Education Commons^™

Determining "Best Practice" Methodologies In The Pedagogy Of Tourism Related Fieldwork., Kevin A. Griffin

Other resources

This project explores issues around the practice of fieldwork related activity which is undertaken as a teaching and learning methodology in third-level education. The main focus in this project is to glean best practice examples from colleagues who undertake fieldwork in the broad area of Tourism education (encompassing hospitality, leisure and event management), but also related disciplines of Geography and Business/Management. Having initially scoped out the available literature and explored the topic in strategic interviews with colleagues (Irish and international), it appeared that very little work has been undertaken heretofore on the particular angle being investigated – that of planning …

The Development, Implementation And Initial Evaluation Of Tailorable Resource Packs For Multimedia Based "Assessments For Learning"., Barry Ryan

Other resources

In this project a suite of tailorable teaching and learning resources were created, implemented and evaluated. These resources focused on the assessment for learning model, adopting the constructivist approach to learning. Here, the student builds their knowledge, and deepens their understanding, as they complete their assessment. The resources were designed to aid academic adoption, and student implementation, of this model of assessment. The assessment outputs created using these resources were digital videos and network concept maps. The tailorable resources provided a structured and scaffolded environment for both the academic and student to explore this learning space. Both students and academic …

Enhancing Graduate Attributes: A Preliminary Research Study., Eric Bates, Peter Hinch

Reports

The objective of this teaching fellowship research project was to establish if graduate attributes should form part of student education within programmes offered by the DIT. This study was conducted during one semester and concentrated on one aspect of graduate attributes which were interview skills. Two videos were scripted, shot and edited that focused on interviews from the perspective of both the interviewer and the interviewee. These videos were showcased with lecturers whose feedback indicated that some improvements were required. Following those improvements the videos were shown to two student groups for feedback. The videos successfully provoked an awareness of …

Exploring Supports Provided For Student Eportfolio Development In A Professional Development Context, Muireann Okeeffe

Articles

This small scale study aimed to explore and establish if support strategies implemented to enhance student ePortfolios were helpful to students and to identify useful ways of supporting ePortfolio development with future cohorts of students. This action research study was informed through focus group discussion and individual interviews with students.

The importance of reflection for the development professional practice and of creative abilities is discussed. The substantial benefits of creativity within education are investigated and characteristics of creativity that might be developed with students’ ePortfolios are revealed. Specifically this paper seeks to foster Crafts (2011) four characteristics of creativity, pluralities, …

Required Features Of A Virtual Classroom Tool For Use In Higher Education, Arnold Hensman

Articles

The integration of virtual-classroom systems into the arsenal of e-learning tools represents a major evolution in the landscape of modern distance education. For many courses, standard virtual learning environments (VLEs) provide only a foundation upon which to base a distance learning programme. However, synchronous live online-teaching software such as Microsoft Office Communicator and Adobe Connect allow educators to simulate a real-time classroom environment over the internet like never before. Since these tools are being used more and more within higher education, questions must be asked about how effective they ultimately can be in meeting student learning requirements. More importantly, what …

Academics' Views On Personalised E-Learning In Higher Education, Eileen O'Donnell, Mary Sharp, Vincent Wade, Liam O'Donnell

Conference Papers

The challenges for academics in meeting the learning requirements of students are many and varied. This research focuses on the concept of personalised learning, where activities are specifically selected to suit the learning requirements of individual students. The creation of personalised learning activities to suit every student’s learning needs, are not easily achieved. A survey was conducted in June 2012 to determine academics awareness of, and views on, the ‘novel teaching approach’ of personalised e-learning in higher education. Forty academics participated in this study. 60% of academic respondents agreed with the statement: “There is a need to personalise e-learning to …

Developing A Collaborative Virtual Learning Environment Between Students In Cross Disciplines To Meet The New College Structure, Ruairi Hayden, Fiacra P. Mcdonnell

Conference papers

This paper examines a collaborative project between the department of Construction Management and Technology and the departme nt of Quantity Surveying at Technological University of Dublin. The term “collaborative learning” refers to an instruction method in which students at various performance levels work together in small groups toward a common goal. The students are responsible for one another’s learning as well as their own (Dillenbourg, 1999) The objectives of this collaborative project are: 1.Promote interaction between students from different but related courses. 2.Enhance student’s ability to think creatively, solve problems,and make decisions as a team. 3.Evaluate the benefits of using …

