Education Commons^™

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

Publications

No abstract provided.

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 …

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.

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

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.

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 …

Using Theory To Improve Design Instruction In A New Common First-Year Programme For Engineers, Una Beagon, Ted Burke, Shannon Chance, Fionnuala Farrell, John Mcgrory

Conference papers

No abstract provided.

Creating Supportive Working Environment For Academics In Higher Education; Country Report Ireland, Marie Clarke, Aidan Kenny

Book/Book Chapter

A major new study involving almost 1,200 academics calls for ‘significantly increased and sustained levels of investment’ and increased staffing levels to meet continued growth in student numbers. Almost three-quarters of respondents feel their working conditions are deteriorating.

The Report ‘Creating a Supportive Working Environment for Academics in Higher Education’ by Marie Clarke, Aidan Kenny and Andrew Loxley, is published Monday, June 22^nd. It was commissioned by the Irish Federation of University Teachers (IFUT) and the Teachers’ Union of Ireland (TUI) and involved consultations throughout Irish third-level institutions.

The Report points out that funding to the third level …

Work-Related Stress: Survey Of Academic Staff In The Institutes Of Technology Sector, Aidan Kenny

Articles

This article presents findings from a survey of professional workers in the institutes of technology sector in Ireland regarding work-related stress. The research instrument was based on a work-related stress questionnaire developed by the UK Health and Safety Executive, augmented with a specific subset of questions relevant to the Irish higher education sector. The questionnaire format was modified to enable online delivery. It was distributed to a sample population in 2014 with a response rate over 30% (n=1,131). The research provides baseline data on work-related stress levels experienced by workers in this sector. The results associate increased levels of risk …

Making Free Online Learning Sustainable Through Reduction Of Production Costs, Rita Day, Brian Mulligan

Stream 3: Digital Campus and Universal Design

A major reservation about Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) is that they are extremely expensive to develop and deliver and for most institutions this cannot be justified on a sustainable financial basis. As part of the MOOC technological revolution, costs and funding opportunities have been cited as reasons not to proceed (Gaebel, Kupriyanova, Morais, and Colucci, 2014). Whereas, the findings to date show that this may not be the case for all, educational institutions are often eager to engage technology and embed it into programmes (Hollands, and Devayani, 2014). There are many examples of excellent learning materials being created and …

Problematizing Second Language (L2) Learning Using Emerging Vr Systems, Linda Butler, Flaithri Neff

Stream 3: Digital Campus and Universal Design

There is little doubt that there is nothing like being immersed in the country of the language you are trying to learn. Not only do students who wish to learn English as a Second Language (ESL) enjoy the experience of inter-cultural learning contexts from a sensory and affective sense, it is often the case that they gain emotional and intellectual maturity while living abroad. The reality of travelling abroad to learn English however for many International students is often a difficult transitional one especially at pre-sessional or beginner/foundation levels in terms of language acquisition, expense, feelings of isolation while in …

Factors That Influence College Faculty To Adopt Digital Technologies In Their Practice, Kevin Dougherty

Stream 3: Digital Campus and Universal Design

College faculty in Ontario are using a variety of digital technologies, at differing levels, in their teaching and learning practices. College administrators are looking to faculty to help meet the challenges associated with increasing enrolment and the need to deliver curriculum to a diverse student population with a range of learning needs who have unlimited access to information and communication channels through the World Wide Web. This research provides some understanding of specific motivating factors that have led many in community college faculty to adopt digital and Web technologies into their teaching and learning practices as well as those factors …

Lessons Learned From Teaching Data Analytics In A Fully Online Mode At Postgraduate Level, Daniel Mcsweeney, Markus Hoffmann, Geraldine Gray, Laura Keyes

Stream 3: Digital Campus and Universal Design

This paper reports on the experiences of developing and delivering the online MSc. in Business Intelligence and Data Mining between 2010 and 2013. We outline our rationale for the selection of Adobe Connect as a synchronous classroom tool and discuss our use of the moodle virtual learning environment to support asynchronous learning and communication. We also discuss some of the key changes in approaches to teaching and assessment and the challenges that were faced by academics in adapting classroom based courses to an online distance education environment. We conclude by examining student interactions with the synchronous and asynchronous delivery technologies …

Evolving Strategies For Online Learning In Graduate Courses In Education, Maurice Digiuseppe, Roland Van Oostveen, Diana Petrarca

Stream 3: Digital Campus and Universal Design

Internet-based learning is becoming more commonplace in post-secondary settings in canada and internationally, though, often, instructors struggle to develop effective programming for their students. In this article, we present three cases in which instructors critically reflect on their experiences designing and implementing online learning environments for various courses in the graduate programs in education at the university of ontario institute of technology (uoit) in oshawa, canada. The first case focuses on an instructor’s efforts to develop courses involving problem-based learning (pbl) on the basis of a faculty-developed conceptual framework. In the second case, an instructor describes how her experiences as …

A Step Towards Global Education: Collaborative Learning Activities Using Social Network Sites, Motoko Iseki Christensen

