Welcome! Our newsletter aims to provide digital technology news and information to Principals, ICT or Digital Learning Coordinators and Teams, teachers and all those involved in education.
Are you taking part in EU Code week with your class? Make sure to register and pin your activity on the EU Code Week map to be in with the chance of winning a range of innovative prizes such as Lego Spike Education kits, Beebots set and other coding resources for your pupils! Activities from all class levels are welcome! Remember, if you don’t pin, you can’t win! To find out more, visit https://codeweek.eu/ and check out the Coding and Computational Thinking Hub on our website for some great ideas!
What is computational thinking? Where does coding fit within the curriculum? How do I access professional learning and classroom resources on these topics? With EU Code Week approaching, you can find the answers on the Coding and Computational Thinking hub on our website. Suitable for teachers at all levels.
Coding and Computational Thinking (Primary) Our recently revised short online course on Coding and Computational Thinking provides the perfect introduction to coding for primary teachers, in particular in the context of the Primary Curriculum STEM specification. It also provides an optional introduction to an easy-to-use programming tool (Scratch).
Creating podcasts in your classroom (Primary) Our short online course on Creating Podcasts for the Primary Language Curriculum has also been updated recently. The course will take you through the process of creating a podcast step by step, from exploring curricular uses to recording and creating a simple podcast.
Digital Technology for Modern Foreign Language Teachers (Post-Primary) If you are a post-primary MLF teacher and have not yet engaged with our online course, we invite you to self-enrol. The course covers digital technology for listening and speaking skills, and for assessment. It has received very positive feedback to date, particularly for its practicality, the ideas provided and resources shared. Developed in partnership with PPLI.
In preparation for EU Code Week, why not check out and be inspired by our curated list of Good Practice Videos on coding and computational thinking!
EU Code Week 2026 focuses heavily on artificial intelligence (AI), with the launch event's theme being “Building Resilience, Connecting & Empowering Communities in the Age of AI”. Oide Technology in Education is engaged in a number of AI related, EU and Erasmus+ funded projects on the topic of AI in Education. Now is the ideal time to check them out. Digital Technology Infrastructure
School Websites: Accessibility In terms of school websites being accessible, schools are subject to the ‘Website Accessibility Directive’. The National Disability Authority (NDA) is both the expert organisation and the responsible state authority in this area. Information on how websites can comply with relevant accessibility requirements can be found on the NDA site.
Ireland takes the EU Chair This resource supports teachers in exploring Ireland’s 2026 Presidency of the Council of the European Union with students. It brings together discussion prompts, curriculum and SDG connections, and classroom resources from Scoilnet, RTÉ and Britannica, helping students examine democracy, cooperation, leadership, citizenship and Ireland’s role in European decision-making processes.
Be sure to visit the Scoilnet PP EU Code Week page which contains resources for teachers, suggested classroom activities, and student resources. Scoilnet Primary also has an immersive lesson plan for 5th & 6th class, which introduces AI's applications in protecting oceans. Remember, Scoilnet also issues two Newsletters of their own. Subscribe to the Primary one or Post Primary one now!
New Image Guidance for Schools Developed by Webwise in consultation with Irish Safer Internet Centre partners Irish Internet Hotline, ISPCC and National Parents Council, and Oide Digital Technologies, this new image guidance for schools outlines considerations for protecting students and staff. It explores privacy, safety, digital footprints and the increased risk of AI manipulation and misuse. Key areas include understanding risks, considerations for schools, taking and publishing photos or videos, and responding to incidents.
SID Ambassador Applications Open! Applications are now open for the Safer Internet Day Ambassador Training Programme! This peer-to-peer youth training programme is open to post-primary students who are interested in leading a Safer Internet Day campaign in their school, club or community. It’s also a great opportunity for students to build their leadership, teamwork and communication skills while helping to promote a safer and more positive online experience for others.
Explore the Webwise AI Aware Hub for a range of free resources, including lessons for primary and post-primary students, checklists created by teenagers to help young people use AI safely and responsibly, and resources for parents, including A Parents’ Guide to Generative AI, with practical advice and guidance.
Maths Week Ireland is an all-island initiative promoting positive attitudes towards maths and highlighting the importance of maths in our lives since 2006. This annual festival is a collaborative partnership of organisations including all the universities, institutes of technology, professional bodies, visitor centres and more. Maths Week is one of four national STEM festivals, and has grown to attract participation from as many as 520,000 people annually across the island of Ireland. It takes place this year from 10th to 18th October. Be sure to get involved! To help you along, why not also visit Scoilnet's Primary and Post Primary Themepages. |
