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ASSIGNMENT
Reflect on the potential classroom use of AI tools and how this can impact on future teaching, learning and assessment. Post a reflective piece (150 words min) to this Module forum as a Reply to this post..
Also, please respond to at least one other participant’s post in this forum.
UPDATE JULY 25: Since July 1st our facilitators have occasionally observed that course reflections may be generated with the assistance of AI tools. While AI can be a helpful support for drafting ideas or exploring different ways to express your thinking, it is essential that your forum posts reflect your own understanding and engagement with the course content. This is in line with the Department of Education and Youth’s Summer Course guidelines.
Before posting to the forum, we encourage you to take a moment to review your contributions and, if necessary, revise them to ensure they are appropriate and authentically your own. -
Despite being “afraid ” of changes in education, it is time for me to fully embrace AI and the benefits to both my teaching and my life!
Already from this course I can see the many positive benefits it will have on my teaching, but more importantly on the children’s learning. They live in a world based on screens and fast moving, readily available information. We, as teachers need to be able to provide them with this at school. AI is our way to do this. I have become so reliant on googling everything, this is the next step up. Its potential amazes me. The speed at which teachers can get information and deliver it in a way children will find engaging is amazing.
The time that we shall save googling, copying and pasting etc will be fantastic. To see the dinner party with recipes linked highlights the full package that AI can provide
To look at the quiz apps such as Yippity unlocks a new assessment type for me- and it is so easy to use. My teaching will change greatly in September!
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When AI tools were introduced to education settings initially, I probably focused on the potential negative impact this might have on teaching and learning and never really considered the many positive implications AI tools could have, if used correctly.
This module highlighted how AI tools can help teachers become more efficient, productive and creative without having to invest huge amounts of time. For me there are a number of key areas where these tools will impact on future teaching learning and assessment. I love the idea of using Khan Academy with pupils where pupils can be assessed and then the work assigned to them can easily be differentiated to suit their learning needs and ability. The AI doesn’t simply correct their work or offer the answer; it teases the problem out with the pupil and seeks to develop their understanding.
The time that teachers can save on creating resources and preparing lesson plans is a game changer and therefore more time is available to focus on the teaching and learning rather than resource creation. Even for assessment – checklists, rubrics, quizzes etc can be easily generated in minutes.
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Hi James,
Welcome to the course. Given the level of concern in the media when GenAI tools first emerged, it’s understandable that many teachers initially focused on risks like cheating, plagiarism, and so on. However, It’s interesting to see how your perspective has developed. The example of Khan Academy is a practical illustration of how AI can support differentiated learning while still promoting pupil understanding. The potential time savings in planning and assessment is also significant, allowing more space for direct teaching and targeted support.
Of course, it’s important to maintain a balanced view. While there are clear benefits, teacher oversight remains essential—what’s often referred to as “the human in the loop.”
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In the beginning I has a similar outlook as James, I was worried how students would use AI to cheat. However, if used correctly we can teach students how to use it to help them self assess their work and further their progress. The time we save using AI while planning we can use to think of more innovative ways to assess students, where they cant use AI chat bots to cheat but as a tool to deepen their learning and research.
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I too was worried too about the cheating element Michelle but I agree that if we teach student how to use it to self assess and provide individual and real time feedback would be a game changer in helping children progress. we still have a lot of learning to do and the landscape of Ai is changing so quickly so i think being mindful and keeping up to date with advances is necessary
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I agree, James. Like you I only considered the negative aspects of AI in teaching and learning. To view AI as a tool to help teachers to become more productive, efficient and creative has to be a game changer for us. For me, it’s time to embrace the changes and educate myself about the possibilities.
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I feel that as AI in schools is becoming a resource that is used more probably because we are seeing the opportunities it can give us as teachers.
I feel that what is central to successfully using AI in education is maybe not in the technology itself, but in how well we’re trained to use it. Digital tools like AI have huge potential—personalised learning paths, instant feedback, and planning support for teachers—but they can only really add to human learning when the users understand their purpose and apply them carefully.
Relevant and timely CPD is important so we continue to grow as professionals and learners ,it is more than just learning how to use AI tools, but maybe develop a mindset that sees them as partners in the learning process, not replacements. AI can free up time in a busy classroom environment for teachers and offer different learning experiences for all. There are so many different tools out there that are new to me after Module 1!
Assessment might need to evolve—maybe more meaningful, process-based approaches so AI digital tools strengthen and place the human at the centre of the learning process.
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Despite sometimes feeling hesitant – and even afraid – of how I will balance my own intelligence with AI, this course has helped me to see the benefits clearly. I used to worry that relying too much on technology might take away from my own thinking or creativity. But through the content of this module, I’ve realized that AI doesn’t replace us – it supports us. It gives us space to focus on what matters most: relationships, creativity, and connection with our pupils.
I see, that AI gives us the tools. I’ve always relied on Google to find quick answers, but this is the next level. Change can feel daunting, but with AI, I’m learning to lean into it with curiosity.
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Hi James
In reading your response I didn’t realise there as a way we could use AI with Khan academy. I must take a closer look at this and see how I can use Khan academy in a more productive way with regards assessment and lesson more suited to each child. Working in a junior school doesnt always lend itself to AI.
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I too feel like my teaching will change in September. I’m quite new to AI and like you found myself a little afraid of it. I recently taught 4th class for the first time having worked with infants for several years and they introduced me to a lot of new resources including quiz creators. Yippity is another new one for me and I look forward to using it.
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Hi James,
I felt the same way at first. I was sceptical and negative about the impact AI could have on education, worried it would replace meaningful teaching or encourage shortcuts and plagiarism . But over time, my perspective has definitely shifted. Once I started exploring generative AI tools, I realised how much time it can save me as a teacher—from planning lessons, suggesting ideas for thematic learning, to generating resources and speeding up the planning process.More importantly, from my own kids, I’ve come to realise that AI is very much already part of our students’ world. They’re using it, often without guidance, and that’s where we come in. It’s our responsibility to teach them how to use these tools ethically and competently, not just for academic success, but for their future in this changing world. AI isn’t going away, and rather than fear it, we need to embrace it and help shape how it’s used in education.
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I agree Claire. I think the positives certainly outweigh the possible risks/negatives when it comes to AI. I didn’t realise that AI could be used so easily to generate images and audio but I could see pupils really enjoying these features/tools. As highlighted in the 1st module, the quality of the prompts which are inserted into the AI tools seems to be key in order to get exactly what you are looking for but I look forward to using these tools next year.
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Hi Claire,
I agree with your point. I did my best to embrace AI in the last few months of school. At first I was sceptical and always had the notion that it was too difficult to use however, like anything once I embraced it and got the hang of it I found it to be so efficient and time saving. It afforded me more time to put more thinking into my lesson delivery rather then spending so long prepping resources.
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AI tools have the potential to transform classroom teaching, learning, and assessment. There are many benefits in using AI to support both myself and my students. For example, tools like adaptive learning platforms or AI powered quizzes can give instant feedback, helping pupils learn from mistakes in real time.
AI also saves time on routine tasks like planning or prepping resources which means I can focus more on creating engaging lessons. It can even suggest differentiated activities to match various ability levels in the room, which is especially helpful in a mixed ability class. For assessment, AI tools can help generate day to day in class assessments for the teacher to complete.
Of course, AI is not a replacement for good teaching, but when used thoughtfully, it can be a valuable support. It encourages creativity, helps manage workload, and can make learning more interactive and enjoyable for children.
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Hi David,
Welcome to the course. Thank you for your post here. You have accurately pointed out how AI can be just one tool in effective teaching and the creation of engaging learning experiences for the children in our classes. The coming modules will outline how specific AI tools can be used to achieve this, as well as prompting some thought around ethical considerations when it comes to AI use for and with our pupils.
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Like so many of the contributors to this thread I too have only recently start engaging with AI in school and have to admit that I have found it to be a fantastic time-saving resource. We are currently looking at Assessment via the SSE process and last year we started to create rubrics for a number of the curriculum areas using AI. In the beginning we used very basic prompts but with a little practice we learnt to be specific regarding the class level, the curriculum strand and within that the particular strand unit. AI saved us hours. Of course you have to look over what AI produces and make sure that it is suited to your own particular circumstances.
The information in this module has been really informative and encouraging. I can definitely see how useful AI could be in the promotion inclusion and providing for diversity.
I also really enjoyed playing around with the AI tools on https://view.genially.com. It really is quite mind-blowing!
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There is lots of great ideas here about using AI in the classroom which I have not explored at all to date. I agree that using AI to differentiate work for different needs in the class is a great use of this resource. I have found in the past that organising an appropriate task for AEN pupils can take up too much of my planning time.
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I would have previously spent a long time preparing differentiated worksheets for different learning groups or individual students within the groups or searching google or twinkl to find a resource that suited my cohort however over the last year I have begun to use AI to create more personalised worksheets such as decodable texts that focus on the sounds we have learned or are learning and that include the children’s names and some interests and they love reading them. I then can also use these resources for comprehension activities .
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Hello Clare, I completely agree with the notion that Googling, copying, pasting etc., in preparation for lessons, while once it seemed so convenient, feels now cumbersome and time consuming. The same is true of creating powerpoint displays or video editing for school projects, which invariably become mammoth tasks – have now, through the advent of AI, become something far less daunting as high quality results can be produced in a fraction of the time that it would have taken. As you note, September will certainly bring significant changes in this regard.
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This module has shown how using AI in the classroom can really enhance my teaching, by helping me to create more engaging and interactive lessons. It has huge potential I feel to stimulate and motivate learners. It would be so useful and time efficient for me also to use AI to help research and create interesting slides, videos and images based on SESE topics in the senior end of the school. I find this can take so much teacher time but using AI will greatly speed up this process. It can also help with assessments such as creating questions or quizzes based on topics we’ve covered.
I found this year I used it quite a lot to help me come up with some fun and engaging maths games, as more aligned with the new Maths curriculum. It was great for suggesting dice and card games etc linked to particular topics.
It was interesting to see AI prompts being used to create images to use in the classroom. This tool would be very helpful in particular for lessons for junior children, SESE topics, when teaching new English vocabulary and also when covering specific topics and vocab with EAL learners.
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I agree Anne Marie that the AI prompts to create images is very useful, especially with SESE topics and EAL learners, I found the story maker tools very useful for EAL learners and children with literacy difficulties because it allows them to create images and speech bubbles instead of full sentences. I’m definitely going to use it for new maths games that are aligned with the new curriculum.
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I agree that it would be a great tool to motivate some children. I find a lot of the children I support have been focusing on the same topics for a long time but still struggle with them. With the addition of AI I can envisage using more creative and interactive ways to cover these topics. I never really thought about using AI for games and ideas, so this is something I will also do going forward. I agree the image generation is fantastic and I think the children would also really enjoy having a role in this too.
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ASSIGNMENT
REFLECTION ON THE POTENTIAL USE OF AI TOOLS IN THE CLASSROOM FOR
Teaching
I believe AI is a game changer for teaching, with the potential to provide the access to topics in so many different ways and easily incorporate UDL into every lesson e.g. gamification, video, quizzes, interactive chatbots, podcasts, role play. As well as providing lesson plans and activities and helping with planning, the teacher can create differentiated learning outcomes and individualised learning paths for students.
It also should in theory, build capacity. Teachers are time-starved and using AI should free us up to monitor and engage with our students more regularly, get more detailed profiles and tailor learning.
Learning
It super for learners too. AI can make the curriculum accessible to all quite easily e.g. by using AI generated podcasts, videos, presentations, audio etc… children can engage with topics according to their own learning styles.They can also respond to topics in creative, unique ways using AI. They can work collaboratively in groups created by AI from a list of criteria and both students and the teacher can receive realtime feedback, highlighting non-participation or misconcepttions on a topic. Content can also be ‘treated’ by AI to help children engage at the same level of all other kids in the class. E.g. by asking CHAT GPT to simplify an English reading comprehension and allowing students with dyslexia to read and listen to it before the whole class starts on the topic, the playing field has been levelled.
Assessment
So the days of creating and correcting tests for hours are fast becoming a thing of the past. Student interactions with AI systems can be used to formally and informally assess their learning and understanding. Chatbots can lead by asking questions and steering the learner towards a desired outcome or can encourage interacting students to go deeper and interrogate topics at a level they would not normally access.
It can also be used as an early- detection system for a Learning disability to pick up common interactions that suggest a learning difficulty and highlight it to the teacher or query the students thinking.
Of course all use of AI must be taken on with caution in accordance with the schools AUP for AI. Every teacher must take responsibility for use in their own classroom and the Digital Team should ensure all teachers understand the Requirements for Trustworthy AI, the risks associated with using it, and that they continually use their own agency, despite general acceptance, to monitor and manage use of any Ai. The school needs to be on top of cybersecurity from the point of view of all involved : management, teachers and students. I don’t think this is a straightforward process, especially if you consider how quickly teachers need to adapt and ‘eat the frog’. There is real fear of the unknown around AI, there are common misconceptions and there is a huge body of work around ethical use of it within the school – which needs to be consistent and ongoing – not haphazard. So in my view, schools will need to have a strong digital focus, all staff will require ongoing training and all kinds of support. I think the sharing of knowledge and experience among staff, bringing in experts for workshops, collaboration with other schools regarding resources and knowledge, and partnerships with associations outside of the school and aligning digital planning with the sse are key to healthy AI use. All schools are different and it will have to be done one step at a time and at a pace we are not used to within the Primary School infrastructure!
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As someone who isn’t overly familiar with AI or its possibilities, I have found this first module quite interesting. We have been shown the potential of Google Gemini, Microsoft Co Pilot etc and how these can be used as a teaching resource. New ideas, methodologies and media can be compiled for the teacher in a matter of seconds.
Most importantly, pupils will enjoy the learning benefits themselves that AI can provide. Genially.com provides a huge amount of cool content that can help the children across a wide number of subject areas. Already, for the new maths curriculum, I have found some cool interactive activities in Generative AI, such as Transforming 2D images into 3D. Also, for any pupils that struggle to come up with writing ideas, Canva.com along with Magic Write can be of huge assistance. AI is coming down the tracks at a very fast pace, not just in education, but in the surrounding world. I’m glad to have started to learn about it with this first module.
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This course has helped me to reflect about how AI tools might fit into our primary classrooms. It’s a bit of a mixed bag—there’s loads of potential, but also a few things we’ll need to keep an eye on.
Helping Teachers Out:
First off, AI could be a real time-saver for us as teachers and school leaders. Whether it’s helping to plan lessons, come up with differentiated activities, or even just generating ideas when you’re stuck, it could take some of the pressure off. Especially in smaller schools or multi-grade settings, having a tool that can adapt resources for different levels could be a game-changer.
Making Learning More Personal:
For the kids, AI could make learning more tailored to their needs. Imagine a maths app that adjusts the difficulty based on how they’re doing, or a Gaeilge tool that gives instant feedback on pronunciation. It could help keep them engaged and give them more ownership over their learning. That said, we’d need to make sure it doesn’t take away from the human side of teaching—kids still need connection, encouragement, and a bit of craic in the classroom!
Assessment That’s Actually Useful:
When it comes to assessment, AI could help us track progress more easily and spot where kids are struggling. Tools that give quick feedback or highlight patterns in learning could be really useful. But we’d need to be careful not to let data become the whole story—there’s of course much more to a child than what an algorithm can measure.
Things to Watch Out For:
Of course, it’s not all sunshine and rainbows. Not every school has the same access to tech, and we’d need proper training to use these tools well. Or indeed not everyone is willing to explore these mediums or lack the IT confidence to do so. There are also big questions around privacy and making sure we’re using AI in a way that’s fair and safe for everyone.
All in all, I think AI could be a great support in the classroom if we use it wisely. It’s not about replacing teachers—it’s about giving us more tools to help every child thrive. As long as we stay focused on what’s best for the kids, I think there’s a lot to be excited about.
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It is clear that AI can support teachers in the classroom once used correctly. AI can be a great teaching assistant to support teachers in the classroom. As we already know, teachers has so much to do already and anything that can help us save time and assist us in teaching is very beneficial. I think it is really easy for teachers to continue doing the same lessons over and over again but it is great to get some suggestions at how we can make our lessons more engaging for the children. Using AI as a one on one tool can be very helpful for students when monitored and used properly. The way it can detect if someone is trying to cheat and allows the teacher to be able to see how they attempted to answer the question is a great support for teachers. It is so hard as teachers, to get around to everyone in the classroom so I would be very intrigued to see how it would support a student one on one. Saying this, I feel it more be more suited to older classroom ages. I think the problem could be becoming to reliant on such tools to help us with everything. I have already enjoyed exploring the generative AI in education and I am looking forward to learning more on how it can benefit me in the classroom.
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I chose this course as I had little to no knowledge about AI and felt the need to learn. When colleagues mentioned AI, I would tune out of the conversation as I thought it was beyond my capabilities to use it. I had preconceived ideas, I thought one would need to be highly competent in I.T. to make use of AI. Having completed this module, I can see how AI is accessible to all, even those less confident in I.T. I can also see how AI is an extremely useful to support teaching, learning and assessment in the classroom.
There were many useful tools provided in the screengrab from Generative AI in education. I tried out the Meiro quiz tool and thought it will work really well in class. It took 2-3 minutes to create a quiz on chapters 1-4 in a novel, a task I would have deemed time consuming beforehand. A simple but effective assessment tool to easily fit into lessons. I also loved the 3D and 360 tool which changes the children’s own drawings into animations, useful for boosting confidence in their artistic abilities. Two tools, targeting different areas, I can now see that AI can be used across all curricular areas. AI does not replace the teacher but can certainly help create engaging lessons which will benefit the learner. -
I totally agree about the use of AI and how I thought it would be completely over my head. But this module has explained it well and shown that there are more tools than just ChatGPT. I never used Meiro Quiz but seeing you used it as a tools to create a quiz in a quick and easy way I will be giving it a try. It sounds like an engaging way for assessment rather than the usual tests!
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I agree with this completely.
Having only just begun to use chatGPT to support my end of year report writing I was afraid to delve into it too much. But I can see its potential in helping support teachers in their planning if given specific/ correct information.
This course was my first introduction to Gemini and I am excited to try it on this coming year.
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I have always been interested in new technology both in my personal and work life. I have worked abroad for years, where Ipads were used daily in our classrooms. I was introduced to Google Classroom, Google sites , Google Docs and used them as tools to help students learn. I was amazed with how much they could achieve in such a short period of time.
Over the past year, I have been amazed at how much AI has helped me in my personal life and have always wondered how it could help in my classroom. I was so excited to see this course come up and even after module one I have heard of sites I have not before. I knew of chat bots and how they could help with lesson plans but I did not know of image sites like Midjourney and image FX or AI Audio like vidnoz and Pictory. The talking image of Einstein had me hooked and I know this could be great to use in the classroom to hook students attention, maybe using images of their favourite sports stars or celebrities.
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I think AI is going to have a huge impact on how teachers prepare and present lessons and how students engage with their learning. I also think it will dramatically change our thinking on assessment. Will it better? I don’t know but from my engagement with AI this year and the materials that I have tried out in Module 1 I think …Like so many of the contributors to this forum I too was nervous about engaging with AI but I am hooked!
Several of the AI tools that I engaged with in the Generative AI in education link are exciting. I will definitely be sharing these with my colleagues in September.
I also think that AI supports differentiation and inclusion in line with UD practices. This is evidence in simple things like the microphone, the thumbs up/down icons, the deep research buttons and sources button.
AI will not replace the teacher but it can certainly support the teacher in preparing, presenting and assessing.
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AI is a very modern and effective way to assist with teaching, learning and assessment in the classroom.
It can assist with differentiation by analysing the needs of specific children just by simply inputting their data and asking it to tailor the learning outcomes.
