Wed 25 Mar
|Green Room, Lansdowne Hotel
NEST ICT Shared Learning Network
NEST Shared Learning Network to explore the use of AI in the classroom - input from Nicole O’Connor - Co-Founder and Digital Strategist at Digi Know This
Time & Location
25 Mar 2026, 09:30 – 14:45
Green Room, Lansdowne Hotel, 657 Antrim Rd, Belfast BT15 4EF, UK
About the event
Newtownabbey Empowering Schools Together (NEST)
NEST warmly invites ICT coordinators or other relevant staff members from partner schools to this Shared Learning Network to explore the constructive use of AI in the classroom.
This workshop will include an input from Nicole O'Connor:
AI 201: Beyond the Basics
AI has evolved rapidly from the gimmick of 2022 to the complex classroom reality of 2026, often leaving educators feeling like the goalposts are moving faster than they can run.
Whether you’re an AI skeptic wary of cognitive offloading, or an early adopter wondering if you’re using a flamethrower to light a candle, this session is designed to close that gap. Let’s strip away the industry hype and tune in to the big picture.
Through a blend of thought-provoking discussion and hands-on experimentation, we will navigate the murky waters of safeguarding and bias before diving into the high-impact workload-workflows that can actually clear your desk.
From customizing agents in Copilot to exploring student-facing tools like Adobe Express, you’ll leave not just with a bunch of ideas, but with a boost to your AI literacy.
Note: Please bring a fully charged device to participate in the practical tasks.
The Details
Lunch: Provided on the day. Please let us know if you have any dietary requirements.
Registration: Demand for spaces is high—please only register a place if you are planning on attending yourself.
Sub cover costs are not available for this training day. Please ensure school leaders can release you before registering.
About the Speaker
Nicole O’Connor is a portfolio careerist, former educator, and "community villager" dedicated to reclaiming the human voice in a digital world. As the co-founder of Digi Know This, she works with schools and community groups to navigate the tech landscape with confidence and empathy.
Nicole balances her corporate roles as Adobe’s Education Community Lead for Europe and an Apple Professional Learning Specialist with her grassroots leadership and volunteering, including as a Network Leader for WomenEd NI. Her work focuses on the "human rhythm" of technology—advocating that digital advancement matches a collective commitment to inclusion and safety.