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Technological University Dublin

2015

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Full-Text Articles in Education

The 21st Century Graduate: Delivering A Tailored Approach To Social And Emotional Competency Training For Final Year Students To Enhance Graduate Attributes And Increase Employability, Ailish Jameson, Aiden Carthy, Colm Mcguinness, Fiona Mcsweeney Dec 2015

The 21st Century Graduate: Delivering A Tailored Approach To Social And Emotional Competency Training For Final Year Students To Enhance Graduate Attributes And Increase Employability, Ailish Jameson, Aiden Carthy, Colm Mcguinness, Fiona Mcsweeney

Conference Papers

The Higher Education Authority recently reported an average drop-out rate of 16% for Irish third level students, which poses significant pedagogical and economic challenges across the educational sector and negatively impacts the Irish economy. With respect to tackling this issue, a considerable body of international research has identified a strong positive correlation between higher levels of emotional intelligence (EI) and increased levels of student engagement and academic attainment. A wealth of previous research has also shown that employers favour graduates who possess higher levels of EI, for example, Job Outlook Survey, 2008, therefore, increasing students’ levels of EI is also …


Tu4dublin Alliance Welcomes Publication Of The Technological Universities Bill, Dublin Institute Of Technology Dec 2015

Tu4dublin Alliance Welcomes Publication Of The Technological Universities Bill, Dublin Institute Of Technology

Publications

No abstract provided.


Problems With Internet And Library Usage For Secondary School Children, Tom Nolan, Mark Humphrys Nov 2015

Problems With Internet And Library Usage For Secondary School Children, Tom Nolan, Mark Humphrys

The ITB Journal

This research consisted of investigating seven hypotheses using the following components: 1. Observation of forty-three secondary school children using the Internet and the library to complete five tasks. 2. An interview was held with all the participants in the study that was audio taped and subsequently transcribed. 3. An on-line form was constructed so that the students could nominate their favourite educational web sites for each class subject. The participants were given five tasks and had to find the answers using two of the most common forms of information retrieval found in Irish schools, the Internet and the school library. …


A Preliminary Investigation Of The Role Of Problem Based Learning (Pbl), Alan Pike, Declan Barber Nov 2015

A Preliminary Investigation Of The Role Of Problem Based Learning (Pbl), Alan Pike, Declan Barber

The ITB Journal

In recent years (since the mid 1970’s) there has been an increased interest in Problem Based Learning (PBL) as an educational methodology which is not a instructor-centred as traditional educational methodologies. Education professionals are legitimately asking if PBL is applicable generally to most disciplines, and if so, should it be viewed as an alternative or a complementary methodology. Traditional teaching methodologies for technical disciplines place the instructor very much at the centre of learning for the student (with formal lectures, supervised laboratory work and tutorials), particularly in the early years of study at third level. A common view in education …


Experiences Gained From The Deployment Of An E-Learning "Java Arrays" Prototype For Novice Java Programmers In The Institute Of Technology Tallaght, 2002/2003, Eamonn Hyland, Dean Fennell Nov 2015

Experiences Gained From The Deployment Of An E-Learning "Java Arrays" Prototype For Novice Java Programmers In The Institute Of Technology Tallaght, 2002/2003, Eamonn Hyland, Dean Fennell

The ITB Journal

This paper describes recent experiences gained from the deployment of an E-learning "Java Arrays" prototype for novice first year students within the Computing department at the Institute of Technology, Tallaght. It attempts to determine what contributions, if any, the E-Learning prototype made to novice students learning to declare, create, initialise and manipulate one-dimensional and two-dimensional arrays within the Java Programming language. Tentative conclusions from this process are presented and a charter for progressing this research further is outlined.


