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Reflect on using digital technology to enhance student learning. Consider:
- How can digital tools create engaging and interactive learning experiences?
- Apply School Self-Evaluation Guidelines to improve your teaching.
- How does developing your use of digital technology impact your school?
- During the 2023-2026 period, schools have the autonomy to choose the focus of their School Self-Evaluation (SSE). Align your SSE with the Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027 for best practices.
- Use the Digital Strategy to guide decision-making, instruction, and professional development.
Write a reflective piece (150-word minimum) as a reply to this post.
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Using digital technology in the classroom helps teachers to make learning more accessible for all. ICT in the classroom promotes improved concentration and engagement in the students. It changes the traditional explicit teaching to a more student lead learning where the teacher takes the facilitator role and helps the children to explore the content. With the new curriculum it will be important to do a SSE to explore what is effective and what can be improved in our schools. We can identify areas within our implementation of ICT, gather some evidence, analyse, report and develop the improvement plan. Once the plan has been developed and all stakeholders within the community have been consulted we can implement the plan. This can help to develop the proficiency of the staff in embedding digital technology in the classroom, develop the infrastructure and looking to establish digital leadership and policy in the school. This in turn will lead to a more sustainable and effective implementation of ICT within Irish classrooms.
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I agree with your perspective on using digital technology in the classroom to enhance accessibility and engagement. Conducting a School Self-Evaluation aligned with the Digital Strategy for Schools will help identify effective practices and areas for improvement, leading to a more sustainable and effective implementation of ICT in Irish classrooms.
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Using digital tools and technology within your classroom, allows teachers to create alternative engaging learning oppertunities for the pupils in the class. It further allows these pupils, who are already au fait with and living in a digital world, to apply and develop an array of digital literacy skills whilst also accessing the curriculum in an engaging way. The devlopment of these digital skills leads to enhanced communication and collaboration between pupils. These are the rich learning oppertunities we as teaches strive to foster in order to maximise the learning between the learners. SSE will play a key role in helping schools to identify manageable ways in which they can introduce or embed the use of ICT across the primary school classroom. I feel it is important to take well thought out and calculated steps, utilising the expetrise of the staff and pupils, to progress the teaching and learning in the ICT area.
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Hi Eimear,
Thanks for your post and for sharing your thoughts here. I like how you have mentioned the capacity of digital technologies to create ‘alternative engaging learning opportunities’. I always feel we should be trying to extend the learning experience for the pupils when the digital devices are being used, e.g. can they complete an online tessellation activity with virtual manipulatives, can they create a podcast to showcase learning, can they use an app like Write Reader to create a comic-style piece of report writing, etc.
In terms of getting started with planning for SSE, a number of excellent resources are available on https://www.dlplanning.ie/ These resources include sample questionnaires, focus group questions and topics, etc.
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Implementing digital tools in the classroom allows for the potential to transform teaching and learning by making it more engaging, interactive, and accessible to all. These tools allow for personalised learning experiences, catering to individual needs and further improve differentiation. They enable collaboration and communication among learners. Developing use of digital technologies provides learners with the skills needed in a rapidly evolving digital environment. SSE will allow for schools to assess current practices, identify strengths and areas for improvement. This information can guide schools in targeting areas in need of development, ensuring teachers have the necessary skills and knowledge to deliver effective digital technology lessons. It will be important to approach the topic of ICT use as a whole school and ensure similar practices are being implemented as a staff. A structured and cohesive plan will allow for a more long-term and feasible use of digital tools in the classroom.
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Hi Rebecca,
I completely agree with your perspective on the transformative potential of digital tools in the classroom. Conducting a School Self-Evaluation will help schools assess current practices, identify areas for improvement, and ensure teachers have the necessary skills to deliver effective digital technology lessons, fostering a structured and cohesive approach to enhance student learning experiences.
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Digital tools can create engaging and interactive learning experiences as they give learners real time feedback for their work. Rewards and features built into digital tools can encourage learners to keep trying even when work is challenging. As there is no writing involved, pupils can often answer questions more quickly using digital tools, which leads to more practice opportunities. Also, in game based learning, pupils are used to failing (e.g., Super Mario), so will often persist with their efforts for longer than they would with an unplugged task.
