Education Commons^™

Exploring The Impact Of Design Professionals On The Energy Retrofit Of Dwellings In Ireland: A Qualitative Methodology, Olivia Golden

Conference papers

A qualitative approach was taken to investigate the role of design professionals in the energy retrofit of external wall insulation to dwellings in Ireland. The research method combines document analysis with semi structured interviews. Document analysis is used to both inform the questions for the interviews and for validation. The SEAI One Stop Shop grant scheme and PAS 2035 framework were selected for detailed document analysis to gain an understanding of the context in which design professionals are working in Ireland and compare it to the energy retrofit framework in the United Kingdom. This was investigated by mapping the data …

Meeting The Sustainability Challenges: An Assessment Of Entrepreneurial Education, Anna Zherdeva, Intesar Madi, Abrar Alzankawi, Lucia Morales Dr, L. Pop, A. Soler-Dominguez, J.C. Saez

Conference papers

The importance of sustainability and entrepreneurship education is highlighted in this study. The world economies are facing significant challenges as they try to enable the transition towards more sustainable economic and business models. Therefore, at the centre of the transition process, it is critical to consider the role that business education can play and, more specifically, the role of business schools in integrating and supporting the development of skills and competencies that align with our contemporary society's needs. In this paper, we initially assess the need to connect entrepreneurial and sustainability education by exploring the educational offerings at Technological University …

Mldg - Machine Learning Dataset Generator (Pilot Findings): For Final Year Open-Book Machine Learning Summative Assessment, Keith Quille, Keith Nolan, Lidia Vidal-Meliá, Brett A. Becker

Conference papers

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, many institutions are considering the continuation of open-book assessments. Students cite many reasons for preferences for open-book assessments, both held in proctored environments and assessments that can be held remotely. Despite the numerous benefits, open-book assessments impose a number of challenges for educators, which is compounded if the assessment has the option to be taken in class (proctored) and remotely simultaneously. The challenges not only exist around academic integrity but also exist from a student-centred viewpoint of fairness and the equality of the assessment.

This paper first presents the development of a tool for generating student-centred …

Sustainable Product Design Education Through An Appreciation Of The Low-Tech, Ceri Almrott

Conference papers

The paper presents a case study on the implementation of Low-Tech development model to teach sustainability in design-led programmes. The author argues that sustainability education should include not only the technical aspects of sustainability theory but also the underlying social aspects. The low-tech approach fits well in design-led modules since it encourages students to consider appropriate technological solutions for design projects while focusing on user behaviour to develop articulate solutions. The study explores the pedagogical approach of the content used to teach the design module and introduces a low-tech design workshop to aid students in implementing learning. The results of …

Leadership For The Future: Towards The Challenge Of Understanding Leadership In The Aec Sector, Roisin Murphy Dr, Rory Concannon, Oluwasegun Seriki Dr

Conference papers

The Irish Architecture, Engineering, and Construction (AEC) sector faces ongoing challenges relating to low productivity, digital adoption, sustainability, and innovation. Effective leadership is required to transform the sector to address these challenges and meet the future needs of society. However, there remains a lack of empirical evidence relating to leadership requirements, assessment, and development, in the context of the Irish AEC sector. As part of an ongoing study with the aim of developing resources to support leadership development, this research, conducted through a review of literature, examines how leadership is being assessed and explored in the AEC sector. The findings …

A Framework For Confusion Mitigation In Task-Oriented Interactions, Na Li, Robert J. Ross

Conference papers

Confusion is a mental state that can be triggered in task-oriented interactions and which can if left unattended lead to boredom, frustration, or disengagement from the task at hand. Previous work has demonstrated that confusion can be detected in situated human-robot interactions from visual and auditory cues. Therefore, in the next step, we propose appropriate interaction structures in this study, which should be used to mitigate confusion. We motivate and describe this dialogue mechanism through an information state-style dialogue framework and policies, and also outline the approach we are taking to integrate such a meta-conversational goal alongside core task-oriented considerations …

