Generative Artificial Intelligence
Catholic Regional College North Keilor
I just wanted to say thank you for your wonderful presentation on Introduction to GenAI at CRC North Keilor at the end of Term 3. I really enjoyed the session and it gave me a lot to think about as a teacher, Domain Leader (Digital Technologies) and Head of Digital Learning. We’re also very grateful for the resources you shared, they’ve been a great starting point for our staff discussions.
Mariel Muyco – Domain Leader (Digital Technologies) and Head of Digital Learning Catholic Regional College North Keilor
Kilbreda College Mentone
Leon has presented to our college in both the face-to-face capacity and online. In both cases he was able to engage the staff, challenge our understanding of AI but also lead us to think of our approach in educating our students to develop an understanding of the benefits and concerns related to AI. The key areas of focus were AI and assessment and AI and wellbeing. Staff explored the assessment scale and were encouraged to review their assessments as a process and not merely a summative task. Staff were also made aware of many of the AI platforms that our students have access to, and the concerns related to chatbots and emotional detachment. Staff left the PD with a greater understanding of how to implement a consistent approach to AI.
Clare Kelly – Assistant Principal: Performance and Development
Trinity College – The University of Melbourne
It was a great session clearly and sensibly presented…
Loved it. We need a lot more of this. AI consultants to work with disciplines to re-invent the curriculum and assessment tools….
Loved it. Very informative and impressive.
Great session. More AI sessions would be appreciated. :)…
An interesting and relevant session – Participants in online and face-to-face sessions on AI and assessment
MLC School Sydney
Leon Furze has an extraordinary gift for making artificial intelligence not only understandable but genuinely inspiring. His presentations are clear, insightful, and deeply relevant to the challenges and opportunities facing us today. Leon’s work empowers everyone to embrace AI with confidence and purpose.
Tracey Neale – PA to the Principal
Brentnalls Affiliates – Chartered Accountants and Advisors
Leon Furze delivered one of the most engaging and insightful sessions on AI. Over the course of three hours, he kept us captivated with his deep knowledge, clear explanations, and practical approach to artificial intelligence. His session wasn’t just theoretical; it was packed with real-world applications that we can implement in our firm immediately. Leon’s ability to demystify AI while keeping the entire room engaged made this an outstanding learning experience. Highly recommended for any business looking to future-proof their operations! – Erin White – Practice Manager Cogger Gurry Chartered Accountants
Denison University
Leon Furze’s presentation on “Understanding GenAI in Education: AI and Assessment” was truly impressive. His seamless navigation through the material, coupled with a diverse range of examples and profound knowledge depth, provided an invaluable learning experience for our institution. Following the session, many colleagues reached out to express their gratitude and praise for the insightful presentation, thanking me for organizing such a valuable learning opportunity. – Lew Ludwig, Director, Center for Learning and Teaching, Denison University
Travis Parker – Associate Principal The Knox School – GenAI Critical Friend
Leon played an instrumental role in assisting The Knox School in understanding the place of generative AI in education and formulating our generative AI policy. His ability to explain complex generative AI concepts in a clear and accessible manner made it easy for our students, parents, Heads of Department, and teaching staff to grasp the intricacies of generative AI.
This, in turn, fostered a more informed and engaged community within our school. Leon not only educated us about the potential of generative AI but also guided us through the development of a comprehensive generative AI policy.
Participants – Headspace National Youth Mental Health Foundation conference
Excellent insight into an area I only had a surface level understanding. Really engaging presentation, relevant to our work and valuable information. I will certainly be visiting his website for more information.
A great topic and presenter, please keep giving us speakers that keep our division abreast and up to date with the latest themes, issues, trends going on in the education sector that could impact the work that we do.
This was a great session and has sparked a lot of thought and conversation with the team. a very timely session to inform how we talk to schools as AI becomes more prevalent in use across society.
Participants – Independent Schools Victoria Full Day Sessions
Practical session provided excellent take aways. Leon’s knowledge is great and he knows and appreciates his audience.
Great combination of delivered content and opportunity to discuss and contextualise to your own school setting.
All of it was brilliant. Love the ethical discussion and the demonstrations of each tool.
Small group size so discussions were really centred around specific school contexts and scenarios. Leon is very personable and knowledgeable and listened to our needs when addressing ideas and delivering content. A fantastic session!
Participants at Kardinia International College Parent Info Session
Q: What worked well in the parent session?
To become familiar with all the types of AI software out there so that when I hear them again I will not be left wondering. Was also good to understand the myriad ways that AI is already permeating our everyday life and that not all of it is bad. Suggestions of ways that it can be helpful was really good to know.
It was a great introduction to GAI. I appreciated the explanation of the platforms and a snapshot of what information is used/collected etc across these sites. Also useful was the ‘real world’ applications and possibilities for beneficial uses of the technology.
It was an excellent and balanced overview of opportunities and risks.
Professional Learning Events Planning and Facilitation with Association of Independent Schools New South Wales
Praise for online courses and webinars
“You’re incredibly prolific, and I just want to thank you for these timely and helpful resources. And your writing is so clear and accessible that I am made to feel I can explore this topic without panicking. I feel incredibly fortunate to have these.I’ve taken your course and spread the wide word among my colleagues about how valuable it is.”
