ASCILITE NEWS

ASCILITE April Webinar: AI-powered pedagogy: Exploring the effectiveness of Generative AI as a learning assistant in the ICT discipline

Date: Thursday 17 April 2025
Time: 11:00 am (AEDT)

The growing use of Generative Artificial Intelligence (GenAI) in education is transforming learning experiences, raising important questions about its benefits and challenges. In this webinar, the presenter Associate Professor Ritesh Chugh (CQUniversity’s School of Engineering and Technology) will discuss the outcomes of a project funded by the Australasian Council of Deans of Information and Communications Technology that explored the role of GenAI as a learning assistant in ICT education. Discover how GenAI enhances learning through personalised feedback, code diagnostics, and adaptive support—while tackling challenges like accuracy, ethics, and responsible adoption.

This session unveils the GenAI Adoption Model, a framework for integrating AI-powered learning responsibly. Plus, get an exclusive look at the GenAI Toolkit—a practical resource designed to help institutions implement AI-driven education effectively.

Don’t miss this deep dive into the future of AI in higher education!

Registration for the webinar: Registration link
Join the Zoom Meeting here.

Kwong Nui Sim, Karine Cosgrove
ASCILITE Webinar leads

OEP-SIG: Call for contributions

Ash Barber and Mais Fatayer have submitted a proposal to the Open Education Conference (OpenEd25) related to Open Education Down UndOER: Australasian Case Studies and are looking for stories from the field related to this text.  Please contact Ash Barber or Mais Fatayer with any info related to the following:

• You’re one of the authors of the text and have found publishing your case study led to further collaborations or ideas
• You’re a reader of the text and have found the text sparked ideas for your own practice, led to collaboration or connection with any of the case study authors, or has positively impacted your work in some other way

We appreciate any information we could incorporate into the presentation to highlight your work and the impact of the book project.

Steven Chang, Ash Barber, Jennifer Hurley
OEP-SIG leads

OEP-SIG: Is looking for 4 Co-Convenors

The OEP_SIG are looking to fill the following four positions for a 18 month term (June 2025 – December 2026):

Co-Convenor (Community & Engagement)
Focus: Building partnerships, connecting with organisations, and fostering collaborations within the OEP community.
Co-Convenor (Webinar Program)
Focus: Organising and promoting webinars that showcase OEP research and practice in Australasia.
Co-Convenor (Research)
Focus: Coordinating research activities, supporting publications, and developing professional development opportunities for SIG members.
Co-Convenor (Digest)
Focus: Leading the production of the OEP Digest (Australasian Edition), a monthly publication highlighting OER/OEP news, research, and professional learning opportunities.

Each role requires a commitment of 2–3 hours per month, including participation in monthly SIG meetings.

To nominate yourself for a position, please submit up to 250 words outlining your experience, motivation, and suitability for the role to Sarah McQuillen (Receiving Officer) at by COB Monday 28 April 2025 (ACST/Adelaide time).

Steven Chang, Ash Barber, Jennifer Hurley
OEP-SIG leads

Mobile Learning SIG: SoTEL2025 virtual international Symposium

The SoTEL2025 virtual international Symposium on the Scholarship of Technology Enhanced Learning will be held 2nd May 2025 and launches a six-week Webinar Series of TEL Trendsetters from 9th May until 13th June. See the ASCILITE events calendar for the May and June dates.

Abstracts (500 words + references) for presentations for the virtual Symposium must be submitted (here) and will be double-blind peer-reviewed and published in  PJTEL (Pacific Journal of Technology Enhanced Learning).

Accepted presentations should be pre-recorded Pecha Kucha’s hosted on either Figshare.com or Pechakucha.com and will be embedded in a shared PADLET for viewing and discussion on 2nd May.

Call for submissions is now open and closes 17th April. More information is available here

Thom Cochrane, Vickel Narayan
Mobile Learning leads

TELAS Reviewer Certification workshop (online)

The Technology Enhanced Learning Accreditation Standards (TELAS) are a set of internationally benchmarked standards designed to assess the quality of online learning, particularly in relation to the tertiary sector. They provide institutions with the means to assess and evaluate the affordances of their online learning environments and thereby guide quality enhancements. For more information about TELAS visit our website.

Our workshop supports your knowledge of the standards and is the first step to being a certified TELAS reviewer. No matter what your role is at your institution you will find these workshops informative and interactive.

Our next workshop will be online in Zoom (split across two half days);
Dates: June 12 and 13 (11am – 2.30pm AEST)
For fees and registration, go here.
Any questions feel free to email TELAS Admin.

Elaine Huber, Chris Campbell
TELAS leads

TELall latest blog post: Resist the gen-AI-Driven University: A call for reclaiming thought in learning and teaching

Richard McInnes from The University of Adelaide brings us our next TELall blog, “Resist the gen-AI-Driven University: A call for reclaiming thought in learning and teaching”.

This somewhat controversial look at where GenAI may be taking us asks us to step back and take a look at where we are heading and how much we need to retain control of the education process. The thoughts in this blog are those of the author and not necessarily those of the University of Adelaide or ASCILITE.

Read Richard’s thoughts here.

Sandy Barker
TELall Blog lead

Applications to host the ASCILITE 2026 or 2027 Conference

We are seeking expressions of interest from potential conference organising committees to host the 2026 and 2027 annual conference. ASCILITE conferences are a central aspect of ASCILITE and provide opportunities for delegates to meet with international and national peers to exchange ideas, research and practice in educational technology. Conferences provide a forum for the presentation of refereed papers, short concise papers, symposiums, posters, pecha kucha and workshops. The conference also provides memorable opportunities for social interaction and networking.

If you would like to discuss hosting the conference with a member of the executive please reach out to Sandra Barker or Hazel Jones.

Please note: The hosting of the conference is being reviewed with the aim of assisting institutions and easing the burden via significant assistance from ASCILITE executive and a Professional Conference Organiser (PCO).

Sandy Barker and Hazel Jones
Conference leads

OTHER NEWS

eLearn 2025 conference, Call for papers and participation

Dates:13-16 October, Bangkok, ThailandeLearn 2025 is a unique international forum designed to facilitate the exchange of information and ideas on the research, issues, developments, and applications of a broad range of topics related to e-Learning.

eLearn is an innovative collaboration between top public and private academic institutions, researchers, developers, educators and business professionals.

eLearn is a participatory, interactive event. Alongside renowned Keynote speakers and panelists, all attendees play an important role, offering valuable feedback and insight gained from their own experiences. The atmosphere at eLearn is exciting and energizing, where a wealth of knowledge is gathered and exchanged.

More information is available here

Learning Letters Special Issue Announcement: Navigating Complexity in STEM Education

Learning Letters is pleased to announce our upcoming special issue: “Navigating Complexity in STEM Education: Adaptive and Experiential Learning.”

They invite researchers and educators to submit concise papers (maximum 2,500 words) that explore how principles from complexity science can enhance STEM education through:

• Adaptive learning environments
• Alternative assessment strategies
• AI-driven educational technologies

Important Dates

• May 18, 2025: Submit abstract to guest editors (200-250 words) via emails below.
• July 4, 2025: Full paper submission deadline via Learning Letters website
• November 2025: Publication

Submit by emailing Dr. Sithara Walpita Gamage or Associate Professor Rhodora Abaida.