News School of Education showcases innovation for Directors-General of Schools

Professor Cornelia Connolly, Dr Clíona Murray and Seán Ó Grádaigh represented the School of Education at the University of Galway Innovation Showcase, held this week as part of a pre-dinner reception for Directors-General of Schools.

The evening opened with a welcome from Professor Alma McCarthy, Executive Dean of the College of Business, Public Policy and Law. Her introduction highlighted how research, education and innovation at the University are responding to challenges and opportunities in teaching, skills development, inclusion, technology and cultural sustainability.

Guests then explored exhibits featuring University initiatives in education, wellbeing, creative technologies, robotics, engineering, and the preservation of language and cultural heritage. The School of Education contributed two exhibits, highlighting its work in technology-enhanced learning and language education.

Robotics and artificial intelligence in education

Professor Cornelia Connolly, together with students Maximiliano Delgado, Stephanie Brown and Hemendra Worlikar, showcased research with the HIVE Lab and Rinn AI exploring how robotics, artificial intelligence and digital technologies can support engaging and inclusive learning in schools.

This work has included bringing a full-size humanoid robot into primary and secondary classrooms, enabling pupils to interact directly with emerging technology while developing their interest in STEM, computational thinking and future careers. The research also examines how robots can be introduced responsibly and effectively in educational settings.

A live interaction with the humanoid robot brought the research to life at the showcase, alongside examples of its use with pupils and teachers.

Language, culture and multilingual education

Dr Clíona Murray and Seán Ó Grádaigh showcased how their research and teaching support the preservation of the Irish language and the promotion of multilingualism through education. Their exhibit featured:

- Máistir Gairmiúil san Oideachas: a teacher education programme that prepares teachers for the Irish-medium education sector, with a particular focus on creative and innovative pedagogies for immersion classrooms.

- Linguistic Equity in Multilingual Regions: a network bringing together scholars, students and community partners committed to linguistic equity across four multilingual regions.

- Coláistí na Gaeltachta: a school- and community-driven Gaelic football initiative that positions community sport and other cultural activities as powerful informal settings for language maintenance and revitalisation among young speakers of minoritised languages.

Dr. Clíona Murray; Seán Ó Grádaigh