In the latest episode of the TeachNet Podcast, Dr Michael Hallissy is joined by Dr Enda Donlon and Dr Peter Tiernan from DCU Institute of Education to talk about their ongoing PAIDEIA Erasmus+ project, which was the subject of their joint Keynote at this year’s CESI Conference. Peter and Enda begin by explaining how the project emerged in response to the growing societal impact of AI and the need for educators to be equipped with the knowledge and critical skills to navigate this space. Also, the meaning and significance of the Greek word Paideia.
As the conversation evolves Enda and Peter share knowledge from their literature review, teacher perspectives on AI, policy analysis, and detail the development of a curriculum aimed at increasing AI literacy among educators. The discussion highlights the necessity for teacher professional development, the issues posed by generative AI, and the future of AI in education. They conclude by detailing plans for a pilot programme to road test the new curriculum in second-level schools across the partner countries, including a request for Irish schools to express their interest.
Some other notable takeaways…
- A literature review revealed a growing interest in AI in education.
- AI anxiety is a real concern among educators.
- Teachers express a need for mandatory AI training.
- Policy analysis shows a lack of specific AI education policies.
- The curriculum in development focuses on ethical AI use.
- Teachers want to critically reflect on their use of AI.
Additional Resources
The PAIDEIA Project website