Our school has several children with English as a second language. Some with no English at all. AI offers various translation tools allowing for more inclusivity of these children. This would have been a huge problem for our school in the past but is no longer the case.
AI is already having a huge impact on planning and assessment in the classroom. It can create a lesson, worksheet or a test in a matter of seconds. It can simplify a lesson that may have been too difficult on the day or equally generate something more challenging. A quiz can be created to assess learning in no time which is definitely something I look forward to using.
The most important thing about the use of AI going forward, for me anyway, Is that it frees up the teacher from some very time consuming administrative tasks allowing them more time to work closely with the children.
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AI has become a huge asset to teaching, learning and assessment. Given that AI is relatively new, the pace at which is evolving I certainly need to upskill!
For teaching it can form a useful aid, especially with regard to linking you whiteboard with “Merlyn”. This device allows the teacher to walk around correcting work as the children complete their assignments. It is similar to a Wii controller and allows you to speak into it. Having this device saves you time walking back up to the interactive whiteboard and clarifying the lesson. You simply speak into the controller and it generates what you have asked to do onto the board by means of YouTube . For example, in a maths lesson how to use a protractor to find 120degrees. The video will show up on the board making it far more efficient, without the need for the teacher to walk back up to the board and also help guide the pupil through the task.
AI can also make assessments in a matter of seconds in generating quizzes or alternative lessons in learning to enhance the quality of what is being taught.
Obviously, with technology evolving the whole thing should be embraced to set up a more efficient, dynamic and vibrant learning environment.
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As a special education teacher working with students who have severe dyslexia, I’m really excited about how AI tools can support both my teaching and their learning. One of the biggest benefits for me is how AI can help personalise lessons. My students all have different needs, and it’s amazing to be able to quickly create materials that are adapted to their learning styles—something that used to take a lot of time.
I’ve been using ChatGPT and really prefer it over Gemini and Co-Pilot. It feels easier to use and gives more relevant responses for what I need in the classroom. I’ve also tried Pictory AI and love how it can turn content into audio and video—it’s great for students who benefit from more visual or spoken input.
On a practical level, AI is already helping me with the endless paperwork, from referrals to report writing. It saves me time and helps me stay organised.
I really liked how the module reminded us to take AI at face value—you get the best results when you put in clear, thoughtful prompts. That really clicked with me. I’m looking forward to exploring more ways AI can support me and my students in a more creative and efficient way.
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Hi Mary,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts here and for outlining your own positive experiences of engaging with AI to date. Like many, Chat GPT may have been your first interaction with AI tools, which can provide a certain comfort in its use. You have mentioned Pictory AI, which is a more specific AI tool. This course will allow you to explore more of these tools that can be specifically tailored to an educational context. Some of these may be very useful to you, while some may prompt you to think that your current use of Chat GPT would be more effective. Many of these tools boil down to personal preference as they are pulling from the same banks of data and information.
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In the brief time that Ai has been in use in education, things have already changed immensely and will continue to do so in the coming years. It is a powerful tool that we can harness to our advantage in so many way. I will be working in SET next year and am already thinking about the ways that I can use it to help me to personalise programs for individual students, for designing instructional tools, for assessment and for administration. I foresee myself embracing the use of AI in my classroom and saving quite a bit of time in researching, planning and designing child-centred resources. It is clear that we have to proceed with caution but it is far better to do this while reaping than benefits than by avoiding its use completely.
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I was almost relieved to read that others felt nervous and afraid to use AI also . This is exactly my starting point . I have found this module alone helpful in learning about it especially all the different co pilot options . I had noticed but was apprehensive to even try them out . I am looking forward to gaining more confidence throughout the course .
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Reflect on the potential classroom use of AI tools and how this can impact on future teaching, learning and assessment.
I am of the opinion that AI can have both a positive and negative impact on the future of teaching and learning. In the short term the benefits outweigh the negatives however there are many implications for the the long term which need to be considered and monitored.
In the short term AI is extremely beneficial to the teacher as it can make the day to day teaching more efficient and effective by creating tasks which previously would have been time consuming. Examples of these are worksheet generators, quizzes, drafting lesson plans and supporting a more personalised learning approach by suggesting learning targets for support plans . However in the long term AI could bring some challenges the most obvious being the over reliance on technology and students losing the ability to research or to think for themselves. There is also the worry for the future of the teacher in society, will teachers begin to lose there autonomy and in turn there will be loss of human connection , problem solving skills and important social relationships between the student and the teacher .
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AI tools have great potential to enhance teaching and learning globally. It can also be used for assessment, planning and for many other aspects of education. Whilst many of us may fear the use of AI, we all need to educate ourselves on its uses as well as it’s dangers. Ai can be used to speed up planning for teachers which includes differentiation for students on not only ability but on different methods of teaching and learning. When it comes to the learners, AI can help the learner improve engagement with the varying topics through the countless tools and apps that are available. AI can track progress and help students overcome various difficulties that could potentially impede their learning. It can improve access for students especially those with special educational needs or physical disabilities. AI is probably one of the most exciting advancements for education in recent years.
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It is important to embrace developments in AI in Education and develop skills to use it effectively. The narrative focusing on AI being used to cheat or as a short cut has changed and rightly so. It is up to us to use AI where appropriate to engage the children and use the technology which will be such a big part of their lives. Once you try it out and experiment with different tools it is evident that it is the way forward and will help with teaching and learning. It certainly shortens the time needed to create assessments and quizzes. A lot of the tools are free which is great for schools too. It is great to see some courses available to try to keep up to date with AI in education.
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I agree Inez that the possibilities of AI can be the way forward but I also think it is necessary to teach the children the dangers of accepting everything they see and becoming too reliant on a device or AI bot. Definitely using AI where appropriate would be great. I found the concept of AI hallucinating amazing. I would worry that without proper education and monitoring children’s individuality and creativity would suffer. Continuing to up-skill and be open to improvements is important for us all.
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Assessment Part 2:
I was a bit sceptical of using AI tools in the classroom but even after completing the first module, I can already see the many positive benefits that it can bring to my teaching. Simple tasks like asking AI to suggest fun and engaging ways to introduce topics or for help to improve powerpoints and lesson ideas – these are tasks that I did not even consider using AI tools for and yet it’s so easy. The ‘Generative AI in Education’ website is fantastic and I will be sharing this will all my teacher friends as I know that will make great use of it. I do believe that the correct training needs to be provided in schools to ensure that staff are aware of the positives but also the possible risks that can be associated with AI tools as outlined in the Ethical Guidelines video. The last slide stating the Rules of Thumb for using AI tools is key for the safety of both the staff and children in the school.
I enjoyed Module 1 of this course. I’m looking forward to starting Module 2.-
The Rule of Thumb slide for using AI reinforces the need for education for teachers and pupils alike. With Digital Learning Plans being so topical at the moment, it would be easy to add a paragraph on the use on AI.
Already my negative attitude towards AI and “cheating” is changing thanks to module 1. As someone above said if we can use our time better and it will lead to improved outcomes in the children’s learning it is a winning solution for everyone in education.
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I agree that the last slide, ‘Rule of thumb for using AI’, highlights the responsibility we have as teachers regarding AI. This relates to our own use of it and the role we play in facilitating the students use of AI. Initially it is very straightforward to use but without proper guidance students may experience some of the risks associated with AI. There should certainly be some reference to the use of AI in a schools ITC policy.
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Stacey mentions training for staff, this would be so helpful in all schools. The possibilities seem endless and could result in more efficient schools, not just in helping teachers to plan and assess but in the running of the school. AI has changed so dramatically and quickly over the past few years and I’m sure will continue to grow and so training is important.
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I agree that education in the use of AI is essential for it’s proper and correct use. Educating ourselves as teachers firstly so then we can use it most effectively to enhance our prepararting and teaching. Secondly, we need to ensure we teach the children the correct use of AI – just as much as we would encourage them to check where they research material on google, youtube…etc. and ensure they are getting correct information. Also, avoiding “copy and paste” type use without necessarily understanding which was so common when first using online reserach for project work.
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Yes, it is essential that staff receive concrete training in how to use AI across specific subject areas. It is important that AI isn’t used lavishly in the classroom because it will be very difficult to row back from it if you do. A little and often approach should be used for the first few years in particular.
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Absolutely agree with your points. As teachers, we need to be confident and well-informed in using AI ourselves so we can model its proper use for our students. Teaching them how to critically engage with AI, just like we do with online research, is so important—especially to avoid that “copy and paste” mindset. It’s all about helping them understand the value of thoughtful input and encouraging responsible, creative use of these powerful tool
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This first module has been very informative and has already opened my eyes to the positive aspects of AI and the uses for the classroom. Having recently conducted debating with my class and have the kids experience challenges when trying to research and properly reference their facts, I found the element of sources great. Oftentimes when my class completed online research the first result of their search was Wikipedia (which we all know the unreliability of) and their searches ended there. The new search AI overview caused further challenges when I asked the kids to reference the information they found. The Chatgpt bot provided excellent sources and I will be encouraging the use of AI for research. I also found the creativity of the bots amazing and I didn’t know it could create art. The mascot creator was great and I plan on using that for my class and perhaps even a new school crest. I will definitely be using the bots when trying to create new resources and also enable the children to use them as tools for learning.
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Hi Áine,
Welcome to the course and good to hear hear how the module has introduced new ways to support both research and creativity in your classroom. The challenge of helping pupils find and reference reliable sources is a common one, and and AI tools with inbuilt referencing can certainly help. Getting the pupils not to use the first thing/source they find as per your Wikiipedia example, that’s another days work and not sure how a bot can help us address this age old issue🤔
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Hi Pat,
Well this year I banned the use of Wikipedia for referencing and research but the ease of use of the AI overview created a similar issue with the children just using the first thing they saw. I started requiring proper references and discussed plagiarism with the class. It’s a work in progress!
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Hi Áine
I like how you wrote about how you would use AI with your students. This module touched on that but thanks for the posting suggestions of ways to use in class. I am teaching second class this year, having normally been with infants, and I think these tools will be really great to help with independent learning and project work.
I enjoyed how you focused on the positive aspects as before I took this course I was really wary as to the quality of the tool but I have seen first hand in this module the quality of responses it can generate.
I’m looking forward to using in the classroom come September.
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Hi Áine,
I really admire your confidence in using AI for pupils. As of yet, I have been really suspicious of introducing the notion of AI to my learners as I am worried they will overly rely on it for their research and creativity. I guess that is one of the reasons I am doing this course. Teaching the repsonsible use of AI is certainly the way forward and is something that we all need to embrace.
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Thanks for sharing your reflections , Aine. I really enjoyed reading about how you’ve already started thinking about practical classroom uses for AI. Your experience with debating and helping pupils source reliable references really highlights one of the big challenges we all face. I hadn’t considered using AI tools like ChatGPT specifically for that purpose, so it’s great to hear how it supported your class with sourcing and referencing. I’m also intrigued by your idea of using AI for creativity- especially the mascot and crest design (We’ll be looking at uniforms this coming year). It sounds like a brilliant way to engage students and make learning more interactive. Best of luck playing with AI as you encorporate it into you planning and teaching next year.
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Hi Aine, I liked the idea of creating art too.I like using images as stimuli or ‘hooks’ throughout the year. This will save me alot of time searching aimlessly online for relevant, engaging images. This feature alongside creating videos from written pieces will definitely feature in my classroom in September.
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Until now, I have only been using chatgpt to inspire some lessons, I never thought to use it for assessment or to even personalise a child’s learning. Sometimes I found chatgpt good and others times I haven’t been completely satisfied by the results (given all the hype) but I have seen now how it works as building blocks. You begin with one thing and can enhance this through AI and comparing the different apps like co-pilot, chatgpt and Gemini was an eye opener, I enjoyed the planning a weekend in Kilkenny task and was fascinated at how Gemini thought to provide weather details, accommodation recommendations and pictures.
I want to spend plenty more time exploring the tools on the generative AI in education page at a glance its very impressive and will definitely enhance both learning and assessment in my classroom.
I think the 5 rules of thumb are very important, especially the fact checking, it’s our responsibility to ensure students get the correct information.
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Hi Evelyn. I can completely relate to your initial use of ChatGPT just for lesson inspiration. I had a similar experience where I didn’t fully realise its potential for personalising learning or supporting assessment until I started this module! Like you said, it’s all about using these tools as building blocks—starting small and building on ideas with AI’s help.
The comparison between ChatGPT, CoPilot, and Gemini was a real eye-opener for me too. I found it fascinating how each tool approaches tasks differently and like you, I was impressed by Gemini’s ability to add those little extras like images and weather updates in the Kilkenny task—it really showed how AI can be used creatively and practically in planning and learning. I genuinely thought they apps were more or less the same so its been very interesting to note the differences!
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I was also surprised at how many alternatives to Chat GPT there are and how they all provide different feedback. I must play around with them a little more to see which ones I prefer but perhaps different AI generators are better depending on the outcome you desire?
It is great that Copilot is free when you have a Microsoft 365 account too. I did not realise this and with the free version of Chat GPT and me being new to prompting I find that it usually takes me a few tries before I get the prompt “right” and specific enough and by that stage I have used my daily limit.
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After completing module 1, it is very clear that the use of AI tools in primary schools is creating many possibilities for teaching, learning and assessment. Tools like ChatGPT can support young learners by offering simplified explanations, story starters or even helping them practice reading and writing in a fun, interactive way.
Visual tools like Pictory and Vidnoz AI can transform written content into engaging videos, making learning more accessible and appealing—especially for visual or reluctant learners. These tools can help bring topics to life, support children with additional needs and allow pupils to demonstrate their understanding in creative ways beyond traditional written assessments.
As teachers, we need to guide pupils in using these tools responsibly, while also adapting our teaching methods to make the most of what AI offers.
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Hi Fiona,
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I think that it’s the adapting of our teaching methods that will possibly prove to be the most challenging initially, especially those teaching for a few years. Navigating our way through a new curriculum in Maths & English and embracing AI to do so seems challenging but worthwhile I imagine.
Anything that makes the job easier, I guess!
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I’ve chosen to do this summer course to learn more about a concept that I’m still quite ‘green’ about. I’m well aware of Chat GPT but beyond that it’s all quite new to me.
I’m excited about the possibilities, but having taught for many years part of me wonders what we might be losing by fully embracing generative AI. Happy to hold off on the negativity for the time being and embrace what’s out there.
I think the thought of having something which will aid planning more enjoyable and engaging lessons (whilst also reducing the planning time for same) has to be exciting, no matter how long you’ve been teaching.
With regard to assessment, I’m still awaiting further information in this course to be able to gauge the impact of AI on that. If we could create a bot that would correct 30 6th Class Maths copies in 10 seconds, I’d be all over it, to hell with the moral scruples! Wishful thinking.
As educators, in the future, we’ll need to be wary of how AI is used by ourselves and our students so that the passing on of information is not completely left to the bots. They generate the ideas and the scripts but we, as teachers, will still have to be mindful of guiding the children using the information we’ve generated.-
I agree with everything you’ve said Thomas. The big advantage of AI is that everything is levelled up. Its good to have guidance from teh EU and courses like these. Oide TIE have great information, training and good practice videos too.
I have to say, I am a bit of skeptical re. how much time it will actually save because it seems to me that teaching is becoming more and more customised – which is a good thing- but it does take up a whole lot of time – even with great tools such as AI. There are so many ways, so many tools, so many options, so many kids with so many different needs , I can see myself going down a lot of rabbit holes!!
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I agree that corrections, especially at senior level, can be very time-consuming. However, I believe that using AI in other aspects of the school day has real potential to reduce our overall workload and give us back valuable time to focus on important tasks like marking and feedback. That said, I do wonder how much time we will need to invest initially to get up to speed with the technology.
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I feel as educators we see AI as almost cheating and there is almost a sense of shame if we don’t create our own resources and lesson content. However, this module has shown me the potential for AI in the classroom and how it can help us as teachers to be more productive, efficient and creative.
With teaching load becoming more and more demanding and teachers being time poor, AI can assist us in differentiating resources to cater for the widening array of individual needs in the classroom. Sometimes this is not possible to do for every lesson and we resort to a generic lesson that hopefully can be adapted in small ways for different children. AI can transform mundane lessons into more interactive and engaging lessons for all, leading to more personalised and achievable learning for all students with all students experiencing success at their own level.
I had not thought about AI as a form of assessment but now realise it can help us to formatively assess students on an ongoing basis and determine where needs may lie and can provide instant feedback to students about their learning.
Of course, we must not rely solely on AI and it is important to check the quality of the data being used for bias/inaccuracies but it is a game changer in terms of its use in the classroom and when used properly can really enhance the teaching and learning experience for all.
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Vikki- I really connected with your comment about the sense of guilt or pressure to create everything from scratch. It’s something I’ve felt too when I was teaching a class. This module has definitely shifted my perspective. It’s helped me see how AI can support, rather than replace, our professional judgement and creativity. I think your point about AI helping with differentiation is very important. We’re constantly juggling a wide range of needs, and it’s encouraging to think that AI might help us tailor learning more effectively, especially when time is limited. I also hadn’t thought much about AI for formative assessment until now. Being able to track progress and give instant feedback sounds like a great way to support students more consistently. Like you, I agree that careful monitoring is key, but I’m feeling more open to exploring how AI can genuinely enhance our practice.
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Vikki’s comments about differentiation have made me think . Differentiation in every lesson can prove a huge challenge and workload. She is right when she said we sometimes resort to generic lessons. AI tools will make differentiation a bit easier for the teacher and create engaging lessons that are attainable to all.
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As a primary school teacher, I’ve started to see how AI tools could support teaching, learning, and assessment in simple but effective ways. Some learning apps now adapt to each child’s level, helping them progress at their own pace, which keeps pupils engaged and builds confidence. I’ve also been using Merlin as a planning tool—it helps me stay organised, track what I’ve taught, and plan more efficiently. If AI could link with tools like Merlin in the future, it might help spot learning gaps and support quicker, more informed planning. That said, I believe it’s important that AI doesn’t replace the human side of teaching. Primary-aged children need strong relationships, encouragement, and emotional support—things that only a teacher can provide. AI should be seen as a helpful assistant, not a replacement. If used carefully, it can reduce workload, support personalised learning, and help us create a more inclusive and responsive classroom environment.
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I agree Justine. AI is becoming ever-present in teaching and learning – it really needs to be embraced as there is no evading the inevitable. I’ve heard colleagues mention Merlin, among so many other AI tools and resources – it’s all a bit overwhelming and time-consuming to filter through the trustworthy and productive ones. As you say, AI is just another resource and cannot be compared to the human resource and experiences that shape the learning experience.
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I agree with you Justine, (AI) has a lot of promise, particularly in terms of time savings and individualised learning. You make a good point about using it as a tool, not a substitute. Tools like Merlin linking with AI could be a real game-changer for spotting gaps early and planning more effectively. And you’re right—nothing can replace the human connection we bring to the classroom!
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Artificial Intelligence, if used correctly, can become a time-saving tool for educators. With all the best intentions teachers are often hindered by time constraints and the preparation or delivery of a lesson or piece of work is not fully rounded to meet the needs of all students or is not Universal Design for Learning compliant. The phrase ‘work smarter, not harder’ immediately springs to mind.
One concern to note is an over-reliance on AI, especially for assessment purposes. While AI can create the assessment tool, teacher observation and interpretation of the learner response in relation to their needs is an interaction that cannot be replicated artificially. Other traditional forms of assessment, such as conferencing, questioning and student metacognition, are equally important in understanding the learner and the learning.
Another concern is learner-related. Will the reliance on AI curb original creativity, thought and all-round cognitive processes? Will the absence of critical thinking dumb-down society for the next generation? How will this impact the Arts industry? Lots to consider!-
I completely agree Aidan —AI has real potential to save time and support more inclusive, well-rounded lesson planning. As you said, working smarter with the help of AI can ease some of the pressure teachers face.
