Other Education Commons^™

Harnessing Developments In Technology And Merging Them With New Approaches To Teaching: A Practical Example Of The Effective Use Of Wikis And Social Bookmarking Sites In 3rd Level Professional Education, Avril Behan, Frances Boylan

Conference Papers

While innovations such as Problem-Based Learning and elearning have informed pedagogical practice on the Geomatics honours Bachelor of Science degree programme at the Department of Spatial Information Sciences, Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT), Ireland, few attempts have been made to date to harness technological developments and merge them with new approaches to teaching. However, the recent conceptual change in authoring and usage of the World Wide Web from relatively static to fully interactive (Read-Write Web) provided an opportunity to embrace a change in technology as a means of modifying teaching practice to create a more student-centred environment. This paper describes …

A Case Study Of Student Engagement In Collaborative Group Learning In A Blended Community Based (Service) Learning Module, John G. Mcgarrigle

Research Theses

Abstract: A participatory action research case study employed mixed methods to examine student collaboration and engagement in a Community Based (Service) learning module. A quasi experimental testing of Coates (2007) typology of student engagement found low agreement between students and lecturers in assigning the terms, passive, intense, independent or collaborative to student postings to discussion fora. Evidence from this case study found greater student collaboration in discussion fora when linked to practical course activity. Qualitative analysis of discussion threads using conversation analysis provided evidence for collaboration in deeper knowledge construction when supported by lecturers’ contributions. Discourse analysis examined interviews with …

Widening Participation In Higher Education And The Resultant Diversity Of Learners: A Review Of Government Policies, The Academy And Market Demands That May Influence This Trajectory., Ann Conway

Other resources

This paper will look at participation in higher education in Ireland and the current focus of encouraging students from non-traditional and underrepresented groups to understand the ‘why’ of the widening participation debate in higher education. It will then review the evolution of government policies in relation to higher education and in particular of widening access and participation, for example Bologna and Erasmus at EU level and the encouragement of mobility of students within the EU. The resultant shift and change in higher education policies to focus on widening participation has changed the traditional view of the academy which was once …

Italian: As/A2 Digital Listening Practice Tests 2009, Silvia Bertoni, Susanna Nocchi

Books/Book Chapters

AS/A2 Digital Listening Comprehension Practice Tests 2009 consists of a book and audio files with authentic listening material and test questions. This book is ideal for practising, improving and building up students’ confidence in listening skills in preparation for the AS Level,A2 Level, the Irish Leaving Certificate and other advanced level exams.

Missed Opportunities For Children?:An Exploration Of The Impact Of New Funding Mechanisms For Early Childhood Education And Care (Ecec) In Ireland, Bernie O'Donoghue Hynes, Noirin Hayes, Siobhan Bradley

Articles

This presentation begins with a review of the overall funding structure for early childhood education and care in Ireland. It moves on to look in detail at the impact of the changes to the social inclusion funding measures. It concludes with a review of the reaction of various Irish stakeholders to these changes that have resulted in a 'missed opportunities for children'.

Entrepreneurship Education In The Third-Level Sector In Ireland, Thomas Cooney, Trudie Murray

Reports

Entrepreneurship education is now a key part of the tertiary-level education landscape in many countries around the globe. Institutions are creating the type of learning environments that are conducive to encouraging and supporting student enterprise and graduate entrepreneurship. Going beyond notions of employability, entrepreneurship capacities enable graduates to create their own futures, exploit the opportunities that emerge in their complex and unpredictable worlds, and better contribute to economic development and well-being. This report demonstrates that Ireland is no exception. The evidence presented illustrates that there is no shortage of entrepreneurial activity across the island. Institutions are spreading provision outside of …

The Application Of Web 2.0 Technologies As An Experimental Method Of Teaching Remote Sensing At Dit, Ireland, Avril Behan

