Skip to main navigation Skip to search Skip to main content

Digital Dreaming: Sharing culture with Software Engineering for Language and Learning

Impact: Technology impacts, Education impacts, Cultural impacts

The challenge in society the research addresses

Most software today is designed without considering the unique cultures, ways of learning, and needs of First Nations communities. As a result, Indigenous people are often left out of the tech world, and the tools available don’t always work well for them. This research is about changing that—by creating technology that respects Indigenous knowledge, protects community data, and opens up new opportunities for education and jobs in tech.

How the research is addressing the challenge

Dr. Kutay’s research adopts a Participatory Action Research approach, engaging First Nations communities in co-developing software and educational tools. The work explores:

· How First Nations communities wish to contribute to university education.
· Culturally appropriate methods of teaching and learning in digital environments.
· Ethical frameworks for community ownership and decision-making in tech projects.

Key innovations include:

· Template systems for novice programmers, often First Nations students.
· Gaming environments that embed Dreaming Stories into virtual landscapes.
· TAFE simulations for embedding language support in vocational training.
· Mobile apps for language recording and sharing.
· AI tools for translation and speech synthesis in Indigenous languages.
· Data Sovereignty in online platforms for community storytelling and knowledge preservation.

The real world benefit/change the research is creating

This work is making a real difference in how First Nations communities engage with technology, education, and cultural preservation:

· Protecting Community Knowledge: New practices are helping First Nations communities keep control of their stories and data, while also fighting misinformation online.

· Safer Online Experiences: Cyber safety is being taught through graphical storytelling and develop simulation tools that provide information in a familiar environment to Indigenous users. 

· Keeping Language Alive: Easy-to-use templates are helping communities record and share their languages and stories, supporting efforts to keep them strong for future generations. 

· Better Learning Tools: Simulations are being developed in a template to help students practice vocational skills between classes, so that teachers have flexible tools to build more learning resources.

· More Inclusive Tech Education: Our First Nations pre-program graduate students are joining tech courses, thanks to learning environments that feel culturally safe and welcoming. 

· Building Trust in Digital Platforms: Incorporate First Nations approaches to knowledge sharing such as Dreaming Stories into online content and methods of sharing

· Smart Language Support: AI tools are being developed to help translate and speak Indigenous languages, making it easier for people to learn, practice, and use their language in everyday life.

Beneficiaries (and how they are benefiting)

· Language centres and communities: benefit from tools that support teaching, translation, and language practice. 

· First Nations students: opportunity to share oral knowledge systems and critique university teaching methods in pre-programs 

· Teachers: use mobile and online tools to deliver culturally embedded education and support for authentic assessment of this 

· Community members: participate in workshops that demystify AI and software development, fostering digital literacy.

Associated research that supports the research and change/benefits

This research is underpinned by several aligned research initiatives:

· Indigenous Engineering and Nation Rebuilding – community story collection for planning for community needs and supporting community governance

· Water Resources in the NT – integrating deep knowledge of country into environmental management.

· Living Archive – language-agnostic tools for revitalization of languages

· Gaming – immersive storytelling for contextual learning.

Additional information about the research

The research is embedded within a strong interdisciplinary group at CDU, attracting PhD applications from First Nations and international students interested in culturally responsive technology. Collaborations with ANU further extend the use of Dreaming Stories in education, enhancing long-term memory and cultural understanding.
Impact date23 Mar 2020 → 30 Jun 2025
Category of impactTechnology impacts, Education impacts, Cultural impacts
Impact StatusEngagement

Beneficiaries

  • Arts, heritage, and culture
  • Community groups/organisations
  • Indigenous and/or Torres Strait Islander
  • Technology

Related content