That said, I share your concerns around over-reliance. While AI can support assessment, it can’t replace teacher insight or the value of direct interaction, questioning, and observation. These are still essential to truly understanding our students.
Your point about creativity and critical thinking is so important. If students rely too much on AI, they may lose the chance to develop their own ideas. It’s up to us to guide them in using AI responsibly—as a tool, not a crutch.
I agree there is a lot to reflect on.
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You raise some really important points, Aidan, especially around over-reliance on AI. While it’s true that AI can be a great time-saving tool, there’s a real danger in leaning on it too heavily—particularly when it comes to assessment. AI can certainly generate quizzes or track patterns, but it lacks the nuance that comes with a teacher’s lived experience and personal connection to students. No algorithm can replace the value of classroom observations, conversations, or the ability to read between the lines of a student’s response.
There’s also a genuine concern around student creativity and critical thinking. If learners become too dependent on AI to generate ideas or complete tasks, they may lose the ability—or even the motivation—to think independently. That’s a huge risk, especially in areas like the arts where originality and expression are key. Moving forward, I think we need to strike a balance: using AI as a tool, not a crutch.
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After completing Module 1, I’ve started to see the real potential of AI in my own teaching practice. At first, I was unsure about how AI could fit into the classroom to support teaching and learning, but I now recognise it as a supportive tool rather than something to replace the teacher.
I believe that AI can save me valuable time by generating lesson ideas, quizzes, and differentiated resources. This means I can spend more time engaging with students and less time preparing repetitive materials. I’ve also begun exploring AI tools that provide students with instant feedback, especially useful for writing tasks and revision exercises.
I can really see the potential for personalised learning. With AI, students can work at their own pace, receiving tailored support based on their individual progress. This could be especially beneficial for students who need extra help or those who are ready to move ahead.
That said, I’m also aware of the ethical concerns raised in the module—particularly around privacy and fairness. It’s clear that any use of AI needs to be thoughtful and well-informed.
Overall, I see AI as a valuable addition to any teacher’s toolkit, one that can enhance both learning and assessment when used carefully.
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I’ve been thinking a lot about how AI tools are starting to shape the classroom, and it’s clear they’re going to have a big impact on how we teach, learn, and assess students in the future. Tools like ChatGPT and others can really help students by giving them instant feedback, breaking down complex ideas, or even just helping them brainstorm when they’re stuck. It’s like having a learning assistant that’s available 24/7.
For teachers, I think AI can help free up time—especially with things like marking or creating differentiated resources. That could mean more time for actual teaching and connecting with students. But we do need to be careful. There’s a risk of students becoming too reliant on AI, and we’ll have to rethink how we assess learning to make sure it’s still meaningful and fair.
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Totally agree—AI has great potential to support both pupils and teachers, especially with things like feedback and planning. I like your point about rethinking assessment too. As AI becomes more common, we’ll need to make sure students are still developing real understanding, not just relying on tech to do the thinking for them.
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When AI first became an option for use in school, I did worry about the negative impact it could have. Could it take over in areas or could we become too reliant on it. However, it was shifting my focus to how it can benefit and support both teachers and students that helped me to see what can be achieved with it’s use. I began this year in my 6th class to btry to explore one or two new items to change my own minset and start benefitting from such a great resource. I also got the class to do the same. Being able to generate images was a common use both both myself and the students. I also used when creating worksheets which could be differentiated easily for different abilities. This saves me time searching for such sheets and can focus on using the same time to support the children while doing the work. I am looking forward to learning how to continue to enhance my knowledge of the use of AI in the clsssroom and further the use of it in September by both myself and the students.
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Looking forward to embracing AI in my classroom in September. Using AI in primary classrooms can bring a wide range of benefits for students, teachers, and even parents. Here’s a breakdown of the most significant advantages:Personalized LearningAI can adapt content to each student’s level, helping struggling learners catch up and allowing advanced learners to stay challenged.Tools like adaptive math or reading programs adjust in real-time to student performance.Immediate FeedbackStudents get instant responses on quizzes or practice exercises, promoting faster learning and correction of mistakes.Improved EngagementInteractive tools, such as AI-powered games or tutors, can make learning more engaging and enjoyable.
Accessibility SupportAI can assist students with disabilities through tools like text-to-speech, speech-to-text, and visual aids.
Supports multilingual learners with translation and language.-
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Hi Orla, I really enjoyed reading your post. I completely agree with you on the benefits of personalised learning and instant feedback. I’m especially interested in how AI can support inclusion, particularly for children with additional needs or EAL learners.
If you come across any specific tools you’re planning to try out in September or fins useful I’d love to hear what you’re thinking of using and might steal some ideas.
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As a principal, this module has encouraged me to reflect on the significant potential of AI tools within the primary classroom. As I work to support colleagues in managing increasing demands, I’m particularly interested in the practical applications of AI to ease teacher workload, enable quicker generation of differentiated resources, and provide creative and efficient ways to enhance planning, teaching and assessment. With a growing range of pupil needs and increasing complexity in classrooms, the capacity of AI to assist with personalising learning and offering timely feedback is noteworthy.
However, as school leader, I also recognise the importance of a cautious and informed approach. Ethical use, data protection, and the accuracy of outputs must be carefully considered. Board of Management approval will be required to formally integrate AI tools into our wider digital learning strategy, and it is my responsibility to provide sufficient information to ensure they have meaningful oversight of its use within the school. This is an important first step in that process.
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I will be honest and was extremely nervous of doing this course but I’ve trusted teachnet every summer so decided to put my foot in here. I had plenty of worries and fears but for the moment looking at the positives. Being able to take the content and make into videos, using the prompts but watching the difference when pat entered enhanced prompts. The chat and Gemini and portal could all give a more precise answer the more data it got. By giving specific prompts including age of children etc I’m looking forward to the responses it will give me. As so many of the videos said as teachers we are time poor and with new curriculum and new time allocation etc even using it to help be creative with different topics. I can think of ideas but to prompt it to give me ideas I’d never even thought of. Gemini seemed very detailed responses and I think by experimenting between all three you get different ideas and I look forward this summer to using them. I believe young children spend enough time on screens outside class time that I try to limit screen time during the day but am aware it will, at times, enhance my teaching. As a multi grade teacher I’m also starting to think how it can be beneficial to all of the classes.
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Hi Shirley,
Welcome to the course and thank you for your post here. It is completely understandable to have concerns about the trajectory AI is heading, whilst also acknowledging the huge potential it has to make our jobs easier and the children’s learning more varied. There is certainly a role for children engaging with technologies to interrogate AI generated content, but much of this can be done ‘offline’. As a multigrade teacher, AI can offer you huge time-savings by suggesting ways to differentiate work, producing reading passages pitched to two different age groups on the same topic, modifying maths problems on the same concepts, etc. I hope the content in the subsequent modules will be of benefit in this regard.
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I have been teaching for almost 20 years and teaching infants for most of that time and am only learning about AI now through this course. My thoughts on AI before completing this course were more along the lines of robots or advanced technology that wouldn’t really suit young children.
But now i see there might be potential uses even in a junior infant classroom. For example AI could help me create resources or lessons plans quicker then I could. Since my school has a very diverse background with children from many different cultural backgrounds and languages I can see how Ai might help me to support those children.
I am cautious too and want to make sure that any technology is age appropriate and safe and most importantly doesn’t replace human connection. I am open to exploring how AI might support me after completing module 1 of this course.
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I agree Michelle that a great AI is of huge benefit in a classroom full of children with different languages – making multi – lingual worksheets can help assess the students ability – rather than them failing on language. Children love to see their own language around the classroom and AI can help with this.
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I work in a special school and I think the benefits for staff and children using AI will be very beneficial. Accessibility SupportAI can assist students with disabilities through tools like text-to-speech, speech-to-text, and visual aids.
Using copilot to make lessons more personal to each child in such an accessible way is amazing. I think using the image generator to make visuals and lessons personal to each child will really benefit children with special needs who are highly motivated by technology.
It is also so beneficial to be able to type or speak to chatGTP about a topic that might be of interest and highly motivating to a child with special needs, it would give them the power to look up what they are interested in but will also give the teachers the opportunity to look up topics easily and plan lessons around what is motivating for children with additional needs.Looking at the GENERATIVE AI IN EDUCATION is fascinating and I cannot believe how much there is to use in the classroom for teaching, learning and assessment
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Hi Emma,
Welcome to the course and thank you for your post here. It is wonderful to have such variety in school and classroom settings on the course, where we can all take tips and tricks of what is working. The Dictate function that is now available within most AI tools adds another layer of accessibility for promoting student use and engagement with these tools. Being able to tailor content and instruction around the interests of the children is huge and AI can really help us to tailor generic content to meet these interests.
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In the classroom A1 can be used to help with assessments for example to create quizzes at the end of a topic. Crucially AI can reduce a teacher’s workload by helping to create lessons that are tailored to the individual child’s ability saving the teacher time!
It was interesting to see the comparison between Copilot, Chat GBT and Gemini. The way they all try to mimic human creativity is very interesting. You really do feel like you’re are speaking to a person, albeit a very intelligent person! During module 1 it was interesting to learn that AI can help generate images and as with text the better the prompt the better the result. This will be very useful in Literacy lessons.
AI audio was something I found very interesting. I will certainly be using this to bring my history lessons to life!
Finally it was important to hear that results need to be verified. Everything should not be taken at face value. The main thing I am taking away from Module 1 is the benefits AI can be in the classroom and how these benefits will help students in their learning.
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I completely agree Jimmy, I thought it was interesting to learn about the different tools such as Copilot and Gemini as I was really only aware of ChatGPT. The ability to generate text, images and even audio opens up so many possibilities for engaging students. I also think it’s crucial, as you pointed out, that we teach students to think critically and verify AI-generated content. The real value of AI in the classroom lies in how we use it to enhance learning, not replace it.
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The integration of AI tools in Irish primary classrooms has huge potential for teaching, learning, and assessment. These technologies can personalise learning, adapt to individual student needs, and provide instant feedback in tasks.
For teachers, AI can streamline administrative tasks such as marking, planning, and data analysis, freeing up time for more meaningful interactions with pupils. In assessment, AI tools can offer continuous formative assessment through tests and analysing test results, helping educators track progress and identify areas for future learning and improvement.
However, Module 1 has highlighted the ethical considerations around data privacy, equitable access, and maintaining the human element in education which must be addressed. Teachers will need ongoing professional development to harness AI effectively while ensuring it complements rather than replaces their expertise.-
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This is the biggest barrier I have come across too! I’ve come across teachers, old and young who are nearly afraid of it, feeling they don’t have adequate skills to use it or are unaware of the benefits. We are hoping to use some Croke Park time next year to highlight the benefits and ease of AI, even just ChatGPT or OpenAI without going further into things like Canva or Curipod. I feel like I would be lost without it now, similar to how I was after Wifi and interactive panels were introduced! I run our school website and Facebook and find it to be a fantastic resource/back up for wording.
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I’ve just recently begun experimenting with AI tools, and I’m really looking forward to what they can do in the classroom. I’ve so far used AI to help me come up with a fun classroom song and even to make some lesson plans; it’s saved me a lot of time and given me ideas that I wouldn’t have come up with on my own.
I can definitely see how AI could be used to help learning in the future. Students in every class are working at different levels, and AI can make it simpler to target the different types of learners we have in our classrooms. I also think that AI may give us more time in our lives , as I feel that it will help aid our planning and resource creation. I think it will also help with the feedback on how our classes are progressing.
Of course we have to use Ai carefully, particularly when it comes to issues like data protection and preventing the tech from taking over our teacher autonomy. However, I believe AI may truly compliment and improve what we already do as teachers if we use it properly.
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I never know how beneficial AI would be for teaching before this module. I have taken away many ideas – such as using it as a tool for assessment, for differentiating activities, for making lessons more interactive and fun – for example using Albert Einstein to talk about himself instead of just reading a text about him. Making quizzes is a great form of assessment. Children are so used to technology – AI helps to make topics more relatable and fun to them. I had never heard of Co-pilot or Gemini and it was interesting to see the similarities & differences between each one. We do need to teach children how to use this tool correctly and provide them with opportunities to learn how to use GenAI tools collaboratively in class. We also need to make them aware that they need to check what the bot produces.
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Before learning about AI tools in Education, I did not realize how useful and educational they could be in my Autism class. As a Special Needs Teacher, I always try to find ways to help my students learn better and feel more comfortable in the environment. After exploring AI, now I see many ways it can support teaching, learning and assessment. For instance, using AI to create visual supports or personalized stories can really help my students to understand things more clearly. Some toold can also turn speech into text,or give instant feedback, which help pupils who have difficulty in writting or focusing.AI also can help me track progress and adapt my teaching base on each student´s needs. I now understand that AI can make learning more flexible and engaging, especially for children with autism. It is not about replacing the teacher, but about adding tools that make learning more accesible and meaningful for every child.
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A few short years ago a friend of mine who works in IT told me that the next biggest change to come was “a system called ChatGPT”. I’d never heard of it up to that point, but he was close enough in his prediction. He added the caveat that it was going to change everything. I’ve seen and heard a lot subsequently about Artificial Intelligence in the media etc. and, like mentioned in Module 1, either stark warnings or unfettered naivety are probably the same extremes of opinion that we witnessed when the internet started to become the dominant force it is today. Therefore, I think that cautious optimism is probably the best way to approach its use, especially in education.
It’s such a new platform and it’s changing so fast that today’s expert is tomorrow’s novice. In which case, teachers are better off designing lessons where they are learning along with the pupils, which is a nice approach, in my opinion. I particularly liked the idea mentioned in the module of identifying real information from deep fakes. AI is becoming increasingly more convincing and, for pupils and adults alike, it is essential that the skills to recognise this are fostered.
There are countless ways that AI can enhance teaching, learning and assessment going forward. Building lesson plans, using intelligent assessment tools (as noted in the Sal Khan video), individualised learning and intelligent tutoring systems, provision of multiple modes of learning, grade management, classroom organisation etc. There will be an ever-increasing range of assistance on offer. However, teachers (and schools in general) will have to balance this with the potential risks i.e. privacy, appropriate content exposure, propaganda material and so on. Again, cautious optimism and managing carefully the balance between finding AI’s full potential in the classroom whilst also avoiding the potential harms, will be essential going forward.
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Hi Brian,
Welcome to the course and thank you for your contribution here. The phrase ‘today’s expert is tomorrow’s novice’ is one that rings so true when talking about the evolution of AI in recent years. This is what makes professional development in this field so challenging. We need to be developing transferable skills, thinking about ethical issues and other matters when looking at upskiling in this field. You have referred to a number of huge positives around the use of AI by teachers in this post and the subsequent modules will explore how various AI tools can be utilized for this purpose.
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I chose this course because, over the past year, I’ve started to think more seriously about how AI tools could fit into our classrooms and what this might mean for the future of teaching, learning, and assessment. I’ve experimented a little with AI, mainly using ChatGPT, and it’s sparked my curiosity. I’m eager to learn how to use it in more meaningful and impactful ways.
With the increasing emphasis on differentiated instruction in the Primary Language and Mathematics Curriculum, I see huge potential in AI to support personalised learning. It can instantly generate multiple ways to adapt a task for a struggling reader or create a more challenging extension activity for a high-achieving pupil. As a busy teacher, there are days when inspiration just doesn’t come easily, especially at the end of a long week. I’ve found AI incredibly helpful in those moments, offering a starting point or a fresh idea when I need it most.
Beyond lesson ideas, AI’s ability to streamline time-consuming tasks like drafting emails, writing letters to parents, creating PowerPoint content, rubrics, lesson plans, and IEPs is hugely appealing. The time saved could be better spent engaging directly with pupils, teaching more creatively, and offering individual support to those who need it.
This year, I’ve also noticed some of my pupils using AI, particularly during SESE lessons. As the course progresses, I’m interested in exploring how we can guide children to see AI as a valuable learning tool, rather than just a shortcut for finishing work or sourcing quick answers.
Of course, I’m conscious of the limitations too. Many Irish primary schools still face issues with digital infrastructure and reliable access to devices. Not every classroom is equipped to fully benefit from these tools. We also need to remain cautious about data protection and avoid becoming overly dependent on technology.
That said, I believe AI has a place in our classrooms when used thoughtfully and in line with the child-centred ethos of the Irish primary curriculum. It won’t replace the teacher, but it can enhance how we teach and how children learn. Ultimately, it holds the potential to support more inclusive, efficient, and engaging learning experiences for all our pupils.
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The potential for classroom use of AI tools is absolutely immense and very overwhelming for educators who do not feel competent with using technology in their teaching. This module was very clear in giving a concise history and understanding of the emergence and recent rapid development of Artificial Intelligence.
As educators, I believe we have a responsibility and duty to upskill and continuously move with new, innovative ways of educating our classes. The initial reaction to AI in education from colleagues in my experience has been apprehensive and almost negative because there is a notion that it’s an easy way to ‘cheat’ written tasks.
I know that AI will impact my future planning and preparation in a productive and time-saving way. Earlier this year I was asked to create a very easy World Book Day quiz for the Infant Classes as most quizzes available online were too difficult. I used Magic School AI (https://app.magicschool.ai/tools) to create a 10 question multiple-choice quiz with pictures and emojis to make it easier for the Infant children. It took about 3 minutes as I tailored it with additional prompts.
I’m looking forward to this course teaching me new ways of using AI to create more tailored, time saving activities and resources.-
Hi Darren,
Welcome to the course. I think you’ve captured both the potential and the challenges that come with integrating AI into teaching. Tools like Magic School, as alluded to, can be huge timesavers and help make our planning more efficient, however as professionals we need to be mindful of the potential downsides of over reliance can bring. You’ve also raised an important point about the responsibility educators have to stay current with AI tools. Life-long learners, is a phrase often overused but it’s extremely relevant when it comes to AI use in the classroom. Good to hear you’re finding the course useful so far and hope you find the next four modules informative and useful.
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Hi Darren,
I agree that is is brilliant to have these tools to help you create material for your class and I look forward to exploring more way we can do this. I have also tried to use Chatgpt to create quizzes relating to the Titanic book we had read in the classroom but unfortunately they didn’t know the book so they were basing the questions off the film which in the end meant I had to edit each question to suit the book information. This did take more time, however I found that it saved me time even creating a template for the quiz so I think there are great benefits if it already has the information but not so much when it doesn’t.
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I completely agree that AI’s potential is both immense and, for many, quite overwhelming, especially if they’re less confident with technology. Your point about our professional responsibility to upskill and embrace innovation is crucial. It directly counters that initial apprehension you’ve observed, particularly the ‘cheating’ notion, which is a common hurdle to overcome.
Your experience with Magic School AI for the World Book Day quiz beautifully illustrates the practical, time-saving benefits AI offers. Creating a tailored, age-appropriate resource in just three minutes highlights precisely how AI can empower educators, rather than replace them. It moves beyond generic content to truly specific needs, like adapting quizzes for infant classes with pictures and emojis.
Like you, I’m genuinely looking forward to discovering more ways AI can streamline planning and resource creation. Real-world examples like yours reinforce that AI’s true value lies in its capacity to free up our time, allowing us to focus on richer pedagogical approaches and deeper pupil engagement. This course seems perfect to equip us with those vital skills.
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I think AI has hugely transformative potential both for the teacher and learner. In todays classroom, differentiation is essential. AI provides teachers with the tools to plan effectively for each individual student. The teacher will save time and energy through using AI in their lesson planning and preparation, while students benefit as material is at their level and tailored to their need. AI allows teachers to modernise the curriculum and allows for endless opportunities and excitement in the classroom.
The minecraft education program and immersive reader were two tools that i will be henceforth using in my classroom. Minecraft education acts as an intrinsic motivator, drawing on students interests while building their problem solving and critical skills in subjects such as science, maths and history.
