Tag: Dream Space

83% of teachers say they lack formal training in AI

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science James Lawless TD joined Microsoft Ireland to unveil research on the use of digital technologies and AI in Irish classrooms, and to announce the expansion of the Microsoft Dream Space Teacher Academy, a free programme designed to empower teachers with the skills to effectively and responsibly use AI and digital technologies in the classroom.

Powering new teaching models
The research entitled, ‘Digital Learning in the Era of AI’, reveals how AI and digital technologies are helping to enhance learning and engagement in the classroom. Conducted by 3Gem for Microsoft, the survey of 201 educators across Ireland found that:

·      87% use digital technologies to improve productivity and optimise classroom time

·      86% say apps and platforms help personalise teaching to meet students’ needs

·      81% report stronger student engagement when digital tools are used

·      72% support increased use of AI tools in the classroom

·      83% say they lack formal training in AI

 

While AI is one of the key technologies that teachers are embracing to enhance education and 64% of teachers believe it will positively transform education, adoption varies across the island of Ireland. In Northern Ireland, 74% of teachers report rapid uptake of generative AI, compared to 33% in the Republic.

Digital Tools and AI in Classrooms: Opportunities and Challenges

When asked about ways to bring technology and AI into the classroom, the top three suggestions agreed on by teachers include collaborative learning (49%), student-led initiatives (47%), and project-based learning (41%), approaches that are at the centre of the approach taken by the Microsoft Dream Space team.

The research also highlights a growing integration of digital tools in classrooms, from online worksheets to interactive quizzes, with more experienced teachers using a broader range of tools compared to newer teachers. However, adoption is uneven, especially in schools slower to embrace AI. While 83% of surveyed teachers agree they have not received adequate training to use tech and AI tools effectively, this issue is more pronounced in schools slower to embrace AI, where 67% cite insufficient training as a major barrier, compared to just 32% in faster-adopting schools.

Most educators report student use of laptops, tablets, or computers during lessons. In digitally advanced schools, 40% say devices are used in most teaching, compared to just 15% in slower-adopting schools. Overall, 26% of teachers report high usage (over 75% of teaching), while 51% report moderate use.

Generative AI has seen the fastest growth among digital tools in the past year, marking a shift in teaching approaches. Adoption also varies by location: 64% of urban educators describe their school’s digital transformation as fast or very fast, compared to 45% in suburban and 34% in rural schools. Teachers who use digital tools extensively are more likely to report rapid adoption (74%) than those who use them rarely (30%).

Despite these advances, confidence gaps remain, particularly among non-STEM teachers – only 18% feel fully equipped to use digital technology effectively in the classroom. Even among STEM educators, many report that a lack of ongoing support has limited the impact of their training.

In fact, 81% of teachers say they are lacking formal training in AI, and there is strong consensus among school leaders (92%) that AI training should be a mandatory part of both initial teacher education (ITE) and continuing professional development (CPD).

Microsoft Dream Space Teacher Academy*
To help address the research findings and support teachers to leverage AI and digital technologies to enhance learning and engagement in the classroom, Microsoft today announced the expansion of its Dream Space Teacher Academy for the 2025/2026 academic year. This free, multi-week programme is designed to help primary and post-primary teachers begin their journey with AI in education. It focuses on building confidence and understanding, starting with the basics of how AI works and why AI literacy matters.

Teachers will explore how AI can support productivity, learn how to use it responsibly and ethically, and access resources to help students develop their own AI literacy and future-ready skills. On completion, participants will earn a digital badge via Credly, with opportunities for further professional development and accreditation.

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science, James Lawless TD said: “Microsoft’s latest research underscores the opportunity for AI and digital tools to enhance teaching and learning, as well as the need to support educators with the right training and support to use them effectively. The new national guidance on AI in schools published by the Department of Education is an important step in that journey, providing a clear framework to help educators adopt these technologies responsibly and confidently.

“This aligns with the broader direction of our education system, including the new primary curriculum’s emphasis on digital literacy and modern skills. Across further and higher education, we remain focused on preparing both learners and educators to thrive in an AI-enabled world. Industry has a vital role to play in this, and I’m delighted to join Microsoft today in announcing this expanded AI skills offering for teachers through the Microsoft Dream Space Teacher Academy.”

James O’Connor, Microsoft Ireland Site Leader and Corporate Vice President of Microsoft Global Operations Service Centre, added: “Microsoft is committed to supporting Irish educators to bring a digital mindset into the classroom to enhance learning and student engagement. This research shows that teachers are ready to embrace AI, but they need the right support to do so confidently and responsibly. As the new guidance on the use of AI in the classroom highlights, it’s not just about having access to digital tools; it’s about understanding how AI works and how to use it in ways that truly benefit students.

“That’s why we’re expanding the Dream Space Teacher Academy and investing further in our ambition to Skill Up Ireland. We are committed to helping teachers build the skills, trust and AI literacy they need to confidently use AI in the classroom. By focusing on responsible use, digital understanding and practical classroom application, we hope to support educators to create more inclusive, engaging and future-ready learning experiences for every student across the island of Ireland.” 

