Researcher Details |

Margaret Leahy

I am Head of the School of STEM Education, Global Studies and Innovation and also part of the Digital Learning Team (Primary)

As a member of the Digital Learning Team, I have been instrumental in the development of a range of teaching programmes across the continuum from preservice to postgraduate teacher education. Built on a body of classroom-based research and organic in nature, the courses are designed to explore what being digital in learning can mean and how teachers at all levels can meaningfully use the extensive range of digital tools available in the 21st century.

Driven by my interest in the ways in which teachers, learners and digital technologies can interact to create powerful learning environments in school, I have been continuously involved in a broad range of research projects and initiatives (totalling over €400,000 to date). As co-lead in many of these, I have played a key role in designing, implementing and disseminating findings. These include the Innovative Schools programme (ISP, 2007-2009); the DLPC teacher professional learning programme (developed with Meath VEC, 2009-2013) and the subsequent development of the 21CLD MOOC which was launched in January 2016. I was also involved in the development of the Digital Strategy for Schools 2015-2020 (Schools ICT Census 2013; Consultative Paper, Butler et al., 2013) while most recently, I have been involved in an international collaboration led by Distinguished Professor Niki Davis of Canterbury University, New Zealand in carrying out an exploratory analysis of smart multi-stakeholder partnerships in education (Davis et al., 2015; Leahy et al., 2016). We believe that smart partnerships will be necessary to leverage technological tools effectively in schools as many schools and related educational agencies no not have the required expertise or infrastructure.

Book Chapter

	Year	Publication
	2023	Butler, D., Leahy, M. Bocconi, S., Charania, AJekov, B., Keane, T., Laferriere, T., Nakamura, K., Peiris, M.G., Ueda, H. (2023) 'Aligning Educational Policies with the New Realities of Schooling' In: EDUsummIT2023. Moving forward to new educational realities in the digital era. Belgium : EDU summIT 2023.
	2020	Butler, D., Twining, P., Broadley, T., Fisser, P., Forget-Dubois, N., Peiris, M.G., Kalaš, I. Lacasse,M., Leahy, M. & Shelton, C (2020) 'National Policies in Curriculum Reforms: What Makes a Quality Curriculum in a Technological Era?' In: EDUsummIT2019. Learners and Learning Contexts: New Alignments for the Digital Age. eBook : EDUsummIT 2019 - eBook. [Link]
	2020	Butler, D. & Leahy, M. (2020) 'Using Classroom Practice as “an Object to Think with” to Develop Preservice Teachers’ Understandings of Computational Thinking' In: Empowering Teaching for Digital Agency and Equity. IFIP TC 3 Open Conference on Computers in Education, OCCE 2020, Mumbai, India, January 6–8, 2020, Proceedings. Cham : Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-59847-1
	2020	Butler, D., Leahy, M., Hallissy, M., & Brown, M. (2020) 'MOOCs, teacher professional learning and deep learning conversations' In: Encyclopedia of Education and Information Technologies. Switzerland : Springer. [Link] https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-10576-1
	2019	Butler D., Leahy M., Hallissy M., Brown M. (2019) 'Encyclopedia of Education and Information Technologies' In: Encyclopedia of Education and Information Technologies. Springer Nature Switzerland AG : Springer International Publishing.
	2018	Butler, D., Leahy, M., Hallissy, M., & Brown, M (2018) 'Scaling a model of teacher professional learning – Harnessing MOOCs to recreate deep learning conversations' In: Tomorrow's Learning: Involving Everyone. Learning with and about Technologies and Computing: 11th IFIP TC 3 World Conference on Computers in Education. Switzerland : Springer.
	2015	Davis, N., Leahy, M., Lewin, C., Charania, A., & Nordin, H. with Ave Mejia, Davor Orlec, Deirdre Butler, Vanessa Chang, Ben Daniel Motidyang, Ola Erstad, and Olatz Lopez-Fernandez (2015) 'Smart Partnerships' In: EDUsummIT 2015 Summary Report. Australia : Curtin University. [Link]
	2015	Butler, D. & Leahy, M. (2015) 'Developing a Vision and Moving Forward' In: Shaping the Future: How Technology can lead to Educational Transformation. Dublin : Liffey Press.
	2015	Leahy, M. (2015) 'Connections: In-school and out-of-school technology-mediated literacy practices in a disadvantaged primary school in Ireland. In Shaping the Future: How technology can lead to educational transformation' In: Shaping the Future: How Technology can lead to Educational Transformation. Dublin : Liffey Press.
	2015	Butler, D. & Leahy, M (2015) 'Moving towards Innovation: The Development of a Sustainable Framework for Teacher Professional Learning' In: Shaping the Future: How Technology can lead to Educational Transformation. Dublin : Liffey Press.
	2017	Margaret Leahy & Deirdre Butler, Peter Twinning, Yousra Chtouki, Kanda Moore, Roumen Nikolov, Amanda Sherman, Barbara Sherman, Teemu Valtonen, With Ben Akoh, Carlos Miniano Pascual, Sara Farshadnia (2017) 'Education Systems in the Digital Age: The need for alignment' In: EduSummIT Report: Rethinking Learning in a Digital Age. Bulgaria : UNESCO. [Link]

