Schools are busy places. Really busy. Between teaching, planning, assessment, meetings, emails, supervision, initiatives, policies, circulars, updated guidelines and everything else that happens in a school week, it can feel almost impossible to find the time and headspace to sit down and properly read a new specification from start to finish. And yet, as teachers, […]
Using NotebookLM to Get to Grips with New Specifications Read More »
At this point, I have delivered AI training to thousands of teachers across Ireland and, increasingly, to students. Through seminars, workshops, conferences, and school visits, I’ve seen every level of engagement with these tools, from complete scepticism to uncritical enthusiasm. Both extremes miss the point. There are many frameworks for using AI effectively. The Department
The 5 P’s of Effective AI Use: A Practical Framework for Teachers and Students Read More »
I suppose at times I come across as being generally very cautious about AI. That reputation is deserved, and anyone following the Grok image generation controversy this week will understand why. When AI is in the wrong hands, the consequences are serious. But in the right hands, used ethically and with genuine subject expertise, AI
I Can Code. Well, Kind Of… Thanks to AI. Read More »
Supporting EAL learners can feel challenging in a busy Irish classroom, especially when students arrive with different levels of English and confidence. The good news is that digital tools can make a huge difference. They help students understand instructions, access lesson content, and build their language skills—without creating extra planning or pressure for teachers. Here
5 Digital Tools to Support EAL Learners in Irish Classrooms Read More »
Amplify Polypad is an online maths tool which can prove extremely useful for pupils of all ages n our schools. The interactive nature of the interface ensures pupils can engage with maths concepts and virtual manipulatives across a plethora of curriculum areas. Furthermore, it is possible as a class teacher to set up your class
‘Amplify’-ing Maths with Polypad Read More »
If 2025 had a soundtrack for education, mine would be one word on repeat: Learning.Not Artificial Intelligence. Not content. Not technology. Not admin. Learning. The longer I work in and around classrooms, the more I’m convinced that when things feel chaotic, overwhelming, complex or over-complicated, the way forward is almost always to go back to basics
‘Five Bums on a Rugby Post’: Designing Learning Experiences Read More »
I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve said it over the years. A student asks me something towards the end of class, I don’t know the answer off the top of my head, and I respond: “Google it and find out the answer for me.” It’s been the default response for years. A simple
The Days of ‘Just Google It’ Are Over: Why We Must Teach Students to Dig for Truth Read More »
With so many AI tools to choose from, I am slowly trying out different ones to create resources for my lessons! I have recently been trying out Gamma AI to create power points for my lessons. I have been using Co-pilot to help with the content and then Gamma AI creates the power point! I
How I Use Copilot and Gamma AI to Create PowerPoints Read More »
In the latest edition of the TeachNet podcast, Michael Hallissy is joined by Jared Browne. Group Head of Privacy & AI Governance at Fexco, Killorglin, Co. Kerry. They explore the intersection of AI and education, discussing the philosophical implications of AI, its benefits and challenges in learning, and the evolving role of teachers in the
#24 Deep Learning in the Age of AI Podcast Read More »
I ask the same question at the start of nearly every AI teachier training session I facilitate: “How many of you are using AI regularly in your teaching practice?” The response is nearly always the same: teachers looking around the room, waiting for someone else to raise their hand first. Maybe two or three hands
When Teachers Lead Because Government Won’t: ISTA’s AI Guidance Read More »
