Researchers at La Trobe University in Melbourne are using a robot driven by Artificial Intelligence (AI) to better prepare teachers to deal with challenging conversations in schools.
The talking “social robot” known as Fletch has been programmed to mimic a disgruntled parent and allows teachers to rehearse intense situations before confronting them in their workplace.
Researchers have interviewed experienced teachers to gain insights into their real interactions with challenging people. Scenarios include one parent concerned that their child’s grades have dropped and another disputing their child’s suspension.
Fletch then adopts personas from these scenarios and re-enacts the situations with training teachers, using AI to modify its reactions based on the teacher’s responses.
The robot is one of a number of people-centred AI innovations being developed at La Trobe, which has embraced an “AI-first” approach to embed artificial intelligence responsibly and at scale across teaching, research, industry engagement and business operations.
Pro Vice-Chancellor (AI) Phil Laufenberg said applied AI presented a significant opportunity for universities to responsibly prepare learners for their workplaces.
“Fletch is an excellent example of applied AI and the real-world benefits it can provide in a University context. Highlighting AI for good initiatives like this one is a key focus of our new La Trobe AI Institute.”
Fletch will primarily be used to prepare La Trobe’s pre-service teachers before they enter the classroom. A number of Victorian schools have also signed on to train their existing staff.
Lead researcher Professor Therese Keane from La Trobe’s School of Education said work-related violence and aggression had become a significant occupational health and safety crisis in Australian schools.
“Exposure to verbal aggression contributes to stress, burnout and difficulties in retention, further compounding teacher shortages,” Professor Keane said.
“Pre-service teachers and those entering the profession receive little formal preparation for managing difficult or emotionally charged conversations with parents.
“This project addresses that gap by equipping pre-service and early-career teachers with practical strategies and confidence to de-escalate challenging interactions, helping them enter the profession better prepared to build positive partnerships with families.”
Fletch is an embodied artificial agent, designed to interact with people using social cues, communication and behaviours that support meaningful engagement.
Recently retired principal Henry Grossek saw the rate of verbal aggression against teachers escalate during his 57 years in Melbourne classrooms.
Henry said Fletch would provide teachers with a valuable chance to learn to de-escalate emotional situations before they were faced with one in real life.
“This is a skill that teachers new to the profession need to practice in a safe and non-threatening environment. Fletch gives all teachers a chance to build their confidence and clear messaging before they get to the classroom.”
Fletch will initially be rolled out in several schools in Melbourne but Professor Keane hopes to expand the research.
About the La Trobe AI Institute
The La Trobe AI Institute provides a single front door to the University’s AI capability across research, education and industry collaboration. It is a core component of La Trobe’s AI-first strategy, which is embedding AI responsibly and at scale.
Professor Keane is