Edited Book

	Year	Publication
	2002	Twomey, D., Leahy, M., Bree, O., Savage, T. & Close, S (Ed.). (2002) Proceedings of Computer Society of Ireland National Conference 2002-Challenges for Learning in a Digital Age. Dublin: St Patrick's College of Education,

Peer Reviewed Journal

	Year	Publication
	2023	Denis Moynihan; Alan Gorman; Margaret Leahy; Darina Scully (2023) 'All the World’s a Stage: Examining the Actors That Influence the Development of Primary Pre-Service Teacher Digital Competence in the Republic of Ireland'. Education Sciences, 13 (10). [Link] https://doi.org/10.3390/educsci13101045
	2021	Butler, D.; Leahy, M. (2021) 'Developing preservice teachers' understanding of computational thinking: A constructionist approach'. British Journal of Educational Technology, 52 . [Link] [DOI]
	2021	Twining, P.; Butler, D.; Fisser, P.; Leahy, M.; Shelton, C.; Forget-Dubois, N.; Lacasse, M. (2021) 'Developing a quality curriculum in a technological era'. Educational Technology Research and Development, 69 . [Link] [DOI]
	2019	Woods, A & Leahy, M (2019) 'Using Digital Technologies to Support Inclusion in the Mainstream Primary Classroom'. Reach, 32 (2):102-124.
	2017	Butler, D; Leahy, M; Hallissy, M; Brown, M (2017) 'Different strokes for different folks: scaling a blended model of teacher professional learning'. Interactive Technology and Smart Education, .
	2016	Leahy, M., Davis, N., Lewin, C., Charania, A., Nordin, H., Orlic, D., Butler, D., & Lopez-Fernandez, O. (2016) 'Smart Partnerships to Increase Equity in Education'. EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY & SOCIETY, 19 (3):84-98.
	2010	Butler, D., & Leahy, M. (2010) 'Redefining Book Reviews for the Digital Era'. Contemporary Issues in Technology & Teacher Education, 10 (1). [Link]
	2018	Butler, D.; Leahy, M.; Twining, P.; Akoh, B.; Chtouki, Y.; Farshadnia, S.; Moore, K.; Nikolov, R.; Pascual, C.; Sherman, B.; Valtonen, T. (2018) 'Education Systems in the Digital Age: The Need for Alignment'. Technology, Knowledge and Learning, 23 . [Link] [DOI]
	2017	Butler, D.; Leahy, M.; Hallissy, M.; Brown, M. (2017) 'Different strokes for different folks: scaling a blended model of teacher professional learning'. Interactive Technology and Smart Education, 14 . [Link] [DOI]
	2016	Leahy, Margaret; Davis, Niki; Lewin, Cathy; Charania, Amina; Nordin, Hasniza; Orlic, Davor; Butler, Deirdre; Lopez-Fernadez, Olatz (2016) 'Smart Partnerships to Increase Equity in Education'. EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY & SOCIETY, 19 (3).
	2016	Leahy, M.; Davis, N.; Lewin, C.; Charania, A.; Nordin, H.; Orlič, D.; Butler, D.; Lopez-Fernadez, O. (2016) 'Smart partnerships to increase equity in education'. Educational Technology and Society, 19 . [Link]

