The STAR project, of the Irish Ministry of Education, supported through the National Traveller & Roma Inclusion Strategy, aims to help the children of Traveller and Roma families in North Dublin get the most out of school. Four education pilots named STAR (Supporting Traveller and Roma) were established across Ireland in Cork, Tuam, Wexford and North Dublin. The North Dublin STAR Project is hosted by the Northside Partnership and works with 19 schools across Finglas, Coolock and Ballymun. The Northside Partnership hosted a significant workshop on December 5, 2024, as part of the ongoing efforts to enhance educational opportunities for children from Traveller and Roma families under the National Traveller and Roma Inclusion Strategy. (https://oide.ie/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/Traveller-and-Roma-Education-Strategy-2024-2030.pdf)
The workshop welcomed 35 teachers and 12 additional participants, all keen to explore new, tech-driven approaches that can foster more inclusive learning environments. Central to the day’s program was the presentation of the AI4EDU project by Dr. Daithí Ó Murchú, whose insights on artificial intelligence as a tool for educational development inspired lively discussion and practical engagement among attendees.
While the STAR initiative has long focused on supporting Traveller and Roma students, the introduction of AI4EDU offered a more innovative approach to addressing the challenges these communities often face in mainstream education. Dr Ó Murchú began his presentation by explaining how AI technologies can personalize learning experiences, tailoring lesson plans to the needs and backgrounds of individual students. By drawing upon data analytics and machine learning, AI4EDU aims to identify gaps in understanding and recommend targeted interventions. This potential for early detection of learning difficulties promises to reduce dropout rates and raise overall achievement levels within marginalized groups.
Participants were especially interested in how AI4EDU might complement the culturally sensitive approaches already in use through STAR. Dr Ó Murchú stressed the importance of embedding cultural awareness into AI algorithms, ensuring digital platforms recognize the unique traditions and values of Traveller and Roma families. He also highlighted the significance of partnering with community leaders to refine system settings and adapt content, so it resonates with learners’ lived experiences. Attendees agreed that a human-centered approach to AI implementation would be essential, emphasizing dignity, respect, and collaboration with families as a means of building trust and long-term engagement.
Throughout the workshop, teachers had the opportunity to interact with demonstration versions of AI4EDU tools and test their capacities for lesson planning, feedback provision, and learner assessment. One session showcased how the platform could evaluate student performance on quizzes in real time and propose supplementary materials designed around students’ performance profiles. The rapid adaptability offered by AI impressed participants, many of whom saw immediate applications for helping students who risk falling behind. Teachers also recognized the potential benefits for reducing their administrative workload, allowing them more time to focus on direct student interactions.
