AI Empowers Education 9 | Developing an In-house Gen AI chatbot Customization Platform to Empower Teaching and Learning

Facilitator: Dr. Simon WANG (Lecturer in English and the Innovation Officer of the Language Centre, HKBU and editorial board member of English for Specific Purposes)

Dr. Simon WANG is a lecturer in English and the Innovation Officer of the Language Centre, HKBU. He is committed to empowering teaching and learning through fostering human-Gen AI partnerships. He is a regular contributor to the South China Morning Post letters section and an editorial board member of English for Specific Purposes.

Date & Time:14:30-15:30, 17 Dec 2024 (Tue)

Language: English and Chinese

Venue: Online via Tencent Meeting

Meeting Code: 723-212-108

Abstract:

In this workshop, the speaker will demonstrate ByteWise, an in-house Gen AI chatbot customization platform, jointly developed by the Language Centre and the Department of Computer Science at HKBU. Main features of this platform include
Teachers can write system prompts to "programme" a chatbot in natural languages to engage students interactively
Students' chat histories are accessible by teachers with their consent (by default)
Costs of accessing premium Large Language Models are covered by the university projects at an affordable rate
Participants are encouraged to sign up for a teacher account and a student account via https://chat.hkbu.life/#/register and learn more about the platform via http://llm.hkbu.life in advance.

Advance HE in Partnership (December 2024)

Highlights of this newsletter include:

• The launch of Advance HE's new Strategy 2030 - informed by consultation with our members worldwide (page 2)

• Upcoming member benefits relating to Student Outcomes and Designing Education for the Future (page 3) along with a new Teaching and Learning Communities of Practice Toolkit (page 3)

• The ability to apply to take part in our Change Academy, a supported approach to leading change in your organisation—the deadline to apply is 9 December (cohort 1 and 2) or 16 December (cohort 3)

A note that the Global Impact Grants—which provides £1,000 funding to share short case studies of impactful work—will return in January 2025.

Notice on Hosting the “Empowering Teaching Reform with Digital Intelligence: AI Teaching Innovation Design and Deep Application Training Camp (Phase II)”

为推动信息技术、智能技术与教育深度融合，帮助教师与时俱进，不断提升信息技术运用能力，更深入推进数字技术与教育的深度融合，更好地用AI助力教师拓展创新创业思维赋能教学创新能力提升及实现数字技术驱动教育综合改革，从而更好地辅助课堂教学内容，提升课堂教学效果和质量，中国高等教育培训中心决定举办“数智赋能教学改革:AI教学创新设计与深度应用训练营(第二期)”。

To promote the deep integration of information technology, intelligent technology, and education, and to support teachers in keeping pace with the times while continuously enhancing their ability to apply digital tools, the China Higher Education Training Center has decided to host the "Empowering Teaching Reform with Digital Intelligence: AI Teaching Innovation Design and Deep Application Training Camp (Phase II)." This initiative aims to advance the integration of digital technologies with education, improve teaching innovation capabilities, expand entrepreneurial thinking, and drive comprehensive reforms in education through AI, ultimately enhancing classroom teaching content, effectiveness, and quality.

Submission Deadline: 15 Jan 2025 (Wed)
Note: The registration fee is 1980 RMB per person for on-site participation (covering training and certification fees, with meals and accommodation at personal expense) and 1180 RMB per person for online participation.

Special Training Session on Teaching Innovation and Teaching Competency Enhancement

为提升高校教师教学创新能力，积极备战第五届全国高校教师教学创新大赛，广东省高等教育学会定于2024年12月30-31日在广州举办高校教师教学创新与教学能力提升专题培训会。

To enhance the teaching innovation capabilities of university faculty and actively prepare for the 5th Innovative Teaching Contest, the Guangdong Provincial Higher Education Society will hold a special training session on Teaching Innovation and Teaching Competency Enhancement for University Faculty. This event is scheduled to take place in Guangzhou on December 30-31, 2024.

Register Deadline: 27 Dec 2024 (Fri)
Note: Please register by scanning the QR code or visiting the official website: https://www.gdgjxh.org.cn/details/3982.html.

Application for the China University-Industry Collaborative Innovation Fund: Special Program on Digital Empowerment in Education and Teaching

为促进信息技术与教育深度融合，教育部高等学校科学研究发展中心与辽宁向日葵数字技术股份有限公司、联通（辽宁）产业互联网有限公司联合设立“数字化赋能教育教学专项”，支持高校在数字化赋能人才培养、数字化赋能教师发展、教育数字化转型新兴技术和业务场景研究等方向的科学研究与创新应用，并提供每个课题总经费20万元至50万元的支持，其中研究经费10万元至25万元。

To promote the deep integration of information technology and education, the Higher Education Research and Development Center of the Ministry of Education, in collaboration with Liaoning Sunflower Digital Technology Co., Ltd. and Unicom (Liaoning) Industrial Internet Co., Ltd., has jointly established the "Special Program on Digital Empowerment in Education and Teaching." This program supports scientific research and innovative applications in areas such as digital empowerment for talent cultivation, digital empowerment for teacher development, emerging technologies, and business scenario studies in educational digital transformation. Each project will receive total funding of 200,000 to 500,000 RMB, including research funding ranging from 100,000 to 250,000 RMB.

Submission Deadline: 23 Dec 2024 (Mon)

Note: Please submit the application form (Appendix 2) to Ms. Yao WANG at yaowang@uic.edu.cn

Call for Papers | The HKAECT International Conference 2025

Abstract: The HKAECT International Conference 2025 offers a dynamic platform to explore these transformative changes, fostering discussions on innovations in educational technology. This conference invites contributions from education, communication, social sciences, and humanities, encouraging participants to share insights and experiences that inspire the potential of EduTech. By addressing the latest advancements, the conference aims to strengthen professional identity, foster collaboration, and create a sense of belonging among educators and researchers. Participants will connect with peers to exchange ideas and collectively advance educational technology integration.

Theme: The Vistas of Inclusive Innovations in Educational Communications and Technology
Co-organizers: HKAECT, the Hong Kong Chinese Language Society, the University of Hong Kong Libraries
Keynote Speakers: Professor Christopher T. MILLER (President-Elect, AECT / Department of Foundational and Graduate Studies in Education, Morehead State University), Professor Hsin-Tzu (Tommy) CHEN (Associate Professor, Department of Education, Chinese Culture University), Professor Michele Della VENTURA (Department of Music Technology, Music Academy Studio Musica), Professor Allan YUEN (President, Yew Chung College of Early Childhood Education)

Full Paper Submissions Deadline: 31 Dec 2024 (Tue)
Presentation Abstract Submissions Deadline: 1 Feb 2025 (Sat)
Note: Both Chinese and English papers are accepted for submission, and will be subject to a blind peer review process. Accepted manuscripts will be included in Literary Criticism or other publications by the Hong Kong Chinese Language Society. Please refer to the attached document for details on the topics to be explored in the papers.