Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research Commons^™

The Rising Popularity Of University Rankings: Lessons And Implications, Ellen Hazelkorn

Other resources

No abstract provided.

'Be Mission Centred, Market Smart And Politically Savvy': Challenges For Higher Education, Ellen Hazelkorn

Other resources

No abstract provided.

Analysis Of A Pilot Implementation Of Problem Based Learning Strategy For A Logistics Undergraduate Education Programme, Margaret Farrell

Conference Papers

Research findings suggest that a supply chain manager's job is complex and multidimensional, requiring both general management and logistics/supply chain specific knowledge, competencies and skills. The challenge for logistics educators is to design and develop curricula, teaching and assessment methodologies that can support wide-ranging and integrative learning objectives, which include team, people, project management and technological skills. Problem based learning (PBL) draws heavily on andragogical principles, requiring the student to be self directed and responsible for their own learning as they seek to solve a ‘real life’ problem, within a group. The paper presents the analysis of the teachers experience …

Untying The Accountancy Knot, Tony Kiely, Alice Luby, Frances Boylan

Other resources

No abstract provided.

Untying The Accountancy Knot Ii, Tony Kiely, Frances Boylan, Pauline Rooney, Jennifer Mcconnell, Alice Luby, Rebecca Maughan, Dan Shanahan, Daniel King

Other resources

No abstract provided.

Activity Systems Within Blended Problem-Based Learning In Academic Professional Development, Roisin Donnelly

Journal Articles

Blending face-to-face and online problem-based learning environments presents opportunities for both learners and lecturers to take part in collaborative knowledge construction. Activity theory is a suitable framework to investigate such environments and the learning processes that both sets of participants experience when engaging in these complementary environments. This paper attempts to map out the potential for activity systems using a blended problem-based learning approach through the exploration of an accredited academic staff development programme in Ireland. Firstly, an analysis of tool use and the discourse that participants and tutors engage in is presented. Secondly, tutor reflections about the evolution of …

A Reflection On Teachers' Experience As E-Learners, Claire M. Mc Donnell, Tony Cunningham, Barry Mcintyre, Theresa Mckenna

Books/Book chapters

This chapter explores the insights gained by a group of teachers from their lived experience as eLearners participating in a blended module on Designing eLearning. An understanding of the student perspective on online learning was obtained but we were also able to reflect on our participation in the module on the basis of our other roles; as teachers and potential eTutors and as course designers. As a result, important considerations were identified for the design and facilitation of online courses. These include; the support provided to online learners, particularly over the first few weeks, appropriate assessment methods, facilitation of online …

Resource Pack On Curriculum Design And Assessment To Promote Effective Learning., Christine O'Connor

Other resources

This resource pack is an overview of current considerations for academics designing programmes for third level education. The changing demographic of third level students along with employers’ demands has resulted in programme development with a focus on skills basis (Hyslop-Margison, 2001) to support a knowledge based society. The rationale behind the changes in curriculum design is introduced and further focus is emphasised in the areas of curriculum design models, assessment models and evaluation models. Examples of innovative curricula and assessment models in third level chemistry education will be incorporated during the pack which may be applied across other disciplines.

Fashioning Global Scholarship As An Emerging Context, Roisin Donnelly, Ciara O'Farrell

Other resources

No abstract provided.

Learning To Live With League Tables And Ranking: The Experience Of Institutional Leaders, Ellen Hazelkorn

Articles

This paper draws on the results of an international survey of HE leaders and senior managers which was supported by the OECD Programme on Institutional Management of Higher Education (IMHE) and the International Association of Universities (IAU). It focuses on how HEIs are responding to league tables and rankings (LTRS), and what impact or influence – positive or perverse – they are having on institutional behaviour, decision-making and actions. The growing body of academic research and journalist reportage is referenced to contextualise this international experience. The paper shows that while HE leaders are concerned about the impact of rankings, they …

Impact Of Rankings On Higher Education - International And German Perspectives, Ellen Hazelkorn

Other resources

No abstract provided.

Learning To Live With League Tables And Rankings, Ellen Hazelkorn

Other resources

No abstract provided.

Rankings As Indicator Of Quality?, Ellen Hazelkorn

Other resources

No abstract provided.

