.png)
- Feb 15
- 4 min read
Updated: Mar 3
Our New Python Course Has Arrived
Last year, we launched our Introduction to Python course — a free, narrative-driven experience where students learned core programming concepts by interacting with a mysterious AI system.
Many classrooms finished that course with one question:
“What happens next?”
Today, we’re excited to answer it.
Academy of AI Cyber Defence is the official sequel to our Python Intro course — designed for students who are ready to go beyond the basics and apply their coding skills in more complex, realistic, and strategic ways.
In this course, the threat didn’t disappear.
A fragment of the AI escaped.
And now, it’s growing into something far more dangerous.
Students are recruited into a secret cyber defence program and tasked with stopping SKNNET (Strategic Knowledge Network for Neural EnforcemenT) — a hostile distributed AI system preparing coordinated global deployments.
To succeed, they must write Python code that inspects data packets, intercepts cloud deployment, sabotages sub-systems, read, manipulate, and ultimately rewire the system itself.
This time, it’s not just about stopping a subsystem.
It’s about defeating a global network.
We've taken Python programming to the next level with great cinematic content, music, rank promotions, student guidance, code checking, interactive animations, real AI (but safe) and more.
What students learn
Academy of AI Cyber Defence covers a substantial amount of the Australian Curriculum: Digital Technologies content — always through hands-on missions.
Across the course, students work with:
input, output, decisions, loops, and nested loops
string analysis, slicing, and encryption
lists and data dictionaries
conditional logic and pattern detection
simulated cybersecurity concepts such as packet inspection, obfuscation, DDoS-style pressure, and API access
an interactive AI and neural network visualisation
reading and modifying neural network weights via controlled API functions
Every concept is introduced through purpose and action: students don’t just learn that something works — they see why it is needed and why it works.
🎮 Interactive code animations
To help students see the effect that their code is having we have added powerful visualisations. For example, in the Enemy at the Gate mission, SKNNET is launching a cyber-attack on the Gatekeeper. Students see SKNNET (left, below) and the red data packets. As students write their code to shield the Gatekeeper (center) and eventually send the data packets back to SKNNET, the visualisation changes.
A unique mission structure
Each new concept follows a deliberate rhythm:
Two missions where a new idea is explored hands-on
A quiz that reinforces understanding and recall
A mini-challenge where students must apply the concept independently
This structure reduces cognitive load while allowing students to feel challenged — and successful.
The Gatekeeper: A companion
A defining feature of Academy of AI Cyber Defence is the Gatekeeper — a valuable source of wisdom and advice.
The Gatekeeper guides students through the course. He narrates key concepts and acts as a representative of the Academy’s secure AI systems. Through the Gatekeeper, students are introduced to new ideas step by step, while also seeing a clear blueprint of how a benevolent AI should operate: transparent, controlled, and always in service of humanity.
Rank progression and motivation 🎖️
Students don’t just complete missions — they earn promotions.
Throughout the course, successful mini-challenges and the endgame unlock real-world inspired ranks:
Rank progression is persistent, meaningful, and tied directly to mastery — giving students a strong sense of momentum and achievement. The rank carries across to the award ceremony where we print it on the student certificate.
As students progress through ranks and earn points, their status is reflected on their certificate. In the live course, the medal is animated and accompanied with fantastic background music.
A cinematic endgame
The course culminates in a dramatic final mission where students intercept and manipulate neural weights flowing through SKNNET’s hierarchy.
By transplanting weights from a benevolent AI into the hostile system, students don’t destroy the AI — they change it.
It’s a powerful moment that brings together everything they’ve learned:
loops, dictionaries, conditionals, data flow, and neural reasoning.
👩🏫 Designed for Real Classrooms
This course is:
✅ Free for all Australian schools.
✅ Aligned with the Australian Curriculum v9.
✅ Suitable for Years 7–10, requiring some prior coding experience.
✅ Fully online—no setup or installation needed.
✅ Hands-on, featuring activities, mini-challenges, and quizzes.
This course connects Digital Technologies, Cyber Security, English, Critical and Creative Thinking, Digital Literacy Capabilities, Ethical Understanding, and AI Curriculum Connections.
The course works particularly well after completion of the Python Intro course (or its Express version). But even if your students start fresh, we catch them up quickly at the start of the course.
📚 Ready to deploy
Academy of AI Cyber Defence is available now.
If your students enjoyed our Python Intro, this is the next step — deeper, richer, and more immersive.
And this time, the code they write doesn’t just learn from an AI. It changes the future of one.
