National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education

Embedding threshold concepts in curriculum design
2019-02-21 | Limerick
Learning Outcomes:

Describe the pedagogic principles that underpin Threshold Concepts
Outline the key attributes associated with Threshold Concepts and their application within disciplines
Identify activities that embed the principles of Threshold Concepts into day to day teaching
Discuss approaches for incorporating Threshold Concept into teaching and learning

Eventbrite registration link

Innovative teaching across subjects with digital photographs: An inquiry graphics method
2019-02-19 10:00 - 13:00 UTC | Athlone Institute of Technology, Ireland
Learning Outcomes:

Develop new skills in visual literacy and the use of visual resources in teaching Learn about the latest innovative and engaging approach to visual teaching and learning in higher education termed “Inquiry Graphics”, ahead of the Inquiry Graphics book publication
Understand how to explore difficult concepts with students and colleagues via graphic resources such as photographs, videos, and illustrations
Able to design and develop personal teaching to incorporate visual resources more effectively for teaching and learning purpose

Revisiting "research-led teaching": Integrating teaching and research activities with open science framework
2019-02-19 08:00 - 17:00 | Limerick
Learning Outcomes

Explore definitions of “research-led teaching” and examine one’s own teaching activities through the lens of research (and vice versa)
Identify programme-level opportunities for integration of teaching and research within one’s own discipline(s), including opportunities for inter-institutional collaboration
Demonstrate basic proficiency with key features of Open Science Framework mapped on to core research skills acquired at undergraduate level (e.g., development of a research question and/or hypothesis, conducting literature reviews, and dissemination activities).

First steps to introducing ePortfolio
2019-02-18 | Waterford
Learning Outcomes:

Appraise ePortfolio use in supporting student success in and through their studies
Evaluate current models of ePortfolio use in higher education
Identify approaches to using ePortfolios for teaching, learning and assessment
Examine the facilitators to ePortfolio use
Examine how barrier to ePortfolio use can be addressed

Effective Pedagogic Transformation to Active Blended Learning
2019-02-14 11:00 - 13:00 | Limerick
This seminar by Professor Ale Armellini of the University of Northampton will present and explore the concept of active blended learning (ABL).
ABL denotes activity on the part of teachers and students. A module or a programme is taught through ABL when it deploys consistent use of student-centred activities that support the development of subject knowledge and understanding, independent learning and digital fluency. The seminar will explore possible learning and teaching practices that support this concept. It will provide an understanding of what is meant by contact time in an ABL environment, and will outline an approach that programme teams and module leaders can use to redesign their modules or programmes.
Professor Armellini will challenge the traditional view of blended learning as a combination of online and face-to-face interaction. He will describe how ABL offers the opportunity for higher quality teaching and student engagement inside and outside the classroom in a single but multi-layered “blend”. His seminar will examine how ABL provides a learning environment where students play an active role and are given the opportunity to engage in a variety of ways beyond the traditional seminar room, in the field, in labs, in studios, and in the workplace. The different study modes are scalable and fully integrated rather than comprising different strands of a course running in parallel. The flipped classroom is one element of ABL.
The University of Northampton and Professor Armellini are global thought leaders in ABL, and have put it into practice in their new Waterside campus, which opened in September 2018.

2019 European Learning & Teaching Forum
2019-02-14 - 2019-02-15
The 2019 European Learning & Teaching Forum ‘Towards successful learning: Controversies and common ground’ will take place at the University of Warsaw, Poland on 14-15 February 2019. Paper proposals are currently open until 12 October 2018.
The 2019 Forum builds on the recognition that there is no one-size-fits-all solution for successful learning and teaching. Following the success of the 1st Forum in 2017, this 2nd edition provides an opportunity for higher education stakeholders to discuss challenges and developments and share and explore practices and lessons learnt related to engaging and empowering students and teachers in developing their learning and teaching.
The event will draw on the work of four thematic peer groups comprised of EUA member universities, which have covered the topics of active learning, developing teaching competences, teachers’ career paths and evaluation of learning and teaching. The Forum’s plenary and breakout sessions provide an opportunity for participants to hear the conclusions of these thematic peer groups, as well as to further reflect on how to facilitate better learning and teaching in European universities.
This event will be of interest to vice-rectors for academic affairs, deans, programme directors, academic staff and researchers. The European Learning & Teaching Forum also welcome the participation of students, policy makers and other higher education stakeholders.
To register, please click here. The deadline for the early-bird registration fee is 9 January 2019. After this date, late registration fees will apply.
For further information, please contact the EUA secretariat at LTForum@eua.eu.
European University Association (EUA)
Avenue de l’Yser 24, 1040 Brussels, Belgium
Tel: +32 2 230 55 44

Designing your professional portfolio - Walking the walk with ePortfolios
2019-02-14 | Dublin
Learning Outcomes:

Participants will learn the affordances of eportfolio for recording and reflecting on Continuous Professional Development (CPD)
Participants will be able to identify key elements to include in their own professional portfolio
Participants will be able to select an appropriate technology platform for the development of their professional portfolio
Participants will design a draft professional portfolio which they can continue to develop after the workshop

Eventbrite registration link will be available soon, in the interim please contact the organiser for further information.

