Schools across Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board recently welcomed teachers from Ireland, Latvia and Spain as part of the IDEAL Futures Teacher Academy, a European project focused on strengthening digital pedagogies and leadership for an IDEAL digital future.
The international study visit was officially hosted by Mary Immaculate College in Limerick and formed a key transnational mobility activity within the project. The programme brought together teachers and education professionals to develop leadership competencies for digital teaching and learning in school contexts.
During their visit to MIC, teachers collaborated at workshops exploring digital teaching and AI in the classroom.
The visit began with welcome and networking activities at Mary Immaculate College, where participants explored innovative digital learning environments, including MIC Craft SPACE. The structured programme combined preparation, on-site engagement and reflection, ensuring participants engaged with formal learning materials in advance and took part in collaborative reflective tasks throughout the visit.
Core learning activities included expert-led sessions, peer learning and hands-on co-design workshops focused on the effective integration of digital technologies, including artificial intelligence, into teaching and assessment practices. During parallel workshops delivered by project partners, teachers examined real case studies and worked in international groups to co-design practical solutions to authentic educational challenges.
International educators engaged with staff and students at Gaelcholáiste Luimnigh during the IDEAL Futures digital learning exchange.
As part of the visit, participants also spent time in Limerick and Clare ETB schools, where they saw digital learning in action and engaged in professional dialogue with local staff. These school visits provided valuable opportunities to exchange ideas, reflect on whole-school approaches to digital development, and explore how technology can support independent, self-regulated learning and effective assessment practices.
One of the most engaging sessions focused on the design of simple educational chatbots, demonstrating how AI can act as a practical assistant in lesson planning, feedback, reflection and communication with parents.
Teachers from across Europe also visited Thomond Community College as part of the IDEAL Futures Teacher Academy study visit, exploring digital learning in action.
The wider IDEAL Futures project is currently piloting a digital hub to host resources that will support teachers in strengthening their digital and leadership skills. The project involves six partners from five European countries. It is led by Mary Immaculate College (Ireland), with partners including Universidad Autónoma de Madrid and Fundación Siglo22 (Spain), Limerick and Clare Education and Training Board (Ireland), University of Patras (Greece), and University of Latvia.
The initiative will conclude in 2026 with a final study visit hosted by the University of Latvia, bringing educators together once again to share learning and shape the future of digital education across Europe.
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