Conference Papers

This paper describes the implementation of an experimental method of delivery for a module of remote sensing material to second year students on the BSc (Hons) in Geomatics at the Dublin Institute of Technology. The project began as a reaction to poor levels of student engagement and unsatisfactory grades, as well as the requirement to focus more on real-world type problems due to the implementation of a work-placement semester for third year students. Both pedagogical considerations (movement towards formative feedback, interactivity and group-based work) and the effect of technological drivers, such as the popularity of the internet in general and …

The Dublin Institute Of Technology And University Status: A Case Study Of The Application By Dit For Designation As A University (1996-99), Colm Garvey

Other resources

Section 9 of the Universities Act 1997 set out, for the first time, a statutory mechanism for the establishment of a new university in Ireland. The Dublin Institute of Technology (DIT) was the first institution to be granted a review under this legislation. This thesis presents an account and analysis of how the application for university title was handled by an international review group, by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and by the Irish Government. This case study is based on access to files held by the HEA and on interviews with some of the leading players in the Review …

Preparation And Accreditation Of Level 7 Engineering Programmes, Mark Mcgrath

Conference Papers

Accreditation of 3^rd level educational programmes by a suitably recognised professional body is of particular relevance in relation to engineering. The completion of a sequence of modules which leads to the attainment of this professionally recognised award is viewed as integral to the undertaking. The engineering technology fields are developing and expanding rapidly and the third level sector must keep abreast of these changes. This is essential if the third level institutions wish to continue delivering programmes which produce graduates who can successfully complete the transition from 3rd. Level to the various engineering sectors.

This paper outlines various aspects …

Problem Based Learning In Spatial Information Sciences: A Case Study, Audrey Martin, Eugene Mcgovern, Kevin Mooney

Conference papers

This paper describes the introduction, implementation and evaluation of a Problem Based Learning component in the Geodetic Surveying syllabus of the fourth / final year of the honours degree programme in Geomatics at the Department of Spatial Information Sciences, Technological University of Dublin,Ireland. The reasons behind adopting this constructivist educational approach as opposed to traditional instructivist methods more commonly employed are addressed, together with an evaluation of the process from both the educator (academic) and student (learners) perspective. The results of this case study are considered in the context of a number of interconnected pedagogical issues including (a) enhancement of …

Lifelong Learning: Romance, Evidence, Implementation?, Anne Murphy

Papers, presentations and other resources

This paper asks if there is evidence that implementation of a lifelong learning agenda in Ireland has progressed in the decade since the 1995 European Year of Lifelong Learning. It tries to answer the question by analysis of over forty documents related to lifelong learning produced since 1984. It concludes that while there is now much research-based knowledge and much convergence of opinion and policy on the main themes to be addressed, there has been indifferent progress and that persistent challenges remain.

Making Connections: A Review Of International Policies, Practices And Research Relating To Quality In Early Childhood Care And Education, Noirin Hayes, D. Mcgrath

Reports

Report commissioned by the Centre for Early Childhood Development and Education (CECDE), 2004.

Enterprise Ireland: Student Creativity Day Design Competition, Peter Dee

Other resources

Peter Dee - Strategic Design & Marketing Consultant, was responsible for the design and development of the brand identity for the Enterprise Ireland Student Creativity Day which was used on business cards, letterhead, appliction forms, information literature, large format posters, t-shirts and website. Competing in multi-disciplinary teams, students provided an innovative & creative solution to an exacting design brief. The design brief reflected the following themes: interface, learning, science, media, communications and fashion. The design jury included representatives of Irish business and IDI members.

Learning Society And Low Unemployment: Education And Training In Low Unemployment Countries, Anto Kerins

Books / Book chapters

Ireland is a world leader in literature, music and well bred horses. She has also done well in economic growth, foreign trade and low inflation. However, in unemployment she is also, unfortunately, a world leader. This book approaches the jobs crisis in Ireland by reflecting on the experience of five relatively low unemployemnt nations: Austria, Japan, Norway and Sweden. This book offers a wide range of ideas and proposals on how to reduce our unemployment.