Academic Leadership: Programme Focused Assessment, Ruth Whitfield
2019-02-12 12:00 - 14:00 | Limerick
The Programme Assessment Strategies (PASS) project, funded by the National Teaching Fellowship Scheme, aimed to confront a fundamental issue for every HE programme leader:
how to design an effective, efficient, inclusive and sustainable assessment strategy which delivers the key programme outcomes.
Despite several major national initiatives, assessment remains one of the most challenging areas for programme teams.
This interactive workshop will present an overview of the project, consider current assessment issues, explore case studies where programme focused assessment has had positive impact on both student and staff experiences of assessment, and consider its implications for programme leaders.

Forget the learning outcomes, what are students really learning on placement?
2019-02-08 | Limerick
Learning outcomes:

To explore the student/educator relationship
To consider the role of the practice educator in observation based assessment of student placements
To reflect if we impose our own belief systems on students during placement
To consider the implications of these observations for both their personal and course level practice

Aligning learning, teaching and assessment in the design of HE curricula
2019-02-01 | Limerick
Learning Outcomes:

Discuss different theoretical approaches to student assessment and feedback
Apply these approaches to adopt an outcomes based approach to curriculum design
Consider assessment strategies at modular and programmatic levels so that planning for assessment constructively aligns with both the module and programme learning outcomes
Propose methods to ensure the assessment for, as and of learning is embedded in the process and procedures of curriculum and learning design

Eventbrite registration link will be added soon, in the interim please contact the organiser directly for further information.

Street Law
2019-01-31 | Limerick
Learning Outcomes

Develop knowledge of Street Law as a teaching technique in university education
Appreciate how Street Law empowers and engages students to become better learners and how it is an “assessment AS learning
Understand the learner-centred teaching methods that are used in Street Law
Gain a deeper understanding of their own thought processes and self-reflect on their teaching practice
Be prepared to introduce Street Law, or similar discipline-specific, teaching methods into
their own teaching

Towards digital literacy for language teaching and learning: Approaches and practices
2019-01-29 | Limerick
Learning Outcomes

Higher expertise amongst participants on the practical skills necessary for the successful implementation and integration of digital tools and resources
The ability to access and work with training modules and templates to facilitate the integration of tools to work on language skills
A repository of activities for the teaching and learning of languages based on the newly explored framework
Increased synergies between language teaching strategies adopted at secondary and third levels
Direct positive impact on participants’ teaching practices

The Visitor and Resident Framework as a tool for professional development
2019-01-29 | Online
Learning Outcomes:

Participants will be introduced to the concept of the Vistor and Resident (VanR) map
Appreciate the ways that the VandR map can be employed as a professional development tool regarding digital literacy
Develop familiarity with existing VandR resources that will enable them to engage in their own professional development and/or assist others.

Are we ready? Making the shift from delivering the content to being facilitators of learning
2019-01-25 | Dublin
Learning Outcomes:
Participants will be enabled to:

Appraise the reality of the learning contexts for students as they move from postprimary to third level
Reflect on their role as HEI lecturers in making the shift from imparting content through lecture delivery to being facilitators of learning in a student-centered dynamic learning environment
Contribute to a forum for the sharing of good practice by third level expert practitioners
Engage with innovative technological tools that can be used in class to facilitate student engagement
Plan for the student at the center of the learning process and themselves as the facilitator of this learning process

Eventbrite registration link will be available soon, in the interim please contact the organiser directly for further information.