The Effects Of Change On Culture And Identities: Case Study Of A Higher Educational Institution, Ann Conway Nov 2015

The Effects Of Change On Culture And Identities: Case Study Of A Higher Educational Institution, Ann Conway

Conference papers

The primary aim of the research was to identify drivers of change and mergers in higher education. It was then reflected on how changes and mergers impact on cultures and professional academic identities. The case study is based on review of government policies and institutional strategy documents looking towards the future and determining how they are affecting the current situation in the Institution. This was conducted via analysis of interviews and observations at meetings and classes, and via use of discourse analysis of some policy and strategy documents. The interviewees were asked about their views on which factors bring about …


Learning Through Dialogue (Ltd) - A Toolkit To Support The Process Of Planning For Effective Use Of Dialogue In Learning, Matt Smith, John Cook, Martin Oliver Nov 2015

Learning Through Dialogue (Ltd) - A Toolkit To Support The Process Of Planning For Effective Use Of Dialogue In Learning, Matt Smith, John Cook, Martin Oliver

The ITB Journal

This paper presents an implementation of a decision support system to help tutors think about ways of using dialogue to support learning. The approach adopted has been to develop a software toolkit around a knowledgebase of dialogue methods, to assist tutors in the reflection required during the planning and design of dialogue to support learning.


Pitch Circles – From Music Theory To Computer-Based Learning Tool, Matt Smith Nov 2015

Pitch Circles – From Music Theory To Computer-Based Learning Tool, Matt Smith

The ITB Journal

This paper describes how a music theory with explanatory power for expression of relationships between pitch classes, chords and tonal regions can be exploited as the foundations for a computer-based tool, called ‘Pitch Circles’, to support musical novices learn about and manipulate such musical concepts and relationships . The paper introduces this research with a brief review of the ‘direct manipulation’ principles for computer interaction design on which the computer-based learning tool has been based, and of the features of tonal theories which led to our choice of a particular theory, ‘Pitch Spaces’, as the basis for this work.


Common Sense Approach To Third Level Education For The Modern Market, Dr. Mohamad Saleh Nov 2015

Common Sense Approach To Third Level Education For The Modern Market, Dr. Mohamad Saleh

The ITB Journal

A healthy industry is of crucial importance to the well being of a nation. Recently, new technology has caused tangible changes in the modern market by creating continuous needs and demands for skills and technologies in various fields. The educational system is a major component in the provision of the skilful workforce in a society. However, the recent unprecedented rate of industrial expansion has resulted in new industries experiencing recruitment difficulties. It is felt that these issues can be addressed by establishing reliable collaboration between industry and third level educational systems to fulfill the needs using less resources.


An Evaluation Of Can8 As A Computer Assisted Language Learning Tool In The Context Of Current Research, Ruth Harris Nov 2015

An Evaluation Of Can8 As A Computer Assisted Language Learning Tool In The Context Of Current Research, Ruth Harris

The ITB Journal

The CAN8 virtual language laboratory combines features of traditional language laboratory systems with typical CALL software and features of CBT to create a language learning environment which embraces many different theories of learning and more specifically of language learning.


Cultural Change Through Bim: Driving Lean Transformation In Education, Avril Behan, Malachy Mathews, Kevin Furlong, Ciara Ahern, Una Beagon, Peter Brennan, Colin Conway, Lee Corcoran, Pierce Fahy, Alan Hore, Barry Mcauley, Trevor Woods Nov 2015

Cultural Change Through Bim: Driving Lean Transformation In Education, Avril Behan, Malachy Mathews, Kevin Furlong, Ciara Ahern, Una Beagon, Peter Brennan, Colin Conway, Lee Corcoran, Pierce Fahy, Alan Hore, Barry Mcauley, Trevor Woods

Conference papers

This paper presents a case study of how the adoption of BIM-based practices in the AECO industry is being reflected by cultural change in higher education in Ireland. The silo-mentality that has dominated the AECO sector for more than a century has, despite numerous reorganisations, been replicated in the structures of educational institutions, including in Dublin Institute of Technology since the inception of its founding colleges in the late 1800s. Most AECO programmes must include content that is external to the programme’s specific discipline. Through the School structures of the Institute, delivery of such content is known as "service teaching" …


Are Call Packages Disregarding The Research On Dealing With Authentic Materials?, Ruth Harris Nov 2015

Are Call Packages Disregarding The Research On Dealing With Authentic Materials?, Ruth Harris

The ITB Journal

Since the advent of the communicative method, authentic materials have been seen as an important source of input for second language acquisition. However they have been noticeably absent from CALL packages. This paper looks at the implications of the research on reading, and explores which areas of work on authentic materials can be successfully done using CALL, and areas which are best left to a classroom, groupwork or semi-autonomous environment. A model of an integrated approach proposes ways of maximising the potential of each, providing new challenges for the teacher and student alike.