School Self Evaluation is a process through which teachers identify a focus for improvement within their school, gather evidence, analyse this evidence and make judgements based on it. This is then used to write an improvement plan. Once the plan is actioned, teachers and the in school management team wait and monitor how effective the actions have been, making adjustments as necessary. This process could be undertaken to improve effective use of technology in a school. Developing the use of digital technology enhances pupils communication, collaboration, critical thinking and problem solving skills. As the Digital Strategy for schools aligns with the goals of STEM education, supports digital skills to foster creativity and provides a framework to integrate ICT skills into education, it would be useful to select digital skills for school self-evaluation prior to 2025-26 when STEM will become a defined area of the primary school curriculum. Doing this would allow schools to review the equipment they have, and make informed decisions about CPD and purchasing new technology before the new curriculum comes into effect. -
<p class=”p1″ style=”margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; caret-color: #000000; color: #000000; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;”><span class=”s1″ style=”font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;”>Digital technology is a very important tool in the classroom. Teachers can have a fear of technology and the changes it can bring to the traditional classroom. The use of interactive whiteboards used widely throughout Ireland opened the scope and possibilities of lessons and provided an engaging platform for the children and teacher alike to engage with. Digital technology allows for child led learning (of all children) rather than the traditional explicit teaching.</span></p>
<p class=”p2″ style=”margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; min-height: 22px; caret-color: #000000; color: #000000; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;”></p>
<p class=”p1″ style=”margin: 0px; font-stretch: normal; font-size: 17px; line-height: normal; caret-color: #000000; color: #000000; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;”><span class=”s1″ style=”font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;”>It is important that the SSE focus for the coming years is how to manage the further introduction of ICT in our classrooms. As mentioned above, there is a large barrier of fear associated with introducing coding and ICT in the classroom and this can be alleviated by providing support and upskilling for staff. It is essential during SSE to allow for the change in mindset from being one of an educator to a facilitator. Although ICT will be implemented in all classrooms in the new curriculum, we want it to be sustainable and achievable and not just a hinderance or ‘tick the box’ requirement</span></p> -
<h1 style=”caret-color: #000000; color: #000000; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;”><span style=”font-weight: normal;”>Digital technology is a very important tool in the classroom. Teachers can have a fear of technology and the changes it can bring to the traditional classroom. The use of interactive whiteboards used widely throughout Ireland opened the scope and possibilities of lessons and provided an engaging platform for the children and teacher alike to engage with. Digital technology allows for child led learning (of all children) rather than the traditional explicit teaching.</span></h1>
<h1 style=”caret-color: #000000; color: #000000; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;”><span style=”font-weight: normal;”> </span></h1>
<h1 style=”caret-color: #000000; color: #000000; font-family: UICTFontTextStyleBody;”><span style=”font-weight: normal;”>It is important that the SSE focus for the coming years is how to manage the further introduction of ICT in our classrooms. As mentioned above, there is a large barrier of fear associated with introducing coding and ICT in the classroom and this can be alleviated by providing support and upskilling for staff. It is essential during SSE to allow for the change in mindset from being one of an educator to a facilitator. Although ICT will be implemented in all classrooms in the new curriculum, we want it to be sustainable and achievable and not just a hinderance or ‘tick the box’ requirement. </span></h1>-
Hi Aine,
I totally agree! Digital technology is indeed a game-changer in the classroom, but it’s understandable that some teachers might feel a bit hesitant or fearful about the changes it brings. SSE focusing on managing the introduction of ICT is spot on! By providing support and upskilling for staff, we can help alleviate those fears and ensure that using technology in the classroom becomes a sustainable and achievable approach. Let’s make it more than just a “tick the box” requirement and create engaging learning experiences for our students!
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Digital tools create engaging and interactive learning experiences through promoting collaboration, communication among students. It also equips them with the necessary skills and competencies needed for future success. Applying the School self-evaluation guidelines (SSE) provides a structured framework for schools to evaluate and improve their digital learning practices. By embedding ICT and digital learning into our school practice results in facilitating learning for all students in the classroom. ICT facilitates differentiated learning and allows each student to work at their own pace/level which further caters the needs of a diverse classroom of students much more than traditional approaches. SSE framework enables the school to assess current practices, identify areas of improvement and set goals. Progress is monitored overtime. The digital strategy supports the integration of digital technologies to facilitate creativity, problem-solving and critical thinking skills. The digital strategy aligns with the goals of STEM education through the emphasis on the development of digital skills, computational thinking and coding in schools.
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Hi Charlotte,
You’ve highlighted the valuable impact of digital tools on learning experiences, fostering collaboration, communication, and equipping students with essential skills. Applying SSE guidelines allows schools to assess and improve their digital learning practices, supporting differentiated learning and meeting the needs of diverse classrooms. The digital strategy aligns with STEM goals, emphasising digital skills, computational thinking, and coding. Great points!
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I think one of the really satisfying aspects of enhancing student learning through digital technologies is the ability to cater for different abilities so easily (and painlessly) in the classroom !!
In the hourofcode program last year in our school you had children in the same class at different levels/ making different progress , but all still engaged and happy 🙂 , one of the the points above refers to engaging experiences and how to do it but because children are so savvy in general on this part of life and confident , you can just support their learning as opposed to being the “panacea/ answer to everything ” .
The set of ipads in our school is used weekly by classes in diffrent ways , and a lot of the work is in pairs ( partially due to insufficient ipads for big classes ! ) . This again involves teamwork and peer learning and usually one person knows a bit more than the other so they’ll say ” oh you just do it this way ” or “you can use this shortcut ” .