Exploring The Integration Of Patient Generated Health Data In A Fair Digital Health System In Low-Resourced Settings: A User-Centered Approach, Abdullahi Abubakar Kawu, Rens Kievit, Adamu Abubakar, Mirjam Van Reisen, Dympna O'Sullivan, Lucy Hederman

Conference papers

This article presents the initial user-centered research exploring the opportunities in the collection of Patient-Generated Health Data (PGHD) within the context of a project aimed at improving health management and outcomes among residents in African countries. Through interviews with a doctor, a patient and two data managers, the local status and opinions regarding PGHD collection, integration and use are investigated. The findings suggest that PGHD have only been encountered in paper forms - and are mostly patient driven, however opportunities for PGHD for the facility and patient were identified and included supporting the treatment of whitecollar hypertension, treatment planning and …

A Tutoring Framework To Support Computer Science Programmes In Higher Education, Emer Thornbury, Frances Sheridan, Pramod Pathak, Cristina Hava Muntean, Paul Stynes

Conference papers

Computing Support is the provision of academic supports such as individual tutoring and support classes to students studying computing at third level. Students can struggle with computing as it requires practice involving trial and error. This work proposes a research informed tutoring framework to support computer science students at third level. The tutoring framework combines three pillars; staff and training, pedagogies and activities. Support is put in place to help students develop technical and programming skills. Essential tutoring is provided for those who might otherwise drop out of college. The framework was applied to first and second-year undergraduate programmes and …

Empowering Responsible And Sustainability-Aware Business Graduates Through Digital Authentic Assessment, Lucia Walsh, Olivia Freeman, Alacoque Mcalpine, Cormac H. Macmahon

Conference papers

Business schools must engage in fundamental change to retain their legitimacy and position themselves as providers of solutions to urgent economic, social and environmental crises. Achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) has emerged as a megatrend and business education must enhance graduate skills to contribute to their achievement. The world requires the next generation of graduates to become responsible business leaders who will address wicked sustainability problems. Hence, we need pedagogy that enables students to become sustainability literate and thus develop appropriate knowledge, skills and mindsets.

Authentic assessment provides transformative learning opportunities that empower students to achieve meaningful …

Re-Evaluating Learning Environments To Nurture Studio Culture, Ceri Almrott

Conference papers

Following the COVID-19 pandemic and the resultant remote teaching that lockdown enforced the requirements and suitability of physical learning spaces such as studios can be questioned. This paper seeks to understand the requirements of students in this decade of their physical studio spaces. Using focus groups, surveys and user feedback activities students on the Product Design programme were asked to evaluate the studio spaces within the university as they returned to on-campus learning and provide qualitative feedback on their experiences.

It was found students still require physical studios that allow them to undertake their design work and utilise tools and …

The Ukicer 2022 Conference Poster: Techmate: A Best Practice Toolkit For Driving Sustainable Acceleration Towards Gender Equality In Technology Disciplines In Heis., Alina Berry

Conference papers

TechMate is a research project that is being developed to enhance gender balance in technology disciplines, in particular computing higher education in Ireland and beyond. Gender imbalance in computing education is a well-known issue: in Ireland, less than 15% of the student population in computer science, ICT and related disciplines are women. Despite a significant amount of research and practical work conducted in the recent decades, the problem still persists and this research initiative aims to improve the situation.

Among the main aims of this project, there is a development of a toolkit to drive sustainable acceleration towards gender equality …

Addressing The "Leaky Pipeline": A Review And Categorisation Of Actions To Recruit And Retain Women In Computing Education, Alina Berry, Susan Mckeever, Brenda Murphy, Sarah Jane Delany

Conference papers

Gender imbalance in computing education is a well-known issue around the world. For example, in the UK and Ireland, less than 20% of the student population in computer science, ICT and related disciplines are women. Similar figures are seen in the labour force in the field across the EU. The term "leaky pipeline"; is often used to describe the lack of retention of women before they progress to senior roles. Numerous initiatives have targeted the problem of the leaky pipeline in recent decades. This paper provides a comprehensive review of initiatives related to techniques used to boost recruitment and improve …

Interpreting Multi-Stage Teaching And Learning Initiatives For Mechanical Engineering Students - A Knowledge Management Perspective For Students, Kevin Delaney, Ger Nagle, Mingzhu Chen

Conference papers

Encouraging students to “think differently”, to “think like an engineer”, to “just solve the problem” is challenging and depends upon many factors such as the prior learning and experiences of the particular students involved. Sometimes it is difficult to convince students to really engage with activities outside their own comfort zones if they cannot see the potential benefits that might accrue through such engagement.