Evidencing teaching achievements effectively
2019-01-23 | Limerick
Learning Outcomes:

To be able to identify and gather appropriate evidence for teaching achievements
To appreciate your own key achievements in teaching and supporting learning, including recognising where you have exercised leadership
To be able to present a teaching achievement effectively in a teaching portfolio

Digital pathways into learning languages
2019-01-18 | Letterkenny
Learning Outcomes:

To highlight the need for a change in mindset at institutional policy level in the IoT sector
To establish a Community of Practice among language experts across the IoT sector
To explore the potential of digital learning platforms in overcoming curricular and timetabling obstacles
To persuade language lecturers of the pedagogical benefits of harnessing new technologies
To establish learning pathways into modern languages for students of diverse academic backgrounds

Student orientation: How innovative practices can improve outcomes for incoming students
2019-01-18 | Dublin
Learning Outcomes:

How to measure Orientation outcomes effectively
How technology may be used to effectively communicate and manage Orientation programmes
How to use technology / VLEs in an innovative way to improve Orientation outcomes
How to incorporate community engagement activities effectively into student Orientation
How extended orientation programmes may be used to enhance the initial Orientation programme

Peer mentoring in higher education - a key to better staff induction
2019-01-10 | Cork, Cork, Cork
Learning Outcomes:

Deepen their understanding of the nature and benefits of peer coaching in enhancing CPD commitment and impact
Gain a heightened awareness of their capacity to listen with unconditional positive regard
Increase their knowledge and expertise in the use of questioning to raise awareness
Develop their skills in offering impactful feedback
Construct an action plan to utilise the workshop content to improve their own communication skills so they can better support their peers and engage in purposeful conversations regarding professional development, development of learning communities and communities of practice

Effectively supporting study transitions to improve student engagement, wellbeing, progression, attainment and success
2019-01-08 | Cork, Cork, Cork
Learning Outcomes:
Participants attending this seminar will:

Examine the student lifecycle, identify key transition points and their associated challenges
Explore possibilities for enhancing student engagement and better preparing students at each stage from FY induction to ‘outduction’
Be introduced to and explore the ‘Student Experience Transitions Model’ that interlinks the key activities of academic, welfare and support. The model provides a framework for colleagues to organise and map out the various types of support required for different students at particular times throughout their journey at university or college
Share practice with colleagues from other institutions and make connections for collaborative projects
Have a facilitated discussion on how student engagement might be best enhanced at different stages from pre-entry to post-graduation

The Power of Imagery in Learning
2018-12-18 | IADT, Dun Laoghaire Institute of Art, Design & Technology, Dublin, Ireland
Learning Outcomes

Explore Multimedia Learning (MML) research which highlights the value of imagery as a constitutive pedagogy for class materials both for F2F lectures and online resources and materials
Be able to access appropriate images with an understanding of copyright issues and concerns
Explore how to incorporate images to better engage students in the learning process and to reduce cognitive stress
Discuss the challenges and benefits of using this methodology in the context of
universal design and inclusive teaching
Explore the use of apposite images to provoke the key constitutive elements of Active Learning.

Exploring alternatives: Critique of the process-product paradigm dominating Teaching Educator Professional Learning (TEPL) in contemporary higher education
2018-12-13 | Limerick
Learning Outcomes:
As a result of this seminar participants will:

Provide an open space to better understand the key assumptions and ideological governance forms underpinning the Process-Product model of Teacher Educator Professional Development operating in contemporary Ireland, Europe and OECD countries
Apply a select literature review in gaining a deeper understanding of the contemporary framing of HEI Policy in TEPL using human capital theory and the contested nature of this worldview in the international literature
Productively debate issues and concerns about academic progression criteria currently presented in western HEIs as a watertight evidence-based solution
Re-consider the purposes of education and teacher educators/educational researcher’s responsibility for the critical, social and heuristic aspects of education and the concept of a democratic society

Using a lightboard for rapid online engagement
2018-12-12 | Galway
Learning Outcomes

Explain how a lightboard studio operates and how they are constructed
Demonstrate best practice for creating short videos for optimal student engagement
Create a reusable online learning object using lightboard technology for use in their own teaching.

Getting started with online teaching
2018-12-10 | Letterkenny
Learning Outcomes:

Develop an understanding of the student perspective of what it is like to study online
Apply principles of online module design including a range of assessment options
Develop online activities and open education resources and approaches to media creation
Experience online facilitation and interaction including some strategies for engaging students in the online space (towards building a learning community)

Eventbrite registration link will be available soon, in the interim please contact the organiser directly for further information.

NF Professional Development Framework workshop & showcase of teaching and learning ePortfolios
2018-12-07 08:00 - 17:00 | Galway
Learning Outcomes

Promote engagement with the Professional Development Framework.
Encourage discipline/programme teams to use the framework to identify training needs and goals to develop staff capacity for change.
A networking and peer learning opportunity to hear from colleagues who are engaged in their own continuous professional development and creation of Teaching and Learning ePortfolios.

