Ep 4: Class Sizes

Ep 4: Class Sizes

Based on the Irish Independent’s article which compares class sizes in primary schools, AI challenges me to analyse the results and I refuse - pointing out that they’re meaningless stats when we already have class sizes that are the highest in the EU. I also try to explain why we have such high class sizes and, naturally, I blame the patronage system, though I can’t blame the Catholic Church this time! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit simonmlewis.substack.com/subscribe [https://simonmlewis.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Ep03: Teacher Holidays

In this episode of "AI Asks Anseo," we go there - teacher holidays. It’s sickening that this is the subject that we’re covering in the third episode because it’s really got little to do with education; but since it’s the main headline from the announced National Convention, I guess we have to cover it. So… (yawn)… Are teacher holidays really as long and leisurely as people think, or is there more to the story? Between me and ChatGPT, we explore the public’s misconceptions about teachers’ time off, the often-overlooked work teachers do during the summer, like professional development and running programs for children with additional needs, and the challenges of communicating these realities to the wider community. The conversation also tackles the complex relationship between education and childcare, and considers creative ideas for restructuring the school year to better serve students, teachers, and families. Tune in for something that I hope goes beyond the usual boring headlines and uncovers the real work and recovery that teaching demands. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit simonmlewis.substack.com/subscribe [https://simonmlewis.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Ep02: The Teacher Shortage

In this second episode, ChatGPT picks an article from the Irish Times and prompts me to explain it, and my thoughts. If there’s an article you’d like ChatGPT to put to me, let me know! Article: https://www.irishtimes.com/ireland/education/2025/07/07/1847-teaching-posts-vacant-amid-supply-crisis-for-new-school-year/ This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit simonmlewis.substack.com/subscribe [https://simonmlewis.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Ep01: The New Primary Curriculum

I was thinking about how much I prompt ChatGPT so I thought I’d give ChatGPT revenge and interview me. I asked it to pick something relevant to primary education in Ireland and it went and picked the new curriculum. Let me know what you think and if you’d like to pick a topic for ChatGPT to prompt me with! This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit simonmlewis.substack.com/subscribe [https://simonmlewis.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]

Teaser: AI Asks Anseo

Welcome to my latest experiment with A.I. where I record a conversation between me and ChatGPT about some aspect of primary education in Ireland. As you’ll hear, it’s not always plain-sailing! The first two episodes go live at the same time and they tackle the new primary curriculum and the teacher shortage. Each episode is short, raw and hopefully informative. This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit simonmlewis.substack.com/subscribe [https://simonmlewis.substack.com/subscribe?utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=CTA_2]