLMC Parramatta has helped its high school students imagine and create bright futures by enabling practical, real-world opportunities.

Some of these include the implementation of innovative co-curricular initiatives, such as an entrepreneurship program, eSports, the Western Sydney University (WSU) AcademyU program, a Future Not Followers financial literacy program for women and Drone Squadron.

"Drone Squadron is a fun and exciting entry point into the world of engineering," says Matthew.

"Students can join the Drone Squadron and move through some skill-building activities and awareness-raising about when, how and why we can use drones, then see the application of drone technology in the world — like transport, deliveries of medications, media production and inspection of wind turbines."

This, along with other innovative AI and technology-led opportunities enables amazing growth in interpersonal skills in the students who participated.

"We’ve had students launch business ideas and undertake university-level study through HEX and Western Sydney University. Students have collaborated with students at other schools in a positive way, and can articulate how their skills and thinking have grown thanks to these programs," he says.

"Another interesting benefit is that students can easily take on more responsibility for their own learning. They can check their knowledge, gain assistance in thinking, compare and contrast their arguments and do a whole range of things with AI tools which are currently completed with the assistance of parents, siblings, peers or tutors."

5. Teachers are proving that Australia is an education powerhouse.

Together, Commonwealth Bank and national education non-profit Schools Plus, are celebrating inspiring teachers and school leaders with the Commonwealth Bank Teaching Awards presented by Schools Plus; a recognition Matthew says is important to validate teachers' work and give encouragement to continue.

"It was quite surprising and humbling to receive the Teaching Fellowship award last year," Matthew says.

"There are literally thousands of educators working hard to improve the lives of young people across Australia, and so it’s a real honour to be given this recognition amongst such a field of impactful people."

The awards celebrate 22 teachers from around Australia who are making a transformative impact on children and school communities. Twelve outstanding teachers or school leaders receive a prestigious $40,000 Teaching Fellowship, which includes $25,000 for their school and participation in a unique 12-month professional learning program. Ten early career teachers, with five years or less in the profession, are also selected for a $10,000 scholarship, which includes funds for professional development and participation in an exclusive leadership and mentoring program.

"Being able to meet with other Fellows and our Early Career Teacher colleagues, as well as leading members of the political, business and community-focused worlds, has opened my eyes to the potential of Australia as an education powerhouse," he says.

And if we can leverage the collective wisdom of educators across the country, we could see an even more amazing future for young people in Australia.

Let's celebrate great teachers changing children's lives. Nominate a great teacher for the 2024 Commonwealth Bank Teaching Awards presented by Schools Plus before 8 April 2024.

Feature Image: Getty.