Developing an understanding and relevance of open badges for social work learning
2018-12-07 | Sligo
Learning Outcomes:

Preparing staff to learn in digital settings
Develop an understanding of how effective our guidance and support is to learners’ use of digital technology
Understanding of how we are embedding digital experiences into learning programmes
Consider how we engage learners in developing the digital environment
How well are we approaching these issues at the strategic level

A Shannon Consortium dissemination seminar: What we believe: Student stakeholder perspectives on religion, belief & spirituality in third level Irish educational contexts (NI & ROI)
2018-11-29 11:00 - 15:15 | Limerick
Learning Outcomes:

Explore the belief and value contexts students experience in Irish Higher Education Institutions
Reflect on the results of a highly innovative study, which has been conducted across the island of Ireland
Critique contributions from a range other scholars in the related field of education, values, religions and beliefs
Share ‘good practice’ and learning from the research
Explore the implications for student development and preparation for future professional practice

Creating immersive & interactive audio visual environments using new digital technologies in lens-based media production
2018-11-27 - 2018-11-28 | Limerick
Learning Outcome

To gain knowledge and understanding about workflow from planning, to production, and post-production, towards the installation of a video projection mapped artwork for a professional gallery installation and/or outdoor environments
To become skilled, knowledgeable and self-sufficient in producing a large scale audio-visual immersive environments, for indoor and outdoor presentations
To develop skills and workflow principles is using the required hardware and software
To gain authentic industry level professional skill sets, which can be integrated and applied within the curriculum, to prepare students for public exhibition and presentation, using 21st century media, thereby using technology to maximise learning impact
To enrich the teaching and learning experience, by enabling programme teams to learn and gain confidence in exploring new ways of working using new and innovative digital technologies

Teaching & Learning Enhancement Fund 2018 Project Reviews
2018-11-21 - 2018-11-22 | Dublin Convention Centre, Spencer Dock, N Wall Quay, North Wall,, Dublin 1, Dublin, Ireland
Check back soon for recordings of the project reviews 2018

The review of Teaching & Learning Enhancement Fund 2018 project proposals (open forum presentation) will be held on:
21st and 22nd November 2018
Venue: Dublin Convention Centre, Spencer Dock, N Wall Quay, North Wall, Dublin 1 Please note: The Open Forum Session will be live streamed and recorded.

International Review Panel
Agnieszka Mrozek
Head of the Office of Education at Lodz University of Technology; vice-president of the university Board for Quality of Education.
Agnieszka’s life and professional career is connected to Lodz and Lodz University of Technology. She graduated 1991 on master level in Chemical Technology and completed doctoral thesis in 1997 in Chemistry. In 2015 graduated post diploma studies on quality management at higher education.
1993-2016 academic teacher and researcher at the Faculty of Chemistry.
2008-2016 vice-dean for education and students affairs responsible for teaching and learning quality, cooperation with international partners and industry, and innovative curricula.
From September 2016 the head of the Office of Education at the Lodz University of Technology responsible for education, international staff and student exchange, and international educational projects.
Author of a number of papers on crystallography, drug design, data analysis, and environmental management and a supervisor of bachelor and master projects. Awarded with the medal of the Commission of National Education for outstanding contribution to education in Poland. 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. Michael Gaebel
Director of the Higher Education Policy Unit at European University Association
Michael’s unit focuses on issues related to higher education learning and teaching, including the Bologna Process, lifelong learning, e-learning and MOOCs, internationalisation and global dialogue.
When Michael first joined the organisation in 2006, he was in charge of developing EUA’s international strategy and global exchange and cooperation.
Before joining EUA, Michael worked for more than a decade in higher education cooperation and development in the Middle East, the former Soviet Union and Asia. From 2002 to 2006, he was the European Co-Director of the ASEAN-EU University Network Programme (AUNP) in Bangkok. Gillian Moreira
Assistant Professor at the University of Aveiro, Portugal
Gillian holds a Masters in Education and a Doctorate in Culture from this university, having specialised in the cultural relations between the European Union and the United Kingdom, and she teaches in the area of Cultural and Intercultural Studies at the Department of Languages and Cultures.
She is a researcher at the Centre for Languages, Literatures and Cultures at UA and her research has focussed on language education and language policies, interculturality and identity issues, and intercultural competence in contexts of personal and professional mobility. She has participated in conferences and published on these themes, and been involved in national and international projects related to English Language education, the development of plurilingual and intercultural competences and quality enhancement in higher education.
She was pro-Rector at the University of Aveiro (2010 – 2018) with responsibility for the evaluation and accreditation of the study programmes and the enhancement of the teaching and learning experience of students at UA. Oisín Hassan
Vice President for Academic Affairs with the Union of Students in Ireland (USI), a national organisation representing over 374,000 on both sides of the border.
Oisín is a graduate of Queen’s University Belfast in Law with Politics, and has begun an LLM in Law and Governance. He previously served as Vice President Equality and Diversity (2015/16) and Vice President Education (2016/17) in Queen’s University Belfast Students’ Union, before election to USI.
In his role he works on developing the student voice in quality enhancement, building capacity in Students’ Union’s on education policy, and embedding an ethos of students as partners across Ireland. He also works on International Affairs within USI, representing students at the European Students’ Union.
Oisín sits on the Board of the QQI and on the Board of the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning. He also works with various partners of USI, including SUSI, the HEA, and ISSE. He is Chairperson of the National Student Engagement Network set up under NStEP.
Information for Project Teams
Each project team is asked to prepare a presentation of NOT MORE than 15 minutes. Following the presentation, the project teams will take questions from the international review panel and the audience.
ALL PRESENTATIONS MUST BE SUBMITTED IN ADVANCE OF THE REVIEW TO THE NATIONAL FORUM BY 12PM TUESDAY 20TH NOVEMBER.
Click here to view further information including the schedule for the session.
Click here for download the impact report template for project teams

