Throughout my undergrad, postgrad and masters programmes I have been involved in a variety of Research projects. Here I have included the research I am most drawn to these deal with themes of:

-Policy in education specifically those concerned with the Digital Strategy for Schools 2027.

-How to help conceptual development in students.

-Effective whole class teaching.

​

Teaching placement has allowed me to explore conceptual development in secondary-level Art and Design education, In initial placements had I noticed it was difficult to keep students engaged with the conceptual side of their artwork across multiple lessons. This challenge led me to investigate how classroom activities, materials, group discussions, and digital tools can help maintain and deepen students’ understanding throughout the artmaking process.

 

Over ten weeks, I worked with a 2nd year class in an Irish secondary school, using methods such as questionnaires, focus groups, sketchbook analysis, and observation of students' creative processes. A key finding was that students often develop stronger concepts through making, rather than beginning with a fixed idea. This insight supports the use of flexible, student-centered approaches that allow for hands-on experimentation and emotional engagement. Theories from Vygotsky, Piaget, and Dewey helped frame my understanding of how students learn through interaction, exploration, and real-world experience.

 

Through further research, I considered the role of whole-class teaching, diving into its policies and relevant literature and how this might support conceptual learning. Drawing on Corno’s (2008) work, I explored how teachers can balance direct instruction with strategies that adapt to individual learning needs. This balance is especially important in art, where students benefit from both guidance and freedom to explore their ideas.

 

Being an Art teacher that relies on digital use to find inspiration and allow students the opportunity of photography in the classroom made me intrigued to research the role of technology in the art classroom. Tools like cameras and editing software are useful for projects like stop-motion animation or gathering visual references. However, challenges such as limited access, device issues, and digital safety concerns can make effective use difficult. Guided by the Digital Strategy for Schools 2027 (Department of Education, 2022), I explored how technology can be used responsibly and creatively while staying aligned with school policy.

​

All of my research usually stems froms ideas on how I can support my teaching and develop strategies that will help my students. I plan to continue my research in various areas as they arise throughout my career.