Conference Publication

	Year	Publication
	2023	Leahy, M.; Hsu, H. P.; McMorrough, A. (2023) Paper presented at the 2023 Computers in Education Society of Ireland (CESI) Conference *Developing pre-service primary teachers’ confidence and competence in using Virtual Reality* Galway, Ireland,
	2023	Butler, D.; Leahy, M. (2023) *Digital Technologies for Learning, Teaching and Assessment: Tackling the Perennial Problem of Policy and Practice* [Link] [DOI]
	2022	Butler, D.; Leahy, M. (2022) IFIP World Conference on Computers in Education *Digital Technologies for Learning, Teaching and Assessment: Tackling the Perennial Problem of Policy and Practice*
	2021	Leahy, Margaret; Butler, Deirdre; Hsu, Hsiao-Ping; Moynihan, Denis (2021) IFIP TC3 Conference OCCE 2021 DTEL *Building Pre-Service Teachers’ Confidence and Competence in Using Game-Based Learning* Online,
	2020	Butler, D & Leahy, M. (2020) CONSTRUCTIONISM 2020 . In: Tangney, B., Rowan Byrne, J., Girvan eds. *Developing pre-service teachers’ understanding of computational thinking: a constructionist lens* [Link]
	2020	Butler, D., Leahy, M., Hsu, H. P., & Moynihan, D (2020) Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference. Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE) *Impact of pre-service teachers’ gaming behaviours on their confidence and competence in applying game-based learning approaches: Implications for Teacher Educators*
	2020	Shonfeld, M., Knezek, G., Starkey, L., Christensen, R., Ng, C.Y., Butler, D., Leahy, M., Twinning, P., Phillips, M. and Yildiz, M (2020) Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference *EDUsummIT Symposium SITE 2020-Learners and learning contexts: New alignments for the digital age*
	2020	Butler, D.; Leahy, M. (2020) *Using Classroom Practice as “an Object to Think with” to Develop Preservice Teachers’ Understandings of Computational Thinking* [Link] [DOI]
	2020	Butler, D., Leahy, M., Hsu, H.P., & Moynihan, D. (2020) Proceedings of Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference . In: D. Schmidt-Crawford (Ed.) eds. *Impact of pre-service teachers’ gaming behaviours on their confidence and competence in applying game-based learning approaches: Implications for Teacher Educators. In , (pp. 1664-1671). Online:* Online, https://www.learntechlib.org/primary/p/215942/
	2018	Leahy, M., Butler,D., Mc Quaid, D., Ryan, R. & Tormey F. (2018) Proceedings of Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference, Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE) *Introducing Computational Thinking to Primary School Classrooms in Ireland: A Constructionist Approach*
	2018	Voogt, J., Lai, K.W., Knezek, G., Christensen, R., Forkosh Baruch, A., Grinshkun, V., Grigoryev, S., Shonfeld, M., Smits, A., Henrikson, D., Henderson, M., Uvarov, A., Philips, M., Webb, M., Niederhauser, D., Mishra, P., Leahy, M., Butler, D. & Strijker, A. (2018) Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference . In: E. Langran & J. Borup eds. *Part 1: Rethinking Learning in the Digital Age – Implications for Teacher Education*
	2017	Butler, D.; Leahy, M.; Hallissy, M.; Brown, M. (2017) *Scaling a model of teacher professional learning – harnessing MOOCS to recreate deep learning conversations* [Link] [DOI]
