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Technological University Dublin

Stream 2: Curriculum

Articles 1 - 10 of 10

Full-Text Articles in Education

An Insurmountable Gap: Can We Balance Incoming And Outgoing Erasmus Exchanges Among Engineering Students?, Susan O'Shaughnessy Apr 2015

An Insurmountable Gap: Can We Balance Incoming And Outgoing Erasmus Exchanges Among Engineering Students?, Susan O'Shaughnessy

Stream 2: Curriculum

Because of the global power of English and being situated in an English-speaking country, Irish higher education institutions do not have to try very hard to attract Erasmus students from across Europe. However, persuading Irish students, particularly students of engineering, to undertake an Erasmus exchange in another European country is a much more difficult process. This paper outlines the recent history of Erasmus exchanges of engineering students to and from the Technological University Dublin and examines the push and pulls factors that affect these exchanges. It presents the results of a small-scale research project into the factors that encourage or …

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Engaging With Industry In The Classroom Through The Use Of Online Technology, Geraldine Duignan, Ailish Breen, Mary Heneghan Apr 2015

Engaging With Industry In The Classroom Through The Use Of Online Technology, Geraldine Duignan, Ailish Breen, Mary Heneghan

Stream 2: Curriculum

A long established method of learning in Irish third level education has been the collaboration of colleges with Industry in the form of work placement. Workplaces provide a diversity of learning that is contextualised, socialised and not readily available in traditional learning contexts (Sheridan & Linehan, 2013). Because the workplace is the context of practice, learning in the workplace is considered a form of authentic learning informed by real contexts, activities, and best practice (Franz, 2008). The placement of students is often a difficult process and not always practical with large class sizes. Therefore, it is necessary to reimagine how …

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Bridging The Gap Between Engineering Workforce Needs And Student Engagement, Eileen Goold Apr 2015

Bridging The Gap Between Engineering Workforce Needs And Student Engagement, Eileen Goold

Stream 2: Curriculum

This paper is inspired by the development of the proposed new technological university in Dublin; TU4Dublin is to become “Dublin’s Globally Engaged University” and is to be located at the nexus between learning and engagement (TU4Dublin, 2015). This study investigates engineering education in the context of career focused education. The main objective of this study is to investigate whether engineering students’ cognitive engagement benefits from bridging the gap between technical issues and the practical realities of modern engineering practice. A portfolio of engineering practice illustrating the practical realities of modern engineering practice in the context of Engineers Ireland’s competencies is …

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The Tri-Party Partnership: An Investigation Into The Existing Support Structures Within A Dit Placement, Kerry Meakin, Órla Keane Apr 2015

The Tri-Party Partnership: An Investigation Into The Existing Support Structures Within A Dit Placement, Kerry Meakin, Órla Keane

Stream 2: Curriculum

The readiness of students entering the workforce upon graduating has been widely researched in Ireland, and a student work placement that is embedded in the curriculum is commonly recognised as a crucial mechanism that is key to preparing graduates for the ‘real world’. In this particular study, the voice of many key parties are captured, including the students themselves, members of the academic department who coordinate the programme, and the industry partners. Recommendations are made based on the findings that highlighted gaps or weaknesses in the existing student support structures, along with the addition of an updated academic institution-industry partnership …

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Curriculum, Classroom, Culture And Connectedness, Mary O'Rawe Apr 2015

Curriculum, Classroom, Culture And Connectedness, Mary O'Rawe

Stream 2: Curriculum

Curriculum and pedagogy are central to many contemporary debates on fostering a successful student experience, particularly in a massified higher education sector. These themes are evident in discussions from policy level to the staffroom in many countries. Attention has been specifically directed at the transition point from ‘second level’ to ‘higher/third level’ education, resulting in the development of many initiatives and materials around the ‘first year experience’ (‘FYE’). Central principles have been identified as curricula that engage students in their programme, modules and learning. Indeed the term ‘student engagement’ has evolved as a focal point of these debates as the …

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Reflection On Integrative Project-Based Learning In Business And Information Technology Programs, Andrew Hogue, Jennifer Percival, Khalil El-Khatib, Garrett Hayes Apr 2015