Best practice in student-centred approaches in education and training
2018-11-20 | The Printworks, Dublin Castle, Castle Street, Dublin, Ireland
On Tuesday 20th November 2018, Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI) will host a conference in partnership with HEA, ISSE, IUA, THEA & USI at the Printworks, Dublin Castle for educators and students entitled: Best Practice in Student-Centred Approaches in Education and Training.
This event, supported by the National Forum, is aimed at those interested in Academic Affairs, Teaching & Learning, Student Experience, Quality Assurance, Community Engagement and International Student Learning.
The QQI are currently calling for poster proposals for the conference on the following themes:

Best Practice for Student-Centred Approaches in Ireland – helping Irish HEIS make improvements in student engagement, evidence of impact and interaction.
Student feedback Data – Effective feedback and uses of data (including, but not limited to ISSE) to inform decision-making.
Best Practice for Student-Centred Approaches for International Students – helping HEIS engagement with International student (with an emphasis on the student experience learning outcomes, campus culture, services and supports provided).

Please view the poster call here.
If you are aware of colleagues engaged in activities related to these areas, please feel free to share this with them.
If you would like to attend the event, please register your interest here.

Lets Talk About Assessment in Higher Education
2018-11-12 09:30 - 16:00 | The Alex Hotel, Fenian Street, Dublin 2, Dublin, Ireland
Exploring QQI’s Green Paper on Assessment
On 12 November, Quality and Qualifications Ireland and the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education will jointly host an event bringing together representatives from the higher education and training sector, to discuss issues relating to the assessment of learners and learning.

The main purpose of the event is to provide the opportunity for participants to discuss the current opportunities and challenges of assessment in higher education.
QQI recently published a Green Paper on Assessment. The Green Paper sets out a framework and context for discussing a wide range of assessment issues. It identifies issues of concern and presents ideas about how some of them might be tackled.

Conference participants will be given the opportunity to identify key messages/issues/ideas that should be given consideration in the green paper.

Discussions at the workshops will be informed by QQI’s Green Paper on Assessment of Learners and Learning. This document aims to stimulate discussions between QQI and its stakeholders on key issues in assessment such as:
• Why is assessment important?
• What is our understanding of assessment of learners and learning?
• How does assessment support learning, quality, equality, standards and qualifications?
• What is the use of learning outcomes?
• How do we embrace the concept of assessment of, for and as learning?
• How do current standards and educational awards affect assessment?
• How do practitioners adapt to developments in assessment practice?
• How do we design assessment in the context of diversity of learners, RPL etc?
• How do we engage learners as partners in assessment?
• Can we ensure consistency in assessment of apprenticeships?
• How do we promote and support academic integrity?
Event Details
Let’s Talk About Assessment – Higher Education and Training
Monday 12 November
The Alex Hotel, Fenian Street, Dublin 2
Registration: 9.30 -16.00
Keynote details here
Conference Programme click here.
Event Registration is now Closed.
Green Paper Submissions
The QQI Green Paper on Assessment can be read in full here. Written responses to the Green Paper should be emailed to consultation@qqi.ie no later than 7 December 2018.
