Why Students Leave: Findings from Qualitative Research into Student Non-Completion in Higher Education in Ireland

Report

This project reports on a systematic survey of existing qualitative data on student non-completion gathered by 16 Irish higher education institutions, including Universities, Institutes of Technology and HECA Colleges. The findings of the current qualitative study identified five core themes which are significant in terms of student non-completion: course, personal, financial, medical/health and family. Of these five, course was the strongest influencing factor. Importantly the study calls for a more positive interpretation of non-completion as part of the wider context of students’ career and programme plans. It also suggests that developing systematic and standardised institutional approaches to qualitative data gathering on students who leave will help enhance institutional and policy responses for the future. This study also helps to inform the forthcoming HEA Report 2015 A Study of Progression in Irish Higher Education Institutions 2012/13 2013/14, a quantitative analysis.

Learning Resources and Open Access in Higher Education Institutions in Ireland

Report

This report arises from the findings of a collaborative project led by Dr. Angelica Risquez from the Centre for Teaching and Learning in the University of Limerick. The project was funded by the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning. The project team included Dr. Claire McAvinia, Learning Development Officer, Learning, Teaching and Technology Centre, Dublin Institute of Technology; Dr. Anne O Keeffe, Director of Teaching and Learning, Centre for Teaching and
Learning, Mary Immaculate College, University of Limerick; Ms Catherine Bruen, Technology Enhanced Learning Manager, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland; Ms. Yvonne Desmond, Manager of the Library Central Services Unit, Dublin Institute of Technology; Dr. Pauline Rooney, Learning Development Officer, Learning, Teaching and Technology Centre, Dublin Institute of Technology; Dr. Sharon Flynn, Assistant Director, Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching, National University
of Ireland, Galway; Dr. Deirdre Ryan, Teaching and Learning Officer, Blended Learning Unit and Centre for Teaching and Learning, Mary Immaculate College, University of Limerick; Dr; Fiona Farr, Dean Teaching and Learning, University of Limerick; and Dr Ann Marcus Quinn, University of Limerick. Dr. Ann Coughlan was appointed to the project as Senior Research Fellow at the Centre for Teaching and Learning, University of Limerick.

National Survey on the Use of Technology to Enhance Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, 2014

Report

Surrounded as we are by technologies, in almost every aspect of our lives, it is important that we are able to make sensible decisions about what works and what doesn’t work, about what facilitates and what encumbers and, importantly, about what inspires and encourages learning and creativity. This survey provides invaluable information about the current state of play in our institutions of higher education.