Recently, a research on how a new virtual reality (VR虚拟现实) experience educated children about the fire disasters was done. The new VR experience was developed by the University of South Australia, hoping to educate children to learn how to be safe in a fire. It presents a situation for children aged 10-12. In the situation, they are tasked to look after a friend’s dog just before a fire event begins. They take part in a set of problem-solving activities to help save and protect themselves and the dog.

The findings showed that over 80% of children could calmly tell the advantages and disadvantages of different choices. They also learned to make wise decisions to protect themselves from a fire. Children thought it especially important and meaningful, because 91% of them didn’t have knowledge of fires at the beginning, and 67% had said that they were too young to make safety decisions in a fire.

The researchers believed such VR experiences made it possible to engage (使参与), educate and empower the young. “As children born in modern times, they are interested in such technology and they can experience events in a real situation yet within the safe environment,” said Delene Weber, one of the researchers. “Well-designed VR can provide children with surprisingly valuable learning tools.” Meanwhile, because children have fewer life experiences, aren’t as physically strong, and are less likely to have learned much about fire safety, they’re often most at risk. However, the role that children play in the fire safety at their homes should not be underestimated (低估). “Children don’t need to be always waiting for help in disasters. With these VR experiences, we can make children understand the risks and realize they can help,” said Weber.

What makes smartphones fun and useful? There are many apps that you can use for work and play. Check out some of them here.

Dawn Chorus—Android/IOS	There’s something beautiful about waking up to the sounds of nature. The app Dawn Chorus brings the sound of nature to your mornings. You can start your day with the sweet sounds of birds.
Vocabulary. com IOS	If you are looking to improve your English language skills, vocabulary has something to offer. Vocabulary. com is more than just a dictionary. It also has a word learning system, which helps you to learn words through a fun game.
Prisma Android/ IOS	Are you a fan of art? Here’s an app created just for you. Prisma is a photo-editing app unlike any other. The photo filters (滤镜) on the app can make your pictures look like works of art. Let your imagination go wild!
Productive IOS	There is some truth to the saying “old habits die hard”. But what about new habits? Sometimes new habits are just as difficult to start up and keep. If you’re having trouble trying to get into a new habit, then Productive might help you.

Chat GPT, a smart AI chatbot (聊天机器人) tool, has been very popular all over the world in the past months. According to a US survey of more than 1, 000 students, over 89% of them have used Chat GPT to help with their homework assignment (任务).

Developed by US company Open AI, Chat GPT is a powerful tool. You can ask it to write stories and emails, create recipes (食谱), translate languages, and answer all kinds of questions. Some schools in the US, Australia and France have banned (禁止) the use of Chat GPT. In the US, for example, New York City public schools banned students and teachers from using Chat GPT.

The move comes out of worries that the tool could make it easier for students to cheat on homework assignments. Some also worry that Chat GPT could be used to spread inaccurate (不准确的) information. Apart from bans, teachers are making changes to their classes to stop the use of Chat GPT. Some college teachers in the US try to include more speaking exams and handwritten papers instead of typed ones. However, not all schools say “no” to Chat GPT. Some Canadian universities are drafting policies (起草规章制度) on its use, for both students and teachers. They have no plans to completely ban the tool so far.

BhaskarVira, pro-vice-chancellor (副校长) for education at the University Cambridge in the UK, said that bans on AI software (人工智能软件) like Chat GPT are wise. “We have to know that AI is a tool people will use,” he told the school newspaper the university. “What we need to do is change our learning, teaching and examinations. That way, we can have integrity (诚信) while recognizing (认可) the use of the tool.”