Stream 3: Digital Campus and Universal Design

In teaching a foreign language, learners are often encouraged to use the target language to communicate with other learners and native speakers. With rapid technology and Internet progression in recent years, a number of communication tools are now available for foreign language learners and native speakers. Social network sites (SNSs) and Chat alike provide opportunities for learners to engage in social interactions. The demand for, and use of, SNS and online discussion forums for educational purposes are rapidly increasing as is evident in the quick growth of Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs). The Globally engaged means of education such as …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Visual Analytics: The Role Of Design And Art In The Emerging Field Of Big Data, Sara Diamond

Stream 1: Enterprise and Engagement

Driven by the increasing complexity of data sets the need for sophisticated analytics algorithms coupled with visualization of both data and information is growing exponentially in every discipline and industry. Artists, designers and visual thinkers have an important role to play in the presentation and interpretation of data. The Visual Analytics Lab (VAL) at OCAD University is a preeminent research lab for innovation and training in information and scientific visualization and visual analytics. As well as its perspective on the field, two brief case studies are provided, one for health care and the second for media navigation and analysis.

Ocad University's Imagination Catalyst: A Case Study., Helmut Reichenbacher

Stream 1: Enterprise and Engagement

In order to provide the context for an incubator case study, this paper provides a brief overview of the support mechanisms for Canadian university-based innovation and commercialization, especially regarding government (federal, provincial, municipal). It then proceeds to describe OCAD University’s specialized commercialization and incubator unit, the Imagination Catalyst, which supports talent

We Had The Experience But Missed The Meaning: Capacity Building Using Student Diary Pro To Enhance The Mobility Experience, Angela Feeney, David Irwin, Tara Mckiernan

Stream 1: Enterprise and Engagement

The mobility experience is not confined to the sphere of upward social and economic mobility but, in equal measure, to geographical, linguistic and cultural mobility as a function of the public role of the university. Effects of mobility can be registered in terms of their impact on the university directly, the impact of such mobility on society generally, and its impact on those who participate in mobility opportunities in particular. The paper begins with a general overview of ideas and intentions underpinning mobility which in turn inform and are informed by policy considerations in a European Union context. Since mobility …

The Entrepreneurial University: A Unifying Theme For Tu4dublin, John Jameson, Patrick O'Donnell

Stream 1: Enterprise and Engagement

The paper is presented as a rationale for the adoption of an entrepreneurial university model as the guiding principle for the organisation of the Technological University for Dublin (TU4D)5. It is argued that the entrepreneurial university provides a coherent context in which the internal resources and capacities of the three organisations, within the alliance, can be aligned to the external environment and the needs of their stakeholders through agility, flexibility and responsiveness.The paper first considers a broad definition of what is understood as an entrepreneurial Higher Educational Institution (HEI). It then considers the entrepreneurial mind-set as a precursor to the …

Masters Of The Universe Or Survival Of The Fittest: Rethinking Strategy Development In A Technological University, Deirdre Lillis

Stream 1: Enterprise and Engagement

Strategic planning has become an integral part of the management of higher education institutions (HEIs) worldwide, largely in response to an external environment that is exerting increased pressure. The experiences of all but one of Ireland’s 21 Universities and Institutes of Technology with strategic planning over a ten-year period are considered in this paper. Despite evidence of growing experience with strategic planning, some significant deficits are identified. With the development of Technological Universities in mind, recommendations are made with respect to strategic planning for institutional diversity, consolidation of merged institutions, performance-related funding, integration with quality assurance frameworks and external stakeholder …

The Paris Collection: Reflections On An Interdisciplinary Performance Project, Jennifer Hamilton, Barry Sheehan

Stream 1: Enterprise and Engagement

Between September 2013 and January 2014, students and staff of the Technological University Dublin Conservatory of Music and Drama and DIT Dublin School of Creative Arts collaborated on the creation of an opera production which was presented at the National Concert Hall on Jan 23rd. The project was implemented within the modular framework from both colleges. The collaboration was both multi and inter-disciplinary and the students engaged at a professional level, working under staff supervision and in tandem with personnel and resources outside the college environment. The performers were required to audition for their roles and the teams of design …

Understanding Of Change, Leading Innovation: Ocad University's Master Of Design In Strategic Foresight And Innovation., Lenore Richards

Stream 4: Enterprising University

This paper discusses the need for new models of education due to the complexity and speed of change in the world. I introduce OCAD U’s Master of Design in Strategic Foresight and Innovation as one of a number of innovative programs attempting to become a responsible actor in the positive transformation of contemporary society. I reflect on the successes and challenges involved in the development and implementation of this highly innovative program.

Capturing And Sharing Professional Practice On Mediating Live Online Tutorial Sessions: A Case Study From Hibernia College, Michael Hallissy

Stream 3: Digital Campus and Universal Design

This case-study is set within the context of a new online Masters Programme for teachers within Hibernia College, the Masters of Arts in Teaching and Learning (MATL). It explores how tutors and students interact using synchronous computer mediated conferencing (SCMC) technologies during live tutorial sessions. The study found that students and tutors did not have an agreed set of ground rules for these online events and thus there was a need for a signature pedagogy to clarify this. It was observed, using the Flanders Interaction Analysis Categories (FIAC) and tutor interviews, that the level of interaction during these tutorials was …