Navigating AI in Education and AI and Education through pedagogies and literacies in the early years

AI in Education and AI and Education are two distinct fields of research and practice regarding the use of, and learning about, AI by children in the early years. However, these two fields are sometimes discussed and researched without clear distinction in the available literature concerning AI for the early years.

In this seminar, the notion of technical code, drawn from a critical constructivist philosophy of technology is used to describe AI in Education as AI Pedagogies, and AI and Education as AI Literacies. Consideration of the available research related to AI Pedagogies and AI and Literacies suggests knowledge gaps pertaining to the philosophical basis of learning and teaching in the early years, alongside the need to better understand the interface between educator and children's understanding of AI in practice. A research agenda for the early years that advances sector understandings of the distinction between AI in Education and AI and Education through the constructs of AI Pedagogies and AI Literacies is proposed.

Biography

Professor Susan Edwards
Research Director, Early Childhood Futures; Head of Discipline, Early Childhood Institute for Learning Sciences and Teacher Education, Faculty of Education and Arts

Susan Edwards is Professor of Early Childhood Education at Australian Catholic University. She has researched young children and their adults using digital technologies, digital media and popular culture in their play and learning for many years. Susan has been awarded over $1.5 million in research funding to develop insights into young children’s cultural meaning-making with digital technologies through play. She is interested in advancing knowledge and pedagogical practices that help keep young children safe online. This includes amongst the first work nationally and internationally with colleagues to determine what young children know and understand about the internet. She has most recently received Australian Research Council funding to investigate AI for the Early Years. Her publications include over 80 books, journal publications and reports.

• Open to the public and all staff and students. 
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