[nicola_beirne@hotmail.com]

Hi Cliodhna,

I enjoyed reading your post. I love using Webwise too because it helps children learn how to be safe, kind, and responsible online in a way that’s really easy to understand. The lessons are fun, age-appropriate, and spark great conversations at school and at home. It also gives parents simple, trustworthy tips and resources. It’s all about helping families and schools work together to build good digital habits, which is so important in today’s world.

[nicola_beirne@hotmail.com]

Assignment Part 1:
Project: Safer Internet Day Plan
Design a whole-school plan to celebrate Safer Internet Day.

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[nicola_beirne@hotmail.com]

As a member of the leadership team in medium-sized DEIS primary school, the Webwise HTML Heroes resource is an excellent tool to promote digital citizenship across the whole school community. It provides age-appropriate lessons for 1st to 6th Class, focusing on online safety, privacy, respect, and digital wellbeing – areas that align closely with the SPHE curriculum.
Teachers can easily access the resources through a shared drive or digital staffroom. I would introduce it during Croke Park hours or a short CPD session, highlighting how teachers can use the lessons and activities during SPHE or for Safer Internet Day. Pupils can engage through discussion, role-play, poster-making, and in senior classes, create presentations or assemblies based on what they have learned.
For parents, I would share the HTML Heroes Parent Guide via our school newsletter, Aladdin, or a class group message. Hosting a short digital safety talk or sending home tip sheets would support families, especially in a DEIS context where digital literacy can vary.
I would also give SNAs access to simplified summaries and support materials, enabling them to reinforce online safety messages during small-group or 1:1 work. This whole-school approach promotes respect, responsibility, and care – values promoted by our school’s ethos.

[nicola_beirne@hotmail.com]

I enjoyed reading your post. I agree with you when you say that AI is a game changer in school leadership and management. I feel that it saves time and helps with planning, differentiation, communication, updating policies etc. I agree that it is important to use it wisely. The RASE framework helps with this. Staff CPD is also essential.

 

[nicola_beirne@hotmail.com]

As an SET teacher and an aspiring school leader, I see significant benefits in AI to enhance how we plan, communicate, and particularly in supporting inclusive education and managing time effectively.

While I am still exploring the full range of tools available, I have already found ChatGPT extremely helpful for drafting professional emails, staff meeting contributions, and parent communications. Its multilingual translation features support better engagement with families who speak other languages commonly found in Irish schools.

In my current role, I support pupils with diverse needs, including EAL, literacy and numeracy difficulties, ADHD, and autism. AI helps me create differentiated learning materials and plan targeted interventions. Tools like Twee can turn curriculum content into accessible lessons, while Canva allows me to design clear, engaging visual resources for use in small-group or one-to-one settings.

AI also plays a valuable role in preparing IEPs and Student Support Plans (SSPs). ChatGPT can summarise assessment data, suggest personalised targets, and help draft the learning and support section efficiently. It can even assist with arranging and preparing for IEP/SSP meetings with parents, by generating personalised invitations, meeting agendas, and follow-up notes.

To support my time management, I am exploring Goblin Tools, which help break large leadership and admin tasks into manageable steps, which are especially useful during the busiest times of the school year.

Finally, AI supports my professional development, suggesting CPD opportunities and summarising educational research.

While I am still learning about these tools, I am confident that AI will continue to support me in becoming a more efficient, inclusive, and strategic school leader.

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[nicola_beirne@hotmail.com]

My understanding of constructivism is that it is a learning theory where students are seen as active participants in their own learning. Rather than passively receiving information, they construct knowledge through hands-on experiences, reflection, and meaningful engagement with content. Learning is most effective when it connects to students’ prior knowledge and real-world contexts. In this model, the teacher acts as a facilitator, guiding inquiry, promoting discussion, and encouraging collaboration among learners.

In our school, I believe constructivism can play a powerful role in fulfilling our digital technology vision. By integrating digital tools and resources into constructivist teaching, we can foster curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking. For example, pupils can use Scoilnet and Britannica School to carry out guided research, deepening their understanding through questioning and analysis. Platforms like Webwise and stories such as Digiduck’s Big Decision support the development of digital citizenship, helping students reflect on safe and responsible online behaviour. These resources encourage active learning and align with our goal of preparing pupils to become confident, informed digital learners. Embracing constructivism will help us create a learning environment where technology enhances discovery, collaboration, and real-world problem solving.

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[nicola_beirne@hotmail.com]

I agree with you, Caroline. There are so many benefits to ICT. It is essential for inclusion. We have a wide range of excellent SEN resources available to us.

[nicola_beirne@hotmail.com]

SET – Benefits and Challenges

Benefits:

In primary school classrooms, ICT offers numerous benefits that enhance both learning and teaching experiences. Tools like Seesaw’s portfolio feature allow students to showcase their work digitally, fostering creativity and organisation while enabling teachers to provide feedback in real time. This not only engages pupils more deeply but also supports visual learners who benefit from multimedia presentations.

Platforms such as Kahoot integrate games into learning, making assessments more interactive and enjoyable, which encourages active participation and quick feedback.

Meanwhile, resources like Senteacher.org provide educators with a wealth of materials—from worksheets to lesson plans—that can be tailored to meet diverse learning needs and curriculum requirements. This versatility not only supports teachers in delivering engaging lessons but also helps in adapting teaching strategies for different learning styles.

Audio features on software, such as Google Slides and Google Docs helps support pupils who find reading challenging.

Overall, ICT empowers teachers with effective resources and methodologies to create dynamic and inclusive learning environments that prepare students for success in the digital age.

Challenges:

While ICT offers many benefits in primary school classrooms, it also presents challenges:

The cost of equipment can be a challenge. Schools need significant funding for computers and devices, which can strain budgets. Dependence on Wi-Fi can disrupt lessons if connections are unreliable. Not all pupils have equal access to technology at home, creating disparities. Over-reliance on technology may reduce personal interaction between teachers and pupils. Devices can distract students from learning tasks. Software problems or connectivity issues can disrupt lessons. Finding and evaluating the best digital resources can be time-consuming for teachers.

Conclusion:

I think that balancing ICT alongside the use of other conventional methods is essential to maximise its benefits while managing these challenges effectively in primary education. Continuous Professional Development is important . Courses like this summer course help teachers to save valuable time and to remain focused on the ICT resources that have a real and positive impact on our teaching and pupils’ learning.

[nicola_beirne@hotmail.com]

Thanks for sharing this, Gillian. I am fairly new to the SET role. I will definitely be using some of these great ideas.

[nicola_beirne@hotmail.com]

I have found self-assessment incredibly valuable in my teaching. I use tools such as checklists, rubrics or self-assessment worksheets to guide pupils through the process. I model how to use the self-assessment tools. I have found that self-assessment at the end of a lesson or unit allows pupils to reflect on their learning, evaluate their progress and think about the next steps in their learning. Pupils are encouraged to think deeply about what they have learned and how well they understand it. This fosters a strong sense of ownership over their learning. Self-assessment also promotes critical thinking as pupils analyse their own work and think about ways to improve.

[nicola_beirne@hotmail.com]

Thanks, Olivia. You have reminded me of just how useful RUBRICs are. I used them a lot in the past but I will use them more now.

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