Teaching and Learning Enhancement Fund 2018 - Project Reviews
2019-10-25 09:00 - 17:00 UTC
On Friday, 25 October you have the opportunity to watch a live-stream of the second set of 2018 National Forum Teaching and Learning Enhancement Fund projects. The live-stream will be available for all 8 project review presentations starting at 9.00 until 14.40.
These projects were selected for funding as new initiatives with the potential to enhance teaching and learning in Irish higher education. All of the projects reflect one of the National Forum’s four strategic priorities. Each presentation takes 15 minutes and might provide the spark for ideas for projects you have been considering as well. Please join us if you can and share in all the new ideas and innovative activity taking place.
View schedule for the day

International Review Panel
Christian Tauch
Head of the education department of the German Rectors’ Conference .
Christian Tauch worked at the University of Ulster in Northern Ireland and at the European University Institute in Florence/Italy before joining the Technical University of Dresden (Germany) as director of the International Office. From 1995 to 2005 he was head of the international department of the German Rectors Conference in Bonn and from 2006 till 2010 he worked in the higher education unit of the European Commission in Brussels. Since then he is back with the German Rectors‚ Conference, where he is in charge of the education department, dealing inter alia with the implementation of the Bologna Process in German higher education institutions, qualifications frameworks, the shift from teaching to learning‚ how to increase completion rates in HE, cooperation with employers‚ associations on higher education issues, etc. Diane Schmitt
Senior Lecturer in EFL/TESOL (retired), Nottingham Trent University.
Diane Schmitt was a Senior Lecturer in EFL/TESOL for 25 years at Nottingham Trent University. She taught on the MA in English Language Teaching and a range of English for Academic Purposes courses. She has previously served as Chair of BALEAP, Chair of the Programme Quality Committee for NCUK and as a member of the TOEFL Committee of Examiners. She regularly presents, publishes or consults on the following areas: academic writing, plagiarism, vocabulary acquisition, language testing, materials development, the international student experience and fostering language development in English Medium Instruction contexts. Therese Zhang
Deputy Director for Higher Education Policy, European University Association (EUA), Brussels
Thérèse Zhang is the Deputy Director for Higher Education Policy at the European University Association (EUA). She works on topics related to learning and teaching and the development of pedagogies, European policy developments in higher education, and global relations with other regions of the world.
Thérèse has been active in higher education policy/management and, more generally, project management in education and culture, for over fifteen years. When she first joined EUA in 2008, she focused on quality management and institutional development, with responsibilities in various projects and in EUA’s Institutional Evaluation Programme. As a Project Manager at the Belgian French-speaking quality assurance agency, she coordinated evaluations and contributed to developing evaluation methodologies. Her earlier experience includes serving as a French teacher for several years.
Thérèse holds Master’s degrees in Romance Philology and in European Studies, as well as a teaching degree from the Université catholique de Louvain, Belgium. She completed part of her studies at the University of Bologna, Italy. She also conducted research on postcolonial studies as a Visiting Scholar at Brown University, United States. Teun J. Dekker
Professor of Liberal Arts and Sciences Education University College Maastricht
Teun J Dekker (1980) is Professor of Liberal Arts and Sciences Education at University College Maastricht, where he teaches courses on the intersection of the Social Sciences and the Humanities, including History of Political Thought and Distributive Justice in Contemporary Political Philosophy. As Professor of Liberal Arts and Sciences Education, he conducts theoretical and philosophical research concerning the nature of Liberal Arts education in the European context, as well as its social, political, and educational significance, and seeks to promote liberal education throughout Europe. Kevin McStravock
Deputy President/ Vice President for Academic Affairs, Union of Students in Ireland
Kevin McStravock is the Vice President for Academic Affairs for the Union of Students in Ireland (USI). Prior to joining USI in July 2019, Kevin served as a student officer for Ulster University Students’ Union (UUSU) for three years, of which he served two as the overall President of the Students’ Union.