Applying SSE guidelines to improve teaching for me is a no-brainer and happens in good schools without the fancy terminology !! I think we all look at things that are not going great and analyse why – then put solutions in place , which , if they work/don’t work, affects what we do next . Digital learning is no different .
The last point about professional development can’t be underestimated – I think older people with tech backgrounds or younger generations don’t really get the apprehension / intimidation felt by people around digital learning and technology – if professional devpt externally can’t be provided the school internally needs to support these people .
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Hi Paddy,
Absolutely! Digital technologies in the classroom offer the incredible benefit of easily accommodating diverse abilities while keeping students engaged and happy. It’s great to hear that your school embraces teamwork, peer learning, and the sharing of knowledge through the use of iPads. Applying SSE guidelines for improvement is common sense, and supporting teachers’ professional development is essential to address any apprehension or intimidation they may feel. Keep up the excellent work in leveraging technology for enhanced learning experiences!
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Incorporating digital technology into the classroom has the potential to revolutionize student learning by creating engaging and interactive experiences. Digital tools offer various features, such as multimedia content, simulations, and interactive exercises, that can capture students’ attention and make learning more exciting. For instance, virtual reality (VR) can transport students to different places and time periods, enhancing their understanding and empathy.
Regular evaluation of my teaching practices will help identify areas for improvement and enable me to tailor instruction to meet the evolving needs of my students. Integrating digital tools into my teaching will not only enhance their learning experiences but also equip them with essential digital skills for the future.
Developing my use of digital technology will have a significant impact on my school as well. It will contribute to a more digitally literate student body and prepare them for the demands of the digital age. It will also foster collaboration among teachers, as we share best practices and resources for using digital tools effectively. The school’s adoption of the Digital Strategy for Schools will guide decision-making, ensuring that technology integration is strategic, purposeful, and aligned with educational goals.Overall, embracing digital technology in education has the potential to transform the learning landscape, engage students, and prepare them for the digital world they will navigate in the future.
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Hi Eduardo,
Thanks for your post. I am drawn to the phrase ‘regular evaluation’ in your post. I feel this is so important – as teachers, we need to constantly evaluate our practice, our pedagogical approaches and the resources we are using. Often, one resource (digital or concrete) will suit one class but not another. We must have a model of ‘reflection-in-action’ to ensure we are able to respond to the needs of the children in front of us, at any particular moment in time.
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Digital tools enable interactive and engaging learning to take place in classrooms. As educators, we often hear the disadvantages to technology and the negative impacts of screen time etc. However, we are living in a digital age and it is important to embrace it and to educate our students on its benefits and safe use in order to prepare them for future success. By developing the use of digital technology in schools, it promotes a positive school culture that embraces a variety of learning styles and creativity among our students. It enhances instructional methods and leads to improved student success overall.
The digital strategy places an emphasis on developing digital skills, computational thinking, and coding. In an age where time is of the essence, the digital strategy encourages the integration of digital technologies across all subject. It encourages meaningful integration among the various curriculum subject areas. As a teacher in a DEIS school, the digital strategy is welcomed because it promotes equitable access to technology for all.-
HI Sabrina,
Welcome to the online part of this course. I often find myself getting annoyed at those who argue that ‘screen time’ is a reason why digital technologies should be limited in primary schools. In reality, ‘screen time’ (for some) has become a term to associate with the negative aspects of technologies (gaming, social media, watching YouTube videos, etc.). However, there is so much learning that can happen on ‘screens’. We can provide children with learning experiences which extend the breadth of their knowledge and allow them to develop new skills. Another key note is that of digital citizenship and the ethical use of digital technologies – being able to incorporate this into school practices heightens the chances of children making good decisions online.
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We are living in a digital age and need to prepare the children for their futures where, whether we like it or not, everyone is going to need to have high levels of digital proficiency. It is essential that we as teachers develop our digital literacy skills and become familiar with the various digital tools so that we can give the children the opportunity to develop their skills from a young age. A lot of teachers feel uncomfortable with or are daunted by the myriad of digital tools which are available and are reluctant to bring them into the classroom. They are nervous about engaging with something which they are not experts in. We need to move from the role of sage on the stage and become facilitators allowing the children to learn through engaging with digital tools and perhaps we can also learn along with them. The scope for learning using digital tools is endless. We can create engaging learning experiences for the children, allowing them to learn things in a new and exciting way keeping them motivated. I hope that through developing my use of digital technology I can inspire others to do the same as if I can do it they certainly can too!
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Hi Maureen,
It goes without saying that the future is digital, and that digital literacy and proficiency is now an essential life skill. The issue of teacher confidence in engaging with digital tools has been spoken about for a long time now. The best thing we can do is to experiment with a small number of digital tools each year. We can then make an informed decision about the tools that are useful, and those that are not. The use of digital technology certainly allows for a more facultative role, as the students guide their own learning more so than traditional means. It is those engaging learning experiences that we are all seeking to create, and digital technology is one medium through which we can achieve that.
