Education Commons^™

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 …

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" …

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 …

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

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

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 …

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

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 …

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.

Structured Work Placement Within The School Of Culinary Arts And Food Technology: A Focus On Mobility Matters And Measured Outcomes, Franklyn Jacoby, Frank Cullen, Stephen Shanley

Conference papers

According to a comparative structured work placement (SWP) study conducted in the Dublin Institute of Technology's (DITs) School of Culinary Arts and Food Technology (SCAFT), the international or global SWP experience of third-level learners is primarily and actively supported through a process of interpersonal, social and cultural development (Cullen, 2012).

The adoption or development of applicable work based learning (WBL) models supporting or scaffolding such notions of student/learner development often reflect the educational aims of learner/worker mobility and Life Long Learning strategies in the main. However, and perhaps most importantly, such models need to reflect the value which third-level students' …

Education In A Technological Era: The Eu Digital Agenda Policy - More Optimistic Than Realistic?, Philomena Hanlon

Conference papers

Both the potential opportunities and risks for higher education providers in the digital education space are enormous. The EU in its policy paper The Digital Agenda for Europe (2010) sets out interalia targets for the development of the digital economy.

This paper examines The Digital Agenda for Europe (2010), focusing on Pillar VI: Enhancing digital literacy, skills & inclusion. The growth of massive open on-line courses (MOOCs) in particular have generated a lot of interest in digital education. This paper takes a broad look at the digital arena, the aforementioned Digital Agenda for Europe and other key reports on the …

Teaching Economics To Built Environment Students, Thomas Power

Conference papers

Teaching economics to construction economists is paradigmatically different to teaching economics to ‘pure’ economists. While the principles of economics don’t change, the philosophical aim and the methodology of teaching the subject do change. Understanding and executing this philosophical variant enhances the students’ learning experience.

Teaching economics and finance can open students’ eyes to a new way of thinking about the world. The study of economics looks at the world in a unique way because economics is a truly social science and it makes advances in finding solutions to the challenges that society faces. However, it approaches these solutions with the …

Ag Aistriú Ón Naíonra Chun Na Gaelscoile: Beartas Oideachais Teanga, Maire Mhic Mhathuna, Fiona Nic Fhionnlaoich

Conference papers

Díreofar sa pháipéar seo ar na bunchoincheapanna a bhaineann le haistriú ó shuíomh luath-óige go dtí an bhunscoil agus ar tionscnamh, “An Traein: Ag Aistriú ón Naíonra go dtí an Ghaelscoil”. Tabharfar breac-chuntas ar an méid a foghlaimíodh ón tionscnamh. Léireofar roinnt de na rudaí a d'aithin na rannpháirtithe mar shampla an tábhacht a bhaineann le cumarsáid agus aistriú eolais i dtaobh na bpáistí féin (le cead na dtuismitheoirí/caomhnóirí) agus i dtaobh an tsaghais Gaeilge a bhí á sealbhú ag na páistí. An méid a foghlaimíodh ón taighde seo agus na himpleachtaí a bhaineann léi, cuirfear sin i gcomparáid …

An Evaluation Of Formative Audio Feedback Within Part Time Professional Development Programmes In Dit., Roisin Donnelly, Claire M. Mcdonnell, Claire Mcavinia

Conference papers

No abstract provided.

Introducing New Engineering Students To Mechanical Concepts Through An “Energy Cube” Project, Shannon Chance, Micheal O'Flaherty, Fionnuala Farrell, Christopher Montague

Conference papers

The objective of this paper is to describe a problem based learning module, called the “Energy Cube”, offered by Dublin Institute of Technology that is designed to teach mechanical, building services and manufacturing engineering concepts to first year engineering students.

The Energy Cube project gives students hands-on experience in areas ranging from heat transfer, lighting and energy efficiency to industrial and product design. In the Energy Cube, students design and construct (using cardboard, clear plastic, and glue) a model of a building that admits as much daylight as possible while being energy efficient and aesthetically pleasing.

The students, working in …