The Immersive Reader is a great literacy tool and confidence builder for struggling readers. The change of font/ spacing, and voice features would be beneficial both in-class and at home. I also like the idea of using AI as an assessment tool. It can generate topic specific questions quickly and efficiently and inform teachers planning. I am very new to AI and at times it can be daunting. Change can be daunting. A challenge I would find is the lack of screens or devices to use AI amongst my students. It is also vital to work alongside and be mindful Data Protection and GDPR policy in schools.-
Elaine, I agree that AI has transformative potential for both teaching and learning. I will also be trying out Minecraft Education and Immersive Reader in my classroom going forward to support engagement and accessibility. I appreciate your honesty around the challenges too, especially access to devices and the importance of GDPR compliance. Like you, I find aspects of AI daunting, but your examples show how it can be implemented thoughtfully to enhance differentiation and assessment. .
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I found this module to be so explanatory, and simple. Taking the fear out of AI. My initial thoughts when starting to hear about it( and I was surprised to see how long it’s actually been around) was that I’d never get the hang of it but once I started to play around with it, I can see the possibilities are endless.
I have tried simple uses with my class such as generating poems to support local sports teams, to make poems focused on the poetic feature I was teaching and to generate images.
Children respond so well to technology and we learn so much through screens and media so they will enjoy it as we explore the possibilities together. I have used Chat GPT to simplify Maths explanations and generate problems based on our topics also.
I was also interested in the other options as well as using chat cpt and creating different accounts. Like I said before, the possibilities are endless.
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After watching the video on ethical guidelines for AI in education, I was reminded how important it is to approach these tools with care, especially regarding fairness, transparency, and privacy. Teachers need to understand how AI works and how student data is used. AI should support, not replace, the teacher’s role, and we must be alert to any biases in the tools we use.
In a junior room setting, I see potential for AI to support early literacy, language, and numeracy skills. Tools that read aloud text, help children practise letter formation, or recognise spoken Irish words could make learning more engaging and inclusive. Simple AI-driven games or quizzes can provide instant feedback and adapt to each child’s pace.
Looking ahead, AI could offer new ways to track progress over time, especially for emerging skills. But this must be balanced with careful ethical consideration, ensuring young learners benefit in a safe, developmentally appropriate way and always under teacher guidance. -
Already I can see the many potential opportunities to use AI in education and the classroom. oftentimes as teachers we can feel ‘stuck’ or even a ‘creative block’ . AI is beuilt to mimick human creativity and it could Suggest class activities based on topics and curriculum areas. Often as a teacher my powerpoints and presentations can be bland and basic and I know now that AI could be used to improve said powerpoints!! Which is exciting. Overall I see that a benefit of AI in the classroom is that now as a teacher I can be more productive, by using AI I can also get advice on Preparation delivery and some help with evaluating my lesson!s
AI can really create some engaging and interactive content which in turn will stimulate learners curiosity!! Assessment will become more insightful too and teachers time can be freed up to focus more on student engagement as opposed to correcting! -
AI offers numerous benefits in primary school education. To me the number 1 benefit being its ability to save time with lesson preparation. At the drop of a hat, a detailed lesson can be prepared with links, images, and engaging videos to accompany them although I have not as yet been so adventurous with my use of it in school.
This past school year I have learned to use CHATGPT to help to enhance literacy and writing skills, an area that can be difficult to teach particularly to incorporate all of the elements of the PLC. I used it to generate sample writing genre examples, such as narratives, persuasive texts, and information reports, showing the elements of the selected genre. Each sample could then be modified again using CHATGPT to differentiate to meet the differing needs within the class. I found it to be far more efficient and saved time compared to searching through other websites.
I had not heard of the other AI tools but will definitely try them out in future and will be able to compare and us what I feel best represents what I am trying to do.
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Hi Arlene,
Welcome to the course. Absolutely, one of the real benefits of GenAI tools for teachers is the efficiency and time-saving they offer. I’d encourage you not to be reluctant to use the links and videos these tools generate, once reviewed in advance, of course. Human oversight of any AI-generated content is mission critical.
It’s great to hear how you’ve already started using AI in a practical way. Using ChatGPT to generate and differentiate writing samples is a clever approach, particularly, as you mentioned, when working within the PLC framework. Getting up to speed with GenAI is all about trying things out, like Magic School or Ari as you reference, and seeing what works best in your classroom.
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Reflect on the potential classroom use of AI tools and how this can impact on future teaching, learning and assessment. Post a reflective piece (150 words min) to this Module forum as a Reply to this post
Like many people, when Artificial Intelligence was introduced, I was very skeptical as to the potential downfalls of it in regards to the children being overly exposed and reliant on technology. However, this module has begun to show the positive impacts that AI can have in terms of future teaching, learning and assessment. My school has began to use the basic functionality of Khan Academy so I’m excited to use the AI version of Khan Academy for group-work. ChatGPT and Microsoft Co-pilot can also be useful tools.
In terms of learning, the image creator, story maker and text to audio tools can be very useful. I have used the image creator tool as a writing prompt for 2nd class and they loved it. We also made stories in Literacy Lift-off and turned them into interactive stories with images so the children had their own books generated at the end. These tools made the learning more fun and engaging and the class were really interested in it, it actually made writing fun. The children are so exposed to quick and easy entertainment at home through Ipads and Smart phones and its nice to be able to make this more accessible through using AI.
For assessment, knowing Khan Academy, it has a very useful tool where you can track the child’s progress and then assign work at their level, this as well as other tools make AI really useful for quick differentiation. It saves a lot of time in teaching too knowing that you have ready-made lessons and differentiation. In our school, we have also used AI to generate child-led rubrics that tracks their progress in different topics, you can design the rubrics based on their ability too. In summary, it’s clear that AI has many benefits in terms of future teaching, learning and assessment.
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Hi Cian, I too was suspicious of a.i. when I first heard about it and had fears that all of us, children included would become too reliant on it. I still have a slight fear of becoming too reliant on it myself but ultimately, this is something I will manage and continue to be aware of.
I’m excited about Khan academy too, especially the Khanmigo element of it.
It looks like you’re ahead of the game in term of using a.i. already, creating interactive stories with images. It sounds very impressive. I have a senior class at the moment but I’d love to think that they’ll do something similar, maybe even in Irish.
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AI tools have huge potential to enhance teaching, learning, and assessment in the classroom. I see them as a valuable support in planning lessons, generating differentiated activities, and creating engaging content more efficiently. For students, AI can provide personalised learning experiences, offering extra support or challenges based on individual needs. Tools like chatbots or writing assistants could help children improve their writing and comprehension skills, while also encouraging independent learning. In terms of assessment, AI can assist with formative assessment by analysing responses and offering instant feedback. However, it’s important to guide students in using these tools responsibly and critically. I believe AI will never replace the teacher, but it can be a powerful tool to support and enhance our work. In the future, I plan to explore how AI can be integrated meaningfully into my teaching, while always keeping learners’ needs, creativity, and understanding at the centre of my practice
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Hi Ciara
Welcome to the course. You’ve outlined the potential of AI in the classroom really clearly and practically. I agree, GenAI has huge potential when it comes to planning, differentiation, and assessment and tt’s good to hear how you’re thinking about using it to free up more time to focus on your pupils.
Of course, AI won’t replace teachers, but as you alluded to, it can definitely be an excellent support/assistant. Tools like writing assistants or chatbots can really help build independence and give students that extra bit of confidence when they need it.
Finally, your point about using AI responsibly is well made. Helping students understand how to use these tools critically and ethically is just as important (if not more so) than the tools themselves.
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The ethical guidelines on AI and data usage in teaching and learning show have there are befefits and risks attached to using AI in education. AI can help personalise learning, creating more focussed resources or links for students. It can be used to assess and give more focussed assessment and feedback. However educators should always remember the guiding questions in order to mitigate the risks and be aware of biase and data breach so that they are able to engage positively, critically and ethically with AI systems and exploit their full potential.
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The introductory AI module highlights its profound potential for teaching, learning, and assessment. AI tools could revolutionise teaching by streamlining administrative tasks and repetitive corrections, freeing teachers to focus on individual pupil needs and creative instruction. This offers unprecedented opportunities for personalised learning, with adaptive platforms tailoring content and pace to each child, fostering greater engagement and agency. Immediate, constructive feedback from AI tools is a game-changer for learning outcomes.
For assessment, AI enables a shift towards continuous, formative evaluation. Tools can analyse pupil work for instant insights into understanding or misconceptions, facilitating timely interventions. While ethical considerations like data privacy and bias are crucial and demand careful navigation, AI’s capacity to enhance educational practices leading to more personalised, engaging, and effective learning environments is undeniably compelling and warrants thoughtful exploration.
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I’m excited about artificial intelligence but ignorant about it’s many uses, specifically in the classroom. This module alone has shown me so much and I’m surprised to see just how much a.i. can do. E.g. I didn’t realise that a.i. could create an image or video and I can already see how I’m going to save so much time when it comes to looking for resources online. Instead of scrolling through a huge amount of images, I can just ask one of the chatbots (ChatGPT, Gemini or CoPilot) to generate the image for me.
It also has huge potential to impact on future teaching and learning and the video about Khan Academy’s ‘Khanmigo’ has shown how pupils could essentially have an an ‘individual tutor’, turning average pupils into exceptional pupils or below average pupils to average pupils. I like that it is an app that is recorded and viewable by the teacher and moderated by a second AI. Also, and most importantly, it won’t give an answer to a pupil. It highlights the pupil’s area of difficulty and works through it with the child.
There was also mention of making assessment easier and I can see how an online quiz would not only be a time saver for a teacher, but it would be a more enjoyable experience for the child too.-
Hi Linda,
Welcome to the course. It’s great to hear that this module helped you see how AI can support both creativity and efficiency. As you’ve mooted, tools like ChatGPT, Gemini, and Copilot are excellent for generating images and saving time on resource searches. Another tool worth exploring is Microsoft Designer, it’s great for creating visuals quickly and could be a useful addition to your digiutal toolkit.
The video of Khanmigo certainly shows how AI can support personalised learning and you’re right, AI-powered assessment tools like online quizzes can make the process smoother and more engaging for pupils.
One suggestion, if you’re thinking about next steps, you might consider setting up a peer learning group or GenAI exploration team in your school. It doesn’t have to be forma, just a space where staff can try out tools together and share what’s working.
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I’ve only just started this course and already I’m excited about the myriad of possibilities which AI will generate in my classroom next year.
I teach in an ASD setting where students rely on visuals to help them to navigate timetables and much of their learning. I am excited to try out the image creation tools such as copilot, midjourney and imagefx to create clear and meaningful images to help my students. Creating social stories is also a very important part of my teaching. They help students to understand new situations and to prepare for change. I will be exploring the video creating AI tools such as Vidnoz and Pictory. Before today, I was completely unaware of these and their uses and benefits.
I am also looking forward to exploring how AI can be used in assisting my students to learn at their own pace and in their own way and how I can monitor and assess this learning. -
Exploring the use of AI tools in the classroom has sparked mixed feelings for me. On one hand, I clearly see the potential – AI can help us generate ideas, differentiate tasks, and offer quick feedback for learners. For a busy teacher like myself, juggling planning, assessing, and caring for each child, this sounds like a blessing. Time is always in short supply, and if AI can free some of it, we could finally invest more into connecting with students on a human level.
However, I do have concerns. Ethically, we must consider issues like data privacy, fair access, and whether students are truly learning or just getting answers. I also wonder how relying too much on AI might affect us, the teachers. Could we slowly start losing the sharpness, intuition, and creativity that make our profession so unique?
Used wisely, AI can be a tool—not a teacher, but an assistant. But we must be careful to stay in charge, guided by our values and common sense. The heart of teaching should remain deeply human.
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I agree with your concerns, and I think they’re really important to keep in mind. We know that AI offers some exciting possibilities but we do need to be careful about how we use it. Making sure real learning is happening would be main concern. I also share your point about what makes teaching special. We don’t want to lose the human connection, intuition, and creativity that is required for teaching. I think finding the right balance is key.
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AI tools have the potential to make huge differences to teaching, learning and assessment in education, both at a primary and secondary level. It makes classroom teaching more efficient, productive and creative. I really embraced using it this year for planning, communicating and lesson ideas. Simple things like creating samples of “bad report writing” to highlight the features of different writing genres or Maths word problems linked to shops, local businesses and even so called, brain rot phrases the kids love! There’s great potential in using AI to teach digital literacy, like recognising fake news, which is more important than ever now. One of the biggest benefits I’ve noticed is how they can help teachers get past the dreaded “blank page” feeling when planning lessons or activities. Instead of staring at a screen trying to come up with something engaging, AI can suggest ideas or resources that encourage hands on learning, creativity, problem solving and save loads of time. That said, there is still a lack of clear guidance from the Department of Education on using AI which I would welcome.
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From exploring AI in this module there are many benefits to be seen. I chose this course to further my education and understanding of AI and to enable me to be able to use it efficiently and effectively in my classroom.
What stood out to me the most so far in this module is how AI can be used to make the curriculum and education as a whole more accessible for a variety of students. While there are many benefits, there are of course some limitations. The use of ChatGPT for students can pose a worry for us teachers. Using this particular AI tool can eliminate the need for students to focus directly on a task or question being posed to them and creating shortcuts for them in literacy based tasks. It has the potential to inhibit their own creativity and writing styles as well as create an unfair balance in the classroom with regards to work standards etc.
Duolingo has recently been introduced to me and stands out as an app that enables children to learn and adapt to language issues in new environments to them. Working in a school which caters to a lot of nationalities does highlight the need for programmes which can assess and cater language support to children based on their specific needs. -
As mentioned by many of the other participants, my fear of AI was more down to lack of knowledge of its uses, benefits and potential for us as teachers and for the children that we teach. The TED video was the eye opener for me in this module as it turned the narrative that AI can be a very useful tool in education when looking at it as a form of tutor, which can clearly and concisely break down instructions or explain mistakes to children to address their specific needs. I also explored the different links in the Generative AI in Education slide and discovered a wealth of possibilities for teachers to become more efficient and creative in their lesson planning, assessment and differentiation where tiered worksheets/lessons/activities can be generated to cater for all abilities in the classroom. Children are growing up in a technological world and embracing AI in the classroom seems the next logical step for teachers.
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Only in the past year I have come to realise that AI has the potential to really change the way we teach, learn, and assess in the classroom. They come with loads of benefits for both teachers. For example, things like adaptive learning platforms or AI-powered quizzes can give instant feedback, which helps students learn from their mistakes right away.
This year as I used AI, it saved me time on everyday tasks like planning lessons or preparing resources, so I was able to spend more time making my lessons more engaging. It can even suggest different activities that suit students with different ability levels, which is very helpful in a mixed-ability class. When it comes to assessment, AI can help put together quick, everyday checks for understanding that I can use in class.
Of course, AI isn’t a replacement for good teaching. But when it’s used the right way, it can be a really useful tool. It helps spark creativity, cuts down on workload, and makes learning more interactive and enjoyable for kids.
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<p style=”text-align: left;”>Prior to starting this course I had only used Chat GPT occasionally in my teaching as a tool for planning purposes. However I can now see that there are much more possibilities and opportunities for using AI to make an even more positive impact in the classroom.</p>
Going forward, I think AI will help us to work smarter, not harder in some aspects of teaching. Instead of spending hours trying to create something from scratch, AI can now support us to create interesting and engaging resources through the submission of prompts tailored to our needs as educators. AI will therefore support teachers with their time management. Although it should not be a substitute for effective teaching and learning, when used smartly and efficiently, I believe it can enhance teaching and learning in positive ways.I am looking forward to using AI to help me to create videos and images for certain topics to promote the engagement of the learners in my classroom. I was unaware of the different video and image AI generators before starting this course. These tools will be very beneficial for me going forward.
AI can also help to create original assessment templates for my class in future for summative and formative purposes. AI will also support a more collaborative approach to teaching and learning as we can share our prompt results with fellow teachers.
While I can understand the concerns surrounding the use of AI among young learners especially, I don’t think this is a good enough reason for it to be avoided completely as there are so many ways to use it positively and effectively to enhance teaching and learning experiences for all.
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Hi Laoise,
Welcome to the course. You’ve clearly identified how AI can support both planning and curriculum delivery in numerous practical ways.
Building on your ideas, you might also explore using AI to support differentiation in your classroom next year. For example, you could generate reading comprehensions or maths problems at varying levels of complexity, tailored to different pupil needs. This could help ensure all learners are appropriately challenged and supported without adding to your workload.
Also, from a whole-school perspective, another suggestion is to develop a shared prompt bank with colleagues. This could streamline resource creation and encourage collaboration, especially when designing assessments or resources. It also would help maintain consistency across classes, if teachers are using the tools for similar supports.
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he use of AI tools in the Irish primary classroom has the potential shape the future of teaching, learning, and assessment. Reflecting on this, it is clear that AI offers opportunities to enhance the educational experience for both teachers and pupils, provided it is implemented thoughtfully and in line with the values of the Irish curriculum.
In the context of teaching, AI could support teachers by automating time-consuming tasks such as correcting homework, analyzing pupil progress, or generating differentiated lesson materials. This would allow teachers more time to focus on nurturing the holistic development of children, a core principle of the Primary School Curriculum (1999) and the Primary Curriculum Framework (2023). AI can also support inclusive education by offering personalised learning pathways, helping children with additional needs engage with the curriculum at their own pace.
In terms of learning, AI tools—such as adaptive learning platforms or voice-assisted technologies—could encourage more active engagement and independent learning. These tools can adjust content and difficulty in real time, helping to meet pupils where they are in their learning journey. This supports pupils with learning difficulties in reading and writing and thus levels the playing field making learning accessible for all.
Assessment , with AI offering more immediate, formative feedback and long-term data insights to guide teaching. However, this raises important considerations around data protection, teacher autonomy, and digital inequality, particularly in rural or disadvantaged areas. AI should serve as a support to the teacher, not a replacement for the professional judgment and relational work that are central to the Irish classroom.
Overall, the integration of AI in Irish primary education offers promise—but must be approached with care, ensuring it aligns with the ethos of the Irish education system: one that values the whole child, promotes equality, and supports teacher professionalism.
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As a school that uses Google Workspace, we have had access to Google Gemini for the past 12 months or so and I have found it to be a very useful tool both from a teaching and admin point of view. One practical example that has worked very well for me is using Gemini to generate pieces of writing that can be used to introduce a writing genre to a class. You can prompt Gemini to highlight the various aspects of that particular genre that you wish to highlight with your class. It can also differentiate the text to make is suitable for different ability levels in the room. That is just one practical example where it can be used. Going forward, I feel that AI will help reduce teacher’s time on generating resources and completing admin tasks. It will allow that time then to be used reflecting on how best to teach the class.
Obviously there are areas of concern around the ethical use of AI in education going forward but I feel from a practical point of view it will be a valuable tool to help with resource creation for teachers. I think it will continue to develop with more specific education resources coming online. Resources such as Notebook LM also help greatly from an admin perspective. It can be used to summarise documents and circulars very effectively.
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I believe artificial intelligence will play an essential role in teaching by enhancing teaching, learning, and assessment in the classroom. In teaching, AI can personalize instruction, which allows teachers to tailor content to each student’s learning pace and style, adhering to the UDL used in the prompt. For learning, AI can foster engagement through interactive platforms and adaptive learning technologies that adjust in real time to student needs, providing students with immediate feedback and allowing them to grasp complex concepts. Assessment is also evolving, with AI enabling automated grading, data-driven insights, and formative assessments that help identify learning gaps early. In the future, AI could handle administrative tasks, allowing teachers more time to focus on instruction and student engagement. However, we as educators must be mindful of ethical concerns such as data privacy and algorithmic bias. Used responsibly, AI has the potential to create more inclusive, efficient, and personalized learning environments that better prepare students for the challenges of tomorrow.