Educators interested in joining the free Microsoft Dream Space Teacher Academy can register their interest by the 13th of November at: Dream Space Teacher Packages.

Microsoft recognises NextGen of STEM and AI leaders at Microsoft Dream Space Showcase

The third annual Microsoft Dream Space Showcase brought together students from across Ireland to demonstrate how their STEM and AI skills developed during the programme can tackle real-world challenges. Held over three days at Microsoft’s Dublin campus, and supported by three additional regional showcase events, the initiative saw more than 800 students present over 110 innovative projects, providing inspiring solutions to many of today’s environmental, health, wellbeing, and accessibility challenges. From earthquake sensors and plant health monitors to food waste trackers and inclusive communication tools, the projects reflect a wide range of creative, impactful ideas developed by the next generation of STEM leaders.

Launched in 2018, Microsoft Dream Space was designed to provide young people with an opportunity to participate in immersive, research-based STEM experiences to enhance their STEM skills and shift their perceptions about the role technology can play in their future careers. Delivered through a mix of in-person, virtual, on-demand, and community-based programmes, today, Microsoft Dream Space is providing every primary and post-primary student*, as well as their teachers, across the island of Ireland with the opportunity to engage in STEM and AI learning experiences that will equip them with the skills that are required to fully participate in the era of AI.

The Microsoft Dream Space Showcase was launched three years ago with the objective of extending access to the programme’s learning content and supports to students and their teachers in rural communities in collaboration with the Department of Rural and Community Development and local county councils.

Since the first event in 2023, student participation in the Microsoft Dream Space Showcase has grown significantly, with a near 200% increase in project submissions highlighting the growing enthusiasm among this young cohort to apply their STEM and AI knowledge in creative and impactful ways. Students and teachers from communities in Longford, Cork, Mayo, Tipperary, Monaghan and Waterford have been the most engaged in the initiative, with the number of communities involved continuing to grow each year.

As part of the initiative, students embark on a year-long learning journey that combines in-class activities, digital resources, and in-person programme engagement. Using content from three Dream Space TV series – Full STEAM Ahead, Code Green, and brAIn_waves – students develop skills in coding, computational thinking, sustainability, and AI, laying the groundwork for their participation in the Showcase.

The learning journey culminates in the Microsoft Dream Space Showcase where students travel to One Microsoft Place to demonstrate the many ways in which their newly developed STEM skills can help solve real-world problems. From climate action to inclusive design, the projects presented at the Showcase address key challenges linked to the UN Global Goals, demonstrating how technology and creativity can come together to drive positive change.

This year, Microsoft is celebrating its 40th year of innovating and investing in Ireland. To mark this milestone, the company gave a special ‘NextGen 40’ award at the Microsoft Dream Space Showcase to 6th class students from St Marys National School in Edgeworthstown, County Longford for their inspiring project, ‘The Eco-town’. Building on the knowledge and skills that the students developed over the past year, the students created multiple micro:bit devices through coding to transform Edgeworthstown into an eco-town. They focused on key areas such as safety, recycling, and solar energy. As part of the project, the students built a prototype of their local town to demonstrate how their micro:bits would function, offering a clear vision of how technology can enhance sustainability in their community and empower them to achieve more.

James O’Connor, Microsoft Ireland Site Leader and Corporate Vice President Microsoft Global Operations Service Centre, said: “As Microsoft celebrates 40 years in Ireland, we are incredibly proud to have students from across the country visit our campus in Leopardstown to showcase the STEM and AI projects they have developed using the digital skills that they have gained throughout their year-long Dream Space journey. With AI transforming how we learn, live and work, it’s vital that every young student, irrespective of their background, can engage confidently in STEM and AI learning.

“The Dream Space Showcase is a powerful reflection of what’s possible when students are given the skills and confidence to explore STEM and AI. This year’s event brought together hundreds of young innovators who used these skills to tackle real-world challenges. Their projects show that the next generation is not just ready to participate in the digital world – they are ready to shape it.

“As we look to the future, Microsoft remains committed to skilling up the next generation. Through Microsoft Dream Space and our broader Skill Up Ireland initiatives, we’re working to ensure that everyone has the opportunity to build the skills they need for the era of AI and is empowered to achieve more.”

Part of the winning team of the NextGen 40 award at this year’s Microsoft Dream Space Showcase, 6th class student Róisin from St. Marys National School in Edgeworthstown, Co. Longford said “We have really enjoyed the Microsoft Dream Space Showcase experience. We loved learning more about STEM and how technology can be used to tackle problems. With my classmates I worked on a project called ’The Eco-town’. For it we used micro:bits to create solutions focused on safety, recycling, and solar energy to make our community more sustainable. It was amazing to see how technology can have a positive impact in the area we live in. We were delighted to win the award.”