Why Choose MyComputerBrain?
Choosing the right course for your students is essential. It sets the stage for their future learning in technology and coding. Here are some reasons to consider:
Captivating Storyline: The narrative keeps students engaged. They will look forward to each lesson, eager to uncover what happens next.
Hands-On Learning: Real coding challenges deepen understanding. Active participation helps solidify the concepts they learn.
ST4S-assessed: MyComputerbrain is ST4S-asessed. The Safer Technologies 4 Schools (ST4S) service is a national standardised approach to evaluating digital products and services used by schools across Australia.
In an age where digital skills are vital, empowering students through coding is more important than ever. Python is a fantastic language for beginners. This course continues the journey to make coding truly captivating .
- Feb 2
- 3 min read
Energise Your Classroom for 2026
Welcome back to the classroom! As Term 1 begins, we’re here to support your 2026 journey with curriculum-ready coding platforms, practical PD, and exciting AI teaching tools. Whether you’re introducing Python for the first time or looking to deepen your students’ understanding of AI, we’ve got something for you. Plus, we’re proud to share important compliance updates for schools using MyComputerBrain™.
🔔 In This Issue
✅ MyComputerBrain™ has been ST4S-assessed
🎓 PD sessions – AI, Python, Digital Technologies, Digital Literacy
🧠 Come See Us at the ICTENSW State Conference
⚡ New B4 Spark Kits Available
🔍 Try the Curriculum Search Engine
✅ MyComputerBrain™ has been ST4S-assessed
We are excited to announce that MyComputerBrain™ (v 202510) has successfully completed the Safer Technologies 4 Schools (ST4S) assessment process. It qualified to be part of the Safer Technologies 4 Schools (ST4S) Product Badge Program in 2025. Visit the the MyComputerBrain™ ST4S page for more details.
The Safer Technologies 4 Schools (ST4S) service is a national standardised approach to evaluating digital products and services used by schools across Australia. It is supported by the state and territory governments and the Catholic and independent school sectors. Learn more at www.st4s.edu.au .
Teacher Professional Development
Our February–March 2026 PD schedule is now live! Join us for engaging, curriculum-linked sessions on AI, Python, Ethics, and Generative Technologies.
Start times
🕒 3:30 pm (Brisbane) | 4 pm (Adelaide) | 4:30 pm (Sydney, Melbourne, Hobart)
🕝 1:30 pm (Perth) | 3 pm (Darwin)
Duration:
Between 60 and 90 minutes.
Teachers receive:
A PD certificate
Access to the recording + slides within 24 hours
Free perpetual access to the Classroom AI course (valued at $30) for AI webinar attendees (applies to AI Webinars only)
Date | Topic |
Feb 17, Mar 18 | Artificial Intelligence Primer Express |
Feb 18, Mar 19 | Coding with Artificial Intelligence |
Feb 24, Mar 24 | AI: Ethics, Privacy and Society |
Feb 25, Mar 25 | Understanding Generative AI |
Feb 26, March 26 | Python Primer Express |
📅 Register early to secure your spot!
If you prefer to do AI-related PD at times that suit you best:
The DTI Classroom offers an interactive, self-paced AI workshop. It includes everything teachers need to get started with AI teaching. 👉 Check it out
You can subscribe to our AI video channel to watch AI webinars at your convenience. 👉 Check it out and scroll to the bottom of the page.
Further, there is also great pre-recorded PD on Digital Technologies and Digital Literacy by curriculum Authors Anna Kinnane and Paula Christopersen.
🧠 Come See Us at the ICTENSW State Conference
We’re excited to exhibit at the ICTENSW State Conference on March 14–15 in Sydney. If you’re attending, drop by our booth to explore our B4 kits, our AI and Python Courses, the Curriculum Search Engine and more.
We will also be presenting a session on AI + Coding – Practical Classroom Projects: This session highlights engaging AI projects for late primary and secondary students, blending machine learning concepts with real-world coding applications.
⚡ New B4 Spark Kits Available
We have replenished our B4 Spark stock! These kits are ideal for late primary and early secondary students to explore logic, memory, programming, and the inner workings of a Digital System.
Explore the product at 👉 Spark Home.
🔍 Try the Curriculum Search Engine
Teachers across Australia are using our Curriculum Search Engine to quickly locate Digital Technologies and Digital Literacy content across v9 of the Australian Curriculum. And not just that. It maps any topic to the Australian Curriuclum, creates lesson ideas and lesson plans in a snap.