Community Engagement: Unlocking The Potential Of Social Entrepreneurship Using Universal Design And Interdisciplinary Teams, Bernard Timmins, Fiona Timmins, Siobhan Long Ms. Nov 2015

Community Engagement: Unlocking The Potential Of Social Entrepreneurship Using Universal Design And Interdisciplinary Teams, Bernard Timmins, Fiona Timmins, Siobhan Long Ms.

Theme 3: Innovating in Product and Service Design

No abstract provided.


An Exploration Of The Effects Of Enhanced Compiler Error Messages For Computer Programming Novices, Brett A. Becker Nov 2015

An Exploration Of The Effects Of Enhanced Compiler Error Messages For Computer Programming Novices, Brett A. Becker

Theses

Computer programming is an essential skill that all computing students must master and is increasingly important in many diverse disciplines. It is also difficult to learn. One of the many challenges novice programmers face from the start are notoriously cryptic compiler error messages. These report details on errors made by students and are essential as the primary source of information used to rectify those errors. However these difficult to understand messages are often a barrier to progress and a source of discouragement. A high number of student errors, and in particular a high frequency of repeated errors – when a …


Universal Design For Learning (Udl): Implications For Education, Ann Heelan Nov 2015

Universal Design For Learning (Udl): Implications For Education, Ann Heelan

Theme 4:University Design and Diversity

No abstract provided.


Universal Design In Student Projects At The Dublin School Of Architecture, Technological University Dublin, Emma Geoghegan Nov 2015

Universal Design In Student Projects At The Dublin School Of Architecture, Technological University Dublin, Emma Geoghegan

Theme 2:Teaching Methods for Architecture

No abstract provided.


Promoting Universal Design In Architectural Education, Jim Harrison, Kevin Busby, Linda Horgan Nov 2015

Promoting Universal Design In Architectural Education, Jim Harrison, Kevin Busby, Linda Horgan

Theme 2:Teaching Methods for Architecture

No abstract provided.


Experiences And Lessons Learned From An International Master's Program On Universal Design Of Ict, Weiqin Chen, Siri Kessel, Norun Sanderson, George Giannoumis Nov 2015

Experiences And Lessons Learned From An International Master's Program On Universal Design Of Ict, Weiqin Chen, Siri Kessel, Norun Sanderson, George Giannoumis

Theme 1: Delivering Universal Design in Technical Subjects

No abstract provided.


A Culture Of Universal Empathy In Design At The Institute Of Technology Carlow, Hilary Dempsey, P.J. White Nov 2015

A Culture Of Universal Empathy In Design At The Institute Of Technology Carlow, Hilary Dempsey, P.J. White

Theme 3: Innovating in Product and Service Design

This paper discusses the development of a culture of ‘Universal Empathy’ within Product Design programmes at the Institute of Technology Carlow. The concept draws from the inclusive, holistic nature of Universal Design and its principles together with a deeply human centric and empathic approach to design learning. Focusing on the undergraduate programmes of Industrial Design and Product Design Innovation, it will offer frameworks, case studies and examples of how this culture and ethos is developing. Universal empathy transcends four years of the undergraduate programmes and it compliments traditional design skills such as sketching, prototyping and technical detailing. It relies on …


Cultural Change Through Bim: Driving Lean Transformation In Education, Avril Behan, Malachy Mathews, Kevin Furlong, Ciara Ahern, Una Beagon, Peter Brennan, Colin Conway, Lee Corcoran, Pierce Fahy, Alan Hore, Barry Mcauley, Trevor Woods Nov 2015

Cultural Change Through Bim: Driving Lean Transformation In Education, Avril Behan, Malachy Mathews, Kevin Furlong, Ciara Ahern, Una Beagon, Peter Brennan, Colin Conway, Lee Corcoran, Pierce Fahy, Alan Hore, Barry Mcauley, Trevor Woods

