Futures for academic staff
Implementing the DCU Futures Philosophy
The DCU Futures philosophy provides a framework for curriculum development and pedagogical innovation. Academic staff across all faculties are supported in adopting these principles through professional development, pedagogical guidance, and infrastructure resources.
Teaching Enhancement Support
The Teaching Enhancement Unit provides support for academics implementing DCU Futures principles:
- Challenge-Based Learning: CBL implementation guide, framework guidance, working group participation
- Assessment Innovation: Alternative assessment approaches, digital assessment tools, interactive orals
- Technology-Enhanced Learning: DCU Studio learning design support, virtual lab development, online content creation
- Student Partnership: Facilitation of student consultation, curriculum co-design approaches
Professional development opportunities include workshops, peer learning communities, and individualized consultation.
Contact: Teaching Enhancement Unit [teu@dcu.ie]
DCU Futures supports academic staff in mainstreaming transversal skills into their curricula:
- Skills and DACS Integration Guidance: Support in mapping Skills and specific Discipline Agnostic Competence Statement (DACS) into programmes, modules and learning outcomes.
- Rubric Design: Guidance on the standardised rubrics underpinning each DACS, ensuring rigorous, consistent assessment across disciplines
- MySkills Integration: Guidance on how staff assessments feed into the MySkills platform, giving students a verified, evidence-based record of their skills development
Contact: transversalskills@dcu.ie
Active Learning Spaces
Four dedicated active learning spaces are available for booking:
- N222, X201, S202 (faculty-based)
- The Spark, Albert College
These spaces feature flexible furniture, collaborative technology, and configurations supporting group work, presentations, and project-based learning. As additional spaces become available for refurbishment, DCU Futures principles will inform their design.
Contact: thespark@dcu.ie