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Next year I have Junior Infants and I want to incorporate ICT across all areas of the curriculum. As was suggested several times during this module it is important to take small steps and to set yourself up to succeed so my plan is to use Seesaw to create a digital portfolio with the children and also to create a link with the parents and families, so that they can be aware of the learning that is going on in the classroom. Starting small I intend to show the children how to take a photo of their work and then to record their voices describing the work and what they have learned or why they are proud of it. For example they may be doing an activity in Ready Set Go Maths where they have to build and order sets. When they have completed this activity they can take a photo of their work and then record their voice explaining the photo. This will give the children some digital skills but also a voice in their learning. Once this is mastered I can show them how to use the video tool and the pen tool to make notes or add words as their literacy skills increase etc.
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Hi Nicola,
I couldn’t agree more with regard to taking small steps. It is important not to overwhelm yourself as teacher or the pupils. Small, steady steps will be really effective and once a level of comfort is reached, you will be able to branch out and experiment with new methods and tools. Seesaw is the ideal platform to use with Junior Infants. The ease of sign-in with QR codes, and the ability to create short, snappy interactive activities really suits the younger classes. I love the ideal of using the portfolio to create an audio recording that showcases their in-school learning.
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The use of digital tools can certainly help create engaging and interactive learning experiences. I am teaching in a junior primary school, this year I will be working in SET. There are many ways I can see the use of digital tools being useful, one example would be with the reluctant learner. I have experienced children who are afraid of making mistakes and as a result are reluctant to give things a go. The use of digital tools offers opportunities to engage and motivate students and give them a safe space to problem solve, make mistakes and learn from them. For reluctant learners, the competitive and rewarding aspects of gamified learning platforms can encourage participation and persistence. The school self evaluation guidelines are useful in that they provide a clear series of 6 steps that we can follow to evaluate different aspects of our education provision, identify areas for improvement and put enhancement strategies into action. Learning about the Digital Strategy for Schools 2027 in this module has given me a lot to think about in relation to my school. I will be discussing the three pillars with my colleagues in September and looking into how we can develop our use of digital technologies.
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Digital technology can be used to great effect to enhance student learning. It can create a more immersive learning atmosphere and allow children to interact and engage with subjects and topics in a hugely beneficial way. Digital tools and resources can enhance lessons and units of work at all stages; whether it be visual prompts to introduce discussion of a new topic, researching further information on a topic, using games (such as “Hit the Button”) to continually practice what is learned, or Kahoot quizzes to assess what has been learned.
Embracing digital technology in the classroom can also facilitate inclusion in ways that traditional lessons cannot. There are many assistive technology programs and apps that allow children with additional needs to fully engage with the learning. Many children with dyslexia/ dyspraxia find typing easier than writing. Even having the capacity to enlarge text is helpful for children with sight issues. Differentiation can be a challenge for teachers, and digital technology can be used to ease this burden significantly.-
Hi Mark,
Thank you for your post. In my opinion, it goes without question that the use of digital technologies has great potential for enhancing the level of engagement and interest in a classroom. Game-based learning is something that is becoming very popular, and it is certainly supported and aided by the use of digital technologies. Many students with literacy difficulties do find typing easier than writing – however, the range of accessibility tools (such as Immersive Reader and Dictate) also make a strong argument for the use of digital technologies with these students.
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There’s no doubt that the use of digital tools in the classroom create engaging and interactive learning experiences. In my experience, the use of chromebooks and ipads in the classroom help to turn all subjects into interactive and fun activities and the children are definitely more engaged.
I think the children particularly love the fact that they don’t have to ‘write’ when they’re in use. Last year my class participated in TypingClub (very lucky to have a chromebook each) and I saw huge development in their typing skills. Up until the year before the children with dyslexia or educational needs only participated but going forward, I will continue to get the whole class involved.
I think one of the biggest benefits of digital tools in the classroom is inclusion. Technology allows some children to be included in the classroom in ways they have never been before. There are many apps and programmes that help children in special education to write, read and spell. Last year I was lucky enough to get my class signed up to Reading Eggs (subscription needed) for 2x 6 weeks blocks and they thoroughly enjoyed it, so much so that they logged in and participated at home too. One big pro of this programme is that it is differentiated. The children take part in an assessment before they begin and then continue to work at their level.
Another benefit of the use of digital tools is collaboration. Technology makes it easier for students to collaborate and save their work. They enjoy creating digital collections of their research and ideas and creating documents/projects that are fully collaborative. Last year we used Google Classroom to share their projects/ groupwork with their parents.
These are of course only some of the benefits of the use digital tools in the classroom!
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Hi Deirdre,
It is fantastic to hear that the use of Chromebooks and iPads has created a more engaged and motivate classroom, from your experience. I would concur from what I have seen in my own setting. The ‘inclusion’ you speak of is big for me – as mentioned earlier in the forum, it is so easy to differentiate, and the use of an online platform can make this essentially invisible. I feel the use of assistive tools can also really help those with literacy difficulties. Providing all children with a choice of how they respond (slideshow, audio file, etc.) to an activity can reduce the noticeable elements of differentiation also.
