Post Primary

Course delivered by Deirdre Madden - UCC

This course is aimed at post primary teachers, with many references to the Junior Certificate and Leaving Certificate exams in the videos. However, this technology is applicable to all learners and primary school teachers are welcome to this course to learn how to use this technology with their younger learners

The course is run over two evenings:

• Tuesday, 14th April and Tuesday, 21st April 2026

Feedback from the last session:

• Thanks Deirdre. Great course, great technology. The course was well delivered and the technology shown in the course can all work together to make learning easier for all learners.
• Deirdre was a brilliant presenter. I learnt so much from her. I would most definitely sign up to any webinars led by her in the future.
• Very practical course run by an enthusiastic presenter
• Deirdre is a fountain of knowledge and has a brilliant style that engages the participant very well. 

UCC have created a online course/resource on free Technology to Make Learning Easier for school students and teachers. Importantly this course/resource  covers free or built-in software on phones/tablets, in MS Office 365, in Google or software that is just free to download.  Learn to take full advantage of  the technology you/your school already has to help make reading, writing and studying easier. There is no cost involved!                   

Cork Education Support Service and UCC are delighted to offer you training (2 x 2 hour sessions) where you will be taken through using these tools, this course/resource will allow a chance between the sessions to try it out and come back with queries and questions. 

Technology can have a positive, role in making learning easier and in giving students and educators greater choices in how, where and when they learn. In this free course/resource, aimed at TY students and educators (but applicable to all), we offer training videos, links and advice to make reading, writing and studying easier for students. It explores various free technologies either already on your computer, your phones or technology that is free to download.

Making Reading Easier: Students can learn how to get their phone to read notes/ quotes/ definitions etc read aloud to them. There are tools to get the computer/phone to read aloud to you. There are even options to have text read aloud in Irish, French, German and other languages to help prepare for oral/aural exams. Making a sound file of text to listen to learn/revise anywhere, anytime even on your phone is so easy and convenient. 

Making Writing Easier: Another section of the course shows how to get your phone /computer to type what you say to speed up project work. It also covers using free mind mapping software to plan/ structure your written work to speed up and improve your homework, projects, classroom based assessments etc.

Making Studying Easier: In this part of the course students can learn to use mind maps to study and make excellent, visual revision notes with images, video and even sound files.  You can then access your mind maps study on your phone anywhere, anytime.

To allow students to make the most of these excellent, free learning tools we also examine some fundamental IT skills including touch-typing and file management. Resources to help teachers to share their teaching and learning materials digitally are also included to allow students to utilise technology to make their learning easier.

Click here for an overview of this course/resource:  Free Technology to Make Learning Easier
This CESC course will train you to use these tools and explore how you can use them with your colleagues and students to make learning easier.

Sincere thanks to the SOAR Project for funding. Created by UCC’s Disability Support Service.

A link to access the course will be emailed to you prior to the course.

In this webinar the ISSN will discuss our 10-week Environmental Influencer Course. Teachers will understand
the skills they need to develop in students to be able to influence those around them to make positive, more
environmentally-friendly choices by practicing a range of skills including critical thinking, active listening,
discussing and debating, confidence and reasoning.

With self-compassion, we give ourselves the same kindness and care
that we’d give to a good friend.’

Kristen Neff

Self-care is vital for teachers, due to the many challenges and demands of the role. Treating ourselves with self-compassion is a key aspect of well-being, yet we are often very harsh on ourselves, especially at times of challenge and difficulty.

This session will explore the concept of self-compassion and provide teachers with ideas for nurturing it on a personal level.

Learning Outcomes

That participants will:

1. Gain a deeper understanding of the concept of self-compassion
2. Gain a deeper understanding of the benefits of self-compassion to teacher well-being
3. Gain several practical strategies for nurturing self-compassion on a daily basis

Pléifear an dá ghearrscéal An Cluiche Mór agus Spás sa cheardlann seo le béim ar théamaí. Roinnfear gníomhaíochtaí ranga praiticiúla agus modhanna measúnaithe a oireann do dhaltaí na Sraithe Sóisearaí.