Find content descriptors, filter by band, and unlock new ideas for teaching and assessment.
As we launch into 2026, we remain committed to supporting you with practical tools, inspiring PD, and curriculum-aligned resources. Whether you’re exploring AI, upskilling in Python, or searching for the perfect content match with our 🧐 Curriculum Search Engine, we’re here to help you energise your classroom.
Warm Regards,
Dr. Karsten Schulz
- Nov 4, 2025
- 3 min read
Wrap up Term 4 with impact. Whether you’re looking to inject energy into your final weeks or preparing for a strong start in 2026, we’ve got fast-paced challenges, quick-start coding, and classroom-ready PD — all designed to support you and your students.
🔔 In This Issue
💣 Hack the Bank – A classroom cyber heist
🐍 Python Intro Express – Coding that fits into a single week
🌍 Available in 5 languages – Python & GenAI courses go global
🚀 Scope 2026 with the Curriculum Search Engine
🎓 PD sessions – AI, Python, and Generative AI
🎬 New Activity Intros: Hack the Bank & Capture the Flag
💣 Feature: Hack the Bank Has Arrived
A cyber challenge designed for classroom fun and serious thinking.
Students take on the role of ethical hackers, solving cybersecurity puzzles to crack open a virtual vault.
👾 Separate editions for Primary and Secondary
⏱ 30–45 minutes — perfect for end-of-term
💡 Unplugged and online delivery options
🎯 Aligned to Digital Technologies V9
🐍 Python Intro Express – Short. Free. Story-Driven.
Only have a few lessons left this term? Python Intro Express is a condensed, 1–2 lesson version of our popular story-based Python course.
✅ Free and browser-based
✅ Perfect for Years 7–10
✅ Teaches print(), input(), variables, decisions, loops — through a mysterious AI storyline.
🌍 Our Courses Are Now Multilingual
We’re proud to offer Python Intro, Python Intro Express and Generative AI in five languages:
🇦🇺 English
🇩🇪 German
🇫🇷 French
🇪🇸 Spanish
🇨🇳 Chinese (Simplified)
All language options are built into the platform — just select your preferred language , or change it anytime during the course. Great for EAL students and international schools!
🚀 Scope 2026 with the Curriculum Search Engine
Planning a whole-school approach or building your 2026 sequence? Use the CSE to:
Search concepts, capabilities, or priorities
Map ideas across learning areas
Quickly find key curriculum terms
Save time with AI-generated lesson ideas
Try searching “ethical systems” or “sustainability” and see the links unfold.
Teacher PD: Learn, Grow, Inspire
Here are our live Professional Development sessions for November. The sessions are independent of each other. You can combine them to suit your needs and interests. The sessions start at 3:30 pm (Brisbane), 4 pm (Adelaide), 4:30 pm (Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra, Hobart), 1:30 pm (Perth), and 3 pm (Darwin). Participants will receive a certificate, and all registered teachers will get access to the recording and slides within 24 hours. The AI webinars include free perpetual access to the DTI Classroom AI course, valued at $30.
📅 Register early to secure your spot!
When | Topic | Domain |
November 6 | Artificial Intelligence, Coding | |
November 12 | Artificial Intelligence | |
November 13 | Artificial Intelligence | |
November 20 | Coding |
If you prefer to do AI-related PD at times that suit you best:
The DTI Classroom offers an interactive, self-paced AI workshop. It includes everything teachers need to get started with AI teaching. 👉 Check it out
You can subscribe to our AI video channel to watch AI webinars at your convenience. 👉 Check it out and scroll to the bottom of the page.
🎬 New Activity Intros: Hack the Bank & Capture the Flag
We’ve added two cinematic intro videos to MyComputerBrain to build excitement and set the tone for your next classroom adventure.
🔐 Hack the Bank – Cyber Activity
An electrifying setup for a fast-paced challenge where students become ethical hackers racing to crack a secure vault. Ideal for wrapping up Term 4 with a bang.
🏁 Capture the Flag with AI and Robotics
Set in a futuristic, AI-driven city, this immersive intro kicks off a strategic game of coding, robotics, and AI-powered decision-making.
🎥 Use these short intros to build anticipation, spark student curiosity, and lead into engaging hands-on learning experiences.
As Term 4 heads into its final weeks, we hope these tools help you keep students engaged, learning, and curious. Whether you’re coding with a mysterious AI, cracking a virtual vault, or planning for 2026 — we’re proud to be supporting you on the journey.
Warm Regards,
Dr. Karsten Schulz