This paper describes a paradigm, inspired by knowledge management, which the authors have used to explain the importance of engaging with teaching and learning activities to undergraduate students. More importantly it helps these students to understand …

Capturing More Voice In Entrepreneurial Education, Ziene Mottiar

Conference papers

A key element in Entrepreneurship education is exposing learners to real life entrepreneurial experiences. This is most often done via guest lectures who provide insightful presentations on their journeys, activities and strategies. This is often an element that students enjoy and report on positively in quality assurance forms. However, there are limitations to this approach as usually it is limited to one entrepreneur per module/semester, the type of entrepreneur who provides the guest lecture may be related to proximity, convenience or current networks of the lecturer, and diverse interests of students, and entrepreneurial representation, may not be met in this …

Social Media Influencers (Smis) In Context: A Literature Review, Charles Alves De Castro, Isobel O'Reilly, Aiden Carthy

Conference papers

This review focused on three main areas, “Social Media Influencers (SMIs) in Context, The Impact of SMIs on Adolescents, and Consumer Behaviour in a Digital Era – Generation Z in Perspective.” This article aims to further the overall understanding of SMIs and outlines the impact of SMIs on adolescents’ lives. Thus, the main objective of this literature review is to raise awareness within the marketing field about the influence of social media influencers on adolescents and how brands promote their products and content through social media influencers. The review comprised a deep search using electronic journal databases and secondary data …

Embedding Sustainability Literacy In Business School Curricula Through Reflective Pedagogy: An Exploratory Study Of Student Reflections Of The Sulitest, Ciara Nolan Dr, Cormac H. Macmahon, Olivia Freeman, Alacoque Mcalpine, Lucia Walsh, Deirdre Duffy Dr

Conference papers

Purpose

Sustainability has emerged as a megatrend affecting all aspects of management practice. SDG 4.7 has mandated business schools to provide education for responsible leadership and to integrate sustainability principles in their curricula. Faculty are challenged to mainstream sustainability through engaging pedagogy that inspires and offers concrete tools. Yet, pedagogy has been viewed as a key challenge to embedding sustainability in management education.

Design / Methodology / Approach

We highlight the role of reflection in promoting the enhancement of sustainability literacy in business school curricula, supporting our proposition that management education for sustainability must have a reflective dimension that engages …

Lessons From The Classroom – Assessing The Work Of Postgraduate Students To Support Better Hygrothermal Risk Assessment, Joseph Little, Beñat Arregi, Christian Bludau

Conference papers

The widespread adoption of transient simulation modelling tools by building design professionals to support hygrothermal risk assessment of building design specifications is a crucial component in a multi-pronged drive to reduce moisture risk in buildings. Structured upskilling is essential. Much can be learnt about the ways practitioners use such tools by reviewing the work of professional postgraduate student groups. Such review could inform the creation of a user protocol. Peer-review under the responsibility of the organizing committee of the ICMB21.

Virtual Heritage Learning Environments, Eimear Meegan, Maurice Murphy, Garrett Keenaghan, Anthony Corns, Robert Shaw, Stephen Fai, Simona Scandura, Alain Chenaux

Conference papers

. The change and restrictions in how we react with cultural heritage because of the COVID-19 pandemic has created an urgency in advancing remote and digital access to objects and sites. This paper outlines the process for developing Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs) using digital recording and modelling of architectural heritage and archaeology. Virtual Reality (VR) software, game engine platforms and WEB platforms are outlined which can be applied to represent heritage sites in addition to emerging screen based technological learning systems. The application Historic Building Information Modelling (HBIM) and Game Engine Platforms for creating Virtual Learning Environments (VLEs) is also …

