06 Dec 2024
Plumpton welcomed Dr. Michael Falk to support our students who study computer software coding and engineering and all teaching staff in understanding Generative Artificial Intelligence (gen AI). Dr. Falk is the Senior Lecturer in Digital Studies, Culture and Communication at Melbourne University.
Our focus was on understanding two paradigms of how AI works - Symbolic AI (AI that explicitly model human intelligence in program code) and Subsymbolic AI (Use machine learning to enable computers to replicate intelligent behaviour based on data).
This enabled students and staff to grapple with these questions: How can computers alter our perception? How can these altered perceptions enrich research in the Humanities and Social Sciences? How, when and why should we use computers? What kinds of power do they enable, and how can we thwart or utilise that power? How is language encoded and decoded? What is the history of thinking machines? Can this history help us in the present?
Plumpton High School is recognised as a leader in NSW in generative AI through our use of the NSWEduChat app tool that supports teaching and learning in our school.
We would like to express our gratitude and thanks Dr. Falk for sharing his wisdom with our school community. This ensures we maintain that same rate of change as that in the world beyond school that continues to support our students’ successful futures as they transition into university, TAFE, and employment.
Tim Lloyd, Principal