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Reflect on the potential classroom use of AI tools and how this can impact on future teaching, learning and assessment.
Having only used AI for drafting letters and getting main points from circulars I have found module 1 informative. It was good to have a look at co pilot , Gemini and Chat GPT and get direction on how to use them for everyday life activities like menu , activities etc.
Going forward I can see how AI will support teaching , learning and assessment and hopefully as we go through this course I will gain confidence in using it in the classroom . I hope to learn how to create interactive activities, worksheets tailor made for a child’s needs and video presentations which could clarify phonic rules etc. Being able to generate worksheet on phonics and reading comprehensions that are tailored to the learning in the classroom will only reinforce the work covered. I could see a more interactive assessments could be designed and will engage a child more readily and bring more fun to the activities.
I would also hope to learn to be more efficient in my notes etc .
We should embrace AI and use it in the classroom to support teaching and learning and make our classroom have a more varied and engaging learning environment .
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I totally agree with Roisín’s point that we should embrace AI as a positive classroom tool. I really enjoyed module 1 as it has shown me the many different avenues where AI can be useful in the classroom. It will definitely make teaching, learning and assessment more engaging, therefore children will enjoy learning more. Generating worksheets that are specific to your class needs is a fantastic resource.
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This year I used AI for paperwork and found it extremely helpful. Having completed this module it has made me reflect on the many positives AI has for potential classroom use and how it can impact future learning positively by compiling detailed resources and differentiating for all levels within the classroom. Khan academy is a wonderful resource which I will definitely be using in September. The fact that it allows you to tailor make your own assessments in many different forms makes it really personal to you and your class and allows you to produce meaningful resources while also saving time.
I also like the fact that AI can generate resources that are specific to your class needs and interests. You no longer have to waste time searching the web, books etc. for resources. Instead through the use of AI you have detailed comprehensions, asssessments, work samples, whatever you need which are all specific to your class level and it allow you to tailor for each pupils individual needs at the touch of a button. Overall AI has many positives to the assisting you with teaching, learning and assessment. -
AI tools have the potential to revolutionize teaching and learning for 5th class students, particularly those with Special Educational Needs (SEN). For instance, Google Read&Write supports SEN students by offering text-to-speech and speech-to-text functions, enabling them to access and produce written content more easily. This helps those with dyslexia or writing difficulties.
Khan Academy’s AI-driven personalized learning paths can adapt content to a student’s pace, reinforcing areas where they struggle, which is valuable for SEN pupils who need extra time or different approaches. AI-driven apps like ModMath assist students with math-related disabilities by providing step-by-step guidance for solving problems, reinforcing understanding through visuals and interactive support.
In assessments, AI tools like Quizlet or Socrative offer instant feedback, allowing teachers to adjust instruction based on real-time performance. This fosters a more inclusive classroom, where SEN students can receive targeted support, enhancing engagement, independence, and learning outcomes.
Despite the cited advantages, I am still dubious about AI’s trajectory and all of the ethical considerations including copyright, GDPR. Teachers require CPD in this area.
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Hi Catherine,
I agree with you that AI tools can revolutionise teaching & learning for pupils, especially those with SEN. As you say, text-to-speech, Google Read & Write and personalised learning paths will really help reluctant readers and pupils who have great ideas, but lack the capacity to express them in written format.
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Exactly Teresa , there are endless possibilities when engaging with AI platforms provided that all teachers have the background research done first. By implementing AI into our classrooms and focusing on specific prompts applicable to the lesson content that are meaningful to the class , we are enhancing and developing our teaching outcomes and encouraging whole class participation through fun, interactive ways thanks to technological advances. Of course, as you mentioned Teresa, we also save a substantial amount of time when devising lesson content through AI prompt content, sourcing key information , devising/editing ready made power points and drafting assessments & grading. This will hopefully make a huge difference overall to teacher workload . I look forward to using the recommended AI tools (as referenced in Module 1 ) as part of my overall planning in September.
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I found module 1 very informative as I’ve only just embarked on this AI journey this year due to uncertainties regarding its initial implementation throughout the whole school , priority of course is in ensuring the safety of teachers and pupils alike and needs to be included in the whole school AUP doc from the get go.
I have used chat GPT for research and planning purposes and found it very useful when collating specific information on a given theme /topic. I look forward to delving into other GEN AI platforms, Co-pilot and Gemini as it will open more gateways for creating lesson content that is visually attractive , meaningful , exciting and will hopefully engage the learner and enhance their learning through digital means.
We do need to be careful not to rely solely on Gen AI tools in our teaching , as teacher led support is the no 1 priority and we’re scaffolding the child’s learning all the time during the school day and promoting positive well -being. By incorporating AI into our daily lessons , yes of course, it offers diverse learning pathways for both teachers and students and it has proven to enhance the teaching and learning outcomes overall , helps monitor individual student progress and fosters students working collaboratively through project work . the list is endless! The future remains exciting with advancements in new Gen AI tools.
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Hi Rina,
Welcome to the course! It’s good to hear that this module helped clarify some of the uncertainties around AI. I completely agree that the safety of staff and pupils is paramount, and including clear guidance in the school’s AUP from the outset is an importaant step toward that.
Your experience using ChatGPT for planning and research shows how practical GenAI tools can be when used purposefully. Exploring platforms like Copilot and Gemini will definitely broaden your toolkit for creating lesson content. As a rule of thumb, I try to run any prompt through at least two tools to compare and contrast.
I also agree, the future is bright with the potential for continual advancements in these tools. But as you rightly pointed out, it’s about getting the balance right. AI can certainly enhance learning, but the human must always stay in the loop.
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I can relate to your comment here in that I too an quite unfamiliar with generative AI tools and I am interested in and looking forward to getting to explore with a few more platforms. I also agree with you on the fact that AI is mearly a support and that the teacher remains the most knowledgeable when it comes to their classroom their teaching and their students. As the technological world progresses it is important we engage the students through digital means.
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Hi Rina, I definitely agree that I too was uncertain about the use of AI in our schools. I think the use of AI will definitely support learner engagement and will also enhance learning through digital means. I also agree that it is very important we don’t solely rely on AI tools and is important we still lead teaching and learning ourselves and use AI tools as a support.
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The change in the Irish Education system has been huge over the last twenty years since I entered and I can only but wonder what the next twenty years will bring. Educators need to be open to change and embrace it for the good but still remember and use the basics which have worked so well for us.
I am hopeful that AI will reduce my admin work, help me personalise lessons plans and aid me in giving more specific support to SEN pupils.
For students it will hopefully mean more engaging content, more personalised learning and instant feedback for their work. -
I found this presentation very interesting and I am keen to learn more about the potential uses of Gen AI tool for my teaching, particularly in the SEN setting, where I am working.
I have tried Chat GPT before for simple stories for a reluctant reader, in which I used their name and interests e.g. small furry animals, but now I know I could possibly add videos and animations to make the stories more interesting and engaging. I could even ask for comprehension questions or cloze procedures, rather that making my own, using the old cut and past method.
There are so many other uses for Gen AI tools, which could help with differentiation, special interests, inspiration, games, quizzes and so on. Exercises or reading material could be tailored to the specific interests and abilities of the student. I just need to get over my own inhibitions and play around with the possibilities, which I hope to do over the rest of this course.
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The integration of AI tools into the primary classroom has the potential to transform teaching, learning, and assessment in many ways. After engaging with Module 1 it is clear that AI, such as Microsoft Copilot, ChatGPT, and Google Gemini, offer exciting opportunities for both educators and students. These tools can support teachers in a variety of ways as it can aid in the lesson planning, assessment and create teaching supports such as images, poems, quizzes.
This module reiterated to me the importance of using AI critically and ethically. Educators must understand common misconceptions, such as the fear that AI will replace teachers or that it cannot be trusted. When used wisely, with good training, AI can support all aspects of classroom life and learning. An AI embracing school environment would allow for inclusive and engaging classroom climates.
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Hi Kate,
Welcome to the course. You’ve captured the potential of AI tools like Microsoft Copilot, ChatGPT and Gemini to support teaching, learning and assessment clearly, and it’s great that you’re already thinking about their practical use for planning, assessment and resource creation.
Your point about the importance of critical and ethical use is really important. As you mentioned, addressing misconceptions like the idea that AI can’t be trusted or will replace teachers is essential. You also mooted AI embracing school environment, one practical suggestion here is that the school (Led by the Digital Learning Team) develop shared guidelines or a charter for GenAI use. This could help ensure consistency and support a culture of critical and ethical use across the whole school.
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I agree on the need for us to use AI in a critical and ethical way and I think we need to spend some time in school teaching lessons to children on the ethics of Gen AI before we allow them to use it to create their own work – in my opinion children need to have some understanding of the implications of its use beforehand.
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I signed up for this course as I am coming round to the potential which AI has and how important it is to embrace change and use it to support our teaching. Years ago I spent many an hour preparing modelling examples in English to show my class. AI now does this in seconds. However I like the idea of using maybe two ai platforms and then combining and adapting it for my own modelling. It would still be a matter of minutes but would be more personalised. I am beginning to realise some of the potential for AI for example even for school trips we could ask for list of farms or such places. Again I would just use this as a starting point and understand its limitations.
I have already used it for quizzes but understand that this is only a tiny part of what AI offers. Used ethically it can been used to generate ideas for example I want books and poems on space for younger children. As I become more confident and better at using the websites I hope it will save me time and support me to engage and motivate the children through its use. -
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I have experience of using AI for personal terms and for helping me to create questions and the odd learning tool to help my teaching. There is so much time saving to be had using AI effectively. I was always afraid of getting the children using AI because of the what ifs around AI. But from going through this module, there are so many benefits that outweigh the concerns! I love that you can tailor your lessons and learning based on the different children too. I feel it will really help children with learning disabilities and additional needs. Using AI for assessment will speed up marking and realistically, children are so used to screens that varying up assessment practices won’t through them either. I really like the Yippety Quiz, I’ve never seen that before. AI always provides the children with autonomy to take learning into their own hands. There are endless ways to use AI for teaching, learning and assessment and I look forward to learning more in later modules too.
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I registered for this course because, honestly, I had heard of AI and decided that as an administrative school principal I should know something about it. It was with a great sense of trepidation that I logged on last night and I am so pleased that I did. I now know the terms Chatbot and Prompt Engineering and I’ve had such fun experimenting with Co-Pilot, Chat GPT and Gemini. The history of AI tools is very interesting. Ashley Stephen’s advice is to start small and build up gradually. AI tools have huge potential for the classroom. I have already learned that AI tools can enhance a teacher’s productivity. Sal Khan describes AI as a positive transformation for education. It supports the teacher and can involve personal learning paths for pupils. I really like the fact that AI can support differentiated learning while still promote pupil understanding. It is a tool in effective teaching and the creation of engaging learning experiences for children. I also see the benefits of AI for assessment. AI brings oceans of possibilities to be more efficient, productive and creative.
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Hi Annette,
I had previously used ChatGPT and the AI tool on Twinkl, but I had never even heard of Gemini – which I actually prefer now. I first started using AI tools this year to help with various administrative tasks and found them extremely helpful, particularly for creating school support plan targets and reports. I’m sure there are many more benefits and uses I’ve yet to discover, and I’m excited to explore them further.
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I found module 1 very helpful as I’ve only just started on this AI journey. I can now see the benefits, if used properly. Priority of course is in ensuring the safety of both teachers and pupils.
I have used chat GPT for writing end of year reports and planning purposes and found it very useful when given specific information on a given theme /topic. I look forward to delving into other GEN AI platforms like, Gemini as it will open more gateways for creating lesson content that is visually attractive , meaningful , exciting and will hopefully engage the learner and enhance their learning through digital means.
We do need to be careful not to rely solely on Gen AI tools in our teaching , as teacher led support is the no 1 priority and we’re scaffolding the child’s learning all the time during the school day and promoting positive well -being. By incorporating AI into our daily lessons , yes of course, it offers diverse learning pathways for both teachers and students and it has proven to enhance the teaching and learning outcomes overall , helps monitor individual student progress and fosters students working collaboratively through project work . the list is endless! The future remains exciting with advancements in new Gen AI tools.-
Hi Olivia,
Welcome to the course! It’s great to hear that this module has helped you begin exploring the potential of GenAI in education and I agree completely. that safeguarding both pupil and teacher, needs to be paramount for every school embracing AI. Also your fear that we may become overly dependent on these tools is shared by many participants on these fora. AI can certainly enhance learning, but it should complement and not replace the teacher’s role in scaffolding and promoting pupil wellbeing. As you’ve alluded to, we as teachers need to be mindful that a healthy balance is required, using the tools to open up learning pathways whilst staying focused on the needs of your pupils. Key to this, is knowing when not to use AI is just as important as knowing when to use it.
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AI tools have the potential to totally change classroom teaching and learning by personalising learning, stream-lining assessment and enhancing teaching methods and approaches. With AI, lessons can be tailored to individual pupil needs, allowing for adaptive differentiation that address varying abilities, needs and learning styles. This shift not only has the potential to enhance pupil engagement but also could help to identify gaps in knowledge in real time, enabling timely interventions. For teachers, AI can simplify time-consuming tasks like marking and lesson planning, providing more time to focus on teaching and learning. In addition, in terms of assessment, AI can offer instant feedback and more detailed analysis of pupil performance, moving away from traditional testing to a more specific and tailored approach. Ultimately, these advancements can help to make teaching and learning more efficient, equitable, and dynamic. As a result, future teaching will be more data-driven, inclusive, and centred on guiding pupils in using technology responsibly and creatively.
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Like many others I too was nervous of the use of AI in our classrooms. From this module I can see the positives of the use of AI in terms of how it can be used to benefit our teaching and learning. I think the use of AI can support teachers in being more creative and efficient in a more timely manner. The idea that these resources can be created so quickly is so beneficial as teacher’s to do list is never ending and this means we can use our time more efficiently. I also think the use of AI can be so beneficial in terms of assessment. The ability to create checklist, rubrics so quickly is brilliant rather than tediously creating them step by step ourselves which can take so much time.
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While I believe we should embrace the possibilities that AI tools offer, we must also remain mindful of what we risk losing. There is immense potential in how AI can support us as teachers, whether it’s simplifying texts for EAL students, drafting stories for drama lessons, or calculating assessment results. However, we must be careful not to lose the ability to think for ourselves or diminish the importance of creativity.
It is essential that we do not encourage pupils to become dependent on AI to do the work for them. Instead, we should teach them to think critically and work independently before turning to AI tools to refine their efforts, such as checking grammar or generating images for projects. What we want to avoid is children using AI to think or feel on their behalf. Foundational learning must still be rooted in human experience, without over-reliance on technology or screens.
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Hi April,
I completely agree with your point above that we must not loose our ability to think for ourselves. Personally I feel we should use AI tools to enhance our own ideas for our classrooms. As class teachers, we know our class best and what will suit them and provide them with the optimum benefit. We must ensure to write meaningful prompts that will lead to optimum benefit for our learners.
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AI provides both a challenge and an opportunity for educators, in my opinion. As Sal Khan, pointed out in his TED talk, AI chat bots could potentially become personal tutors. I can see many potential uses for AI in teaching and learning: for example, asking a group of students to solve a Maths problem and then comparing the solution to the problem generated by AI. Naturally, this process would need close teacher supervision, given the possibility that AI could get the answer wrong! The process of correcting the AI answer could be a lesson in itself.
My principal concern in relation to AI pertains to the area of assessment. For example, if a 6th class teacher asks their class to write an essay, monitoring this task to ensure it has not been AI generated could be a problem. In same way that handwriting with a pen and typing on a word processor can co-exist, I believe older forms of assessment should be used such as public speaking or debating. I think it’s possible to use AI judiciously along with other forms of learning to ensure that cognitive skills can develop without an over-reliance on AI.
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Hi Brian,
Welcome to the course! I couldn’t agree more, GenAI certainly holds huge promise, as Sal Khan’s TED Talk suggests, but it also brings real challenges, particularly around assessment, as you’ve pointed out. This is however, a universal issue in education, and arguably becomes more complex depending on the level a student is at.
Your point about blending AI with more traditional assessment methods ceratinly holds water We’re already seeing a significant return to pen-and-paper exams at second level and in higher education, despite the much-discussed (and often criticised) Leaving Cert reforms that are supposedly on the way. As always, the devil is in the detail, and it’ll be interesting to see how assessment evolves in the age of AI. I’ve heard lots of teachers talking about making their assessment approaches more “AI-resistant”and I’d be curious to hear how that might look in your sixth class.
Either way, the AI genie is well and truly out of the bottle, and there’s no going back. We watch this space with interest!
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I work with autistic children in a special class, and I see both the good and the bad of using AI in education. The video made me realise how important it is to be careful with these technologies, especially when working with students who may need a lot of structure, predictability, and personal support.
I’ve started using basic AI tools like image generators and story builders in my classroom to create personalised visual supports or social stories. These resources help make content more accessible and meaningful. But I do know about the ethical implications, especially when it comes to data privacy and how AI might amplify certain biases if it’s not used properly.
This got me thinking about teacher responsibility. While AI can support engagement and differentiation, it’s the human element — empathy, understanding, and professional judgement — that must lead. AI should be a tool to support inclusion, not a quick fix that risks oversimplifying complex human needs.
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Hi Eva,
Welcome to the course! I agree, integrating AI into teaching, learning, and assessment offers significant opportunities, but these are balanced by the responsibilities it brings. This is especially true in your SET context, where structure, predictability, and personal support are so important.
Your use of tools like image generators and story builders to create personalised visual supports and social stories is a great example of how GenAI can enhance accessibility when thoughtfully implemented. As you noted, the human elements of empathy, structure, and understanding remain mission critical.
To build on what you’ve outlined, one suggestion might be to collaboratively create simple AI-generated social stories with pupils using the tools you mentioned. This can give them a stronger sense of ownership over their learning while reinforcing key routines or social cues in a way that’s both engaging and personalised.
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As a special class teacher, from engaging with the content of this module it is very clear that AI can enhance both teacher and learner experiences.
Throughout the content, I had various moments where I thought of different ways that I could use AI within my own practice. I feel that from September onwards I will begin using AI to create engaging resources that suit the very specific and wide ranging needs of my students. I believe AI could enhance both the planning of lessons, the creation of resources and the assessment of skills learned. However, it will be very important that the prompts are well written, well thought out and suit the specific needs of my learners. Furthermore, I will ensure to keep a critical eye and always ensure that what I am creating is enhancing the learning experience for my students.
I could see myself using AI to create resources like social stories, picture based activities and to enhance my students learning of life skills which is essential in any special education classroom.
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I really enjoyed this first module as it allowed me to view AI in a more positive light as I have been hearing/reading a lot of negative things about it recently. I like how it has highlighted the importance of teachers being able to guide students in using AI responsibly and ensure it supports rather than replaces critical thinking and creativity.
AI tools can greatly enhance teaching, learning, and assessment in the classroom. For teachers, it can help with planning lessons, providing instant feedback on students work and identify where students may need extra help. This can save time and allow for more support. For students, AI can offer individualised learning experiences that can be adapted to the childs learning styles and speed. As Sal Khan said in his TED talk, AI chat bots could potentially become personal tutors for students. It can also make learning more engaging through interactive tools and resources. When it comes to assessment, AI can provide quicker and more detailed feedback, helping students understand their strengths and areas for improvement. Overall, AI can be a powerful tool in the classroom when used to support teaching and learning.
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I agree Emma, one of the reasons I did this course was because I had a very negative view of AI with all the things I’ve seen and heard in the media and online. Yes it has it’s problems but after the first module I was pleasantly surprised at what can be done with it within the classroom, and it can potentially make parts of teaching less stressful.