Just-In-Time Curriculum Re-Design And Digital Delivery Of Accredited Professional Development For Undergraduate Supervisors, Roisin Donnelly, Yurgos Politis

Conference papers

The COVID-19 crisis led to the closure of Irish Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) in mid-March of 2020, and emergency transition from in-person to remote, online and/or blended forms of teaching and learning. However, the challenges faced have also unearthed opportunities, and this has proved a most opportune time to aim the spotlight on professional development (PD) in teaching and learning, to ensure its value is more fully understood and is supported at institutional level. The authors are members of a team that delivers an accredited PD masters programme, and were planning on delivering a module on supervision of undergraduate (UG) …

Partnering Through Open Courses: A National Model For Sustaining Engagement And Community With The Pd Framework For All Who Teach In Irish Higher Education., Roisin Donnelly, Colin Lowry, Theresa Maguire, Caitríona Ní Shé

Conference papers

Throughout 2019-20, the National Forum have embraced workingin partnership with higher education institutions and organisations to grow its nationally recognised Open Courses suite of professional development (PD) opportunities for the sector. These have involved forging partnerships in the development of Open Courses with AHEAD and UCD in the large-scale implementation of Universal Design of Learning(UDL), IUA Campus Engage in Community Engagement Learning and initial work taking place with QQI on the Professional Standards Framework.These new partnerships have evolved on the basis of the success of the integration of nationally recognised digital badgesinto the Open Courses platform. This national-level badge ecosystem, …

A Stakeholder Informed Professional Development Framework To Support Engagement With Learning Analytics, Geraldine Gray, Ana Schalk, Pauline Rooney, Charles Lang

Conference papers

This paper reports on a study aimed at identifying training requirements for both staff and students in higher education to enable more widespread use of learning analytics. Opinions of staff and students were captured through ten focus groups (37 students; 40 staff) and two surveys (1,390 students; 160 staff). Participants were predominantly from two higher education institutions in Ireland. Analysis of the results informed a framework for continuous professional development in learning analytics focusing on aspects of using data, legal and ethical considerations, policy, and workload. The framework presented here differentiates between the training needs of students, academic staff and …

Care, Community And Curriculum: A Case Study Of An Academic Professional Development Programme, Roisin Donnelly, Muireann Okeeffe, Claire Mcavinia, Seamus Harrington, Marese Kelly

Conference papers

In March 2020, teaching and learning (T&L) in higher education pivoted online and in 2021 the disruption to traditional formsofteaching, learning and assessment continues. Like many other academic development programmes, our PG Cert programme pivoted online effectively and efficiently. Programme evaluation data (June 2020)reported that modelling of online teaching and learning within our programme helped lecturers teach online, facilitate peer interaction among their students and assisted informed change in assessment practices to suit the online context.At the heart of our programme’s ethos lies a commitment to community building among students. However, the art of gathering is more than bringing students …

Virtual Tutor Personality In Computer Assisted Language Learning, Johanna Dobbriner, Cathy Ennis, Robert J. Ross

Conference papers

The use of intelligent virtual agents in language learning has increased in recent years. Studies into several aspects of personalisation aiming to increase user engagement are an ongoing research topic with avatar personality being one such aspect. As a step towards our development of intelligent virtual avatars, we present two of our initial experiments to explore differences in user interaction with two contrasting avatar personalities -- P1: open-minded, friendly and sociable and P2: closed-off, curt and distant. Each user interacted with a single personality in a video-call setting and gave feedback on the interaction. Our expectations, that P1 would be …

Cascading Conversations Across Professional Development Open Courses And Community In Teaching And Learning In Irish Higher Education: Embedding And Sustaining The National Perspective From Within., Roisin Donnelly, Caitríona Ní Shé, Colin Lowry, Theresa Maguire

Conference papers

This study is aimed atteaching and learning staff,academic leaders/senior managers, educational/academic developers, and will offer an opportunity to explore together the long-term vision of a valued and informed teaching and learning culture in Irish higher education and the impact of national conversations on professional development in teaching and learning.The momentum in PD offered by the success of the Open Courses, the sudden national move to online/remote teaching and learning in recent months, and the evolving education policy context (in Ireland), have combined to present a unique opportunity to make strategic forward motion regarding teaching and learning enhancement.By the end of …