Academic Development Perspectives Of Blended Learning, Roisin Donnelly, Claire Macavinney

Books/Book Chapters

Technological advances in every aspect of today’s higher education environment create a forum for academic developers to re-examine existing delivery methods for professional development. Within the context of this case study, the term ‘academic developer’ is taken to encompass the role of learning technologist. In order to be responsive and accommodate the changes, traditional instruction methods are being extended to encompass the range of Web 2.0 tools available. Debate is ongoing in the area of blended learning as to the ultimate effectiveness of technology integration. Through exploration of the experiences of two academic developers involved in the design and delivery …

The High Scope Approach To Early Learning, Geraldine French

Books/Book chapters

Learning Objectives:

After studying this chapter the reader should be able to: • Describe the historical origins, the longitudinal research, and the theoretical underpinnings of the HighScope approach. • Identify the teaching strategies adopted by HighScope educators. • Appreciate the curriculum content. • Understand the HighScope approach to the assessment of children’s learning. • Consider some criticisms of the HighScope research and approach to early learning.

This chapter aims to provide an overview of the HighScope curriculum. It is presented in order of the learning objectives listed above.

Customised Learning Development - An Exploration Of Practice, Roadmap For Employment-Academic Partnerships, Irene Sheridan, John P. Murphy

Reports

No abstract provided.

Action Research For Educators: Learning Innovation., Roisin Donnelly, Nuala Harding, Muireann Okeeffe, Michael Russell

Conference papers

This special purpose award was designed as part of the LIN flexible pathway to a postgraduate diploma in learning teaching and assessment. The certificate was developed by the AIT Learning and Teaching Unit in conjunction with experts from the DIT Learning, Teaching and Technology Centre with the support of the Learning Innovation Network (LIN).

The Use Of Audio Feedback To Develop Deeper Learning In Business Education, Daire Hooper

Conference Papers

It is widely regarded that providing students with feedback is central to their learning (Biggs & Tang, 2007). Traditionally feedback has been given to students either in person or in writing, however, due to advancements in technology, audio is now employed by a small minority of educators in Higher Education (Ice et al., 2007; Merry & Orsmond, 2007; Middleton, 2007; Nortcliffe & Middleton, 2007). Audio feedback is a feedback mechanism whereby feedback is given to students via mp3. To date, research on audio feedback has focused on students’ perceptions of audio as a feedback mechanism, and its ability to increase …

Returning To Ulysses: The Need For Ireland's Higher Education Institutions To Re-Imagine The Provision Of Entrepreneurship Education, Thomas Cooney, Kathleen Farrell, Paul Hannon

Conference papers

This paper is a detailed analysis of entrepreneurship education in Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) on the island of Ireland based on a survey of all twenty-six institutions. The paper examines the number and types of courses and activities currently being offered to students and concludes that the vast majority of the existing provision is quite traditional in its approach. It is further argued that entrepreneurship education needs to be re-imagined if it is to meet the needs of Ireland’s current economic and social challenges, and that educators should seek inspiration from some of the island’s most creative artists from its …

Facilitating Intellectual And Personal Skills Development In Engineering Programmes, Gavin Duffy

Conference papers

Engineering graduates are under increasing pressure to demonstrate high levels of personal skills. The accreditation criteria of professional bodies such as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology (ABET) in the US, Engineers Ireland and Engineers Australia, to name but a few, now include the development of a broad range of personal skills (ABET, 2008; Engineers Australia, 2011; Engineers Ireland, 2007). Evidence of a ‘strong contribution’, a term used by Engineers Ireland, to the development of teamwork, lifelong learning, ethics, communication and self-direction is required in the programme to satisfy the accreditation criteria. Numerous anecdotes of intensive probing for personal …

Old Tribes, New Tribes: The Extent To Which Discipline Cultures Impact On The Development And Delivery Of Cross-Disciplinary Undergraduate Degree Programs? A Study Of The Bsc In Product Design At The Technologicl University Dublin, Robert Tully

Theses

The research presented in this thesis focuses on two objectives, the first and main objective being to investigate the impact of discipline cultures on the development and delivery of cross-disciplinary undergraduate education on the BSc. in Product Design at the Technologicl University Dublin. The second objective of the thesis is to consider the changes that occur as a result of the ‘tribes’ cohabitating on these cross-disciplinary education programs. The underlying interest in answering these questions lies in the implications for the way in which programs, which have a cross-disciplinary intention, structure, develop the syllabus, enable discourse and facilitate collaboration in …