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Digital tools can be used to create an engaging and interactive learning experience by appealing to the student’s interests. This can be done through game based learning if you have a class that are very interested in minecraft. For example, by choosing minecraft as a tool to assist your teaching of a particular curricular area you will have automatically engaged a portion of your students as they have an existing interest in the game. This can be achieved with other digital tools and apps by linking them with whatever your class is interested in. The best way to promote engagement is to adapt activities to suit the interests and needs of the students in front of you either by choosing activities that are exciting and fun or topics that they are truly interested in. To be able to this effectively teacher must keep their own digital skills up to date so that they can learn to use the new technologies that their students are interested in.
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Hi Roisin,
In today’s world, children are almost universally motivated by screens and digital technologies. It permeates their world and is all around them. Tapping into this from an education point of view can be very valuable as it can really appeal to their interests and motivate them. Creating a clear divide between how technologies are used at home and at school is really important, and should formulate an important part of the early use of digital devices. Engagement in CPD in this area is so important, as changes are coming on board so rapidly (as you have referred to).
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Digital tools offer an incredible opportunity for learning and inclusion. I am currently working in special ed and am constantly amazed by the variety of software and technology available. I have worked with students who have limited use of their limbs and hardware like the EyeGaze (eye tracking, control of a PC using only the eyes) and software like Google Voice has allowed them full access to the curriculum. EyeGaze can also be used in a number of games and when working properly can offer a similar experience to using a controller. I have been exploring using Minecraft with EyeGaze and it does appear to be possible so I’ll be looking forward to giving this a try in September. I will also be looking into getting the Xbox Adaptive Controller as I think this could be a valuable asset for the school, particularly with Minecraft.
I think that using digital technology in the classroom can have a great impact on engagement, inclusion and differentiation. I have found that nearly every lesson is almost immediately made more interesting when coupled with IT. A Geography lesson in the textbook can be quite plain. Take the same lesson on the interactive whiteboard/chromebook and so many opportunities for engagement arise. Why not walk around the pyramids of Giza using Google Trek instead of just reading about them!
School self evaluation guidelines help the school establish what’s working and what could do with improvement. It allows schools to take ownership of their own development and improvement and I look forward to discussing ways to improve our use of digital technology with my colleagues in September!
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Incorporating digital technology into primary education has the potential to completely transform learning experiences and enhance student engagement. Through interactive platforms, multimedia resources, and educational apps, digital tools can transform traditional lessons into dynamic, hands-on activities.
Applying the School Self-Evaluation Guidelines to this context enables continuous improvement. Regularly assessing the effectiveness of digital tools in enhancing learning helps educators identify strengths and areas for growth. By analysing student outcomes and feedback, teachers can tailor their approach to better suit individual needs, promoting a more inclusive and personalized learning environment.
As educators deepen their use of digital technology, the entire school community benefits. Enhanced collaboration among teachers and students through the use of digital platforms strengthens communication and involvement. Moreover, aligning School Self-Evaluation with the Digital Strategy for Schools ensures that technological advancements are harnessed effectively.
Ultimately, integrating the Digital Strategy into teaching practices empowers students with essential 21st-century skills and prepares them for a technology-driven world. As the education landscape evolves, embracing digital tools fosters innovation, enriches learning experiences, and cultivates a more resilient and adaptable school community.
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Digital tools create engaging an interactive learning experiences by fostering critical thinking skills, problem solving skills, collaboration and communication. |t caters to diverse student needs, enhances their digital literacy skills they will need.
This year I would like to try to focus on improving the embedding of digital technologies in my classroom. First, I will analyse and make judgements on strengths, weaknesses and areas of improvement on how I embedded digital technologies last year. Then I will make some notes on the above and come up with a plan on how I can improve. I will then implement the plan I have made while monitoring and evaluating its impact.
The SSE process will be essential for us to use when thinking of the Digital Strategy. A current focus for us in my school is to ensure that we have the infrastructure to successfully embed technology. We find our wifi issue last year and now our focus it to ensure that ever class has adequate access to devices. This is something that we will focus on this coming school year.
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Using digital technology in the classroom can be a great motivator for students and provides easy differentiation. Children can be presented with a choice of how they complete a project or task rather than traditional pen and paper.The use of SSE guidelines will be really helpful when reflecting on current practice and implementing any new initiatives. We have recently become a deis school and this module has flagged the importance of aligning our digital plan with the priorities from our deis plan. Going forward the digital strategy will be a great resource for our school. In previous years we were looking at all of the current issues with technology and trying to solve them at once. Hearing that other schools have taken one objective and then decided what steps or technology will get them to that objective was reassuring. Surveying the staff again in September will help to identify our greatest need and which pillars and objectives to begin a step by step process to success.