– Carol Spaulding-Kruse, Professor of English, Drake University
| “This is one of the best PD sessions I have attended. I will recommend it to my colleagues.” | “An excellent PD session – this is one of the most useable and engaging workshops I have ever attended.” | “Leon’s course is a must for anyone looking to review how teaching is taught across the curriculum.” |
| “The presentation is very informative, with several practical suggestions.” | “Excellent! Fantastic practical strategies for the classroom as well as a clear explanation of the theory behind them.” | “Great, logical progression and use of visual aids. Engaging presenter, all content was useful.” |
| “The course was really relevant and super helpful in providing practical strategies.” | “Everything – content was well explained and the usage and power of ChatGPT was made accessible and usable for all.” | “Loved the way you provided the script and the videos of what it looked like.” |
| “I loved the examples of prompts. I picked up plenty of tips & tricks.” | “You have covered all of the topics important to teachers in their early stages of learning about ChatGPT.” | “Loved the structure – what we can do to create genuine writing experiences for students.” |
| “This was a great introduction to the 6 reading strategies that the school will be embracing.” | “Leon has been an invaluable asset in supporting our team.” | “A great resource for English teachers.” |
| “We have successfully used [the Reading Strategies] across a variety of subjects.” | “Leon is an incredible educator.” | “Practical Reading Strategies just arrived on my doorstep and I’m binge reading! Loving it!” |
| “I particularly like the way Leon shows teachers how to help students make connections between texts and their own experiences.” | “The line by line visualisation task is an absolute winner.” | “The pace was great and explored all areas in sufficient detail.” |
| “Everything – content was well explained and the usage and power of ChatGPT was made accessible and usable for all.” | “Loved the way you provided the script and the videos of what it looked like.” | “I loved the examples of prompts. I picked up plenty of tips & tricks.” |
English Faculty Consultancy: Creating a Culture of Reading and Writing
Clare Mackie – Haileybury Head of English and Victorian Academy Master Teacher of English
Leon has been an invaluable asset in supporting our team in challenging preconceived assumptions about the way to approach teaching texts in an English classroom, and increasing capacity and efficacy in aspiring for a more student focused and skills based method. His manner is approachable and engaging, and through providing a balance between theory and practical strategies, all teachers feel empowered to make change in their pedagogy.
Michelle Maglitto – Fintona Girls’ School Head of English
Leon is an encouraging and reliable professional coach and mentor. He is knowledgeable, innovative, friendly, and supportive; his advice has been invaluable. I engaged Leon as a professional literacy coach at the end of 2022 to help direct our English Faculty’s professional learning goal (2023) of embedding a more defined and refined writing practice in our Faculty from Years 5 to 12. More specifically, our learning objective was to redesign our curriculum and implement teaching strategies that value the process of writing and not just the product. A key strategy we have been using is ‘The Writing Cycle’ model which is outlined in ‘Practical Writing Strategies’ by Leon Furze and Benjamin White. We have had two sessions with Leon, over a six-month period, with Leon checking in regularly with me to guide and support the implementation of the strategies discussed in his book and as presented in the first session in February. His approach to developing a Faculty Vivid Vision first followed by Faculty strategic goals has enabled everyone in the English Team to have a voice and it has meant we are all invested in the professional learning goal. The strategies outlined in the book and presented in the second session are practical and effective. We look forward to continuing our professional collaboration with Leon.
Fiona Atkin and Meg Brydon, 2023 Master Teachers (English), Teaching Excellence Program, The Victorian Academy of Teaching and Leadership
Leon has been a valuable presenter and panelist with our Secondary English teachers in the Teaching Excellence Program. We have appreciated his thought-provoking perspectives on the emerging and ongoing impact of generative AI in thinking about the future of English teaching. He also presented a very valuable workshop to our teachers on inclusive practices for neurodiverse students in the classroom. Leon is an engaging and intelligent speaker, whose lived experience in the classroom enables him to speak on a range of topics with authority and humanity
Praise for Practical Reading Strategies
Liam Bassett -Westbourne Grammar School
“A great resource for English teachers and any teacher looking to facilitate the development of reading strategies… I love that there’s a clear intention for the strategies and your passion for literacy and teaching shines through”
Adam Gordon –
St. John’s Regional College
“We have successfully used [the Reading Strategies] across a variety of subjects as part of a whole-school literacy program”
Nat Gleeson –
St. Francis Xavier
“Leon is an incredible educator… If you’re new to teaching I can’t recommend this book enough.”
Fiona Simmonds –
Port Melbourne Secondary College
“Practical Reading Strategies just arrived on my doorstep and I’m binge reading! Loving it!”
Grace Frith –
Early Career Teacher NSW
“I particularly like the way Leon shows teachers how to help students make connections between texts and their own experiences, their knowledge of the world, and other texts.”
Ben White –
Monivae College Hamilton
“The line by line visualisation task is an absolute winner…Really drove home HOW the author created the post-apocalyptic atmosphere.”