Key Skills Framework: Enhancing Employability Within A Lifelong Learning Paradigm, Aidan Kenny, Ray English, Dave Kilmartin

Articles

Employability has become an area of interest among the general public and policy makers alike, with an increasing number of reports in the general media regarding the need for workers in certain sectors to up-skill due to the possible threat of job ‘displacement’. In addition, there has been an increase in education and training policy documents emphasising that citizens should pursue Lifelong Learning /Life Wide Learning to address the increased job-related uncertainty attributed to the globalisation process and the concomitant competitive threats. Academics such as Barnett (2005) claim that we are living in an era of ‘super complexity' and rapid …

What Now?: Evaluating Elearning Cpd Practice In Irish Third-Level Education, Roisin Donnelly, K. C. O'Rourke

Journal Articles

The internet has made it impossible for higher education institutions to ignore technology in fulfilling their strategic mission and respond to the expectations of a diverse student body. In the Republic of Ireland, as elsewhere, the use of online technologies has become an increasingly important challenge in academic staff development, and on the surface, eLearning has been moderately successful in the teaching and learning environment. However, given the rapid rate of change in both technology and the increasing diversity in academic staff and students, to describe accurately the nature of eLearning for academic staff development is near impossible. There has …

Experiences Of Assessment Using Multiple Choice Questions On A First Year Engineering Module In Electrical Engineering, Aidan O'Dwyer

Conference papers

This contribution will report on, and evaluate, the use of multiple-choice questions, in both continuous assessment and terminal examination modes, on a first year module in electrical engineering at Dublin Institute of Technology. The author’s experiences are that multiple-choice questions tend to be student friendly (e.g. given a choice in a terminal examination, students will opt to attempt the questions with multiple choice parts). The author has used the assessment method over three academic years, and some assessment data is reported and analysed in the contribution. The pedagogical approach is explicitly pragmatic.

The Quality Movement Discourse In The Higher Education Sector: A General Review, Aidan Kenny

Articles

This paper – the first of a series of three – describes some of the macro milestones in the evolution of the Quality Movement in the industrial environment. The emphasis then shifts to reviewing the discourse relating to quality in the higher education sector in the UK. Attention is given to Quality Assessment, Quality Assurance and Quality Enhancement models. The interface or tension lines between quality as a controlling mechanism or as a tool for development are outlined. Predominant concerns and issues as expressed by academics are clustered into macro questions, the answers to which will require further longitudinal research.

Blended Problem-Based Learning For Teacher Education: Lessons Learnt, Roisin Donnelly

Journal Articles

Journal of Learning, Media and Technology, Vol. 31, 2, 2006, pp. 93-116

Available from the Publisher http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/17439880600756621

Can Blending Face-To-Face Teaching With E-Learning Support The Development Of Phase 4 Apprentices In Mathematics? A Formative Evaluation Research Study., Peter Hinch

Theses

This thesis is a formative evaluation research study. Its purpose is to establish if blending face-to-face and e-learning delivery methods can support the development of Phase 4 apprentice plumbers in mathematics in the Department of Construction Skills in the Technologicl University Dublin. The study also included the design, development and evaluation of a mathematics web site called Plumatics 4 U which is grounded in established theoretical criteria for effective blended delivery within third level education. This web site is currently in use by Phase 4 apprentice plumbers and is delivered through WebCT. The CD accompanying this thesis contains a short …

In Search Of A Sustainable Model Of Academic Development: Combining E-Learning And Problem-Based Learning, Roisin Donnelly

Other resources

The context of this study is in teaching in higher education and in teaching about teaching. At its essence is an exploration of an emerging model of academic development grounded in practice. In the 21st. century, how do you create a sustainable learning environment in the context of academic development in higher education with new tools and pedagogies emerging and becoming available for use?

A Summary Of The Evaluation Of The Community Playgroup Initiative, Geraldine French

Reports

Community playgroups contribute to a sense of identity, belonging and participation. Beyond the family and the school, the community has the potential to contribute to the development of supportive environments for our young pre-school aged citizens. In recognition of the vulnerability of these important services in Ireland the Community Playgroup Initiative (cpi) 2001 – 2004 was established. It was funded by the Katharine Howard Foundation in partnership with the then South Eastern Health Board (SEHB) in Ireland. This three-year project was developed to assist community playgroups to deliver a high quality sessional service, to identify and evaluate the impact of …

Contradictions In Irish Academic Research, Stephen Jerrams, John Donovan

Articles

The conditions that govern academic research vary greatly from country to country and research in the Republic of Ireland was and remains markedly different from that of its larger European neighbours and the United States. Despite the quality of its education system and the excellent reputation of its universities, until recently Ireland had relatively low levels of academic research. Pinnacles of excellence could be found in certain disciplines, but state funding was low and issues relating to industrial collaborations, international partnerships, commercialisation and the exploitation of Intellectual Property (IP) rarely arose. Even today the Irish Government’s spending on academic research, …