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I have always had quite a negative view of AI and have only ever really used Chat GPT, so this first module was quite eye opening for me. I think as teachers; well, for me personally, AI was always seen as something pupils would use to do work for them; hearing stories from secondary school teacher friends who had to return assignments because it was quite obvious that an AI tool had written it. I worked in Junior Infants for a long time and didn’t ever see the need for it; so ignored it’s existence; it’s not like I had to worry about AI with 5 year olds’ homework tasks. The list of generative AI tools introduced to us in this module were incredible and I can see how my tasks could be greatly enhanced with their use; saving me time and allowing me to be more organised in my day to day teaching. As an assessment tool I feel it would actually be the most useful within a classroom. I do feel that I would need a lot of practice with my input in order to get accurate results that were usable in my classroom.
As much as it is obviously beneficial for teachers, I do feel a balance needs to be struck, as pupils spend so much of their time at home on a screen and I feel that their time in the classroom should be spent making real-life interactions with their peers.
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Hi Victoria,
Welcome to the course! It’s completely understandable to have reservations about AI, particularly when much of the conversation around it has been negatively focused. However, it’s good to hear that this module has helped shift your perspective and opened your eyes to the potential of AI as a supportive tool for teachers.
Like other contributors on the course forums, your point about getting the balance right and excessive screentime is well made. Yes indeed, AI can enhance efficiency and support assessment. However, equally important are the human interactions, you’ve mooted, which are so central to initial education.
As you continue through the course, I’d encourage you to explore the various generative AI tools introduced, particularly how they might support planning, assessment, and resource creation. With time and practice, you’ll find the right balance that works for you.
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I agree, I had only ever really heard of the negative connotations of AI in education before this module. I think that it will be really important in the senior end of primary school to educate the students about the responsible and critical use of AI so that they don’t go to secondary school thinking that it can just do all their work for them.
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Personally, I think that AI will have the greatest impact on planning. As mentioned in the module, teachers are time poor and planning interesting and engaging lessons can take up a lot of time. I think that AI can be very helpful for generating different ideas and approaches to teaching a topic. It can also be used to aid with differentiation by providing activities that suit different learning styles or are adapted to suit children with specific needs. This will cut down on the amount of time that teachers need to spend thinking and researching while they are planning their lessons. It can also be used to create engaging resources for the classroom such as videos, images and presentations that can be completely tailored to suit the needs of your class and the content you are teaching. I do think that it is still very important that teachers review and edit the content to suit their own class as AI cannot know the children and what they will respond to as well as the teacher does.
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I agree with Roisin that AI could really help teachers who are time poor and paperwork heavy. It could really be of use in creating differentiated worksheets in a class with a lot of mixed ability, which in fairness is most classrooms. I also think it would be useful in creating a variety of activites based around one topic so as to suit the different learning styles of pupils.
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I have had an interest in using AI tools in the classroom for some time now (one of the reasons I enrolled in this course) and I follow a few different content creators on Instagram that suggest some great tools for teachers to use so I know already that AI tools can support differentiation, provide instant feedback, and assist me in my lesson planning while also helping me to meet the many different needs of my students.
AI tools that operate like tutors can provide instant feedback and learning support to children – which I have found really useful in the classroom and children really enjoy the autonomy of working at their own pace. I can also use AI to tailor lessons on specific topics to the right level for each child and it can help me to plan fun and engaging lessons that keep children interested.
However, I must mention that working in a DEIS Band 1 school means that there are children with limited access to technology at home so I am very conscious that it must be used as a way to support more traditional learning activities if I want children to complete homework assignments based on lessons taught in school and I have realised that I need to spend time trying to help to bridge the digital literacy gap between children in a DEIS school vs children in more mainstream areas if they are to engage meaningfully in AI generated lessons and activities.
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Before beginning this course, I was a little afraid of AI and what it could do but I also felt it would be important for myself and my students to become more knowledgeable in this area going forward. After completing the first module, I already can see the potential uses of AI in helping me to become more efficient, productive and creative in the classroom going forward. I had heard of some of the applications such as Chatgpt and Gemini but hadn’t tried any of them. I think one area that it could be useful for is for planning and making current lessons more interesting while also increasing my use of IT in the classroom. I also can see where it could be used as an assessment tool, giving immediate feedback. With varying needs and learning styles in our classrooms, it could also be used to personalise learning for pupils. Used correctly and ethically, AI can certainly be of benefit to us as teachers.
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This module has shown how using AI in the classroom can really enhance my teaching, by helping me to create more engaging and interactive lessons. It would greatly help me create more interesting slides when teaching any topic, I really like the vidnoz AI speech app which could be a fun thing to do with the children in literacy lesson especially in the area of oral language.
As well as providing lesson plans and activities and helping with planning, the teacher can create differentiated learning outcomes and individualised learning paths for students. I am bk in the classroom after a number of years and I hope to use it to create engaging maths games, especially ones that can link in with the new maths curriculum
It was interesting to see AI prompts being used to create images to use in the classroom. This tool would be very helpful in particular for lessons for junior children, when teaching new English vocabulary and also when covering specific topics and vocab with EAL learners. I also hope to use it to help me navigate the best way to communicate with 2 children I have with ASD and are non verbal.
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It is clear from this module that the potential uses of AI tools are limitless. In this instance, the impact of future teaching, learning and assessment is exponential.
It was also noted how AI should be used as effectively and efficiently as possible, with the user constantly considering the ethical nature of using these tools, ensuring they are being used for the common good.
What I loved most was the description of it as a learning partner or teaching assistant. I was amazed to see how specific or concise the information generated could be and also how engaging, creative and meaningful the content was.
The biggest take away for me was in relation to the prompts. I hadn’t given much thought to that before but it is clear that the more specific and detailed your prompt is, the better the outcome. That made me reflect on spending more time on the prompts to allow for better and more meaningful outcomes.
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For me when I think of AI I automatically think of chatgpt and didn’t really know a lot about it apart from this. I recently completeted a masters and there was a lot of talk in Academia about the use of chatgpt and the importance of using your own work and not generative AI. I suppose for this reason I had a somewhat negative view of AI as a tool people used to create work rather than use their own ideas. After completing module one of this course I have learnt that it has many benefits for teaching, learning and assessment in the classroom. It can provide teachers with more time as it can take the hard work out of administration jobs such as writing emails or class lists. As a result of having more time teachers can focus their efforts on teaching and learning.
AI can help teachers overcome the blank page problem by creating ideas and class room activities. It can create lesson plans and tests that teachers can use with their classes. AI can be used to create engaging interactive content, it can research a topic and indeed present a topic. This module highlights the importance of the construction of the prompt in order to get the response you require. Gemini is an impressive AI tool as it gives very detailed responses and it provides a link to its sources which would be helpful. I think AI could create useful quizzes, stories and engaging content for teachers to use in their classrooms. -
I teach the Senior Classes for over three years and have been very dubious about using AI in the classroom. This is due to my own lack of knowledge and fear of the unknown. There has also been a lot of negative media commentary on AI in the classroom and equally a fear of it in many schools that it may challenge traditional teaching. This module has really opened my mind to using AI. As educators we need to look at it as another learning tool, like books and resouces. I will certainly be using it in my classroom in September.
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I agree with what Lorraine said about the negativity that has surrounded the use of AI in teaching and learning but I feel that we as teachers can change this by learning about it, learning about it uses and always bbe aware that there are certain ethics that need to be followed in order to use it as an effective and safe tool. We need to be very mindful of protecting the privacy and data of the children in our care. Becoming good at prompt writing will also be a huge support to finding out the exact information that you need or image that you want to create etc. The course also suggests that it is important to provide children with opportunities to learn about and experience Gen AI collaboratively.
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It is very telling how fast Generative AI has evolved over the last few years. It is a fast moving and dynamic change to education in Ireland. I have noticed this year in particular how many staff in my school have spoke about it, learned about it and experimented with it. While we seem to be at the experimental stage this course has provided some practical examples and tools to use to incorporate it into our teaching and learning. The correct use of AI can make us more efficient, productive and creative I am looking forward to exploring how I can use this in my 6th class in September. However I feel it would have to have the support of the school management and the Ethics Guidelines from the EU commission would need to underpin and support its use. I like how Gemini works in that it is comprehensive and up to date and I look forward to using Vidnoz AI and Pictory. Toonme.com is also something that might appeal to an older class and support the illustrations of creative writing.
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Whilst I do have concerns about AI making children lazy about their learning and also their critical thinking I believe AI has huge potential as an assistant. The main thing I believe is that the teacher should remain as the producer and AI is there as a very helpful assistant.
I can see that the use of AI in SET in particular could be hugely beneficial and time saving as you can create meaningful texts and assessments in minutes that can target the exact areas of learning. This can assist both the teachers and students in focusing and building on those areas of need.
Students who come under the remit of English as an additional Language also have the benefit of using AI has a very helpful translation tool. AI can help to establish students initial level of the language through targeted assessments, find the gaps in their learning and assist the teacher in scaffolding their learning. There are plenty of benefits and more AI options available than I was aware of. I had never heard of google gemini only Chat gpt. -
I really enjoyed this first module. I had used ChatGPT before to help with proofreading bits of writing, but I had never properly thought about how AI could be used in the classroom. What surprised me most was how easy it is to get started. Tools like Copilot and Gemini are simple to use, and it was actually quite fun trying out different prompts and seeing the responses.
I can definitely see myself using AI to help with lesson ideas, writing prompts, or quick comprehension tasks. The image tools look brilliant too and would work really well for English or SESE projects. It feels like having an extra pair of hands when you need it most.
The biggest thing I will take away is the need to teach pupils how to use AI safely and responsibly. It is a useful tool, but they need to think critically about what it gives them. I am really looking forward to trying some of this out in class.
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Like many previous posters before me, I feel it is time to fully embrace the use of AI as an integral part of my teaching in the classroom. However as with anything, change can be difficult and a willingness to change needs to be there too. What struck a note listening to Sal Khan’s video was how he described AI for students as an amazing artificial intelligence tutor while it gives teachers an amazing artificial intelligence teaching assistant. AI can have a negative connotation with regards to education be it the worry that students can cheat and the work that they produce is not their own but I think as educators we must first educate ourselves on the many positive benefits of AI and in doing so teach our students how to appropriately use AI to help them succeed and reach their full potential. For teachers the time saved on planning, resource making and assessment due to AI will ultimately be of huge benefit to students but also to time poor teachers.
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As a teaching principal, I find that I spend a significant amount of time on both short-term and long-term planning. AI has the potential to greatly speed up this process by generating curriculum-aligned schemes of work, lesson ideas, and differentiated materials. This would allow me to shift my focus away from paperwork and spend more time on meaningful lesson planning and pupil engagement.
In the classroom, AI can support personalised learning by adapting content to suit individual student needs, promoting self-paced progression. Assessment can also become more efficient, with AI tools providing instant feedback, identifying learning gaps, and helping teachers target interventions effectively.
A potential use I see in my own classroom involves a student with a significant learning difficulty who currently cannot participate in written project work. Using speech-to-text AI, the student would be able to record their ideas verbally and have them transcribed. This would allow them to take part in project-based activities alongside their peers, helping to level the playing field.
Careful and ethical use of AI will ensure it supports all learners effectively.
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I also find the use of speech to text AI very interesting and helpful. Some writers are reluctant to fully participate as if they have felt a sense of failure with writing before,the blank page can seem very daunting. If AI tools can help them achieve a sense of success through removing the daunting aspect of the blank page,then children with learning needs will hopefully feel a sense of success and thrive throw the support of AI tools. The tool can be used to do the writing but not generate the ideas for the child with learning needs.
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AI tools are going to have a major impact on teaching and learning in the future. I did some trial lessons using Chat GPT last year and the kids were so engaged. That was my reason for doing this course. I wanted to be able to further enhance my lessons and the children’s experiences through AI. The children love using technology for learning and AI can be implemented across the whole curriculum. The use of chat bots and image creators can link in to Literacy so easily and engage them with story writing. AI tools can generate some great ideas for teachers and help get away from the overuse of book work in the classroom. In terms of assessment it can create worksheets/test sheets based on topics of choice. I imagine AI tools can probably even correct the worksheets and provide feedback for the children if you uploaded them. This is sometime I would like to find out about. Although you must proof read and check responses to children and for yourself, the opportunities are endless.
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I agree Ross, the use of Chatbots and image creators would be brilliant when generating resources! Also, I agree that there is potential to allow AI tools to provide feedback on worksheets etc completed by the students and also agree it would be beneficial to always check over the responses and proof read beforehand! Both ideas definitely would be useful!
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Ross great ides about the use of AI that I hadn’t thought of, I really like the idea of using it in creative writing
I have used AI in a number of ways including marking and correcting grammar in both English and Irish which is very exciting. I even took a screenshot of a daily mental maths page and it corrected it for me. The use of AI in the classroom is so exciting and like you I am doing the course to find more ways that it can be used to enhance the learning experience of my students and prepare them for the future.
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I am really looking forward to delving into the world of AI to enhance my teaching, the overall learning experience and how I assess the learning . I’ve enjoyed the introductory module and have already been introduced to Generative AI models which I wasn’t familiar with.
I am excited about the possibilities of Vidnoz AI in lesson creation and can see the element of creativity that can be brought to the lessons in order to make the learning more engaging. Teaching has changed so much since I started and it is certainly more of a challenge to engage pupils for a sustained period of time. Digital technology and the use of AI for inclusive learning must be embraced and the possibilities seem endless.
I look forward to spending some time researching the work of the Khan Academy and Khanmigo in deciphering how I can enhance my time management skills by incorporating some of their suggestions into my planning, lesson creation and assessment.
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Having completed this module, I feel more aware and empowered on how to incorporate AI in order to enhance my teaching. I have learned about other Generative AI models such as Gemini and Co-pilot which I had not yet been introduced to. It was interesting to compare both chat bots to ChatGbt and observe the differences between them.
It was very interesting to observe the various prompts to create visual images and I feel these would be particularly useful in relation to SESE lessons and indeed in relation to vocabulary for EAL learners. Similarly, such prompts could be used to create stories in English or differentiated worksheets.
AI has also many uses in terms of teaching, learning and assessment when used efficiently. These may be used to generate ideas, create lesson plans and provide rubrics for example in terms of assessment. The opportunities are endless. I particularly am interested in the work of the Khan Academy as it can personalise learning, provide real-time feedback and also supports differentiated instruction.
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Before beginning this module,the thoughts of using AI seemed daunting and unfamiliar. However I can now see the potential it has and how if used ethically and in line with the guidelines,it has huge potential to have a positive impact on my teaching and the learning of students. One thing that stick with me was to ensure the AI tools are used collaboratively at first to ensure it is used in a safe and ethical manner.
Through using Copilot,Gemini and Chat gpt during this module,it gave me an insight into the functionality of each AI tool and how this could be used in my future teaching. I was unaware that there were even that many AI tools available to use so the slow and steady introduction to each type was very interesting. Some ideas which stood out for me and seemed very doable in my future teaching included creating differentiated work for individual learners in my English class or perhaps making a travel itineray for a country you are studying in SESE. I loved the image creation AI tool which could be utilised to create logos for project work in SESE. There is also lots of opportunities to allow children to use their own written work and adapt this creativly through adding videos or pictures generated by image AI. Using AI to add to or creatively adapt children’s work may be a positive and safe place to start with on my AI journey.
With regards to assessment,I feel the use of feedback quizzes or open ended questioning would prove useful to gain an insight into how the children respond to lessons taught in real time. The data can be used for future teaching and learning.
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I have begun to explore chat GPT this past academic year. AI will most definitely have positive benefits for both the teacher and the students. It provides great opportunity to tailor content, assessment etc. to the individual needs of the children, save valuable time for the teacher. It will also provide opportunities for the children to use AI as a research tool allowing for them to be analytical and critical in what they discover. It can be an enjoyable and interactive way for the children to learn.
AI will also be a support in providing a bank of tailored resources across all curricular areas. I was speaking to a colleague who was using AI to create a programme of work for novels she was working on during the year. The range of resources and differentiated material meant that the novels were accessible to everyone in her class.
AI is most certainly a game changer in terms of teaching and learning. I look forward to engaging with it more the coming year.
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Reflect on the potential classroom use of AI tools and how this can impact on future teaching, learning and assessment.
I have been an early adaptor of AI and have used it in many ways in the past 2 years to help me with my teaching. I have used it to reword and articulate my thoughts in a more coherent way to help formulate support goals and even report card comment, I have used it to generate art ideas for confirmation and even generate a picture for a card of thanks for visitors to the school. I am excited by what it can offer me as a teacher. Ihe potential that AI has on teaching, learning and assessment is endless and I believe if we teach children how to use it effectively it can be only positive. I know that people are concerned that AI may replace learning, but I disagree. Yes a child could get AI to generate a response to a question, but how is that any different than the child in the past who copied information direct from a text book. We as educators need to show children the power and use of AI and how it can support their learning.
As a tool for assessment I haven’t really embraced but see the real benefit. Having AI generate a marking rubric is the key way that I feel it could only benefit educators and students. Having a clear definitive guide to provide to students at all levels will support learning and guide teaching
Overall ! am excited by the potential of AI in the education space -
I’ve begun to reflect on how AI could reshape my classroom practice. There is so much information to take in on this summer course and I want my takeaway to be meaningful. One of the most immediate impacts I foresee is in reducing the time spent on planning and paperwork This is something that often eats into my evenings and weekends. AI can assist with lesson planning, generate differentiated resources, and even provide insights into student performance through data analysis. This means I could spend more time focusing on my pupils’ individual needs rather than administrative tasks. I feel that this is something many teachers I know struggle with.
In terms of teaching and learning, AI can support more fun and interactive learning experiences. If the prompt given is effective, the lesson can use digital tools and online games that I may not be aware of.For assessment, AI could support quicker, more accurate formative assessments, enabling timely interventions. This course has made me excited about the possibilities—AI won’t replace teachers, but it can certainly empower us to teach more effectively.-
Hi Louise,
Welcome to the course. It is great that you have been thinking so deeply about key takeaways and how you feel AI can simultaneously be used to enhance the learning in the classroom, whilst also reducing the time spent on evenings and weekends preparing for lessons. This course will outline a variety of different AI tools (beyond Chat GPT) that are very useful and suitable for an educational context. However, it is through trial and error that we will become more adept at tailoring these to be more specific to our own classes. As you have referred to, the prompt is so important and may require refining based on the initial suggestions provided. Hopefully, this course will allow for some thought around how to construct prompts and how these can be refined if needed.
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I am new to the whole concept of AI and have only recently dabbled in it following a very informative and interesting conversation beside a princpal in a school in another county on a plane trip home from an Erasmus project. I had was on an Erasmus trip on STEAM, she had just completed a week long Erasmus on AI. She inspired me to learn more and here I am! It was a most interesting encounter She opened my eyes to the endless possibilities of AI and how it can work for me across all aspects of my job. So off I went into Chat GBT world.
Already this module has informed me of the evolution of AI over the past and its not such a recent phenonemen. The possibilities of AI in improving my productivity as a teacher. I liked the introductions to Gemini and Copilot as they were relatively new to me. I learned much from the comparisons of the 3 bots and the importance of how the prompts are phrased.
Another take away for me is to be discerning in my use of all Artificial Intelligence, always check what is returnd from a prompt.
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As someone already using AI to manage my workload and enhance the classroom experience, I’ve found it incredibly helpful in streamlining both teaching and admin tasks. I regularly use AI to draft professional emails, create staff PowerPoint presentations, and write up minutes from meetings, which has freed up valuable time. In the classroom, it’s helped me design engaging lessons, generate differentiated resources quickly, and create interactive activities like quizzes and visual aids that keep students motivated and involved.
While I haven’t yet explored AI tools specifically for assessment, this is an area I’m really keen to delve into in the next academic year. The potential to personalise assessment, provide real-time feedback, and track student progress more effectively is something I find exciting and promising.
