Monthly Archives: March 2025

Bringing art into classrooms can benefit students who are learning to speak English

Bringing art into classrooms can benefit students who are learning to speak English

Most English-language learning classrooms use conventional teaching methods that focus on grammar drills, vocabulary memorization, reading comprehension and structured writing tasks — all with the emphasis on language accuracy. Unfortunately, these teaching methods don’t address newcomers’ needs or build on their strengths. This manner of teaching also fails to acknowledge students’ diverse experiences, skills and […] … learn more→

AI deepfakes threaten democracy and people’s identities. ‘Personality rights’ could help

AI deepfakes threaten democracy and people’s identities. ‘Personality rights’ could help

How much is your voice worth? It could be as little as roughly A$100. That was how much ABC News Verify recently spent to clone federal senator Jacqui Lambie’s voice – with her permission – using an easily accessible online platform. This example highlights how artificial intelligence (AI) apps which create a synthetic replica of a person’s […] … learn more→

Are social media radicalising young people?

Are social media radicalising young people?

Social networks have revolutionised the way we communicate, both in the personal and institutional and political spheres. In the case of young people, they are the environment in which they obtain information and form their beliefs. This has a negative side, since being their main channels of information, they can promote the radicalisation of political […] … learn more→

How our bodies react when we use social media – and when we stop

How our bodies react when we use social media – and when we stop

The typical adult in the UK spends nearly two hours on social media per day. And for younger users, this can easily be up to five hours. The likes of Instagram or TikTok seem to draw us into their ever-changing feeds and it’s difficult to tear ourselves away from these platforms. Now our latest study shows that even our […] … learn more→

A website is not enough: businesses that use digital tools without a strategic plan will struggle in a tough economy

A website is not enough: businesses that use digital tools without a strategic plan will struggle in a tough economy

Small businesses across Australia and New Zealand are facing one of their toughest periods in decades. A flat economy and shifting consumer behaviour have put pressure on already thin operating margins. A 2024 survey by business finance company ScotPac found 29% of Australian small businesses say they could face insolvency if they lose a major client. Accounting […] … learn more→

Five essential strategies to master your habits

Five essential strategies to master your habits

We often set ambitious goals, such as going to the gym, adopting healthier eating habits, or reducing our social media use. However, despite our best intentions, staying committed can often feel like an uphill battle. A review of evidence published in 2024 highlights why. While understanding the benefits of behaviour change and believing in its value […] … learn more→

Saving the planet from school: can a video game teach sustainability?

Saving the planet from school: can a video game teach sustainability?

In a room full of excitement, a group of students make quick decisions on the screen: separate waste, optimize composting and collaborate on sustainable solutions for their virtual community. Comments flow: “Watch out for methane!” exclaims one student, while her classmate tries to find the best strategy to reduce environmental impact. We are in a […] … learn more→

Literatures – look for blind spots

Literatures – look for blind spots

One of the problems with literatures work is that you deal with what’s published. And once you’ve accumulated what’s out there, you use them. You might find a definition or categories drawn from these literatures. You design the research question from your analysis of literature. And quite often the published literatures inform your research methods […] … learn more→

How do algorithms read our minds?

How do algorithms read our minds?

I take the bus and find that my seat has already been reserved. Good! I get off at the fourth stop and enter a large hypermarket. Right at the entrance, in a carefully arranged basket, are the avocados and tomatoes that I buy every week, the juices that I like the most and my usual […] … learn more→

What can you do if you’ve started uni and you don’t like it?

What can you do if you’ve started uni and you don’t like it?

More than 260,000 students across Australia are going to university for the first time. Some come to university to pursue a passion, others to discover one, and some aren’t quite sure why they’re here. Whatever their reason, it can take time to adjust and feel comfortable at uni, and some students decide studying is not for them. […] … learn more→