Review of the AI in Education Conference 2025 at SWC
The AI in Education Conference 2025 at SWC Dungannon was an outstanding event that united some of the brightest local minds in educational technology. The conference showcased a series of insightful presentations from experts who shared their knowledge and experiences on integrating AI in education.
A special thanks to Joanne McGovern for meticulously organising the conference. Attendees were well looked after with refreshments and lunch, making the event both enjoyable and productive.
While it is not possible to do full justice to the presenters with a summary, I hope I have been able to capture the essence of their content. I’ve summarised the speaker presentations, each offering unique insights into how AI can be utilised in education.
Melanie Thompson
Planning for Classroom Teaching & Learning Using an AI Tool
Melanie Thompson, a lecturer in computing and IT at SWRC, delivered a really engaging presentation on the use of AI tools in classroom planning. She introduced TeacherMatic, an AI-powered platform designed to enhance the teaching and learning experience. Melanie emphasised how AI can be instrumental in supporting effective lesson planning and shared her personal process, which included identifying what to plan, the desired outcomes, understanding the learners, and selecting supportive tools. She highlighted the platform’s features such as customisable templates, resource sharing, and communication tools that help reduce workload and administrative tasks. Melanie also provided a detailed scheme of work for a data analytics course, showcasing how AI can support various aspects of lesson planning and execution.
Michael Callaghan
Practicalities of Redesigning an Undergraduate Module for AI-Supported Learning
A reader in games and multimedia at Ulster University, Michael Callaghan discussed the redesign of his undergraduate module to equip students for AI-supported learning and future career opportunities. He explored the broader context of generative AI and its impact on education, emphasising the need to rethink learning, teaching, and assessment.
Michael underscored the importance of creating authentic assessments that measure a learner’s ability to apply knowledge in real-world contexts. He also addressed the challenges of rapid technological advancements, digital and AI literacy divides, and the need for ethical analysis and policy development. Michael’s presentation emphasised the importance of preparing students for the future workforce by integrating AI literacy into the curriculum.
Michael highlighted the rapid rate of change in AI technology, noting the ever-increasing models, applications, and tools. He discussed the challenges this presents, including the need for continuous upskilling, professional development, and curriculum building to keep pace with technological advancements
Sue Atwell
AI & Education
Sue Atwell from Jisc provided an insightful overview of the current state of AI in education. Sue discussed the evolution of AI tools and their impact on learning, teaching, and assessment. She highlighted the benefits of AI for efficiency, such as the following time-saving tools and chatbots that support educators and students.
TeacherMatic: This AI tool was highlighted for its efficiency in saving time for educators. Sue mentioned that the pilot of TeacherMatic showed an average time saving of around three hours in further education.
Synthesia: Sue mentioned how this tool allows content to be presented in multiple ways. She shared an example where a blog post was created using Synthesia, with the content and images lightly edited, and the whole process took about 10 minutes.
Chatbots: These AI tools were noted for their role in supporting students. Chatbots can provide assistance and answer queries, thereby enhancing the learning experience and offering timely support.
Generative AI Tools: Sue mentioned that many students are using generative AI in sophisticated ways for various purposes such as research, exploring concepts, coaching, getting started, rewriting sections, creating images, co-creating, and iterating and discussing to create assignments.
Sue also addressed the challenges of AI in assessment, including the difficulty of detecting AI-generated content and the need for staff training. Sue emphasised the importance of fostering cognitive and ethical AI literacy among students and preparing them for the changing job market. Her presentation concluded with a call to embrace AI while ensuring academic integrity and inclusivity.
Shane McComb
Guiding AI with Grace
Shane is Digital Learning Leader and Subject Leader of Economics at Sacred Heart Grammar School, Newry, he is also the founder of NI Schools Hub Ltd., which provides resources for primary and post-primary education. Shane is also co author of the soon to be released: Guiding AI with Grace: Transforming Education Through Ethical AI Integration.
Shane’s presentation focused on the ethical use of AI in education. He emphasised the importance of maintaining the relational and faith-driven foundations of education while integrating AI. Shane discussed the potential risks of AI turning education into a transactional exchange and highlighted the need for ethical guidelines and transparency. He introduced various AI frameworks and the EU AI Act, which aim to ensure compliance, enhance data protection, and promote ethical AI use.
Shane shared his personal journey with AI, describing it as an adventure that involved overindulgence, curiosity, determination, and ultimately, a transformative outcome. He highlighted the potential of AI to adapt to every learner’s needs and improve educational outcomes. The presentation concluded with a call to guide AI with grace, ensuring that it serves humanity and supports the core values of education.
Patrick Hickey
Using AI to Give Better Feedback
Patrick Hickey, an assistant principal and expert media contributor on AI in education, shared his insights on using AI to provide better feedback to students. He stressed the importance of human oversight and direction in the effective use of AI. Patrick discussed the variability and difficulties of providing feedback to students in and the need for detailed prompts to guide AI tools. He provided examples of how AI can be primed to deliver constructive feedback on student assessments. Patrick’s presentation highlighted the potential of AI to enhance the feedback process, making it more personalised, focused and aligned with learning goals.
Darren Currie
Effective Prompting and Copilot
My presentation focused on how Copilot can enhance educational efficiency by leveraging AI tools. Copilot is utilised for a range of tasks, including resource creation, lesson planning, and administrative duties. Emphasising the importance of crafting clear and specific prompts to maximise the effectiveness of AI tools, I also highlighted how Copilot enhances lesson planning by enabling the creation of interactive and adaptive learning materials. My presentation concluded with the impact of Copilot on time efficiency and student engagement.
31. Max Efficiency with Effective Prompting in Copilot – EdTech4Everyone
Danielle McKernan
Inclusive classrooms empowered with AI
A teaching and learning specialist at Text Help with extensive experience teaching at St Pat’s Academy Dungannon, Danielle shared her insights on the potential of AI to create more inclusive classrooms. She passionately believes that AI can help reach all learners by providing personalised and accessible learning materials. Danielle emphasised the importance of using AI to support students with diverse needs, including those with dyslexia and other learning challenges. She introduced tools like Read&Write, which integrate AI to offer text-to-speech, dictation, and real-time translation, making learning more accessible.
Danielle’s vision is to use AI to remove barriers to learning, extend the reach of teachers, and ensure that every student can engage with the curriculum in a way that suits their individual needs.
Texthelp – World Leaders In Assistive Technology and Edtech Software | Texthelp
Shannon Ahern
How ChatGPT became my dream TA
Shannon, with extensive experience teaching Maths and Chemistry at St Declan’s College Cabra, effervescently shared her journey of integrating AI tools into her teaching practice. She emphasised the transformative impact of ChatGPT on her workflow, particularly in creating engaging and customised resources for her students. Shannon highlighted how AI has allowed her to balance her well-being with her professional responsibilities, reducing the time spent on lesson planning and resource creation. She uses ChatGPT for various tasks, including generating worksheets, planning lessons, and even creating resources in different languages to support non-English speaking students.
Shannon’s experience demonstrates the potential of AI to enhance teaching efficiency and student engagement, making education more dynamic and personalised. Additionally, Shannon runs a fantastic website called Craic Matamaitic, which offers valuable resources and insights into the use of AI in education.
Conclusion
The AI in Education Conference 2025 at SWRC was a resounding success, offering valuable insights into the integration of AI in education. The speakers provided a comprehensive overview of the benefits and challenges of AI, emphasising the need for ethical guidelines, effective planning, and authentic assessments. As we move forward, it is crucial to embrace AI while maintaining the core values of education, ensuring that it serves to enhance the learning experience for all students.