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Hi Ciara,
Thank you for your post. I fully concur with you in regards to digital technology use promoting and making differentiation easy to achieve within a classroom. Furthermore, the use of online platforms can make differentiating by task invisible (as all children are using the same device for their work). It is so important that you start small and focus on a small number of objectives. Ensuring that you meet objectives is really important in creating momentum behind the initiative and getting all members of staff on board.
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Including digital technology into the classroom opens the door for endless opportunities to revitalise and refresh our way of teaching and learning for the students in our classrooms. Many children are already so familiar with digital technologies but often view them as recreational and rarely educational. We have the opportunity to guide children towards using technology for both recreational and educational purposes. Through the use of digital tools we can create engaging and interactive learning experiences across all areas of the curriculum from using BeeBots in the infant classroom to integrate digital learning with spatial awareness in Maths to using Minecraft Education in the senior classes to learn about internet safety.
School Self Evaluation allows schools to identify the areas in which they are already succeeding in and celebrate those achievements, as well as finding areas in which they can improve on for the coming year and focus in on those areas, one at a time. This school year it is my aim to introduce more ICT to my Senior Infant class by beginning slowly through station teaching and building up to intentional whole class lessons.</p> -
Digital tools can create engaging lessons as they provide variety into the school day. I also find that the game based and competitive element is highly motivating. It enables all children to participate as the technology is highly accessible.
If I was to identify an area of improvement for my teaching it might be to use more technology in an integrated way to not only achieve subject objectives but to hopefully advance children’s digital skills by the end of the year e.g. to build their typing skills and the online safety awareness and doing it in a seamless manner while teaching other subjects. I think I would be inclined to set myself a goal of using laptops for 2 40 minute slots a week and create a routine of using them.
I have found the use of laptops really helpful when working in SET with senior classes in particular and highlighting the various tools that we can use in Word etc to make tasks easier and more accessible to all. Through my work on this I have then been able to pass this information onto other teachers and SNAs and encourage the pupils themselves to show others the tricks they have learned.
I would love to have a system in place in our school where Croke Park is used to have teach meets and teachers could share tips and tricks and things they have learned. These summer courses are so helpful and teachers are fountains of knowledge. I would be more than happy to show my peers the way Minecraft education can be used in classes from what I have learned so far.
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Hi Maeve,
Welcome to the online element of this course. Thank you for sharing your thoughts here. I think the area of improvement you have identified for yourself is one that almost all of us share. The potential of digital technology is endless, and it’s so important to view it as an integrated tool and resource, and one which can be used to develop both skills and knowledge. The Croke Park ‘Teach Meet’ idea is actually one that I have had myself (but have had little joy getting it off the ground). This would encourage everyone to be trialling innovative practice and feeding back to their colleagues – it’s a great idea for fostering a culture of innovation and improvement.
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The use of digital technology in the education of a child is not only important but now is necessary. Digital technologies provide a wide range of interactive learning experiences and places the student at the centre of their learning. The use of digital technology in schools is a favourite amongst students as it is fun and is seen as a departure from ‘traditional’ learning. What students do not see is that these technologies ensure the development of problem solving, interaction, collaboration and critical thinking skills. With this in mind it is no surprise that the use of digital technologies enhance student learning.
As technology and digital learning tools are ever evolving, it is important that teachers and their schools are up to date on how to best use them. To achieve this, firstly, they must revise current literature surrounding digital learning, particularly, the Digital Strategy for Schools. This document and its three pillars provide schools with a foundation for what they need to do to allow and then enhance student learning through DL. When this document is consulted, they must develop a whole school plan so that teachers have the same idea about what to teach and why. When all of this is achieved, the most important part of the process is set up, the results.
Schools need to be forever assessing their work and to do so would consult a School Self Evaluation. This document will allow schools to consult within and gain an understanding from students and teachers about what has worked well, what has not, and what could work well. By completing an SSE, schools can use the information gained to eliminate unpopular/unsuccessful ideas, retain successful ideas and add in new, fresh and popular ideas. This would certainly enhance learning.
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Hi Philip,
Thank you for your post here. You have raised a great point here around the evolution and change in this space. It is constant and there are always new tools and apps coming on board that can be highly effective. It is so important that teachers remain ‘up to speed’ in this area. However, this is definitely easier said than done – perhaps the allocation of Croke Park hours in a school might allow teachers to undertake CPD in groups on different digital tools – the main points from each could then be fed back at a staff meeting.