	2016	Butler, D.; Leahy, M.; Hallissy, M.; Brown, M. (2016) ASCILITE 2016 - Conference Proceedings - 33rd International Conference of Innovation, Practice and Research in the Use of Educational Technologies in Tertiary Education: Show Me the Learning *Embedding classroom practice in a 21st Century Learning Design (21CLD) MOOC framework* [Link]
	2016	Butler, D., Leahy, M., Hallissy, M., & Brown, M. (2016) Proceedings of the International Conferences on Internet Technologies & Society 2016, Educational Technologies 2016 and Sustainability, Technology and Education 2016 *Scaling a Model of Teacher Professional Learning – to MOOC or not to MOOC?*
	2016	Davis, N., Leahy, M., Charania, A., Nordin, H., Orlic, D., Lewin, C. & Lopez-Fernandez, O (2016) Proceedings of Global Learn 2016. Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (This paper received an award for ‘Outstanding Paper’) *Smart Partnerships in Education: What are they?*
	2015	Butler, D & Leahy, M (2015) Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference *Towards the development of a new Digital Strategy for Schools in Ireland*
	2015	Leahy, M. & Butler, D. (2015) Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference *Key Elements of a Sustainable Framework for Teacher Professional Learning*
	2011	Leahy, M (2011) Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference *Meaning Making Practices in the Construction of Multomodal Digital Texts*
	2011	Shear, L., Butler, D. & Leahy, M (2011) Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference *Examining the Artifacts of Classroom Practice: 21st Century Learning Rubrics for Teacher Professional Development*
	2011	Butler, D. & Leahy, M. (2011) Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference *Sharing Classroom Practices: A Scalable, Sustainable Model of Teacher Professional Development for Learning in the 21st Century*
	2011	Leahy, M. & Butler, D. (2011) Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference *21st Century Learning Rubrics: A Catalyst towards School-Level Innovation*
	2010	Butler, D., & Leahy, M. (2010) *Job-embedded professional development: Moving traditional education toward innovation in Ireland*
	2010	Butler, D. & Leahy, M (2010) Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference *Moving Towards Innovation: The development of a sustainable framework for teacher professional development*
	2007	Butler, D., & Leahy, M. (2007) Using DV to create online digital video book reviews *Proceedings of the Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education Conference (SITE2007)*
	2007	Butler, D. & Leahy, M (2007) Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education Conference (SITE2007 *Using DV to create Online Digital Video Book Reviews*
	2007	Leahy, M (2007) Proceedings of Society of Information and Communications Technology in Teacher Education (SITE) *Clayanimation as a Bridge to Storytelling*
	2005	Butler, D. & Leahy, M (2005) Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education Conference *The TeachNet Ireland Project as a Model of Professional Development for Teachers*
	2002	Leahy, M & Twomey, D (2002) International Federation for Information Processing, Working Group 3.5 Conference on Informatics and Elementary Education *Using Web Design with Pre-service Teachers as a means of creating a Collaborative Learning Environment*

