This article has been reviewed according to Science X's editorial process and policies. Editors have highlighted the following attributes while ensuring the content's credibility: Researchers at La Trobe University 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 a 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 trainee teachers, using AI to modify its reactions based on the teachers' responses.
The robot is one of several people-centered 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 preservice teachers before they enter the classroom. Several Victorian schools have also signed on to train their existing staff. Lead researcher Therese Keane, a professor at 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," Keane said. "Preservice 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 preservice 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 behaviors that support meaningful engagement.
Recently retired principal Henry Grossek saw the rate of verbal aggression against teachers increase during his 57 years in Melbourne classrooms. Grossek 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 nonthreatening environment.
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