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<p style=”box-sizing: inherit; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px 0px 1.6em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #163c42; font-family: ‘Hind Madurai’, sans-serif;”>The use of digital technologies in the classroom allows for teachers to facilitate engaging and interactive lessons which appeal to the interests of the children. In my own experience, incorporating these technologies in the classroom has always resulted in a greater level of engagement and interest from the children.</p>
<p style=”box-sizing: inherit; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px 0px 1.6em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #163c42; font-family: ‘Hind Madurai’, sans-serif;”>Last year I used Minecraft Hour of Code with my class during Engineers Week. They all really enjoyed it and many mentioned it as one of their favourite activities of the whole year. During the activity, the level of collaboration was fantastic to watch as the children were learning from each other. I enjoyed the role of being a facilitator and instead allowing the children to take control and help each other. This was one huge positive of the Hour of Code.</p>
<p style=”box-sizing: inherit; border: 0px; font-size: 12px; margin: 0px 0px 1.6em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; color: #163c42; font-family: ‘Hind Madurai’, sans-serif;”>The SSE process of selecting an area for improvement within the school, gathering evidence, analysing said evidence and making judgements in order to create an improvement plan could be used to improve effective technology use in my school. This would mean that devices are used for educational and learning purposes as opposed to time-fillers or reward opportunities.</p> -
I think it goes without saying digital tools create more engaging and exciting lessons for pupils today. They provide endless opportunities for learning in every lesson, whether technology is used in a hands on manner throughout a lesson or if it is used as a supportive tool. Children are highly motivated by technology and, more importantly, it is accessible to all abilities. Digital technology is our secret weapon as it brings great excitement and interest to pupils’ learning without them realising they’re actually doing some work!
My goal this year is to explore different ways to use technology across the curriculum and to further implement these in my lessons. I hope that through this I can develop my confidence in embedding technology throughout my lessons and therefore can support other staff members who may be nervous about introducing technology in their lessons. I would like to support my pupils in the development of their digital literacy so that they finish the school year with a sense of confidence when it comes to IT.
Our school has 15 iPads and I look forward to adding some of the apps mentioned in the PDST videos to use throughout the year. Having 15 iPads restricts individual access when teaching a whole class lesson, however it also opens opportunity for collaboration and team-building. This is an area that I am very eager to promote as I find some children tend to ‘take over’ or ‘sit back’ when working on the iPads in pairs or groups. I intend to challenge this behaviour and encourage all pupils and staff to actively participate in developing their digital literacy this year by trying new things in my own classroom and supporting other staff members by sharing what has worked well and what hasn’t.
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Hi Kate,
Welcome to the online element of this course. When used correctly, I agree that digital technologies can provide that learning environment that is more vibrant and engaging. The amount of access children have to devices varies hugely from school to school. Unfortunately, we have to work with what we have in our own school. As you said, shared devices can be workable and can have a serious impact if utilised correctly. Should the next tranche of funding from the Digital Strategy arrive in the next school year, many schools will be in a position to invest further in their infrastructure.
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‘Futureproofing’ the classroom is always something to consider in teaching. Recently I have found my students are ten steps ahead no matter the topic/app/game. As educators it is our job to scaffold and facilitate the safe and constructive use of digital technology and allow for collaboration between students both virtually and in the classroom. When used effectively digital tools can provide a creative,new and exciting way of pre teaching (quizzes on blooket,Kahoot,Gimkit) , revising, exploring, allowing for child lead research, presenting and assessing comprehension of topics. It engages students of all levels and abilities and provides diverse mediums for communication.I have found digital tools extremely beneficial in the scope of classroom management. Class dojo points have provided a clear, enjoyable and creative platform to manage rewards within the class.
Like all aspects of the curriculum ,SSE is critical to navigate technology in the classroom. It will be critical to assess what works and could change going forward. We can make informed choices for use of ICT within lessons, reflect and expand or change future plans. Collaboratively within the school we can then create a comprehensive plan that will mirror all policies and opportunities for use in curricular areas. Once implemented this would encourage the seamless introduction of technology to all classrooms and staff members.
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Hi Ciara,
Thank you for your post. ‘Futureproofing’ is a buzz word that is used in many professions these days. However, it is equally applicable for use in relation to teaching and education. We must attempt to create a learning environment that is robust and capable of handling future developments in technology. Technology is evolving rapidly, and as you have said, students are ahead of the curve in many ways. It’s so important (but not easy) that teachers have the requisite level of knowledge in this area to challenge students and to ensure the safe and constructive use of digital technologies is provided for.
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Digital tools can support student engagement, assist teachers in improving lessons and enables differentiated learning within your classroom. Technology can help teachers present subjects in more interactive and creative ways. It can be used as a great motivator in the classroom! There are endless apps and websites that are readily available to schools.
I think it’s imperative that we prepare students for the future. To thrive in the 21st century workplace, students will need more than a working knowledge of current technological tools. Digital literacy skills is in high demand in the workplace. By integrating technology into the classroom, students are collaborating, using productivity tools and effectively communicating using digital platforms.
School self evaluation ensures high standards and continuous improvements in our schools. It also allows for self assessment and critical reflection. A current goal for our school this year is to invest in more iPads/chrome books so that we can imbed our Digital Learning School Plan effectively. We have been very fortunate to spend a lot of Croke Park hours over the past few years upskilling in the area of Digital Learning. However, there is still fear among some teachers about using technology in the classroom. I found it interesting what one of the teachers said in the PDST video. She monitors who is taking the iPads and if she spots a name that doesn’t appear, she offers guidance and help. I thought that was a lovely idea, one that I will bring back to my school!
