This 3 year project, which is funded through the HEA’s Innovation and Transformation Programme, is aimed at enhancing the digital attributes and educational experiences of Irish university students through enabling the mainstreamed and integrated use of digital technologies across the teaching and learning process. The project aims to mainstream digital in teaching and learning activities in Irish Universities, by addressing the professional development of all who teach or support teaching and learning.
Why Digital?
Higher Education is facing a number of challenges that effect teaching and learning. Student numbers are increasing, while the staff/student ratio has decreased. The student population is increasing in diversity and there are demands for increased flexibility in when and how learning opportunities are provided. Digital devices and applications are ubiquitous. To respond to the changes in student population and the increasingly digital environment, educators have to develop their digital skills and adapt to more innovative teaching approaches.
Discipline Focus
The professional development activities emerging from this project will work directly with discipline groups, both intra- and inter-institutional. This means that, rather than working with or building individual technology champions, the needs and goals of a whole group can be addressed, thereby raising the digital skills of the group.
Pedagogy First
At all times, the professional development activities will take a pedagogy first approach, rather than digital skills training. This means starting by identifying the needs and goals of the group before considering how technology could be used to support innovation and change.
The Pilot Phase
The pilot project will run from September to December 2019. The pilot will look different in each institution, based on the existing expertise and resources available, the strategic aims and goals of the institution, the disciplines involved and their needs.
Project Launch
On Thursday 7 November the new IUA Enhancing Digital Teaching and Learning project was launched at the Convention Centre in Dublin.
The launch immediately followed the close of the World Conference on Online Learning.
| Steering Committee | |
|---|---|
| Sharon Flynn | Project Manager for Enhancing Digital Teaching and Learning in Irish Universities, IUA |
| Lewis Purser | Director of Learning & Teaching and Academic Affairs, IUA |
| Billy Kelly | Deputy Registrar/Dean of Teaching and Learning, Dublin City University |
| Theresa Logan-Phelan | eLearning Manager, Academic Practice and eLearning, Trinity College Dublin |
| Prof. Jason Last | Dean of Students, University College Dublin |
| Dr Alison Hood | Dean of Teaching and Learning, Maynooth University |
| Tom O’Mara | Online Learning Project Manager, Office of the Vice-President for Teaching and Learning, University College Cork |
| Dr Mary Fitzpatrick | Acting Dean, Teaching and Learning, Regional Teaching and Learning Advocate, Centre for Teaching and Learning, University of Limerick |
| Dr Iain Mac Labhrainn | Director, Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching, NUI Galway |
| Dr Terry Maguire | Director, National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning |
| Dr Jim Murray | Director of Academic Affairs and Deputy CEO, THEA |
| Kevin McStravock | Vice President for Academic Affairs, USI |
| Nora Trench Bowles | Policy and Research Officer, IUA |
| Project Team (as of August 2019) | |
|---|---|
| Rob Lowney Suzanne Stone | Dublin City University |
| Tom O’Mara* | University College Cork |
| Morag Monro | Maynooth University |
| Marian O’Connor* | University College Dublin |
| Kate Molloy | NUI Galway |
| Julie Byrnes Kevin O’Connor David Hamill | Trinity College Dublin |
| David Moloney | University of Limerick |
*Acting members of project team, pending recruitment