KUCHING – In a ground-breaking initiative to revolutionize secondary education, Swinburne University of Technology Sarawak Campus (Swinburne Sarawak) partnered with S.M. Min Lit Batu Kawa to host a digital technology workshop. Titled “Digital Technology and Generative AI for Teaching and Learning in Secondary Education,” the one-day workshop is part of Malaysia’s Knowledge Transfer Programme (KTP). Aimed at equipping educators with the latest digital tools and AI technologies, the workshop is expected to enhance student engagement and learning outcomes.
The workshop focused on three key areas: automating routine tasks using digital tools, incorporating generative AI in teaching, and strategies to increase student engagement during classes. The session was led by Dr Miko Chang, senior lecturer in data science and advanced analytics at Swinburne Sarawak. Assisting Dr. Chang was Kim T’en, a Project Management Master’s graduate from Curtin University.
Susan Lai, the principal of S.M. Min Lit Batu Kawa, lauded the workshop, stating, “This workshop marks a significant step forward in enhancing the quality of education at our school.” She added, “The integration of generative AI not only modernizes our teaching methods but also prepares our educators to meet the challenges of the future.”
According to Dr. Chang, it is important for all concerned to stay ahead of technological advancements. She said the rise of transformative technologies like data science and generative AI presents unprecedented opportunities for educational innovation.
“We are excited to announce that all training materials and research insights from this workshop will be available online, free of charge,” she informed. Swinburne Sarawak also looks forward to future collaborations to continually update and expand the content of the workshop. This ensures that secondary school teachers are fully equipped for the evolving demands of the classroom.
Dr Chang leads participants through an interactive session during the digital technology workshop.
The workshop offered more than just theoretical knowledge. It also provided practical solutions to everyday challenges faced by educators. Through collaborative discussions and hands-on exercises, participants explored real-world applications of digital technology and AI. The hands-on exercises better prepared them to inspire and engage with their students.
Participants who attended were pleased with the invaluable insights into the use of cutting-edge technologies, with many remarking how the workshop offered a wide range of AI tools and a good level of interactivity. With exposure to more such workshops, especially those that are interactive and engaging, participants believed these could enrich their lesson planning, spark student interest in learning, and further the educators’ professional development.
Swinburne’s School of Information and Communications Technology offers computing programs that drive innovation, make significant contributions to the economy and have positive impacts on society.
For more information on Swinburne Sarawak, visit its website, Facebook page (@swinburnesarawak), Instagram page (@swinburnesarawak), Twitter page (@Swinburne_Swk), TikTok page (@swinburnesarawak) or YouTube channel (Swinburne Sarawak).