Overall, AI is already reshaping how I teach and work—and I’m optimistic about how it can continue to support more efficient, engaging, and student-centred learning in the future.
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Hi Maria,
Thank you for sharing your experience; it’s really great to learn how you’re already using AI to decrease your workload. Your comment about streamlining administrative activities such as emails and presentations struck a chord with me; it’s exactly those time-consuming tasks that I’d like to delegate to free up my time for more creative classroom work.
I completely agree that assessment is the next big frontier. The idea of employing AI to help provide personalized feedback or identify learning trends sounds really intriguing, since it provides a means to make our feedback more targeted and beneficial for youngsters. It’s exhilarating to consider the possibilities!
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Part 1 • Watch the Ethical guidelines on the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and data in teaching and learning video and consider the main takeaways.
Educators need to be aware of the risks that comes with using AI and be prepared to tackle them in the classroom.
The European commission have created a set of guidelines for teachers to make aware of possible risks. These guidelines propose guiding questions that will help teachers understand the benefits and possible risks of using AI in the classroom such as bias or data breach.
Part 2 • Reflect on the potential classroom use of AI tools and how this can impact on future teaching, learning and assessment. Post a reflective piece to the Module 1 forum (150 words min).
Saving time and improving content for teachers and learners are 2 ways that I see AI majorly impacting on classrooms. Teachers can plan lessons more efficiently tailoring content to the needs of individual groups of learners. To be able to take a text that may be targeted for the average learner within a room and then be able to differentiate it up or down for the variety of learners within the classrooms is going to be transformational for learners. Added to that, assessment and questions can also be adjusted to suit the learner is just mind blowing.
The creator of Khan academy showed the curve that having that personal assistant available to both teacher and student can shift the traditional bell curve 2 standard deviations to the right, is somewhat plausible if the power of this technology was harnessed in the correct manner.
Teachers are going to need training to use this technology in a positive and responsible way as this may be even more important over the years to come than any other curricular enhancements that are planned.
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Hi Anthony,
Welcome to the course and thank you for your post here. You have spoken so clearly about the specific benefits you can see in your classroom through the teacher’s use of AI to create resources and learning experiences that are more personalised to individual learner needs. International tests like PISA and TIMSS show Ireland have fewer learners scoring both notably low and notably high. Our traditional methods of teaching to the middle and attempting to provide scaffolds and support to build those struggling up has been effective in this regard. However, AI tools now offer us the opportunity to easily differentiate content and ideas to ensure all children, including those of high academic ability, are challenged appropriately.
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The change in the Irish Education system has been huge over the last twenty years since I entered and I can only but wonder what the next twenty years will bring. Educators need to be open to change and embrace it for the good but still remember and use the basics which have worked so well for us.
I am hopeful that AI will reduce my admin work, help me personalise lessons plans and aid me in giving more specific support to SEN pupils.
For students it will hopefully mean more engaging content, more personalised learning and instant feedback for their work.
Schools move at such a fast pace that AI could help us all to keep up, reduce our workload slightly while benefiting all the children in front of us. With careful integration and ethical oversight, AI can enrich education while supporting inclusive, creative, and critical thinking environments for Ireland’s future generations. -
AI can be used in the classroom in many different ways. It can help with differentiation so each child is receiving support and content that is at their level. It will also help teachers to understand where the pupil is and particular strategies than may be useful to support their learning.
It can also help support the teacher to continue to develop their own teaching strategies and methods. It will also continue to be updated which means it’s very much relevant and staying on top of new developments and information.
I think it will continue to help learning as it is fun and interactive for students and can make learning fun while focusing on their particular interests. It gives quick feedback and can help with levels of engagement. It’s very much a personalised responsive and student centred resource that will benefit many students in their education.
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Reading through the course materials and rules has made me reflect about the remarkable juggling act we all perform as primary school teachers. Between ongoing planning, resource creation, report completion, and parent communication, it might feel like there isn’t enough time to breathe, let alone be the genuinely innovative and inspiring educators we aspire to be.
I’m beginning to see AI as a potential aid in freeing up some of that valuable time, rather than a replacement for our unique personal touch. I’m not looking for it to write my lessons from scratch, but imagine having a tool that could quickly adapt a reading passage for different levels in my class, or whip up a visual mind map for a tricky concept in minutes. For me, that’s not about cutting corners; it’s about reclaiming my own energy and creativity, so I can focus on what truly matters: connecting with the children, giving them individual attention, and bringing those imaginative projects to life that really spark their curiosity.
I’m particularly excited about its potential when it comes to assessment. The thought of being able to generate a tailored rubric for a project, or even get a head start on some personalised feedback for a child’s writing, feels like a real game-changer. It’s not about handing over the grading, but about using a tool to make my feedback more precise and timely, which ultimately helps the children learn and grow. I truly believe AI can be a powerful assistant, allowing me to be more present and more effective every single day in the classroom.
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Kate, I can identify with the way you feel – ultimately it’s about carving out as much meaningful time with the pupils as possible and letting them know we see them and can help them with the next step. If AI can help us to provide individual feedback in reading, writing etc. that is a win for everyone. to be able to get to the heart of the matter with each child would be truly beneficial. I hope I manage to harness some of the power of AI in a practical way in the classroom.
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Prior to starting this course, I admit to being a little blind to the huge benefits that AI offers to teachers. I have been enlightened through many aspects of Module 1 in the many benefits of AI to the primary teacher in areas such as research, assessment and differentiation of tasks.
I really enjoyed using the various AI providers in planning the three-day trip to Kilkenny. The information that can be given in such a short space of time is amazing.
The segment on Khan Academy showed the huge benefit of AI in supporting the learning of pupils. AI simply did not give the pupil the answer but completely scaffolded their learning.
Obviously,the use of AI by children in a classroom should be supervised by the teacher and should always be in line with school policy in relation to AI.
I will be using AI this year to help me with many tasks in relation to teaching, learning and assessment with the necessary caution. It will greatly help me with time management. -
AI has so many benefits for teaching, learning and assessment. Prior to doing this course, I was only familiar with Chat gpt and I didn’t realise the different AI tools available to teachers. I think that using AI can help teachers save so much time when creating resources that are engaging and effective. Gamma AI would be so useful for creating documents and Powerpoints and would be such a timesaver. I think one of the greatest uses AI could have in the classroom would be in terms of differentiation and assessment. AI tools like Diffit can make differentiation more manageable and personal. Twee is fantastic for creating questions based on a text or a video. Rubrics, checklists and quizzes can be made so easily, which lightens the workload for teachers and helps prevent teacher burnout.
I think that more CPD courses in AI need to be available for teachers, as AI is going to have a huge impact on future teaching, learning and assessment and we need to be up to date with all the tools available to us.-
Hi Anne Marie,
Welcome to the course and thank you for this contribution to the forum. It is great to hear that you have been able to explore a variety of additional AI tools, beyond Chat GPT. Personally I love using Chat GPT for general prompts and resource creation, but there are a number of education-specific tools that can create the exact material you may want for use in a classroom context. The ability to create posters, flow charts, comparison wheels, etc. can provide a much more visually appealing and effective layout for your resource creation. The remainder of the course will explore more of these tools, and hopefully you will find their use beneficial for your own practice.
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Hi Anne Marie, I completely agree with you! Before starting this course, I had only really heard of Chatgpt and Copilot too, and I had no idea there were so many other tools out there like Gemini, Vidnoz AI, Gamma, Diffit, and Twee. It’s amazing how much time we can save by using these tools to really help ease that constant workload we’re all juggling.
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For teaching, AI can help teachers be more efficient by cutting down time drafting e-mails, being more productive by creating lesson plans and grading rubrics and it helps you become more creative by generating ideas for you to use, suggesting class activities or helping to improve powerpoints. However, it is important to consider the need for teacher oversight to ensure that AI-generated materials are accurate, inclusive, and appropriate for specific learner needs.
For children in their learning in the classroom, AI will be engaging for students. They can use AI across all curricular areas. A particularly useful one would be using AI-powered chatbots to simulate simple conversations in Irish. This would build confidence in spoken and written Irish in a low-pressure environment. This also promotes oral language development, which is a key focus of the Primary Language Curriculum.
AI tools can read texts aloud and highlight words —a feature that strongly supports differentiation. This accessibility function could enhance equity in the classroom, allowing children with literacy or language needs to engage more fully with the curriculum. However, educators must reflect on how to balance AI support with the development of independent reading skills over time.
A practical use of AI for both teacher and student would be to generate games and quizzes based on classroom themes. Teachers can prepare these for their class or students could prepare them for their peers or younger students to try based on their learning.
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Laura,
You suggest that a teacher’s time can be saved by using AI in the drafting emails. I have yet to try this but I do hope that it is a realistic and effective possibility of AI. Emails have become such a strain on available preparation time, especially for teachers with additional responsibilities in schools.
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AI tools will undoubtedly impact future teaching, learning, and assessment, especially when it becomes the norm in Irish primary schools for all pupils to have access to a 1:1 device. They will move beyond simple tasks like automated assessment, freeing up and enhnacing teacher planning and preparation time to allow exploration of more engaging lesson content. AI-powered platforms can offer adaptive learning paths tailored to individual student needs, providing real-time feedback and targeted support, similar to those featured in the Khan Academy Ted Talk.
For students, this means more customised and engaging learning experience. However, it also shifts the focus of learning from simply digesting information from texts to developing deeper critical thinking skills. Assessment will evolve to measure higher-order skills, such as how students use AI as a tool for problem-solving and creativity. The future classroom will be become a collaborative space where human and artificial intelligence work together to enhance educational outcomes. In order for this to be successful though, further Department of Education directed professional development will be necessary, once the instant access to technology for all pupils becomes the norm. -
Hi Don,
Welcome to the course. Thank you for outlining a very clear vision of how you see the role of AI playing out in schools and how it can be used to enhance your own practice. You have made a very interesting point around future classrooms being places of collaborative where human and artificial intelligence work together. This is a key point – AI cannot replace the human element of classroom life and interactions. You have outlined so many ways in which it can be used effectively, but its true usefulness will only come when married with the human knowledge present in the classroom also.
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Hi Laura,
I really like how you have broken things down here and offered lots of different uses for AI in the classroom. I have never used it for drafting emails but this does seem like a useful option. Are there AI chatbots that are set up to use Irish? That is one thing I feel I would need to check to ensure the children are learning from a reputable source using the correct grammar. I absolutely agree that the read aloud and highlighting text features are fantastic and I could definitely see how they would work and benefit learners in the classroom. I find using AI t generate quizzes so helpful and quick. I have never thought to use it for games but it is something I will definitely look into this year. It will tie in the curriculum focus on playfulness in the classroom. I do agree with one of your first points, that there is need for teacher oversight to ensure that what is being used is accurate and appropriate for the group of children you are teaching.
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After engaging with this module my eyes have been opened to how helpful and impactful AI can be in the classroom. I was oblivious to the different types of AI platforms available and have only ever really used Chat GPT. I have found it great in some ways but lacking in others and I would often have to ask the same question in different way to get the answer I am looking for. I have found it very helpful when looking for ideas for lesson plans and I’m just not quite sure where to go or what to do and it does generate some useful options and examples of activities. I have also used some of the worksheets it has generated but I do find that sometimes there are little mistakes on them and I need to check them before using. It really is more of a resource that I tweak rather than something I can rely on to be perfectly correct.
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Given the pace of change, there will be an explosion of AI tools. It will not be possible to keep up with every new tool, however teachers shouldn’t get disheartened or dismissive. We owe it to ourselves, our profession and of course our future generations to begin learning and teaching with AI. I think starting small and integrating components of AI into lessons and also being willing to learn along with the pupils is a good way to approach AI integration in education.
Generative AI can be extremely useful for teachers to put together resources to suit their classroom needs. Already it is clear that AI can provide a spark for a flagging teacher, a new way of looking at a topic and help the teacher to imagine interesting and child-friendly tasks. In this module the importance of using accurate prompts was stressed to elicit useful material for building lesson plans. AI can also assist with administration, with assessment. Learning can be individualised using intelligent tutoring systems which provide customised feedback. There are challenges in protecting privacy and data, ensuring information is accurate, balanced and appropriate, however it has to be acknowledged that AI has many benefits in terms of future teaching, learning and assessment.
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As a newly qualified teacher, i have found this course extremely interesting already. I believe in the generation we are living in now, AI plays a massive role in so many aspects of life, and can be very advantageous for education.
From the start of this course, it is evident that AI tools have a lot of potential to change how we teach, learn, and assess students in the classroom. They can help tailor lessons to fit each student’s needs, making it easier for everyone to learn at their own pace. We can also save time by using AI to help with tasks like marking or giving feedback, which means they can spend more time actually supporting students. When it comes to assessment, AI can help track progress over time and spot where students might be struggling, meaning more tailored, beneficial support can be given at an earlier stage. It could also make learning more interactive and engaging. That said, it’s important to use AI in a smart and fair way, making sure all students benefit and no one gets left behind. In the future, teachers might focus more on guiding and coaching students, helping them think critically and use technology responsibly.
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Hi Rachel, I’ve had the same experience. I’ve used ChatGPT quite a bit to help with lesson planning and making worksheets too. It’s really handy when you’re short on ideas or just need a bit of inspiration. Like you said, it’s not always spot on – I’ve had to reword things or fix small mistakes before using anything in class. But overall, it’s been a useful tool to get the ball rolling. Before this module, I didn’t realise how many other tools were out there either, so it’s been eye-opening to see what’s possible. I think as long as we’re using it to support our work rather than relying on it completely, it can be a really helpful resource.
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As a special education teacher, I work with children who have a wide range of needs, some struggle with reading or maths, others need help regulating their emotions or managing sensory challenges. I also support children who need extra help with fine motor skills like handwriting, or gross motor skills, like coordination in PE. Every child is different, and balancing all those needs while still planning lessons, managing paperwork and tracking progress can honestly be overwhelming at times.
This introduction to AI has shown me just how much these tools could help. Using something like Chatgpt, Copilot or Gemini to speed up planning or generate activity ideas could free up more time for what really matters which is being present with the kids and supporting them emotionally. I can see how AI such as Vidnoz AI and image creation AI could help create personalised resources, visuals or even simple videos to explain tricky concepts in a way that suits each learner.
That said, I do feel a bit unsure about relying too much on AI. Teaching is such a human job and all about relationships, gut feelings and knowing your students. I think AI has huge potential to support us, but it’s still so important to use our judgement and not lose that personal connection. I find that it is about learning how to work with AI and not letting it take over.
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Hi Mairead, I completely agree with you with regards to the importance of relationships in teaching. The temptation to use AI in ever increasing ways in the classroom will surely be there however I think it’s all about balance.
I will be going into a SET role this coming year and I think you are correct in relation to the potential benefits to different needs and managing paperwork. I’m looking forward to seeing how it all works out!
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Hi Mairead,
Welcome to the course. You have raised some really interesting and pertinent points in your post. AI can be hugely helpful for work as an SET – careful prompting can provide you with a range of suggestions for personalising your lessons and picking and choosing activity suggestions to meet the needs of the children on your caseload. However, like you have said, the human aspect remains the central component of effective teaching. Knowing what the child needs, adapting in the moment and responding to their evolving needs is something AI can’t help us with – it is a great way of reducing work and providing us with a menu of suggestions or adapting content to suit us, but remains only one tool in the teaching and learning process.
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Hi Mairéad. I am a SET teacher too and I also rely on the personal connections. That is what I love about the job. And I agree with you that we fear as teachers for the loss of that human connection. The more I use AI and learn about it, I am hoping it will actually save time for the priorities- getting to know the child, identifying targets and supporting them. I hope it stops us drowning in paperwork
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Reflect on the potential classroom use of AI tools and how this can impact on future teaching, learning and assessment.
This first module has really opened my eyes to the potential benefits of using AI in the classroom. I feel that for areas like differentiation, it is a perfect way to (using clear prompts), create work for different children’s needs in a useful and helpful way. Another area where I envisage AI helping in my classroom, is relating to lesson stimulus. The examples of using vidnoz to create a unique video of Albert Einstein talking, or creating a lovely, personalised logo for a class project, show the possibilities of creating stimuli that are relevant to the topic, age level and interests of the class. It is also something that I feel can benefit different learning styles, so perhaps taking a chapter of the class novel and repurposing it as an audio book or a video, could reach a auditory or visual learner in a more targeted fashion than reading the chapter would.
I feel in relation to AI and assessment I have more to learn, and hopefully the next few modules will help with this. I feel that it is important to not give over too much autonomy to AI as the personal knowledge and awareness that a teacher has of students is where assessment can be personal and beneficial, however I envisage there are some clever ways to work in tandem with AI to improve AOL and AFL.-
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You’ve highlighted some really practical and creative ways of using AI—particularly in differentiation and engaging learners through personalised stimuli. The idea of using tools like Vidnoz to bring historical figures to life or repurposing texts into audio or video formats shows how AI can genuinely enhance accessibility and motivation for different types of learners.
Your point about not handing over too much autonomy to AI is also really important. As powerful as these tools are, they should complement—not replace—the professional judgement and personal relationships that teachers build with students. That balance is key, especially in assessment where teacher insight adds so much value. I’m sure as the course progresses, you’ll find even more ways to make AI a supportive partner in both AFL and AOL.
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I am in the same headspace as you in the assessment side Becky. It will be interesting to see how assessment evolves in the future. The ethics video touched on being able to get real time feedback on quizzes and assignments. I am interested to see will the model start to then give automated recommendations and material for students.
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The impact of A.I. tools in education is already making an impact across the globe and is gathering momentum as we head in to the future. Personally for me I have always been intrigued by I.T and its uses in the classroom, I have felt reasonably confident using it effectively. However, since the explosion of A.I. over the past few years and the unbelievably speed it is developing at I have found myself slipping behind. Hence why I am here! I came with a very basic knowledge of A.I. but feel that the course is beginning to broaden my understanding. For the educator, when used efficiently A.I. has the potential to help tailor more specific learning for pupils, make resources and content more engaging, aid lesson planning and assessment. Pupils should see the benefit of more captivating lessons and constructive feedback in a more timely manner. Parents will see the benefits of it too and will be able to receive up to date progress reports on their child’s learning throughout the year.
I also played around by inputting the forum question into the various A.I. assistants. This is from Co Pilot. Impressive stuff!
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AI tools offer transformative potential in classrooms, reshaping teaching, learning, and assessment. For educators, AI can automate routine tasks like grading and planning, freeing time for meaningful student interaction. It enables personalized learning by adapting content to individual needs, helping students progress at their own pace and style.
In learning, AI-powered platforms foster engagement through interactive, adaptive experiences. They support diverse learners by offering multilingual support, accessibility features, and instant feedback. This promotes inclusivity and deeper understanding.
Assessment practices also evolve with AI, shifting from traditional exams to dynamic, formative methods. Real-time analytics help identify learning gaps, allowing timely interventions. AI can also support creative assessments like simulations and collaborative projects.
However, ethical considerations—such as data privacy, bias, and equitable access—must be addressed. With thoughtful implementation and teacher training, AI can enhance education, making it more personalized, efficient, and responsive to the needs of both learners and educators.
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The integration of AI tools in the classroom holds transformative potential for teaching, learning, and assessment. These tools can personalize learning experiences by adapting content to suit individual student needs, thereby enhancing engagement and improving outcomes. For teachers, AI can automate administrative tasks such as grading and attendance, freeing up time to focus on instructional quality and student support. In assessment, AI offers real-time feedback and data analytics that help educators identify learning gaps and adjust instruction accordingly.
AI can also support differentiated instruction by offering multiple formats of content delivery—text, audio, video, or interactive simulations—catering to diverse learning styles. Furthermore, intelligent tutoring systems can provide immediate support outside classroom hours, fostering independent learning.