Kevin is a Journalism with French graduate, and an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy in the UK. Kevin has served on a number of boards and committees during his time in the student movement, including serving as a member of the Student Advisory Committee for the Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) in the UK

Evidence Based Strategies for Those Who Teach International Students
2019-10-29 10:00 | Letterkenny Institute of Technology (LyIT), Ireland
Learning Outcomes

Examine evidence of strategies to support staff in teaching international students
Develop strategies for student success
Explore best practice across the sector

Infusing Critical Thinking into Undergraduate Business Programmes
2019-10-29 10:00 - 16:00 | TU Dublin, City Campus, Ireland
Learning Outcomes

Explore the relationship between critical thinking, reflective practice and writing
Share experiences of critical thinking in action across business disciplines
Develop ideas for infusing critical thinking into the undergraduate Business curriculum and learn how to integrate it into classroom and online teaching
Apply critical thinking in the process of programme level assessment
Appraise the scholarship supporting this necessary skill

Assessment and Feedback at the Module and Programme Level
2019-10-31 10:00 | TU Dublin, City Campus, Ireland
Learning Outcomes

Identify key concepts underpinning Programme
Focused Assessment (PFA) that draw upon key findings/recommendations from the UK TESTA project www.testa.ac.uk and the TU Dublin LEAF Teaching Fellowship (Leading Enhancement of Assessment & Feedback)
Review and rethink programme based assessment and Feedback strategies at institutional, programme and module level, taking into account current research findings within the context of existing institutional subject disciplinary practices
Identify key assessment and/or feedback challenges/issues as a collaborative enterprise and work together to develop a sustainable assessment enhancement action plan that is appropriate for the needs within their subject discipline and across a programme
Contribute to institutional strategies that focus on developing a methodology to support programmes/departments/schools to enhance assessment and feedback at a programme level

World Conference on Online Learning 2019
2019-11-03 - 2019-11-07 | Dublin Convention Centre, Spencer Dock, N Wall Quay, North Wall,, Dublin 1, Dublin, Ireland
The 28th ICDE World Conference on Online Learning in Dublin, Ireland is now less than a year away and the team in National Institute for Digital Learning (NIDL) at Dublin City University (DCU) has been busy over recent weeks preparing for the conference. They promise a truly unique Irish experience along with an exciting and engaging conference programme. The call for papers opens on Monday 19th November and in the context of the conference theme of “transforming lives and societies’ there will be a range of opportunities for participants to discuss many of the contemporary issues facing today’s educators. But there will also be plenty of opportunities for delegates to mix socially and enjoy the sights and delights of Dublin. Watch out over the next few months for further news and updates, including how to enter a special monthly draw to win tickets to visit the iconic Guinness Storehouse during your stay in Dublin.
The National Forum is delighted to be a sponsor of this event.
Visit https://wcol2019.ie for more information.

Open Course: Getting Started with Professional Development – PACT
2019-11-05
We are delighted to announce that CCT and WIT are teaming up in partnership with the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education to facilitate the Digital Badge for PACT in a fully online format this Autumn/Winter. This course was developed by the National Forum as part of the Forum’s open courses initiative. The course will run for 6 weeks from Nov 5th 2019 and will provide participants with a strong introduction to the Professional Development Framework for all who teach
Registration closes Friday, 1 November 2019
Click here for more information including online registration

Promoting Inclusivity through Universal Design for Learning
2019-11-06
Learning Outcomes

Identify and understand the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL)
Discuss the advantages of applying UDL in third level education
Evaluate approaches to UDL taken in other institutions and note successes and challenges in implementing UDL principles in different settings
Apply UDL principles in their own practice to promote and implement an inclusive teaching and learning environment

Webinar: Learning Analytics: Innovative Practices
2019-11-06 12:30 - 13:30
This event has passed. Click here to view the recording.
In line with our key strategic priority focused on student success, the National Forum is delighted to announce the second in our series of learning analytics webinars, which will take place on Wednesday, 6 November from 12:30-13:30. The purpose of this event, which is open to all, is to highlight a number of innovative learning analytics initiatives that will be of interest to staff who teach and policymakers/managers in higher education institutions who wish to learn more about how data can be used to enhance student success.
Topics will include investigating how to achieve effective interventions prompted by LA data (Erasmus+ Onwards from Learning Analytics (OfLA) project), the use of low stakes formative quizzes to dynamically inform impactful teaching design (WIT). We will also see how data is being used to coordinate module assessments, manage students’ workload and identify students that may be at risk (DCU).
In addition to giving participants an opportunity to hear more about good practices in other institutions, this webinar will also enable them to connect with colleagues across the sector who may share areas of interest or expertise in relation to data-enabled student success.
The recording of our first LA webinar, Learning Analytics: What Works? is available here.
Registration
To register for this webinar, please click here.
Questions can be directed to Lee.OFarrell@teachingandlearning.ie.

