Further Education and Training

PL05 - Exploring eportfolio assessment approaches

Course Outline

In this short course we will explore the research, practice and potential of eportfolio based assessment. An eportfolio can be a tool or technology, a practice, a pedagogical model, an assessment method and a framework for learning (Chen & Black, 2010). There is growing interest in eportfolio as an authentic assessment which can positively impact on student learning and achievement. The research indicates that eportfolio assessment enables students to integrate their learning and make connections between modules in an authentic way (Buente et al. 2015; Eynon & Gambino 2017; Morreale et al. 2017). In this short course we will explore effective eportfolio assessment design and marking and feedback approaches and reflect on best practice exemplars of student and staff eportfolios.

Profile of Course Leader

Dr Orna Farrell is Associate Professor of Education, specialising in digital education based in the School of Policy Practice, Institute of Education in Dublin City University (DCU). Orna’s research interests centre around digital innovative pedagogy and include online pedagogy, learning design, digital assessment, eportfolio and open education. Orna is a fellow of EDEN Digital Learning Europe.

PL09 - Educational leadership for staff in management positions

Course Outline

The focus of this short course is to build awareness of how leaders impact the working environment to identify strategies that help leaders create learning environments that are psychologically safe. When people feel psychologically safe, they tend to speak up, share their opinions and bring their whole selves to work which leads to a more positive work experience. The first session will look at leadership theory to garner an appreciation for what effective leadership looks like in different contexts and develop an appreciation of own leadership style and own leadership and followership challenges. As problems are becoming more complex in today’s world and change is accelerating, it is clear that no one can have all the answers. Leadership in complex times is a ‘group sport’ (Edgar Schein) and so the second session will look at group theory from psychology and sociology to build an understanding of the important role leaders play in group and team development and how leaders can create more leaders in doing so.  The final session will look closely at psychological safety which supports a speak up culture, what it is and the role leaders have in building this environment and guidance on the steps leaders can take. The creation of learning environments that are psychologically safe is one of the most important outcomes of effective leadership. All sessions will incorporate facilitated discussions where participants will be encouraged to share their knowledge and experience as we explore the role leaders play in creating psychologically safe learning environments.

Profile of Course Leader

Deirdre is an EMCC accredited leadership coach with a 30 year career in the technology sector spanning the areas of education & training, engineering, program/project management, governance and organisation transformation.  She holds a MSc in Education and Training Management where her research focused on building team learning environments that support change. She lectures on a range of topics such as leadership, culture, team development, the learning organisation, innovation and entrepreneurship. Deirdre brings the insights from theory and practice to help leaders build healthy working environments that benefit the individual, the team and the organisation.

PL15 - Enhanced Teaching and Learning through Assessment and Feedback

Course Outline

The course is designed for current FET educators who wish to gain some practical insights into the QQI examining process through developing a deeper understanding of the principles and processes of assessment and feedback. The course aims to examine practical ways to enhance the learning and teaching process in relation to assessment and feedback. The course will focus on examining a range of appropriate assessment approaches and strategies appropriate within a variety of further education and training contexts. The approach taken will allow participants to explore the sociological implications of systems of assessment and to facilitate the learner in developing the skills required to develop their own assessment and feedback strategies in their own learning or work contexts. Through a developmental and constructivist approach, participants will immerse themselves in the subject by designing and marking QQI (Level 4-6) assessments and providing feedback to the learner. The course will help enable FET teaching staff to understand the increasing importance of assessment and feedback on curriculum development and the theoretical principles underpinning a range of practices within the backdrop of QA. The course will focus on the QQI assessment system, grading, marking and providing feedback.

Profile of Course Leaders

Dr Justin Rami is the Director of DCU’s Further Education and Training Research Centre (FETRC). He is Chair of the Education and Training Foundation Programme (FET-HE). At the undergraduate level, he teaches in the areas of Teaching and Learning Methodologies, Advanced Teaching and Learning Strategies, Curriculum, Assessment and Feedback, Teaching Preparation and Developing a Research Perspective.

Dr Francesca Lorenzi is an Assistant Professor in the School of Policy and Practice and member of DCU’s Further Education and Training Research Centre (FETRC). Her teaching is primarily in the areas of Intercultural Education, Ethics and Values Education, Philosophy of Education and Curriculum Implementation, Assessment and Feedback. She obtained a PhD in Education from the National University of Ireland, Maynooth with a thesis focusing on the role of dialogue in assessment and the democratisation of practices in education.

PL21 - Advanced teaching strategies in FET

Course Outline

This short course will provide FET staff with an understanding of the use of diverse teaching strategies in the FET and Training learning environment. The application and use of teaching strategies will be underpinned by an exploration of theory and thinking relating to each approach. The aim is to introduce participants to 21st century  learning using a blended online approach to teaching and learning. This will include advanced teaching strategies such as flipped classroom teaching, outdoor learning, the Jigsaw Method, World Cafe Method, Intergenerational Learning. All the strategies have a focus on a student-centred approach to teaching and learning.     