Geolearn - Multi-Media Resources, Audrey Martin

Articles

This paper examines the potential of pedagogically designed video demonstrations in supporting the learning requirements of students in the Spatial Information Sciences (DSIS). Currently, over three hundred full and part-time students in the College of Engineering and Built Environment undertake a module in Land Surveying each semester and although these students range in discipline and academic level (NQAI 6 - 8), they all share a need for basic information and instruction in the area of practical land-surveying techniques. To accommodate this highly practical subject area, fifty per cent of contact time is normally dedicated to group-based field exercises, the results …

Video Supports The Lecturing Star, Audrey Martin

Conference Papers

This paper examines the potential of pedagogically designed video demonstrations in supporting lecture and tutorial notes in the Spatial Information Sciences. In the Department of Spatial Information Sciences (DSIS) in the Technological University Dublin (DIT) Land Surveying is taught across a wide variety of disciplines. Typically such modules have an equal weighting between written examination and field based project learning. To accommodate this highly practical subject area, 50 % of contact time is normally dedicated to field exercises whereby students, in groups of no more than five, receive demonstration on diverse surveying instrumentation and subsequently complete practical project work as …

Do Eportfolios Foster Creativity? An Evaluative Study In A Professional Development Context, Roisin Donnelly, Muireann Okeeffe, K.C. O'Rourke

Conference papers

The nurturing of creativity as a key skill in students is a current and topical issue due to the potential important economic and social benefits it can imbue. This paper outlines a case study in progress in an Irish higher education institution, which initiated as an evaluation of student ePortfolios and transformed into an examination of creativity within students ePortfolios. The context for the research is a group of postgraduate students using ePortfolios to build evidence of their learning experience on the programme. This research seeks to explore the notion of learner empowerment through creativity in ePortfolio use, specifically if …

Come Si Fa?: Can Virtual Worlds Help Us Promote Intercultural Awareness, Susanna Nocchi

Conference Papers

This paper describes the author’s experience with a pilot course of Italian in SL®2. The course is part of a PhD research on Exploring the potential of virtual worlds to promote Intercultural Awareness in students learning Italian as a Foreign Language. In the paper the author will justify her choice of virtual worlds for the development of language competence and Intercultural Awareness and will present some results of her activity theoretical analysis of the data. Problematic areas and potential moments for the development of Intercultural Awareness were highlighted during the analysis.

Will Second Life Help Me Survive In Italy, Carmela Dell'aria, Susanna Nocchi

Conference Papers

This paper aims at sharing the experience we had in the design and implementation of a short pilot course of Italian in Second Life® (SL). The paper will provide a description of the course mentioning preliminary findings, discussed in relation to the theories adopted by the two researchers. The paper is the result of the course, La Lingua in gioco: dire, fare e giocare in SL, that had a strong focus on the development of Intercultural Communicative Competence (ICC) and Oral Language Proficiency and was aimed at a group of third-level Irish students of Italian in the Technological University Dublin …

Suitability Review Of Common Synchronous, Live Online-Classroom Tools, Arnold Hensman

Conference Papers

While virtual learning environments (VLEs) such as Moodle and WebCT are now ubiquitous in most higher education institutes, live synchronous virtual classroom software is merely gaining in popularity. The first online meeting tools were tailored towards business requirements for remotely held meetings rather than educational purposes. The recent expansion of virtual classroom tools specific to education has changed this. Such software offers the standard features of streamed voice and video, yet purposely provides an array of additional features specifically designed to conduct classes online. While VLEs work optimally as a compliment to standard courses, Virtual-classrooms such as Adobe Connect Pro …

The Technological University Dublin Placement Experience Partnership (Dit-Pep) Framework, Kevin Griffin, Sheila Flanagan, Elizabeth Kennedy-Burke, Stephanie Bourke

Reports / Surveys

The School of Hospitality Management and Tourism at the Technological University Dublin (DIT) developed this best practice framework for managing work placement, using the tourism industry as a case study. However, the DIT‐PEP (Placement Experience Partnership) Framework has been devised so that it can be applied across other sectors.

This report presents the DIT‐PEP Framework and provides a summary of the approach used in its development.