Millennial Students' Digital Content Consumption Habits Explored
2019-11-06 18:00 - 20:00 | Waterford Institute of Technology, Ireland
Learning Outcomes

Recognise student’s digital habits and how they are spending their time online
Reflect on the platforms that 15 to 25 year olds are regularly interacting with
Develop an appreciation of the content preferences of the digital generation
Investigate how the format of communications has changed
Gain insight into student’s expectations of technology in learning in higher education

Clarifying the Role of the Work Placement Tutor/Preceptor
2019-11-07 09:30 | Institute of Technology Carlow, Ireland
Learning Outcomes

Develop a deeper understanding of how teaching and learning occurs within a placement setting
Appraise the roles and responsibilities of the tutor/preceptor and student throughout the placement process
Demonstrate an understanding of how assessment and feedback can enhance student success within a placement setting
Identify challenges and design and implement support strategies for students experiencing difficulty on placements
Develop and disseminate resources suitable for supporting work placement students and tutors

Exploring the Role of Higher Education in Supporting the Emerging Social Enterprise Sector
2019-11-08 09:30 - 13:30 | Waterford Institute of Technology, Ireland
Learning Outcomes:

Discuss the growing importance of social enterprise to the Irish economy
Debate the role of HEIs in the development, recognition and legitimacy of the social enterprise sector through curriculum development and other teaching and learning initiatives
Assess the scope for HEIs partnering with Social Enterprises on curriculum-related projects e.g., applied undergraduate and postgraduate project work, case studies of local and regional social enterprises etc.
Explore how HEIs can build the capacity of people already working within the social enterprise sector
Create a community of practice for HEI staff with a remit or interest and/or engaged in social enterprise

Nurturing our Ethical Sensibilities as Learners, Teachers, Researches and Supervisors
2019-11-08 09:45 - 15:30 | University College Cork, Ireland
Learning Outcomes

To share good practice on how we nurture our own and our students’ ethical sensibilities
To acquire skills of reflection and practical tools for ethical thinking, reflection and analysis useful for our fields of teaching, research and student support
To explore understanding of the ‘every day’ ethics generated by different kinds of research, much of which does not require ethical review
To appreciate the ethical challenges posed by emerging kinds of research including technologically based research methodologies, ethical leadership and decision making, big data mining etc
To explore and discuss diverse ethical frameworks, which can better enable us to assess the ethics of new practices of research inquiry

How can Educators Inspire Authentic Online Engagement?
2019-11-12 09:30 | University College Cork, Ireland
Learning Outcomes

Define “authenticity” in online engagement
Discuss the benefits and challenges of instructor presence
Appraise the value of a social and cognitive presence
Assess the uses of appropriate technologies to meet learning outcomes
Plan authentic activities to engage with performances of learning outcomes

Learning Analytics and the Possibilities to Enhance Learning
2019-11-15
Learning Outcomes:

Develop a broad understanding of Learning Analytics and its relevance across all levels of an educational institution
Learn how to think about data in relation to enhancing student success
Learn how to get started by exploring Learning Management System analytics
Develop the ability to use Learning Analytics to create a holistic feedback cycle for students

Thinking and Learning Across Disciplines in Doctoral Education
2019-11-22 10:00 | Waterford Institute of Technology, The Gallery, Ireland
Learning Outcomes

Participants will have an opportunity to meet and create networked relationships across the disciplines amongst existing and aspiring doctoral educators
Participants will appraise the key considerations and challenges when developing doctoral programmes that enable students to think beyond their own discipline
Participants will evaluate key trends and developments in creating opportunities for students to communicate across traditional disciplinary divides
Participants will be able to assess and critique different approaches to the development of new and different skills and perspectives to support moving from disciplinary through multi
disciplinary to interdisciplinary outcomes
Participants will articulate and share their key questions/concerns and challenges regarding cross
disciplinary thinking and learning in doctoral education

Religions and Beliefs in Changing Times (RBCT): Responses to Religious Belief Diversity in Educational Settings in the Republic of Ireland
2019-11-27 10:00 - 15:00 | Mary Immaculate College, Ireland
Learning Outcomes:

Learn how to use innovative methodologies and new approaches, e.g. belief circles, to explore personal beliefs (philosophical, secular, religious, spiritual, financial and political)
Explore how to bring “beliefs” into educational spaces in a safe, learning environment whereby students are not humiliated, marginalised or excluded by expressing their beliefs
Engage with the discomfort or reluctance that sometimes arises when addressing questions about a range of beliefs and values, particularly in classrooms
Inform professional practice and gain insight on how to encourage students to engage in practices of listening and dialogue, without imposing or requiring consensus or agreement
Reflect on the use of creative, engaging and experiential approaches to pedagogy and education that seek to put the voices of children and young people at the heart of their practice

Engaging Students in Partnership with Staff in Learning and Teaching
2019-11-28
Learning Outcomes:

Examine the potential benefits of the Students as Partners approach to enhance the learning experience
Explore the challenges of whole cohort involvement as students as partners
Discuss the variety of levels of student participation in curriculum design
Evaluate the participation matrix of student participation and its applicability in delegate programmes

Developing Digital Graduate Attributes Within, Across and Beyond the Curriculum
2019-11-29 10:00 - 16:00 | National College of Ireland, Ireland
Learning Outcomes

Share conceptions and experiences of embedding digital graduate attributes within, across and beyond the curriculum
Explore the Digital Creative Attributes Framework (DCAF) development and implementation experience at UAL
Investigate the DCAF toolkit for staff and students and reflect on how it might inform institutional practices
Identify opportunities for the development of personal practice and develop a brief action plan

Learning Connections 2019: Spaces, People, Practice
2019-12-06 | University College Cork
The Learning Connections Conference will take place in University College Cork on 6 December 2019. This conference will bring together learners, teachers, architects, designers and all who support teaching, from across third level institutions: from universities; institutes of technology; community; industry; government agencies; policy makers; and regulators, under the frame of learning connections. The conference is underpinned by the following research questions:

How can we connect across disciplinary boundaries, and break down barriers between academia, administration, community and industry to strive for optimal student learning in Third Level Institutions?
How can learning in different spaces – physical, active, virtual, off campus, enable all students, as global citizens, to think through and solve big problems?

Over the two days, delegates will examine the science of pedagogy as it interacts with architecture to enhance student learning and enable student success. Thinking through these ideas will involve participation and interaction from educators, researchers, students, architects, engineers, community partners, industry leaders and others. There will be an opportunity to explore the learning environments of the future, both physical and digital, and to explore the complex relationship between space and learning.
The National Forum is delighted to sponsor of this event.
For more information, see here.

Translation in Language Teaching: Rethinking the Role of Translation in Third-level Language Learning
2019-12-09 11:00 - 16:00 | University College Cork, O’Rahily Building, Ireland
Learning Outcomes

To consider the plethora of concepts, terms and approaches related to translation in language teaching (TILT) and how these may be connected with the reconceptualization of translation in language pedagogy
To develop teaching and learning pedagogies that employ audio
visual translation to exploit the increasingly multilingual repertoires of students in order to foster their plurilinguistic competency and appreciation
To consider ways in which we can develop translation pedagogies for third level language instruction that develop learners’ communicative and mediation strategies as advocated by the Common European Framework for Language Learning and provide a basis for further intercultural and plurilinguistic reflection
To explore a variety of ways in which cultural and linguistic mediation can be assessed through translation both formatively and summatively

Enhancing Student Engagement: Implementing Active Learning Strategies
2019-12-10 10:00 - 15:00 | TU Dublin, Blanchardstown Campus, Ireland
Learning Outcomes

Develop and produce a personal definition of Active Learning
Hand
pick a selection of Active Learning Strategies to utilize in your own Practice
Produce an action plan for implementing at least one Active Learning Strategy for one of your own subjects/topics or lesson
Construct a clear path to achieving the learning outcomes for your selected subject/topic or lesson using your chosen Active Learning Strategy
Outline a method of evaluating/measuring the effectiveness of your Active Learning Strategy for achieving the learning outcomes

HELLIN Conference 2019
2019-12-11
The Higher Education Lifelong Learning in Ireland Network (HELLIN) is an all island body that advocates for the interests of the adult and mature student populations in universities and institutes of technology across the island North and South.
This year’s HELLIN conference, which takes place in Waterford Institute of Technology on 11th December 2019, will focus on how Lifelong Learning can help prepare us for our Future World. The conference aims to explore how Lifelong Learning is responding to a changing external environment and how shifts in policy, practice and innovations are helping shape our future. The HELLIN conference is an opportunity for researchers, practitioners, learners and policy makers to discuss these shifts, share practice and research and debate the issues facing all those involved in Lifelong Learning. The conference themes are:

Policy
The Future for Lifelong Learning
New Life and Work Trajectories; Re-balancing social and human capital in Lifelong Learning
International policy developments to support Lifelong Learning

Practice
The Changing Role of the Lifelong Learning Practitioner
How the Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) can facilitate access for Lifelong Learners
Emerging practice, methodologies and pedagogies in Lifelong Learning

Innovation
Partnership and collaboration for Lifelong Learning
How can technology support Lifelong Learning?