 

Reflecting on the impact of Microsoft Dream Space in her classroom, Shannon Boyle a teacher from St. Marys National School Edgeworthstown, Co. Longford said “Microsoft Dream Space has become a vital part of how we teach STEM in our school. The resources are easy to integrate into our day-to-day curriculum and allow us to connect learning to real-world challenges, helping students see how technology can shape their futures. This year, our students won the ‘NextGen 40’ award at Microsoft Dream Space Showcase for The Eco-town—a project tackling sustainability, safety, recycling, and renewable energy in our community. It’s been inspiring to watch them apply coding and digital tools to create practical solutions for Edgeworthstown. Our school moto is ‘Education for Life’. We live this moto out every day and we’re excited to apply this commitment towards bringing STEM to life for the students in our school.”

 

To learn more about Microsoft Dream Space or to access the latest learning resources, visit: https://dreamspace.microsoft.com/en-us/dreamspace/ireland

Microsoft Dream Space engages 300,000 young people in digital skills

At the second annual Microsoft Dream Space Showcase held in Dublin to mark the end of school year, Microsoft announced that it has engaged 300,000 young people and teachers in its immersive Microsoft Dream Space STEM experience which has been designed to help young people pursue their interest in STEM and shift their perceptions about the role technology can play in their future career choices.

This important milestone comes just 18 months after the company pledged to provide almost 1,000,000 students and their teachers across the island of Ireland with the opportunity to develop their digital and AI skills.

Over the past year, the company has introduced a suite of new programmes, which has helped to broaden the reach of Microsoft Dream Space. The company joined forces with RTÉ Learn to present Microsoft Dream Space TV: brAIn_waves – a series exploring the evolution of AI which enabled primary and post-primary students to develop their AI literacy.

The Microsoft Dream Space hub in Leopardstown also hosted the largest ‘Capture the Flag’ cybersecurity event for post-primary school students in Ireland, which sought to inspire the next generation of cyber security leaders.

To address inequalities in accessing STEM careers among post-primary students in socially disadvantaged communities, Microsoft Ireland, together with Maynooth University, Science Foundation Ireland and the Department of Education expanded the STEM Passport for Inclusion initiative nationwide with the ambition to engage a further 5,000 students.

The second annual Microsoft Dream Space Showcase held at One Microsoft Place this week brought together over 400 students from rural areas to demonstrate the many ways in which their digital skills can help to solve some of today’s sustainability challenges.

Other Microsoft Dream Space innovations introduced within the past 12 months include the expansion of the Dream Space Ambassador and Dream Space LIVE programmes, the launch of the Dream Space Minecraft Teacher Academy, the relaunch of the Dream Space Digital Academy and the roll out of bespoke Dream Space events for people with disabilities.

The continued expansion of Microsoft Dream Space builds on Microsoft’s recent commitment to help ‘Skill Up Ireland’ by providing people of all ages, experiences and ambitions with the opportunity to develop their AI fluency and skills.

James O’Connor, Microsoft Ireland Site Leader and Vice-President Microsoft Global Operations Service Centre, said: “As part of our commitment to Skill Up Ireland for the era of AI, we’re incredibly proud to have engaged 300,000 young people from across this island in our Microsoft Dream Space experience.

“With digital technology transforming our lives, work, and education, it’s crucial that every student, regardless of socio-demographics, can engage in STEM learning as early as possible and prepare for our AI future. That’s why 18 months ago, we committed an additional €3 million investment in our innovation and education hub, Microsoft Dream Space, over four years.

“As a result, we’ve been able to significantly expand our Dream Space programming and introduce new innovations to broaden its reach and impact. The significant increases in STEM interest and confidence that we’re seeing as a result, particularly among girls and students from economically disadvantaged backgrounds, highlight the power of the programme.

“Through the continued growth of Microsoft Dream Space, I’m confident that we can provide every student on the island of Ireland with the chance to engage in STEM and AI learning and empower the next generation of digital leaders.”

Speaking about her experience of the Dream Space Student Ambassador programme Isobel Fay, student from Our Lady of Mercy Convent School in Booterstown, said: “Since taking part in the Dream Space Ambassador programme, I’ve learned so much about new technologies like AI and how they can be used to solve different problems in society. All the training has been really helpful in boosting my confidence to speak to students and teachers at my school in Booterstown about all the interesting possibilities that we can use technology for. I’m looking forward to more Dream Space sessions in the future and continuing to learn about the latest developments in technology.”

Reflecting on the engagement of her students in the Microsoft Dream Space TV: brAIn_waves series Nathalia McCarthy a teacher from Grange Community College, Donaghmede in Dublin said: “I loved how the series was linked to the curriculum, so we were able to add it so easily to what we were already doing in the classroom. I have never seen enthusiasm like it in 1st years, 2nd years and our TY students.”

Research undertaken by Maynooth University has indicated the positive impact of Microsoft Dream Space on those who have taken part. Findings show a 42% increase in girls likely to pursue STEM careers and a 40% increase in boys with similar aspirations. Notably, socio-economically disadvantaged girls demonstrated a 30% increase in career aspirations in STEM fields and an 80% boost in confidence regarding their STEM capabilities.

Educators eager to bring this transformative STEM education experience to your students, subscribe to the monthly Dream Space newsletter to stay updated on the latest offerings and opportunities. Join us at aka.ms/dreamspacenews.