Pedagogy and Academics

From the Assistant Principal Pedagogy and Academics

Designing Critically Resilient Learning Tasks in an AI World

AI is changing how students learn, with or without our intervention. This was the starting point for two recent R–12 professional learning sessions that asked a deceptively simple question: how do we ensure students are still doing the thinking?

Across two Tuesday afternoon workshops, Loreto staff explored the implications of generative AI for teaching and learning. Drawing on current research, we unpacked a central dilemma: today’s generative AI tools are optimised for solving problems, not for getting better at solving problems. When students outsource cognitive effort to AI, they may produce polished products; however, they lose the thinking process that leads to real growth. What’s at stake here is not just academic quality, but the cultivation of intellectual independence.

Rather than retreating from AI, we focused on how to design with and for it. That is, critically, purposefully, and with clarity about what we value. In faculty groups, staff trialled a range of AI tools across year levels, drafted AI use policies, and redesigned assessment tasks so that curiosity, evaluation, and ethical awareness emerge naturally from the task itself. We discussed the importance of assessing metaskills: not just the final product, but the judgment, creativity and collaboration involved along the way.

Most importantly, the workshops reinforced a key insight: innovation in this space isn’t about changing what we teach, but how we teach it. Crucially, this doesn’t call for an overhaul of curriculum content, but for greater deliberation in our pedagogical choices - and in how we design for thinking. As we continue to build a shared and transparent approach at Loreto, the focus shifts from reacting to AI to integrating it with clarity and purpose. In doing so, we increase the likelihood that AI is used as it should be - not to replace the learning we value, but to support and extend it. 

We look forward to continuing this work in partnership with you, as we shape a learning environment where technology serves rather than steers the development of our strong, confident, and passionate young women.

Mel Pedavoli

Assistant Principal Pedagogy and Academic Leadership