Notes from the second day #edtech26
I enjoy learning where ideas originate and during the second keynote of edtech26 in Dublin, I learned some of Felicitas Macgilcrhist’s ideas coalesced after reading The Anxious Generation
I spent three long days on the St Pat’s campus of DCU during #edtech26 this week, upskilling and learning how to teach and learn better. I almost didn’t make the cut because I forgot to register but Rob Lowney fabricated a lanyard for me and Gavin Hendrick gave me a sticker for the over-booked conference dinner. #win
This was easily the largest edtech conference in Ireland. I’ve a public photo album from edtech events and my first recollection is from 2006 in the photos.
More than 270 people were in the in the main foyer and in the auditorium during the 2026 edtech conference.
I asked my handset to find the most pertinent sessions, based on information in my Personal Knowledge Management system. It took Obsidian less than five minutes to book calendar items and room numbers. I didn’t know who was going to be presenting but Obsidian knew the top line items and found exceptionally relevant sessions for me. I summarised them in the accompanying three minute video.
I had a mission to find Leigh Graves Wolf and Ken McCarhty during coffee breaks. They are on edtech prayer cards that I carry so I feel like I've completed a missionary journey whenever I meet them. I also ran into Eoin Campbell from my 1999 XML days. #throwback
Before the event began, I found a quiet corner to share ethical and sustainable uses of AI with Frances O’Donnell. We had to keep a minivan full of ATU staff at bay as we ploughed through connectors, projects, calendars, API calls, and artifacts.
Eamon Costello passed the edtech torch off to Eleanor Walsh will light edtech27 proceedings in Mary Immaculate College. If you need pro tips about how to get to the MaryI campus or where to stay or which Treaty City pubs treat higher education with the greatest respect, ping me or cross over and get better advice from Donnacha Hurley.