Valuing Community Playgroups: Lessons For Practice And Policy, Geraldine French

Reports

The Community Playgroup Initiative (cpi) was established and funded by the Katharine Howard Foundation (KHF) in partnership with the South Eastern Health Board (SEHB*) and with assistance from the Equal Opportunities Childcare Programme (EOCP). This three-year project was developed to assist community playgroups to deliver a high quality sessional service and to identify and evaluate the impact of funding and support on the quality of service provided to children and their families. A further aim of cpi was to highlight the value of community playgroups. Among the objectives of cpi were that children and families would benefit, that staff and …

Contemplating The Evolving Role Of The Tutor In Blended Problem Based Learning In Higher Education, Roisin Donnelly

Other resources

A hugely important area in any form of face to face and PBL delivery is the role of the tutor; in an e-learning environment, it is even more crucial. The role of the tutor in blended PBL is both special and crucial for effective learning outcomes and enjoyable learning experiences for students in higher education. As an educational developer and tutor in higher education, whilst working with academic staff, I encounter issues in postgraduate modules that use blended problem-based learning delivery methods. IN this professional context, blended learning refers to a merging of classroom and online activities that must be …

The Tutor's Role In Propagating Blended Problem-Based Learning In Higher Education: A Case Study Approach, Roisin Donnelly

Other resources

It is argued in this thesis that it is vital to seek to develop e-learning teaching and learning strategies in higher education that support approaches with an emphasis on the innovative and cutting edge educational strategies related to education for sustainability. Education for sustainability should be learner centred and will require a significant shift for both academics and students alike. It is essential that all academics who are willing to engage in this process acknowledge that they too are learners and will need to reflect on their teaching and learning practice if we are to develop a truly sustainable global …

Critical Evaluation Of The Impact Of Global Educational Reform: An Irish Perspective, Roisin Donnelly

Journal Articles

Global trends in the new public management of education have manifested themselves differently in different countries. Its manifestation, the significant issue that this paper addresses, is whether it has led to any changes in education in the third level sector in the Republic of Ireland in the last ten years. This will be achieved through a critical exploration of the expression of higher educational reform worldwide, and a review of its impact on Higher Education (HE) in Ireland. Within this, there are a number of specific objectives: - to discuss the context of higher education (including policy issues and stakeholders) …

Creating Spaces For Voices: The Portfolio As A Framework To Support Inquiry Into Third Level Learning And Teaching, Roisin Donnelly, Marian Fitzmaurice

Papers, presentations and other resources

This paper will discuss qualitative research that was conducted in our professional practice in supporting academic staff in third level learning and teaching in a higher education institution in the Republic of Ireland. The goal was to understand more fully the process of compiling a teaching portfolio through supporting the academic staff in their development of an authentic voice. A further concern of the study was to examine the extent to which the portfolio process promoted the development of skills such as reflection and self-evaluation and provided a structure for documenting and reflecting on learning and teaching for academic staff …

Fostering Of Creativity Within An Imaginative Curriculum In Higher Education, Roisin Donnelly

Journal Articles

Psychology is frequently used as a foundation discipline in the training of adult educators because it addresses those questions which naturally emerge from an engagement with adult learning and teaching (Tennant, 1997). The professional context which forms the focus of this article is no different. By providing academic support for lecturers in a higher education institution in Ireland, there is a desire to develop a sustainable curriculum model whereby by working with them on designing and developing creative curricula in their various subject disciplines in the arts and sciences they, in turn, pass the benefits of this on to their …

Online Learning In Teacher Education: Enhanced With A Problem-Based Learning Approach, Roisin Donnelly

Journal Articles

This paper describes research undertaken by an academic tutor in a Learning and Teaching Center (LTC) on the design of a module on Online Learning on a Postgraduate Diploma in Third Level Learning and Teaching. The LTC supports academic staff (Faculty) at the Technological University Dublin in learning, teaching and assessment activities, including integrating learning technologies. This work is supplemented by increasing awareness of current national and international research and strategies related to learning and teaching in higher education. The goal of the LTC is to offer resources, consultation, and a forum for discussion to help academic staff provide a …

From Baltimore Technologies To The Fai: A Metaphor For The Digital Isle, Ellen Hazelkorn

Other resources

No abstract provided.