Torthaí Foghlama:

• Scileanna maidir le múineadh na gearrscéalta
• Tuiscint ar an dá théacs
• Modhanna éifeachtacha chun freagraí a scríobh
• Anailís ar an gcóras marcála
• Conas suim agus rannpháirtíocht daltaí a mhúscailt sna gearrscéalta

Cainteoir: Siobhán Ní Mhurchú

Is múinteoir iar-bhunscoile Gaeilge í Siobhán Ní Mhurchú a bhfuil blianta fada taithí aici sa seomra ranga T1 & T2. Tá sí thar a bheith oilte ar ranganna scrúdaithe a ullmhú don Teastas Sóisearach agus don Ardteistiméireacht. D’oibrigh sí le Gael Linn ar an scéim ‘Gaelbhratach’ ar feadh dhá bhliain, áit ar chuir sí le tacaíocht agus le forbairt ghairmiúil múinteoirí Gaeilge ar fud na tíre. Chomh maith leis sin, tá taithí aici ag obair le Coimisiún na Scrúduithe Stáit mar scrúdaitheoir béil don Ardteistiméireacht agus ag measúnú scrúduithe stáit scríofa. Faoi láthair, tá sí ag obair le Studyclix mar shaineolaí ábhar ar a n-ardán nua - Irish Boost.

WEEKLY 15-MINUTES SESSIONS

 SUBJECT: TARDIGRADE - MARK NOLAN, BIODIVERSITY IN SCHOOLS

End the year on a high note by celebrating the role of SNAs in shaping inclusive, joyful play spaces. This dynamic session focuses on creative approaches to outdoor play that reflect the diverse needs and strengths of all students. Learn how to promote agency, autonomy, and positive peer interactions as part of your everyday support practices on the yard.

Learning Objectives:

• Celebrate and reflect on progress in building inclusive yard environments throughout the year.
• Discover ways to empower children to initiate and sustain inclusive play.
• Learn how to embed social-emotional learning into playtime in subtle and effective ways.

• Develop a toolkit of inclusive games and co-play ideas that build trust and rapport.

Magdalena has over 8 years of experience working as a Special Needs Assistant in a primary school in Co. Limerick, supporting children with additional needs. She is the Editor and Publisher of AMYGDALA – the First National Magazine for SNAs. Magdalena graduated from UCD after completing the National Training Programme for SNAs and earning a Certificate in Inclusive School Support. With a teaching background from Poland, she expanded her expertise by graduating in May 2024 from Trinity College Dublin with a Postgraduate Level 9 qualification in 21st Century Teaching and Learning. Recently, she completed her Master's in Inclusive Education and SEN and is awaiting the results. Magdalena is running an Instagram page called @sna_zone where she provides valuable resources for SNAs and educators. Magdalena is passionate about sharing her knowledge and experience with fellow SNAs. She is deeply passionate about advocating for children's rights every day and embraces everything about inclusive education.

Overview:
Explore the causes of anxiety in children and learn how to apply CBT-based techniques at home and in the classroom.

Learning Outcomes:

Understand the cycle of anxiety.

Support children to face fears using small, achievable steps.

Use practical CBT tools to promote calm thinking.

This webinar focuses on understanding anxiety in children and using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) strategies to support them effectively. It provides clear, practical guidance for teachers, SNAs, and parents who want to help children manage fear, worry, and avoidance in everyday life.

Participants will explore how anxiety develops, what maintains it, and how the CBT model helps children regain a sense of safety and control. The session introduces simple language and tools to teach children how to name their worries, challenge unhelpful thoughts, and face fears gradually through achievable steps.

The session highlights how small, consistent actions — such as supportive dialogue, calm modelling, and predictable routines — can make a real difference to a child’s confidence and emotional regulation.