Each year, the CESI conference brings together teachers, lecturers, education professionals, and other tech-related personnel to form what I describe as a “community of camaraderie.” What sets CESI apart is its accessibility (it’s not as expensive as other conferences, and it’s held on a Saturday, eliminating work logistics) and its inclusivity (welcoming everyone from primary […]
Second-level teachers have raised significant concerns about the permitted use of artificial intelligence (AI) in project work for the Leaving Certificate. This follows the release of new guidelines by the National Council for Curriculum and Assessment (NCCA) recently. These guidelines apply to subjects such as chemistry, biology, physics, and business and address the implementation of
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The king is dead; long live the king. This blog post is both an ode to Twitter and a suggestion for somewhere new. When reflecting on your career in education, you often consider where you’ve made an impact within the wider educational community. Some teachers might have coached an All-Ireland-winning team, others may have directed
From the Ex-Bird to the Butterfly Read More »
Writing is a journey, and like any journey, it becomes easier with the right tools and guidance. Artificial intelligence (AI), in particular Generative AI, is one such tool that can transform how we support students during the writing process. By integrating AI thoughtfully, teachers can save time, develop creativity and enhance learning outcomes. Let’s take
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Reading is a cornerstone of learning, and fostering a love for books is key to developing lifelong learners. For upper primary classrooms, Epic offers a dynamic, engaging platform to support literacy development. With its vast library and intuitive features, Epic can transform how students approach reading. I have often found it challenging to motivate and
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In today’s rapidly evolving digital age, digital literacy has become a fundamental skill, just as important as reading and writing. Digital literacy is no longer an option, but more of a necessity to prepare students for everyday life. What is Digital Literacy?Despite the fact that the term “digital literacy” is widely used in today’s vocabulary,
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Consider your approach to student wellbeing and digital engagement towards reducing cognitive load. Imagine this: a student sits down at their desk, ready to tackle an assignment. One tab has a list of PDF articles, another holds a playlist of YouTube videos, a third is open to an online quiz, and a fourth expands to
Lost Without a Map, Where Can I Find Directions? Read More »
In the fast-paced world of digital education, it’s crucial to integrate wellbeing practices to support students’ mental and emotional health. As educators, we can leverage digital tools and platforms to create a balanced and supportive learning environment. Here’s how you can incorporate wellbeing practices into your digital teaching and learning. 1. Microsoft OneNote for Mindfulness
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Are we fully aware of the impact AI is having on students? As part of some recent work, I developed four student personas to represent the mixed perspectives students are having in relation to using, or not using, artificial intelligence (AI) in their assignments (These are based on adult learners but likely useful to consider
Student perspectives on using AI to complete assignments Read More »
Just over a year ago I first wrote about Microsoft’s Quick Guides, a series of short PDF guides covering a selection of 365 apps and learning tools. At the time I quipped that the initial 14 guides were just for starters and in time the series would grow and encompass the entirety of the 365
Quick Guides – Get to Grips with Microsoft’s Learning Tools Read More »