However, responsible use is essential. Teachers must develop digital literacy to effectively integrate AI, and ethical concerns like data privacy and algorithmic bias must be addressed. Ultimately, AI has the potential to create more inclusive, efficient, and student-centered education environments
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Hi Ronan
Welcome to the course. You make some very good points in relation to AI and education. As you say, despite the many concerns around AI, these tools do give us great means to personalise and individulaise learning for all pupils regardless of abilities. If used judiciously, then it has the potential to be a brilliant resource for teachers and learners alike. I hope you learn a lot from the various modules that you can embed into your future classroom practice.
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AI has a massive opportunity for teachers in the future. All aspects of our jobs as educators can benefit from the use of AI in the classroom and at home when we are planning for the classroom. AI can be used to help create individualised lesson plans for students when using the correct prompts and data efficiently, preparing tasks that are suitably challenging and engaging to students at the same time.
It can also be used to help assess students in the classroom, giving quick and effective feedback to students in a matter of seconds which isn’t always possible in a modern day classroom when teachers always have a million things to do!
Websites such as Brisk provide all manner of tools which I have been using for a while now. It can help to create Powerpoints on topics, create quizzes and lesson plans giving step by step details on how to progress through these lessons. With the help of AI tools such as this the classroom is a more diverse and accomodating place for all.
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AI tools have the ability to revolutionise how we approach teaching, learning, and assessment in the classroom. Using AI brings numerous advantages for both myself and my students. For instance, adaptive learning platforms and AI-driven quizzes can provide immediate feedback, allowing students to learn from their mistakes on the spot.
Along with this, AI assists with everyday tasks like lesson planning and making resources. This gives me extra time to allow me to plan and prepare my lesson plans. AI can even help plan for differentiation which is very helpful in all classrooms.
While AI cant take over the importance of quality teaching, it is an effective and beneficial tool to aid the teacher. It allows for greater work life balance while also improving lessons and helping engage students.
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As an educator, I feel I need to embrace AI tools with optimism and an open mind. I believe AI represents not just a massive technological shift, but an essential evolution in how we as teachers teach, learn, and assess our student. While I understand there are and will be concerns around ethics, data privacy, and the potential for misuse, I also feel strongly that we really need to move with the times. Our students are already engaging with AI in their daily lives often outside the classroom in apps such as snapchat for example. Rather than resisting this change, we should and need to guide them in using these tools responsibly and ethically.
AI offers so much potential to personalise learning, support diverse needs and support assessment. If we equip students with the knowledge to use AI for the greater good (creatively, thoughtfully, and ethically) we’re preparing them not just for exams, but for life in our rapidly changing world. Rather than shy away from it we must embrace it!
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Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Karen. You make some good points in relation to AI and teaching and learning. As you rightly point out, AI is already a part of our students’ lives, and it’s our responsibility as teachers to guide them. Rather than resisting it, we should embrace the opportunities that this new technology offers and teach our students how to use it ethically and responsibly.
Your points about how AI can help with personalizing learning, supporting diverse needs, and assisting with assessment are all very relevant. While AI can make our teaching jobs a little easier, the main thing to remember is that it can really help us teachers to create a more differentiated and effective learning environment for every child.
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Karen
when you mention embracing ai tools, a colleague of mine comes to mind straight away, who is doing just that and in doing so is he is enhancing his teaching methodologies thus improving teaching and learning in the classroom. Technology has grown rapidly in the last 25 years- I am sure that in Ireland today each classroom has the use of an interactive board.
As you rightly state children have access to and are using ai outside of school(maybe unaware and of little understanding of what it is), we as educators are in a position to guide them to use these tools in a responsible manner.
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In my opinion, AI is a very effective tool in the classroom. Personally, I have a lot to learn about it Ai and how I can use it in the classroom to impact my teaching. When I am equipped with these skills I feel that my teaching will be alot more efficient and my time management will greatly improve. As a teacher I find that a lot of my time goes in to planning and finding resources that link to my lessons. However with AI, I can become more creative – overcoming the blank page problem, suggesting class ideas, resources such as worksheets/games and improving the quality of my PowerPoint/worksheets/assessments. I Can become more efficient and productive by cutting down time searching for new ideas and drafting tasks. AI also gives teachers the chance to differentiate more effectively and to personalise children’s learning catering for the various needs in a class. It also helps teachers create more engaging and effective lessons through giving them a wide bank of ideas to work with and to adapt into their teaching. It is also important to pass on these skills to children who will greatly benefit from having this skill set in the future with employment etc.
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Welcome to the course, and thanks for sharing your thoughts on AI Paige.
You have summarized some of the key benefits of using AI as a teacher really well. The idea of using AI to overcome the “blank page problem” is one that a lot of teachers can readily relate to. We all know how much time goes into planning, and having a tool that can instantly suggest creative ideas, resources, and even drafts of worksheets or presentations could be a huge time-saver. This frees us up to focus more on the students and less on the admin and preparation
You rightly point out that differentiation and creating personalised resources are also key benefits of using AI. Having a tool that can help us tailor content to meet the various needs in a class is invaluable. This allows us to create more engaging lessons and make sure every child gets the support they need. I like your point about passing these skills on to our students. They’ll need to know how to use these tools effectively and ethically in their future careers, so teaching them now is setting them up for success in the future.
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Hi Paige, I agree greatly with what you have said in your piece. I also feel that AI can be a very effective tool going forward in teaching. I started to use it a small bit this year and I hope once I become a little bit more comfortable with it, I’ll be able to take advantage, particularly in my planning and assessment.
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This year, I will be teaching 5th class and I can see myself using AI tools to enhance my teaching and support my assessment in a manageable, effective way.
For teaching, tools like kahoot, use AI to adjust question difficulty and track class understanding. Text to speech tools can support literacy and help children with reading difficulties. AI image generators, that were covered in the online lecture, can be used to create story prompts or visual aids for SESE and SPHE.
AI writing assistants, like chatgpt, can help me generate lesson plans, differentiated tasks, or help with creative writing starters. For Gaeilge, I can use AI speech tools, that can model pronunciation and support oral language development.
For assessment, platforms like EdPuzzle or Formative allow me to embed questions into videos or slides and give immediate feedback, which supports Assessment for Learning. I use ClassDojo in my class and I know there are AI analytics tools on it that can also help track individual progress over time.-
Hi Ronan
Welcome to the course, and thanks for your post. It sounds like you’ve already got a great plan for integrating technology into your teaching for the coming year. Fifth class can be such a great class, and having tools that help you tailor material to different needs and give you quick insights into how everyone is getting on can make a big difference. All the supports you mentioned are particularly effective and can open up access for students who might otherwise struggle. And bringing AI-generated images into SESE or SPHE is a great way to spark curiosity; often, a single picture can inspire a whole conversation. Just a thought: as you start using these tools, it might be worth discussing with the class how and why you’re using them. Helping the children understand that AI is a tool to support learning and not a replacement for their own thinking can be really useful.
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Hi Anne Marie,
Like you I was only familiar with Chat GBT in terms of AI. I am only becoming familiar with all the benefits of AI in my teaching and learning. From this module, the use of Diffit will be a valuable tool going forward in terms of differentiation. Like you I plan to use Gamma AI for powerpoints.
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I agree with you Rachel – I find the idea of each child being able to have a chat bot that can interact with them in real time and help steer the children in the right direction or giving them hints can massively aid the teacher in that they may not need to give so much one-to-one attention. Something that realistically cannot always be accommodated.
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I think AI tools in the classroom will really make a lot of difference for teachers who embrace the movement. They can make life easier for teachers, helping with marking, giving quick feedback, or coming up with lesson ideas. For students, having something like a tutor available whenever you need it could really help with tricky topics or revision. As it was said in the video, a tutor and a teaching assistant. But I can see the downside as well; if students rely too much on AI, they might not develop their own problem-solving or critical thinking skills. We also will need to consider how assessments will change, since AI can do a lot of the work that we’d normally test for. Overall, I think AI should be used as a support, not a replacement, making teaching and learning more effective while still keeping the focus on understanding, creativity, and thinking for yourself. It is very important that we teach academic skills now more than ever.
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This module shows how Ai can help us to be more efficient with our time as teachers. I have spent long periods of time searching for information/ideas/presentations etc online, and then more time adapting these so that they were suitable for my class. Ai tools can certainly save time – from planning to differentiation to assessment and more. I do feel however, that more cpd is important in this area so that we can become more proficient in using the Ai tools out there.
For me, I like how Ai tools can create differentiated lessons/activities in an instant(provided the prompt is of high quality) this will be extremely useful in multigrade settings.
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I’m excited about using AI tools with my class and furthering their digital literacy skills. It will be interesting to explore AI content and have discussions with the class about digital literacy and fact-checking.
Increasing productivity was what drove me to do this course in the first place! I’m looking forward to finding out more about different tools for assessment so that vast amounts of paper work can be tackled in one fell swoop. Its also exciting to think about using ai to enhance engagement and interest.
Using ai and canva together sounds like a tool that could save me a huge amount of time. Im thinking slides for morning meetings, staff meetings etc. I have never used Gemini and found the comparison between copilot and chat gpt very interesting. I loved how detail oriented it was and I think this might be of huge benefit when researching topics for history classes.
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‘The potential classroom use of AI tools and how this can impact on future teaching, learning and assessment.’
There are many positive benefits of AI on teaching and it can really enhance children’s learning experiences. I have only started this course and can already see that AI provides a fast and effective way for teachers to acquire information and deliver it in a way children will find engaging and exciting.
I have used Chat GPT to create reading comprehensions in the past but other than that, I haven’t really used AI for resources and wish to learn a lot more about the resources available to teachers. The quiz app Yippity seems very useful as an assessment resource. I can see how this would be very useful in assessing topics in SESE, etc. Khan Academy sounds like a fantastic resource to assign work to pupils and have them assessed. It allows for differentiation to suit their learning needs and ability and helps go through the problems to further develop the student’s understanding.
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Shaun, I like your idea of using ai platforms to generate comprehensions. We are implementing UFLI this year in our school. I have discovered a platform https://www.projectread.ai/
It can generate decodables but also has a feature coming where it will group your students and set specific lesson plans for them according to their weekly ufli assessment!
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Module 1
I am very excited to learn about the different AI resources available to enhance teaching, learning and assessment in the classroom. In the past I have found Chat GPT helpful in creating stories containing certain word families we had been focussing on in class. I haven’t used many other AI resources and look forward to learning more about their uses and what is freely available to teachers. Khan Academy seems to be a handy resource for assigning work to students and for assessment. Yippity looks like a very useful quiz tool for assessing pupil’s knowledge. I’m looking forward to finding a few more useful AI resources in this course and trying out some new sites and apps.
There are many great benefits of AI I believe it will truly enhance children’s learning experiences in school and reduce the amount of time teachers spend looking for and creating resources. With the increased workload of teachers these days, any extra help is needed! -
The potential of AI to greatly enhance classroom teaching, learning and assessment is something that cannot be understated. I work in a SEN setting and by far the biggest hurdle to engaging the students and giving them the means to access the curriculum is the sheer diversity of individual needs in the classroom and the wide spectrum of abilities and ability level.
I can see a time soon where my students could each by aided by an individual chatbot that can interact with them in real time and interface through speech to text – in an accurate, flowing and true didactic manner. As many of my students have physical disabilities that prevent them from being able to write and or intellectual blocks that have not allowed them to master the ins and outs of writing this will be game changing in that they will be able to lead their own learning and not have to always wait for the teacher (me) or an SNA to copywrite for them. In the real world setting of the classroom this drawback is massive as there is never enough hands to sit one to one with the children and the practical time for learning and the children showcasing their knowledge and ideas is greatly lessened.
Me being able to engage the children with a topic and then them being able to assess the curriculum with an AI assistant opens up many new doors for their learning.
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Hi Shane. Welcome to the course. As you rightly point out, AI can be a great help and support to teachers working in an SEN role as we strive to support a huge spread of individual needs and abilities. In a classroom where each child’s needs and abilities vary so widely, the idea of a responsive, voice‑enabled assistant that lets them express their thoughts independently is certainly something that could work. The frustration of not having enough hands to support everyone with writing is very real, and any tool that reduces that bottleneck could open up space for more meaningful engagement. One practical step you might take while we wait for those personalised chatbots to come on stream is to pilot some of the existing speech‑to‑text tools with a small group of pupils. Even without the full interactivity, these can give children who struggle with writing a way to get their ideas down quickly. Use it for short tasks at first and keep notes on what works and what doesn’t. This will give you a sense of how such tools can be integrated into your teaching routines, and it will also help you identify what features you would need in a more advanced AI assistant when those become available.
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Hi Shane. I also work in SET and I am most interested in Dyslexia, while many of my pupils are Autistic and/ or ADHD. I can see that AI will be a huge benefit to the area of literacy and especially in the aid to executive functioning. It would see to assist by helping to level the playing field- but with our support- or as recommended in this module- in a collaborative setting. Once I can feel more comfortable with it. Change is scary but actually AI can be very powerful I think, the more I start to integrate it. I hope to get my head around it in this course and start back next week and use it.
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AI tools have the potential to transform and reshape the classroom experience in ways that could be both beneficial and challenging. I teach in a senior school and can see many benefits for older classes in particular. Generative AI platforms such as ChatGPT, Google’s Gemini, and Microsoft’s Copilot can make teaching more efficient by automating certain tasks, generating tailored lesson materials, and adapting resources to diverse learning needs. This will allow teachers to focus on the more important aspects of classroom life such as mentoring, connecting, facilitating discussion, and nurturing critical thinking.
For students, there are also many benefits; AI tools can promote productive learning by offering differentiated learning, instant feedback, and targeted practice to close knowledge gaps or misunderstandings. AI tools also encourage creative approaches, enabling teachers to design interactive projects and resources that were once too time consuming to make.
In assessment, generative AI can certainly streamline grading, produce insightful analysis, and highlight any areas needing intervention. When used correctly, AI tools can complement, rather than replace, the empathy, adaptability, and professional judgment central to excellent education.
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AI has basically unlimited potential in the modern classroom. A versatile teaching staff and student body can really take advantage of AI to make teaching and learning both efficient and accessible.
For teaching and assessment it can really relieve the time constraints teachers are under to create, prepare and evaluate teaching materials. Multiple resources are available within seconds and can be easily adapted to the teachers specific needs.
As a learner , when taught to use AI correctly it can really help to develop capacity for learning.
More difficult topics can be quickly and concisely be simplified for those who are struggling.
Likewise, topics csn be made more difficult, include more specific vocabulary and enrichment activities.
AI can be utilised as an assessment tool both to create and evaluate activities.
Care must be taken with AI and all responses should be carefully reviewed before acting on the information, resources or activities that are generated.
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This module has been a huge eye opener on how to use AI in the classroom to enhance my teaching and create more effective lessons. As we know juggling work/life balance is difficult in any job and teaching is no different. The use of AI allows teachers to come up with engaging slideshows, fun games and planning templates which makes our jobs easier and more beneficial for the children. AI is also a very effective assessment tool which can be used at the end of many SESE chapters.
I found that with the new Maths and English curriculums it is very helpful for suggesting language games and also games to start off or consolidate maths lessons. It is difficult sometimes to come up with new innovative games and ideas and that is where the use of AI is very helpful.
For this coming year I am going to use AI to help with my classroom displays as it is very good for coming up with images which will support my literacy and numeracy displays. Again time is vital in the working day and this is another way AI can assist in saving some.
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Reflect on the potential classroom use of AI tools and how this can impact on future teaching, learning and assessment.
I chose this course because I am moving into the role of SET in September and I hope that AI will guide me to create individualised teaching plans and assessment resources for the varied needs of my pupils. Children with sensory processing needs often learn better through a combination of sight, sound and touch. I enjoyed learning about Microsoft Copilot and how it can create images when prompted specifically.
AI tools will allow me to create lessons digitally instead of traditional paper based assessments, which will suit children who have differing learning preferences. Children with additional needs may benefit from the use of AI based assessments as the resources will be able to attract their attention better. Parents may also benefit from visual updates and reporting, which can be found on Canva.
The Generative AI in Education resource in Module One will be a huge benefit to my new teaching role. I must admit that I feel quite overwhelmed by the amount of AI tools that are available for teaching and assessing learning. Hopefully I can find a few that will help me implement inclusive teaching strategies effectively.
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This course has already given me a great insight into how AI tools are starting to shape classrooms, and it’s clear they’re going to have a big impact on how we teach, learn, and assess. One thing that stands out to me is how AI can help tailor learning to individual students. Tools that adapt to different ability levels or learning speeds could really support students who might otherwise struggle to keep up—or who aren’t being challenged enough.
From a teaching perspective, AI can take some of the pressure off by handling routine tasks like marking or tracking progress, which could free us up to focus more on actual teaching and supporting students emotionally and socially. That said, I also think we need to be cautious. As a teacher in a DEIS school, I would hate to see AI replace the human side of teaching.
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Hi Louise, and welcome to the course. You have highlighted both the positives and negatives of using AI in schools. You have made a very important observation that the human connection that exists between teacher and pupil can never be replaced by AI. As you say, we must always look on AI as a support and never a substitute. One way AI can definitely help, especially in DEIS settings, is to provide differentiated materials for the many ability levels we have in DEIS classes.
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I am gearing myself up to lean into the potential of using AI tools in the classroom. I would have been very conscious of the ethical concerns around using AI and feel a bit vulnerable. After reading the EU Ethical Guidelines I am more aware of the risks and the biases. That document is a good starting point for me for using AI in planning and teaching. I am more comfortable now to try out the Chatbots for creating lessons, images, videos. I like that I might save precious time while still being productive and creative.
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I was late to AI in Education despite always being open to the use of technology in the classroom- both for teaching and learning. For some reason, the idea of using AI felt like cheating. However, later in this school year I started to use sites like Magic School AI to plan interventions in SET. I realised that I have the knowledge and skills but am so overwhelmed with the day to day work in the Special Ed classroom. AI helped me to be more productive and organised and less stressed. And the better the prompt- which is made better by an experienced teacher- then the better the result.
I am delighted that this course is starting with ethical considerations. I feel that I will be more confident and grounded in the risks. I will certainly instantly pass on teh message about not using personal or identifying characteristics. I know I haven’t done that by instinct but good to see the risks of this. I love special education but it is so so individualised and I can see AI helping with planning and assessment on that individual level. I am so looking forward to that and while I am late to the course- I only started on Monday- this is actually an ideal time to do the course so that I can implement what I learn with confidence and from a safer, more prepared perspective.
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Hi Aisling,
Welcome to the course and thank you for your post here. I am delighted that sites like Magic School AI have assisted you in your work up to now. You make a key point around marrying the power of AI and the power that comes from a range of teaching experience. While AI can provide us with a dearth of information and suggestions, it cannot have the intuitive knowledge we have of individual children’s needs and interests and the pace at which the learning needs to happen. You have made an interesting point around the correlation between experience in the classroom and creating effective prompts.
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Watching the Khan video really got me thinking about how AI could change the way we work in classrooms. The idea of AI being like a personal tutor for each child is very interesting. Kids learning at their own pace with support that actually fits their needs sounds like the goal we all should have when it comes to educating. I would also have to think carefully about how to organise access, because not every child has the same technology available, either at home or even in school.
From my point of view as a teacher, I can see the big win in saving time on planning in particular, e.g. drafting lesson ideas and suggesting differentiated activities. If AI can take some of that load, it gives me more time for the children and the creative side of teaching.
I also liked the idea in the module about reframing the negative narrative around AI in education. Instead of focusing on fears, we can show how it supports and enhances what we already do.-
Hi Shay,
Welcome to the course. You have hit on such an important point that we can sometimes forget and take for granted. It is through spending time and engaging with the children in our class that we can make the greatest difference. Using AI tools to remove some of the mundane and cumbersome tasks that reduce the amount of time we can be ‘present’ with the children is key and can actually promote the development of skills and promote more creative approaches to teaching rather than taking from them.
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