The first enhancement theme of the National Forum focused on transitions into and through higher education. Based on surveys and interviews with FET students, the research summarised in this insight begins to fill an important gap in our understanding of transitions, and it recognises the often substantially different experiences of those entering higher education from school, and those entering from the FET sector.
Assessment OF, FOR and AS Learning is the National Forum’s enhancement theme for 2016- 2018. The National Seminar Series 2015-2016 has already facilitated some initial conversations on this theme. Feedback captured at the National Summit for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education 2015 highlighted the significant changes to assessment practices and policies that could be driven by this enhancement theme.
During 2014/15 the Union of Students (USI) in Ireland, in partnership with the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, undertook a pilot research project to explore students’ experiences of higher education.
This report details an exploration of the current practice relating to the recognition of prior learning in Irish higher education. The research includes a review of the published policies of higher education institutions, their public-facing information as well as an analysis of the details of the mission-based performance compacts outlining goals and objectives for higher education institutions from 2014 to 2016.
In-depth interviews with practitioners in higher education institutions were conducted to explore the implementation of RPL in practice. An exploration of processes relating to identification, evidencing, assessment, and recognition of experiential learning by selected employer professional bodies was undertaken.
One of the key goals of the National Forum is, via wide consultation, to create a digital roadmap to help to guide institutions and organisations in the development of local and national digital strategies and to ensure alignment, coherence and a sense of common endeavour at a sectoral level.
This document is designed to inform and guide senior managers, heads of department, schools or faculties and leaders within the higher education sector. It focuses also on systems-level higher education organisations, as well as representative organisations within the sector which together must take the lead in building digital capacity to enhance teaching and learning across the sector. The roadmap identifies the key priorities for change and provides an informed framework for supporting organisations in addressing these
priorities.
This Forum Insight paper summarises key findings from a piece of qualitative research undertaken by the National Forum to explore the personal and professional approaches to teaching of the first group of Teaching Heroes (2014).
A report commissioned by the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education on Mission-based Performance Compacts and the Realities of Academic Leadership (February 2015).
Exploring students’ perceptions and experiences of impactful, transformative teaching in Irish Higher Education.
Report to the European Commission on Improving the Quality of Teaching and Learning in Europe’s Higher Education Institutions: Insight for Students
Report to the European Commission on New Modes of Learning and Teaching in Higher Education: Insight for Students
