Dunboyne College of Further Education was awarded €5,000 to collaborate with Dublin City University, and three schools*, to explore teaching media and digital literacy across primary, post-primary and further education sectors. Through a shared learning day with expert speakers and collaborative workshops, participants examined disinformation, misinformation, Artificial Intelligence, and digital responsibility, emphasising the teacher’s role in guiding students.
The project aimed to empower teachers, enhancing their knowledge, therefore improving student learning. Additionally, the project aimed to foster ongoing communities of practice and long-term professional connections across education sectors, supporting continuous development.
*List of collaborating schools:
- Dunboyne Senior National School
- Ó Fiaich College
- Ó Fiaich Institute of Further Education and Training
School's reflection
The Connected Classrooms: A Cross-Sector Approach to Media and Digital Literacy project successfully delivered its core aims of strengthening teacher professional learning, fostering cross-sector collaboration, and establishing a sustainable community of practice. The Shared Learning Day brought together teachers from primary, post-primary, and further education, supported by expert contributions on misinformation, AI literacy, media responsibility, and plain English. Evaluation evidence showed increased teacher confidence and practical changes to classroom practice, including redesigned assessments, stronger focus on credibility and trust online, and explicit teaching of AI literacy and academic integrity.
A key outcome of the project was the development of a Teacher’s Book & Podcast Club, which emerged from teachers expressed need for continued professional dialogue beyond a single event. This initiative now provides a sustainable, accessible forum for ongoing cross-sector learning, critical reflection, and resource sharing. The club’s first text, The Opposite of Cheating, enabled teachers to deepen their understanding of academic integrity in the context of AI and digital authorship.
Overall, the project exceeded its original objectives by embedding long-term professional collaboration, reinforcing teacher leadership, and creating lasting structures to support media and digital literacy across Irish education.