Homo Ludens Moralis: Designing And Developing A Board Game To Teach Ethics For Ict Education, Damian Gordon, Dympna O'Sullivan, Ioannis Stavrakakis, Andrea Curley

Conference papers

The ICT ethical landscape is changing at an astonishing rate, as technologies become more complex, and people choose to interact with them in new and distinct ways, the resultant interactions are more novel and less easy to categorise using traditional ethical frameworks. It is vitally important that the developers of these technologies do not live in an ethical vacuum; that they think about the uses and abuses of their creations, and take some measures to prevent others being harmed by their work.

To equip these developers to rise to this challenge and to create a positive future for the use …

Homo Ludens Moralis: Designing And Developing A Board Game To Teach Ethics For Ict Education, Damian Gordon, Dympna O'Sullivan, Ioannis Stavrakakis, Andrea Curley

Conference papers

The ICT ethical landscape is changing at an astonishing rate, as technologies become more complex, and people choose to interact with them in new and distinct ways, the resultant interactions are more novel and less easy to categorise using traditional ethical frameworks. It is vitally important that the developers of these technologies do not live in an ethical vacuum; that they think about the uses and abuses of their creations, and take some measures to prevent others being harmed by their work.

To equip these developers to rise to this challenge and to create a positive future for the use …

Incorporating Digital Ethics Throughout The Software Development Process, Michael Collins, Damian Gordon, Anna Becevel, William O'Mahony

Conference papers

The media is reporting scandals associated with computer companies with increasing regularity; whether it is the misuse of user data, breach of privacy concerns, the use of biased artificial intelligence, or the problems of automated vehicles. Because of these complex issues, there is a growing need to equip computer science students with a deep appreciation of ethics, and to ensure that in the future they will develop computer systems that are ethically-based. One particularly useful strand of their education to incorporate ethics into is when teaching them about the formal approaches to developing computer systems.

There are a number of …

Exploring The Impact Of Brexit On Uk’S Engineering Education Sector From The Perspective Of European Students And Staff, I. Direito, B. Williams, Shannon Chance

Conference papers

The UK higher education attracts a far higher number of international academics from all over the world, who teach and do research, than any other country in Europe, being only surpassed by Switzerland [1]. Moreover, because engineering itself is considered a global field, this sub-field of higher education also relies on international mobility more than most academic disciplines in the UK The impact of the United Kingdom European Union membership referendum of June 2016, commonly referenced as the Brexit referendum, is still unfolding and under continuing analysis. However, it is widely anticipated that it will disrupt European student and staff …

University Interactions: Forms, Peculiarities And Tensions, Nkechinyem Omeife, Conor Horan

Conference papers

Interactions between university and industry or society mainly occur in the form of transfer and/or collaborations. However, both forms have mostly been discussed as transfer thus, the underpinnings of both forms are not often discussed. As a result, the tensions (contradictions, dialectics and paradoxes) embedded in the interactions are also overlooked (not explored). This paper proposes to explore the underpinnings of the both forms of interaction and the tensions therein. Transfer is often linked with incubation and acceleration with concerns around absorption and diffusion of knowledge and through channels such as publications, conferences, teaching and pedagogy, joint research and knowledge …

Supporting Academic Synergies Through Co-Evolution Of Teaching And Research Excellence From Evidence-Based Practice., Roisin Donnelly, Deirdre Mcquillan

Conference papers

Ireland’s first Technological University(TU) came into existence in January2019, mergingthree existinghigher education institutions. This work is set in the context of thisnew TU, and explores how teaching, learning and educational research can co-evolve to generate synergies supported by evidence-based practice of the core activity sets of the lecturer. In thedisciplinarydomain ofBusiness Education, theHead of Learning Development and Head ofResearch haveidentified thebenefits of aligningaspects oftheir work in supporting academic staff to plan and undertake structured inquiry into their teaching. This is predicated on our belief that the range of work involved in supporting teaching and research are not mutually exclusive. Having …