Date: May 14th

Time: 10:30 – 16:00

Venue: Limerick Institute of Technology, Limerick campus

Presenter(s): Keynote speech: Learning independence & innovative pedagogy:

Dr Ivan Moore (UK)

Self-regulation & e-Learning:

Dr Yvonne Cleary (UL), Dr Kerry Greer (MIC), Dr Anne O’Keeffe (MIC)

Self-regulated writing & undergraduates:

Dr Alison Farrell (NUIM), Dr Martin Fitzgerald & Dr Michael Ryan (LIT), Lawrence Cleary & Dr Liam Murray (UL)

Innovative assessment:

Dr John McCarthy (UL), Prof Tom Cosgrove (UL)tbc, Dr Yvonne Delaney (UL)

Event Details:

An aspiration of the Hunt Report (HEA 2011: 11) is that ‘a high-quality student experience should equip graduates with essential generic foundation skills as adaptive, creative, rounded thinkers and citizens’. One of the key barriers to attaining these foundation skills is learners’ ability to self-regulate their learning and become independent learners. Wilde et al (2006: 2) note that ‘undergraduates struggle to cope with the independent and self-directed style of learning expected by higher education institutions’. This becomes more acute when faculty try to use innovative pedagogies, such as group assessments, problem-based learning or reflective assignments. Thus arises a paradox, the more innovative the pedagogy, the greater the transitional obstacle for the undergraduate.

This seminar involves faculty from University of Limerick, Limerick Institute of Technology and Mary Immaculate College sharing the evidence-base from their practice around how to address the challenge of transitioning from transmissive to independent learning. The seminar will open with a keynote speech by Dr Ivan Moore on Learning independence and innovative pedagogy. The challenges involved in helping undergraduates transition from transmissive to independent learning will be further discussed under the following headings: Self-regulation and e-learning, Self-regulated writing and undergraduates, Assessment to gain optimum insight.

Learning Outcomes:

1. A synthesis of the key transitionary teaching challenges when using innovative pedagogy and how best to address these from examples of excellent practice.
2. An audit of best practice in relation to transitioning learners for innovative pedagogy.
3. A deeper understanding of best practice in promoting and sustaining self-regulated learning in higher education and its importance in teaching for transitions.

Contact: Dr Martin Fitzgerald,

Lecturer in Education and Human Development, Centre for Education and Developing Human Potential (CEDHP), Business, Education and Social Sciences Department, LIT Tipperary, Thurles, Co. Tipperary

Tel; 0504 28116

Mobile; 087 2405712

e-mail; martin.fitzgerald@lit.ie