Prime Highlight
- Microsoft Ireland has expanded its Dream Space Teacher Academy with multi-week programs to improve AI literacy, cybersecurity, and digital skills among educators.
- The initiative aims to help teachers use AI confidently and responsibly while preparing students for future digital and AI-driven careers.
Key Facts
- The updated academies include Digital Fundamentals Teacher Academy, Academic Innovators Academy, and Minecraft Teacher Academy.
- New teacher resource packages offer ready-to-use lesson plans for micro:bit, MakeCode Arcade, and Python programming for both primary and post-primary students.
Background
Microsoft Ireland has expanded its Dream Space Teacher Academy with new multi-week training programs aimed at improving AI literacy, cybersecurity knowledge, and digital skills among educators. The company announced the updates after Catherine Doyle, General Manager at Microsoft Ireland, shared details in a recent LinkedIn post.
Dream Space is Microsoft’s free professional development initiative led by qualified educators. It supports teachers in building skills in STEM, digital learning, and AI. The latest expansion adds more structured training pathways, longer courses, and digital badges for teachers who complete the programs.
Doyle said Microsoft research shows that almost 90% of teachers in Ireland now use digital tools to improve productivity and student engagement. However, 83% say they have not received formal AI training. She noted that while teachers are eager to adopt new technologies, many still need support to use AI “confidently and responsibly.”
Under the new structure, the Digital Fundamentals Teacher Academy begins with a three-hour introductory session, followed by monthly workshops over four months. The sessions cover computational thinking, programming basics, cybersecurity, and AI literacy.
The Academic Innovators Academy has also been expanded. This multi-week program offers educators the knowledge and skills necessary to implement AI in the classroom. It covers topics such as prompt engineering, ethical AI use, and Microsoft productivity tools.
Another offering, the Minecraft Teacher Academy, uses Minecraft Education for game-based learning. It includes a three-hour opening workshop and monthly sessions, with registrations set to open in November 2025.
Along with the academies, Microsoft has released new teacher resource packages. These include ready-to-use lesson plans for micro: bit, MakeCode Arcade, and Python programming for both primary and post-primary levels.
Microsoft says these efforts align with its goal to “Skill Up Ireland” and prepare students for future digital and AI-driven careers.