Conference papers

This paper presents a case study of how the adoption of BIM-based practices in the AECO industry is being reflected by cultural change in higher education in Ireland. The silo-mentality that has dominated the AECO sector for more than a century has, despite numerous reorganisations, been replicated in the structures of educational institutions, including in Technological University Dublin since the inception of its founding colleges in the late 1800s. Most AECO programmes must include content that is external to the programme’s specific discipline. Through the School structures of the Institute, delivery of such content is known as "service teaching" and …


Rehabilitation Engineering Universal Design Challenge, Madeleine Lowery Nov 2015

Rehabilitation Engineering Universal Design Challenge, Madeleine Lowery

Theme 3: Innovating in Product and Service Design

No abstract provided.


Use Of Interviews For Assessment: A Case Study, David Dorran, Richard Hayes Oct 2015

Use Of Interviews For Assessment: A Case Study, David Dorran, Richard Hayes

Conference papers

While delivering a module on digital signal processing a series of one-to-one interviews were used extensively to assess undergraduate students. The interviews were organised so as to encourage students to focus on fundamentals before attempting to deal with more complex concepts. Feedback from the students about the process was extremely positive and the vast majority of survey respondents indicated that they found that the interviews motivated them to engage with course material effectively. This paper describes the module setup; the interview process used and discusses the results of the survey.


Is This "Transfer Shock"? Examining The Perceptions Of Engineering Students Who Articulate Within The Irish Higher Education Context., Susan O'Shaughnessy, Anne Marie Mccarrick, Fionnuala Farrell, Una Beagon, Lance C. Perez Oct 2015

Is This "Transfer Shock"? Examining The Perceptions Of Engineering Students Who Articulate Within The Irish Higher Education Context., Susan O'Shaughnessy, Anne Marie Mccarrick, Fionnuala Farrell, Una Beagon, Lance C. Perez

Conference papers

Abstract—“Transfer shock” is a well-known phenomenon during the process of articulation, when students move from short-cycle applied programs to more academic longer-cycle study programs. In the US context this problematic transition has been observed in students transferring from community colleges into the traditional university system. In Ireland’s binary higher education structure, one set of institutions, known as Institutes of Technology (IoTs) allow for this transition to take place entirely within individual institutions. This paper is part of an ongoing investigation into one such IoT, where engineering students who achieve high grades at the end of 3-year (so-called Level 7) “ordinary …


Bim; Postgraduate Multidisciplinary Collaborative Education, Malachy Mathews Sep 2015

Bim; Postgraduate Multidisciplinary Collaborative Education, Malachy Mathews

Conference papers

BIM Technologies and Process are steadily increasing in the design and construction industry. The amount of undergraduate courses delivering BIM based applied and theory courses is also on the rise. These students will be entering a job market where their skillsets in digital modelling and collaborative practice will be in demand. However, existing AEC (architectural, engineering, construction) professionals are recognising the changes happening in the industry. Each domain is influenced and challenged by BIM. The traditional process and workflows will change as BIM adoption grows. Tobin [1] states the long-term impact of any innovation is often not understood when it …


College Life: Technology Assists All Of The Shiny, 'Apps' People, Mary O'Rawe Aug 2015

College Life: Technology Assists All Of The Shiny, 'Apps' People, Mary O'Rawe

Other resources

Education apps are becoming more popular with every academic year. Considering that ever-greater numbers of secondary students are entering the third-level environment having experienced an iPad as their main learning mechanism, it’s clear that students will now expect a similarly ‘smart’ experience. As the number of smartphones among the college population also continues to grow, academia needs to work to connect with students through this medium. This newspaper article explores how to use apps and technology to enrich the student transition to college and build the correct digital skills.


How To Build Good Learning Habits For Your College Studies, Mary O'Rawe Aug 2015

How To Build Good Learning Habits For Your College Studies, Mary O'Rawe

Other resources

Students often struggle with making the transition to a higher education learning environment. This newspaper article offers some guiding principles for students and parents ,and helps them understand the differences and challenges they may experience in their first year of college.