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Using Digital Technology in the classroom offers a more engaging experience for students while also allowing the teacher to cater for the learning needs of all learners in the class. Digital technology has revolutionised classroom learning with tools such as Minecraft Education Edition and Lego WeDo 2.0. These apps foster interactive and engaging educational experiences, catering to diverse learning styles.
Minecraft Education Edition, a virtual sandbox, cultivates creativity and critical thinking. Students construct and explore intricate worlds, enhancing problem-solving skills and collaboration through group projects. It transforms abstract concepts into tangible experiences, bolstering understanding across subjects like mathematics, history, and science.
Lego WeDo 2.0 combines physical building with digital programming, encouraging hands-on learning. Students construct robots using Lego bricks, then code their behaviours using intuitive software. This approach seamlessly integrates science, technology, engineering, arts, and mathematics (STEM) concepts. Learners develop coding skills, logical reasoning, and teamwork as they tackle challenges.
Both apps transcend traditional learning, catering to digital natives and nurturing 21st-century skills. They encourage self-directed exploration and foster a growth mindset, where failure is a steppingstone to success. However, responsible implementation is essential, ensuring balanced screen time and while not completely replacing traditional learning experiences with digital learning. While Digital Technology is extremely beneficial, the teacher must ensure that it is being used to meet the learning needs of the class which can be assessed by methods such as Assessment of Learning and Assessment for Learning.
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Utilizing digital technology in the classroom can lead to a wide range of advantages, such as accessibility, differentiation and more engaging lessons. ICT tools are becoming more readily available for teachers, and this can lead to more interactive lessons for your students with most subjects. SSE’s are extremely helpful for teachers to evaluate their current level of digital literacy, identify areas where ICT tools can enhance current teaching and develop new methods for the integration of digital tools. This would impact my school as I would be enabled to share my learnings with my cooperating teachers, gather feedback for new areas to use digital tools and create shared plans with my cooperating teachers to enhance our bank of digital resources. Based on the Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027, an SSE based on digital technology in the school would help outline what digital resources are currently available for teachers, how these resources can be utilized effectively by teachers and help plan for how the school can build on this bank in the future.
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Embracing digital technology to enhance student learning in my opinion has revolutionized education. Digital tools offer a variety of opportunities to create engaging and interactive learning experiences. Through multimedia presentations, simulations, and online collaboration, students are empowered to explore concepts dynamically, fostering more profound understanding and critical thinking.
Applying School Self-Evaluation Guidelines within this context is pivotal. Regularly assessing the impact of digital tools on teaching helps identify strengths and areas for improvement. Aligning SSE with the Digital Strategy for Schools ensures a strategic approach. Integrating digital strategies can magnify outcomes as schools gain autonomy in selecting SSE focuses.
Developing proficiency in digital technology doesn’t just benefit individual classrooms; it transforms the entire school ecosystem. With staff trained in the latest tools, a more dynamic and personalized learning environment emerges, propelling the school’s reputation and attractiveness.
In the 2023-2026 period, the Digital Strategy’s guidance will be indispensable. It guides decision-making, instruction, and professional development, paving the way for a tech-empowered future in education. By blending digital innovation with SSE, we pave the way for a more engaging, effective, and adaptable education system.
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Using digital technology in the classroom has the potential to transform the learning experience for all of out pupils. We are living in a digital age where technology is constantly being enhanced. It is essential that our pupils are afforded with opportunities to develop their digital literacy skills.
The Digital Strategy for Schools aims to ensure that all learners have the opportunity to gain the knowledge and skills they need to successfully navigate an ever-evolving digital world. No child should be left behind and it is critical that all learners are provided with meaningful opportunities to benefit from new technologies to enhance their learning.
For school self-evaluation to be truly effective, schools need to own the process. Through SSE, schools can shape their own improvement agenda by identifying priority areas for development and planning for improvement. With the new curriculum it would be wise to focus on our digital strategy as part of the SSE. This will ensure high standards in terms of teaching and learning experiences.
Undoubtedly, it will be important to identify opportunities for learning experiences which integrate digital technology, particularly in numeracy and literacy. There is also potential for a greater focus on the use of digital technologies to support assessment. -
Hi Joanne,
Thanks for your post and for sharing your thoughts around SSE and digital learning. I would concur that it would be pertinent for schools to consider including it as a focus prior to the subject specifications of the Primary Curriculum Framework being published. Indeed, it is now a requirement that all schools engage with the Digital Learning Framework and have a Digital Learning Plan that is reviewed annually. This plan must be drafted using the SSE process. The same will apply to the Wellbeing Policy Framework and Statement of Practice by 2025. Therefore, it would be logical for schools to choose one or both of these as their SSE focus over the coming period.
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