Conference Contribution

	Year	Publication
	2023	Hsu, H-P, Leahy, M, McMorrough, A (2023) Computers in Education Society of Ireland (CESI) Developing pre-service primary teachers confidence and competence in using Virtual Reality Galway, .
	2022	Leahy M.; Butler, D. (2022) IFIP World Conference on Computers in Education Symposium: Informatics in Primary Education: Approaches, Current Issues and Lessons Learnt IFIP World Conference on Computers in Education, .
	2022	Leahy, M.; Butler, D. (2022) ESAI Conference Digital Strategy for Schools (2015-2020) – Where to from here?? ESAI Conference, Dublin, .
	2021	Butler, D., Leahy, M., Hsu, H. P. & Moynihan, D. (2021) 2021 IFIP TC3 Conference Building Pre-Service Teachers’ Confidence and Competence in Using Game-Based Learning Tampere, Finland, .
	2021	Butler, D., Leahy, M., Hsu, H.P., & Moynihan, D. (2021) Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference Impact of pre-service teachers’ gaming behaviours on their confidence and competence in applying game-based learning approaches: Implications for Teacher Educators Online, USA, .
	2020	Leahy, M., Butler, D., & Broderick, N. (2020) Open Conference on Computers in Education (OCCE) 2020, IFIP TC3 IGGniting STEM in Irish Girl Guides Mumbai, India, .
	2020	Webb, M., Fluck, A., Lewin, C., Bescherer, C., Butler, D. & Leahy, M. (2020) Open Conference on Computers in Education (OCCE) 2020, IFIP TC3 Learners and learning contexts: New alignments for the digital age - Outcomes from EDUsummIT 2019 Mumbai, India, .
	2019	Margaret Leahy (2019) LeaP, ITE Symposium 2019 -Learners as Producers Keynote Presentation New Dehli, India, 01/07/2019-02/07/2019.
	2018	Leahy, M., Butler,D., Mc Quaid, D., Ryan, R. & Tormey F. (2018) SMEC 2018. Science and Mathematics Education Conference Bringing Computational Thinking into STEM Education in Primary School Hosted by CASTeL, Centre for the Advancement of STEM Teaching and Learning. Dublin City University, .
	2017	Lai, K-W., Butler, D., Leahy, M., Lewin, C., Passey, D., Shonfeld, M., Twinning, P. & Webb, M. (2017) World Conference on Computers in Education Rethinking learning in a digital age: Connecting research, practice and policy making. Symposium Dublin, .
	2017	Butler, D., Leahy, M., Hallissy, M., and Brown, M (2017) World Conference on Computers in Education Scaling a model of teacher professional training - Can we recreate deep learning conversations live online Dublin, .
	2016	Davis, N., Lewin, C., Leahy, M., Charania, A,. Correia, A., Kato, Y. (2016) SaITE 2016 International Federation of Information Processing TC3 Joint Conference Symposium. Smart Partnerships in Education: What are they and what do they look like? Portugal, .
	2016	Leahy, M. & Butler, D (2016) SaITE 2016 International Federation of Information Processing TC3 Joint Conference Smart Partnerships to build a sustainable framework for teacher professional learning Guimarães,Portugal, .
	2016	Butler, D., Hallissy, M., Donlon, E., Leahy, M., Hurley, J. & Brown, M. (2016) Irish Learning Technology Association (ILTA):EdTech2016 21CLD MOOC: A Triarchic Response to Teacher Professional Learning Dublin, .
	2016	Leahy, M., Charania, A., Davis, N., Lewin, C., & Correia, A (2016) SaITE 2016 International Federation of Information Processing TC3 Joint Conference Smart partnerships in education: What are they and what do they look like? Guimarães,Portugal, .
	2012	Leahy, M. (2012) University of London: Doctoral Summer School Conference Constructions of Technology-Mediated Technology: A Case Study of Disadvantaged Primary School in Ireland Institute of Education, London, .

Published Report

	Year	Publication
	2023	Murphy, C., Venkat, H., Leahy, M., Broderick, N., Kelly, O., Butler, D., Harbison, L., Lawlor, C., & Naughton, Y. (2023) STEM Education curriculum & literature overview and primary science Education systematic literature review. NCCA, .
	2023	Kennedy, E., Shiel, G., French, G., Harbison, L., Leahy, M., Ó Duibhir, P., & Travers, J. (2023) Towards a New Literacy, Numeracy and Digital literacy Strategy: A review of the Literature. Department of Education, . [Link] https://www.gov.ie/pdf/?file=https://assets.gov.ie/256086/907a34c9-f95d-4cf1-af52-35589b066d8e.pdf#page=null
	2022	Dwyer, B.; Leahy, M.; Donlon, E.; Giblin, F.; O (2022) Pedagogical strategies, approaches and methodologiesto support digital literacy. A review of the literature. Department of Education, . [Link] [DOI]
	2022	Butler, D.; Leahy, M. (2022) Baseline Report: Towards a Successor Digital Strategy for Schools to 2027. Department of Education Commissioned Report. Department of Education, . [Link]
		Butler, D. & Leahy, M. Being a Digital Learner. National Centre for Curriculum and Assessment, .
	2018	Cosgrove, J., Duggan, A., Shiel, G. and Leahy, M. (2018) Digital learning framework trial evaluation: Final report. Digital learning framework trial evaluation: Final report, . [Link]
	2018	Cosgrove, J., Ní Chobhthaigh, S., Shiel, G. & Leahy, M (2018) Digital Learning Framework Trial Evaluation: Baseline Report. Educational Research Centre, .
	2014	Cosgrove, J, Butler, D., Leahy, M., Shiel, G., Kavanagh, L. & Creaven, A (2014) Summary Report on the 2013 ICT Census in Schools. St. Patrick’s College of Education, Education Research Centre, .
	2014	Cosgrove, J, Butler, D., Leahy, M., Shiel, G., Kavanagh, L. & Creaven, A (2014) Report on the 2013 ICT Census in Schools. St. Patrick’s College of Education, Education Research Centre, .