A Profile Of The Spatial Visualisation Abilities Of First Year Engineering And Science Students, Stephanie Farrell, Avril Behan, Gavin Duffy, Rachel Harding, Robert Howard, Aaron Mac Raighne, Edmund Nevin, Brian Bowe Jul 2015

A Profile Of The Spatial Visualisation Abilities Of First Year Engineering And Science Students, Stephanie Farrell, Avril Behan, Gavin Duffy, Rachel Harding, Robert Howard, Aaron Mac Raighne, Edmund Nevin, Brian Bowe

Conference papers

The link between spatial visualisation skills and academic and professional achievement in STEM fields is well established. It is also widely documented that men outperform women on tests of spatial ability. This disparity puts women at a relative disadvantage for academic success in STEM disciplines. Our research explores the influence of secondary academic experience on spatial visualisation ability among first year students entering an engineering or science programme. Spatial ability was measured using two standard psychometric instruments for measurement of spatial visualization. Out of eight secondary courses considered, a single course in design and computer graphics emerged as a predictor …


The Effects Of Spatial Skills And Spatial Skills Training On Academic Performance In Stem Education, Gavin Duffy, Stephanie Farrell, Rachel Harding, Avril Behan, Aaron Mac Raighne, Robert Howard, Edmund Nevin, Brian Bowe Jul 2015

The Effects Of Spatial Skills And Spatial Skills Training On Academic Performance In Stem Education, Gavin Duffy, Stephanie Farrell, Rachel Harding, Avril Behan, Aaron Mac Raighne, Robert Howard, Edmund Nevin, Brian Bowe

Conference papers

Spatial ability plays an important but often unacknowledged role in achieving success in science, technology, engineering and mathematical (STEM) education. Many entering STEM disciplines have low spatial skills but these can be improved through a short training course. Accompanying improvements in academic grades and retention rates have been observed by others. This presents an opportunity to enhance the first year experience (FYE) for those with poor spatial skills. In this study the spatial skills of students entering several first year programmes in science and engineering were measured. Those identified as weak visualisers were offered a spatial skills course. Spatial skill …


Examining The Relationship Between Physics Students’ Spatial Skills And Conceptual Understanding Of Newtonian Mechanics, Aaron Mac Raighne, Avril Behan, Gavin Duffy, Stephanie Farrell, Rachel Harding, Robert Howard, Edmund Nevin, Brian Bowe Jul 2015

Examining The Relationship Between Physics Students’ Spatial Skills And Conceptual Understanding Of Newtonian Mechanics, Aaron Mac Raighne, Avril Behan, Gavin Duffy, Stephanie Farrell, Rachel Harding, Robert Howard, Edmund Nevin, Brian Bowe

Conference Papers

One of the primary motivating factors of physics educators is to ensure a high level of conceptual understanding is achieved by their students. Furthermore it has been shown that success in physics and engineering courses is strongly related to students' spatial skills. Conceptual and spatial skills tests have been independently developed and reported in the literature as a measure of each of these competencies. In this study we examine correlations between spatial skills and conceptual understanding using two of these tests in order to determine the relationship, if any, between students' conceptual understanding of Newtonian mechanics and their spatial skills. …


Assessing The Validity And Reliability Of Dichotomous Test Results Using Item Response Theory On A Group Of First Year Engineering Students, Edmund Nevin, Avril Behan, Gavin Duffy, Stephanie Farrell, Rachel Harding, Robert Howard, Aaron Mac Raighne, Brian Bowe Jul 2015

Assessing The Validity And Reliability Of Dichotomous Test Results Using Item Response Theory On A Group Of First Year Engineering Students, Edmund Nevin, Avril Behan, Gavin Duffy, Stephanie Farrell, Rachel Harding, Robert Howard, Aaron Mac Raighne, Brian Bowe

Conference papers

Traditional measurement instruments employed to assess the performance of student’s studying on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) related programmes typically involve classification based on final scores. The validity and reliability of these instruments and test forms are important considerations when assessing whether a student understands content and if not, where and in what way they are struggling. The aim of this study is to examine, validate and analyse the test results of first-year engineering student’s at an Institute of Higher Learning in Ireland who took the Purdue Spatial Visualisation Test of Rotation (PSVT:R). Results obtained were analysed using the …