CELT hosts successful AI in Education Week
99 staff attendees engage in week-long programme exploring generative AI for learning and teaching
Dundalk Institute of Technology's (DkIT) Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching (CELT) recently organised and facilitated a comprehensive series of events focused on artificial intelligence (AI) and Generative AI (GenAI) in higher education. The programme, which took place during the week prior to the teaching semester commencing, attracted significant engagement from academic and professional staff keen to explore how AI technologies can enhance learning and teaching practices.
The week featured a mix of practical workshops, keynote presentations, and flexible online learning opportunities - each designed to meet staff where they are on their AI journey. To support accessibility and flexibility, CELT compiled a curated LinkedIn Learning playlist of AI-focused courses that staff could complete at their own pace alongside the in-person programme.
The workshop series included introductory sessions on large language models such as ChatGPT, providing staff with foundational knowledge of how these tools function and their potential applications in educational contexts. Additional sessions explored NotebookLM as a pedagogical tool, demonstrating how it can support student learning and contribute to Universal Design for Learning principles. A dedicated workshop on AI and assessment discussed one of the more pressing concerns for educators, in navigating this evolving landscape.
The centrepiece of the week was a full-day event on Wednesday 21st January, which brought staff together for two keynote addresses and a showcase of internal AI practice. Professor Jim O'Mahony of Munster Technological University delivered an inspiring opening keynote on AI for educators, offering a comprehensive view of the current generative AI landscape while presenting AI as a potential supportive tool for teaching practice. His calm and encouraging approach resonated with attendees, framing the uptake of elements of AI adoption as an opportunity.
Following the keynote, six DkIT staff members shared their own experiences of integrating generative AI into their teaching contexts (JJ Quinlan, Thomas Lupton, Fiona Fearon, Peter Morris, Sinead Loughran, and Antoinette Rourke). This internal showcase, complete with Q&A sessions, highlighted the innovative approaches already emerging across the Institute, and demonstrated the practical benefits for both lecturers and students.
The afternoon keynote by Professor Mary Davis of Oxford Brookes University focused on academic integrity and AI/GenAI. Her interactive session engaged participants in working through real-world scenarios, equipping staff with an ethical use awareness to navigate integrity considerations in an AI-enabled educational environment.
All events utilised the Institute's state-of-the-art facilities provided through the recent N-TUTORR project, including hybrid-enabled spaces and the digital collaboration active learning space in the Institute’s library, purpose-built to support innovative teaching and learning activities.
Dr Gerry Gallagher commented:
“These events demonstrated our institution's commitment to supporting staff as they navigate the opportunities presented by AI in education. With 99 attendees engaging across the programme, it's clear there is both appetite and enthusiasm for exploring how these technologies can enhance the staff and student experience."
CELT remains committed to supporting DkIT staff throughout the semester with continued professional development opportunities in AI and digital pedagogy.
Dr Ronan Bree added:
“Generative AI is reshaping how we approach teaching and learning, and it's essential that we support our staff to engage with these tools confidently and critically. The energy, viewpoints and curiosity we saw throughout the week reinforces why ongoing practice sharing through the lens of each discipline, and professional development in this space, are so important”.