Reports

	Year	Publication
	2014	Butler, D. & Leahy, M (2014) Evaluation of Personalised Professional Training Pathways for VET Teachers: ePathways. REPORT
	2010	Butler, D. & Leahy, M (2010) Evaluation of EACEA Lifelong Learning Programme: eTQF – A framework to support teachers’ continuing professional development in the use of ICTs. REPORT
	2009	Butler, D. & Leahy, M (2009) Microsoft Innovative Schools Program Evaluation: Year Two Report – Ireland, in collaboration with Stanford Research Institute on behalf of Microsoft. REPORT
	2009	Butler, D. & Leahy, M (2009) Evaluation of European Pedagogical Information and Communication Technologies License (EPICT) pilot project. REPORT
	2008	Butler, D. & Leahy, M (2008) Microsoft Innovative Schools Program Evaluation: Year One Report – Ireland, in collaboration with Stanford Research Institute on behalf of Microsoft. REPORT
	2007	Butler, D. & Leahy, M (2007) Microsoft Innovative Schools Program Evaluation: Baseline Report – Ireland, in collaboration with Stanford Research Institute on behalf of Microsoft. REPORT

Gov. Report or Document

	Year	Publication
	2013	Butler, D., Leahy, M., Shiel, G., and Cosgrove, J. (2013) Building Towards a Learning Society: A National Digital Strategy for Schools. Dublin: GOV [Link]

Committees

	Committee	Function	From / To
	IFIP TC3.3	Research into Educational Applications of Information Technologies This working group provides a forum to identify issues and priorities for research and to map research policies arising from the differing cultures in IFIP Member countries. https://www.ifip-tc3.org/	01/07/2019 - 01/07/2025

Research Projects

Title	Role	Start date	End date
IGGnite STEM (Irish Girl Guides engaging with STEM )		21/04/2018	10/11/2018
ICT Census of Schools		01/01/2012	01/07/2013
Supporting the Development of Preservice and Inservice Teacher Education in Kosovo		01/06/2011	01/06/2014
Development of a Sustainable CPD framework		01/09/2010	01/06/2012
Digital Learning Peer Coaching (DLPC)		01/09/2009	01/06/2011
Innovative Schools Project Scholarship fund	National Evaluator	01/10/2007	01/06/2009
Innovative School Programme (ISP) Evaluation	National Evaluator	01/10/2007	01/07/2009

Teaching Interests

Teaching interests centre on what being digital in learning can mean and how teachers at all levels can meaningfully use the extensive range of digital tools available in the 21st century. I am also interested in qualitative research methods.

I teach across a range of undergraduate and postgraduate modules on the BEd, PMEP, MEd and EdD programmes in both areas of interest:

EDU1050 (Designing and Learning with Digital Technologies)
ED9029 (Translating Policy to Practice)
EDU1175 (Foundations in STEM Education)
EDU1000 (Qualitative Research Methods)
EDU1181 (Research Methods 1 - Qualitative Research)

Modules Coordinated

	Term	Title	Subject
	2022	Enabling Learning	ED8039
	2022	Meaning Making with Multimedia	SG207