Episode Overview
In this special DATTA QLD Conference preview episode, Stephen Anderson speaks with two presenters exploring innovative uses of artificial intelligence in Design and Technology education.
First, Rashan Senanayake from Inspired Education Australia discusses the rapidly changing world of AI-assisted CAD and 3D modelling. The conversation explores how artificial intelligence is beginning to transform design workflows, prototyping, visualisation, and classroom practice.
Rashan explains how emerging tools are allowing users to generate and manipulate 3D models using natural language prompts, while also highlighting the important conversations schools need to have around privacy, software ecosystems, and responsible implementation.
The second conversation features Nicci Wheaton, who shares a fascinating AI-assisted game design project centred around bees and environmental sustainability.
Students research the challenges facing bee populations before using structured AI prompts to help generate educational games that communicate these issues to the wider community. The project combines coding, sustainability education, AI prompting, research, and game design in a highly engaging classroom experience.
This episode offers practical insights into the future of AI in education while also showcasing creative ways teachers are already using these technologies to support authentic and meaningful learning.
About the Bridge Building Podcast
“This is the place where we dissect and then discover the many ways ITD teachers all over this country are using their passion to create passionate students. We talk of measuring and manipulating a multitude of materials of design and divergent thought, of creation with our minds and with our hands. And most of all, we talk of growing great young people because of course that is what we do.”
So what does that mean other than I like to show off my alliteration skills? Since coming back to teaching a few years ago the thing that strikes me most, and frankly scared me most is how lonely this job is. How little we know about what is happening in our subject area. The classroom next door, a class in the next school, let alone the next town are a mystery to me. I know there are teachers out there doing incredible things and this (the podcast) is a way for me to find out and be inspired. I would like to invite you along to listen and learn, to be inspired by some of the sensational teachers I speak to on the “Bridge Building Podcast – from technology to the trades”
About the Podcast Host
Stephen Anderson is a Design Technology, Trade Training and accidental Science teacher at a small high school 2 hours North West of Brisbane.
Over To You
If you know someone who is doing something spectacular or just great fun in design and tech or in trade training, I would love to know about them.
Contact me through my email osaerial@gmail.com
Music by:
Viola Pink