Reflection On Integrative Project-Based Learning In Business And Information Technology Programs, Andrew Hogue, Jennifer Percival, Khalil El-Khatib, Garrett Hayes

Stream 2: Curriculum

Recently there has been an increase in demand for interdisciplinary programs that enable graduates to demonstrate a blend of technical and ‘soft skills’. As a result, many higher education organizations are developing programs that integrate areas such as management and information technology or entrepreneurship and engineering. The wide range of topics covered in these programs and the need for graduate to be able to integrate and apply of core concepts. Since 2010 we have used integrative project-based learning as a core element of our game development and entrepreneurship program. In this model, students work in project teams to create a …

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Re-Imagining Our Curriculum: Critiquing Meaningful Reflection And Threshold Concepts In Practice Education: Knowing It All, Aoife Prendergast Apr 2015

Re-Imagining Our Curriculum: Critiquing Meaningful Reflection And Threshold Concepts In Practice Education: Knowing It All, Aoife Prendergast

Stream 2: Curriculum

Humanities education, particularly in the areas of early childhood education and applied social studies must engage with professional practice education. There is urgency for the need for practitioners and educationalists to communicate, and for practitioners to be aware of developments in educational theory. The idea of ‘threshold concepts’ is currently widely discussed by educationalists. Threshold concepts are described as areas of knowledge without which the learner cannot progress, and which, when grasped, lead to a transformation in the learner’s perspective and understanding. Much is known about the purpose of placement educators, but how their role is implemented is subject to …

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Creating An Experiential Learning Based Multi-Disciplinary Program, Jeff Moretz, Steve Marsh, Jennifer Percival Apr 2015

Creating An Experiential Learning Based Multi-Disciplinary Program, Jeff Moretz, Steve Marsh, Jennifer Percival

Stream 2: Curriculum

For many years, curriculum development has considered learning outcomes at the program level largely via learning outcomes at the course level. Some programs have modified their designs to use different structures such as condensed courses or project based learning. Recently, there has been an increased interest in experiential learning as a way to facilitate student acquisition of real-world applicable capabilities while enhancing student learning of ‘soft skills’ such as professionalism, communication, and team management. Historically, such engagement including complexities of real-world problems has been accomplished through internships, co-op, capstone courses, or project based learning. In this paper we present an …

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An Evaluation Of The Effectiveness Of Using A Hybrid Pbl Approach In The Teaching Of The Java Programming Language To First Year Third Level, James Doody Apr 2015

An Evaluation Of The Effectiveness Of Using A Hybrid Pbl Approach In The Teaching Of The Java Programming Language To First Year Third Level, James Doody

Stream 2: Curriculum

First year students on third level Computing courses find Software Development difficult: learner outcomes are poor, with high failure rates and low learner retention. A number of research studies have shown that novice programmers have low intrinsic motivation and low programming self-efficacy. One of the other possible explanations for the difficulties many learners have with Software Development is that it may be a Threshold Concept in Computing. The literature suggests that Problem-Based Learning (PBL) can improve the teaching of difficult concepts, and it has been promoted by professional and funding bodies as a teaching strategy that can improve learner outcomes …

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Critical Race Theory: A Strategy For Framing Discussions Around Social Justice And Democratic Education, Wesley Crichlow Jan 2015

Critical Race Theory: A Strategy For Framing Discussions Around Social Justice And Democratic Education, Wesley Crichlow

Stream 2: Curriculum

The increasing diversity of our classrooms means we must learn to work with, and across, cultural, racial and gendered differences, without falling into diversity management. This paper employs Critical Race Theory (CRT) and paradigmatic frameworks to address social crises in our classrooms—thus demonstrating how we can value (i.e., not erase) our differences and equitably share power in the classroom. Employing an CRT intersectional analysis, I will explore the social, economic, and cultural dimensions of racial (in) justice in diverse contexts (within frameworks that recognize the salience of social identities including, but not limited to, class, and race, ethnicity, gender, sexuality, …

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