Culinary Life Skills Recipe Guide, Dermot Seberry

Other resources

A book of recipes designed to teach men in rehab, the life skills to cook in their home. Designed to develop domestic skills, social skills and achievement of a FETAC accredited award towards a culinary qualification.

Technological University Dublin Peer Assisted Learning Initiative, Odette Gabaudan, Maria-José González

Conference Papers

Poster presentation, summary of work on peer assisted learning initiative for international business and languages students.

Iterative Approaches To Planning And Strategizing: Learning From The Architectural Studio Model, Shannon Chance

Conference papers

This paper investigates linear and non-linear strategies for organizing and planning, and explores how these strategies correlate to both higher education and architectural education. The study reveals that the strategies for planning and designing typically employed in the field of architecture reflect the sort of non-linear, iterative, and synthesizing processes scholars recommend universities use to improve the effectiveness of strategic planning (Birnbaum, 1988; Cutright, 2001; Presley & Leslie, 1999; Rowley, Lujan, & Dolence, 1998; Swenk, 2001). Opportunities abound for using design processes to enhance various institutional operations as explored in Proposal for using a studio format to enhance institutional advancement …

A Case Study Of Student Engagement In Collaborative Group Learning In A Blended Community Based (Service) Learning Module, John G. Mcgarrigle

Research Theses

Abstract: A participatory action research case study employed mixed methods to examine student collaboration and engagement in a Community Based (Service) learning module. A quasi experimental testing of Coates (2007) typology of student engagement found low agreement between students and lecturers in assigning the terms, passive, intense, independent or collaborative to student postings to discussion fora. Evidence from this case study found greater student collaboration in discussion fora when linked to practical course activity. Qualitative analysis of discussion threads using conversation analysis provided evidence for collaboration in deeper knowledge construction when supported by lecturers’ contributions. Discourse analysis examined interviews with …

Interaction And Transformation In Virtual Problem-Based Learning Communities, Roisin Donnelly

Conference papers

This brief paper will discuss the harmonizing role of technology and interaction in a qualitative study on blended problem-based learning (PBL) within the context of academic development in higher education. Within academic development, and as both designers and tutors in blended PBL, it is important to seek best practices for how to combine instructional strategies in face-to-face and computer-mediated environments that take advantage of the strengths of each and avoid their weaknesses. A qualitative study of the lived experiences of 17 academic staff participants in a blended problem-based learning module was considered likely to provide a much-needed analysis of current …

The Production Of High-Quality Video For E-Learning, Eugene Mcgovern, Audrey Martin, Roy Moore

Articles

As video capture, editing and transmission capabilities become more accessible, video is increasingly being considered when developing e-learning content. However, the skills required for video production are not commonly part of many e-learning developers backgrounds. This paper presents the experiences of academics from the spatial information sciences when developing high quality video content for an on-line e-learning module in Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS). Video comprises one element of the module and is designed to, as far as possible, address the lack of ‘hands-on’ experience of GNSS equipment and observing procedures. The video element of the module was used by …

Technology-Aided Participative Methods In Environmental Assessment: An International Perspective, Ainhoa Gonzalez, Alan Gilmer, Ronan Foley, John Sweeney, John Fry

Articles

Provisions for citizen involvement in the assessment of potential environmental effects of certain plans, programmes and projects are present in current legislation. An international survey revealed that public participation is common practice in European and some other countries worldwide. However, a number of issues are observed to affect public involvement in EIA/SEA processes and expert opinion differs when evaluating the effectiveness of existing participative methods. Results suggest that technology-aided methods can improve traditional participation processes. In particular, GIS has the potential to increase community knowledge and enhance involvement by communicating information more effectively. Variable accessibility to technology and data quality …

Shifting Perceptions Within Online Problem-Based Learning, Roisin Donnelly, Timo Portimojärvi

Books/Book Chapters

This chapter is aimed at supporting academic staff in universities and colleges who have begun or are considering introducing online problem-based learning (OPBL) for students’ learning. OPBL is a promising combination of pedagogical innovations and technological solutions which support and enhance each other. In this chapter we will examine the perceptions present in higher education today, which are connected with the development within the research fields of e-learning and problem-based learning. This chapter is based on the recent and extensive emergence of literature on online learning and the success of problem-based learning (PBL). Traditionally, PBL has usually been conducted in …