Every time I open Google’s NotebookLM, it gets better and better. The graphic above was created using the app and I think it did a good job of summarising the year in a single graphic.

The podcast didn’t do a bad job either though it fell into temptation a couple of times referring to issues at second level. However, all in all, I’m pretty pleased with it, and I’d love to know what you think.

In this episode of 'If I were the Minister for Education', I delve into the integration of AI in the Irish Primary Education System joined by Amanda Jolliffe, the lead of Microsoft Ireland's Dream Space, to discuss the influence of AI on education and the various innovative tools and programs offered by Dream Space. We explore how AI can assist both teachers and students, from lesson planning to creative learning activities. The discussion covers not only the benefits and applications of AI but also the importance of critical thinking, ethical use, and equitable access to technology in schools. The episode also highlights the significance of professional learning for teachers and forthcoming initiatives like a new Dream Space hub focused on skilling and cloud operation infrastructure.

More about Dream Space: https://dreamspace.microsoft.com/en-us/dreamspace/ireland

Oide AI Hub: https://www.oidetechnologyineducation.ie/ai-hub/

In this episode of ‘If I Were the Minister for Education,’ I explore the recent survey conducted by the Irish Department of Education concerning primary school patronage. I also discuss the legacy left by former Minister Helen McEntee and give my initial thoughts on the new Minister Hildegarde Naughton. I raise questions about the survey’s efficacy, its democratic value, and its alignment with the constitutional rights of children. I provide a historical context on the secular roots of Irish primary education and argue for state-run, multi-denominational schools.

00:00 Introduction to the Podcast

00:31 A New Minister for Education

01:37 Legacy of Helen McEntee

02:30 The Primary School Ethos Survey

03:53 Survey Questions and Parental Choices

06:25 Critique of the Survey’s Purpose

09:08 Human Rights and Education

23:52 Historical Context of Religious Schools

26:25 Conclusion: The Need for Genuine Reform