The National Forum is delighted to sponsor of this event.
For more information, see here.

Enhancing Intercultural Communication in Teaching and Learning Practice
2019-12-11 10:00 - 15:00 | St Patrick’s, Carlow College, United States
Learning Outcomes

Demonstrate knowledge of practices and approaches to enhance teaching competencies in culturally diverse learning environments
Identify principles and practices of intercultural communication
Apply skills to promoting intercultural communication in teaching and learning practice
Critically reflect on individual teaching practice

Inspirational and Transformative Teaching - Theory to Practice
2019-12-12 10:00 - 13:00
Learning Outcomes
Participants will be able to:

Define transformative and inspirational teaching within their own disciplinary context.
Consider the challenges of transformative teaching across the disciplines.
Explore avenues and possibilities for the development of strategies to demonstrate and employ this into their practice.
Evaluate the potential for engagement with interdisciplinary/inter-institutional colleagues.

The importance of considering a strategic approach in pursuing cross-disciplinary activities both within and between HEIs
2019-12-16 10:00
Learning Outcomes

Develop an appreciation for the importance of strategic cross
disciplinary activities
Demonstrate a level of understanding of the broad nature of departmental and institutional goals in pursuing cross disciplinary activities
Have experience of group networking and mentoring opportunities in developing strategic priorities for inter disciplinary activities across HEIs

Target Audience

Senior Managers and Academics who have an interest in developing institutional level or departmental level strategic priorities and capacity building across disciplines.

Format

Workshop

Making the Most of Interprofessional Learning - A Professional Development Seminar for Academic and Clinical Staff
2019-12-17 09:00 - 13:00 | University College Cork, Ireland
Learning Outcomes

Identify the challenges associated with the Interprofessional Learning (IPL) development and facilitation for teachers and staff
Engage in interprofessional thinking and planning for IPL academic institutions
Reflect on the principles of IPL to develop students’ interprofessional and clinical skills
Practice new skills developed in IPL facilitation and assessment of/as/for learning
Explore ways in which research can be conducted about how IPL education can impact on IPL practice

Developing Teaching Portfolios
2020-01-06 09:30 | Limerick Institute of Technology, Ireland
Learning Outcomes:

Examine how Teaching Portfolios can play a key role in constructing your Professional Identity
Identify the resources and approaches used in creating a Teaching Portfolio
Discuss approaches on how to incorporate Teaching Portfolios into your teaching practice to become a critically reflective teacher
Outline some tools and resources used for creating and developing Teaching Portfolios

How Good Conflict Can Develop Creative Learning Communities
2020-01-08 10:00 - 16:00 | Cork Institute of Technology, Ireland
Learning Outcomes

Understand the nature and importance of conflict in developing creative learning communities
Be familiar with the Thomas Kilmann Conflict Mode Instrument
Become more aware of your own preferred approach mode
Explore and practice alternative conflict modes with peers
Examine how different approaches to conflict can be harnessed to improve the learning environment for students and for lecturers

Mission Critical: Using 'Critical Moments' not 'At Risk' Students to Flip our View of Student Success using Transitions Pedagogy
2020-01-09 10:00 - 16:00 | Cork Institute of Technology, Ireland
Learning Outcomes

Understand and explore the concept of ‘critical moments’ for students across the lifecycle in your institution
Reflect on how your institution’s knowledge and support of critical moments contrasts across European HE settings
Be introduced to the Transitions Pedagogy model to consider critical moments in the holistic design of curricula as well as student support
Identify and plan the practical/impactful methods/approaches that can reduce unnecessary critical moments and support students in those moments intrinsic to their HE journey

Practical Universal Design for Educators
2020-01-15 09:30 - 13:00 | Dundalk Institute of Technology, Ireland
Learning Outcomes:

Practical application of the principles of Universal Design for Learning (UDL) to digital, blended and classroom-based learning
Evaluation of current teaching practices from a UDL perspective
The synthesis of more inclusive teaching supports and approaches, incorporating the principles of UDL
