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 […]
I have recently started a lunch time Minecraft club in my school for 1st and 2nd year students. The aim of the club is to set up teams to enter the Dreamspace SEAcrets of the Deep competition. See more info about that here: The W5 Blog｜The Latest News At W5 | W5 Belfast Since setting
Using Minecraft Education as a Social & Educational Tool Read More »
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
Teacher concerns over use of AI in Leaving Cert project work Read More »
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 »
Throughout my career in education, I’ve witnessed numerous technological advancements that were initially viewed as potential threats to the teaching profession. From video players to YouTube, these innovations never replaced teachers but instead became valuable tools in our classrooms and beyond. Today, I feel that we face a similar situation with Artificial Intelligence (AI) in
Embracing AI in Education: A Deputy Principal’s Journey Read More »
We regularly feature Microsoft’s brilliant Learning Accelerators on the TeachNet blog primarily because when used appropriately they have the potential to enhance core curricula delivery by personalising learning experiences, supporting a wide range of learning needs and by helping make the learning more engaging and effective through inclusive design, instant feedback and targeted practice.. In
Reading Coach – New Web & Store App Read More »
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 »
Using Copilot to create class content can be a game-changer for secondary school teachers. However, the effectiveness of this tool hinges on the specificity and detail of the prompts provided. Detailed prompts ensure that the generated content is tailored to the teacher’s needs, saving time and enhancing the quality of educational materials. Why do specific
The Importance of Prompt Crafting in Copilot Read More »
Every September, teachers often share good digital resources that they came across on a teacher CPD summer course. One such resource shared with me recently was Vocaroo.Vocaroo is a simple free online tool that allows users to record, send, and download voice messages. Teachers and learners can use Vocaroo in different activities, such as podcasting,
Vocaroo: A Simple and Effective Online Voice Recorder Read More »