Profile of Course Leader

Dr Trudy Corrigan is an Assistant Professor and researcher in the School of Policy and Practice, Institute of Education, Dublin City University. Her research interests are in teacher education, training, adult education and lifelong learning in terms of exploring the benefits of participation in adult education and lifelong learning for professional development and physical and psychological health. She lectures on teaching strategies on the BSc in Education and Training.

PL22 - Assessment in the Age of AI

Course Outline

This short course will provide FET staff with an awareness of the ongoing challenges to assessment design posed by Generative Artificial Intelligence tools. The emergence of generative Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools such as ChatGPT and DALL-E pose a challenge to the academic integrity of traditional assessment approaches. However, this challenge is also an opportunity to innovate and evolve higher education assessment to be more authentic, creative and inclusive. This short course will explore how to design assessment which takes account of these new technologies and the key principles of assessment design: validity, reliability and fairness and remains robust in terms of academic integrity. 

Profile of Course Leader

Dr Orna Farrell is an Associate Professor of Education, specialising in digital education based in the School of Policy Practice, Institute of Education in Dublin City University (DCU). Orna’s research interests centre around digital innovative pedagogy and include online pedagogy, learning design, digital assessment, eportfolio and open education. Orna is a fellow of EDEN Digital Learning Europe.

PL23 - Developing Digital Literacy

Course Outline

This introductory course will provide teachers with an opportunity to explore digital literacy as it relates to their classroom practice. The course will engage with relevant literature and policy documents to define digital literacy and provide detail on the competencies it includes. Participants will be encouraged to examine practical ways of developing their students digital literacy skills by reflecting on their practice and identifying ways to introduce: 1) Information, data and media literacy, 2) Online communication, collaboration and participation, 3) Digital content creation, 3) Online safety and wellbeing, 4) Problem solving using digital tools.

Profile of Course Leader

Dr Peter Tiernan  is an Assistant Professor in the School of STEM Education, Innovation and Global Studies. He has been teaching and researching in the area of digital literacy for over 12 years. His work focuses on developing our understanding of digital literacy in practice and investigating ways to develop student’s digital literacy skills.

PL24 - Teaching in intercultural education contexts

Course Outline

This short course will introduce teachers to the key concepts underpinning effective teaching practice in intercultural education contexts. Teachers will be introduced to some of the core theories in intercultural education and will be given an opportunity to explore and practice a range of intercultural competencies in a series of practical workshops. The workshops will examine some of the key themes involved in intercultural education such as inclusion, identity, diversity, and intercultural communication. This course will consider the opportunities and challenges presented by living and working in diverse educational settings and will equip teachers with the necessary knowledge and skills to work as effective practitioners in such settings. The course is designed for current FET educators who wish to gain knowledge of and develop practical skills in the area of Intercultural Education. All course material, readings and resources will be included as part of this offering for participants.

Profile of Course Leaders

Dr John Lalor is an Assistant Professor in the School of Policy and Practice in the Institute of Education in DCU. He lectures on a range of topics including Values, Identity and Intercultural learning, Citizenship Education and Professional Skills and Development. John has worked as a researcher on a number of national and international research projects focusing on Intercultural Education practice in a range of educational settings.

Dr Francesca Lorenzi is an Assistant Professor in the School of Policy and Practice and member of DCU’s Further Education and Training Research Centre (FETRC). Her teaching is primarily in the areas of Intercultural Education, Ethics and Values Education, Philosophy of Education and Curriculum Implementation, Assessment and Feedback. She obtained a PhD in Education from the National University of Ireland, Maynooth with a thesis focusing on the role of dialogue in assessment and the democratisation of practices in education.

PL25 - Supporting neurodivergent learners in FET

Course Outline

This short course will provide FET staff with an understanding of neurodiversity in adults. Participants will be introduced to current research and theory on neurodiversity as a concept and a movement. Participants will be encouraged to share their knowledge, experience and practice of supporting neurodivergent adult learners in FET settings. The first workshop will focus on Neurodiversity and Inclusion with a particular focus on areas of difficulties including communication and language and social interaction. The second workshop will examine how to plan for inclusion and incorporating communication profiles or focused /special interests of neurodivergent learners in the learning environment. Both workshops will be practice oriented and incorporate facilitated discussion on teaching in FET. 

Profile of Course Leader

Dr Neil Kenny is an Assistant Professor at the School of Inclusive and Special Education at Dublin City University where he is the school research convener. He is Programme Chair of the Master of Education in Autism and a fellow of the Anti-Bullying Centre. His research interests are in the area of Autism, Participatory Research, and Inclusive Education. ORCID id: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-2340-6586