Deirdre Butler
PROF

Deirdre Butler, a professor in DCU’s Institute of Education is internationally known as a leading scholar and creative practitioner of methods supporting teachers’ professional development and students’ learning. Prior to being a teacher educator, she was a primary school teacher, resource teacher, teacher for the travelling community and vice-principal. Her doctoral work developed an innovative model for teachers' professional development was supervised by world-renowned technology-and-education leader and MIT Professor, Seymour Papert.Deirdre has extensive experience in developing sustainable, scalable models of teacher professional learning, and has managed projects and school based initiatives which focus on creative uses of digital technologies.
Deirdre’s passion in life is exploring what being digital in learning can mean and how we can meaningfully use the extensive range of digital tools available in the 21st century. As a recognised thought leader in the area of new pedagogies, she advises ministries of education around the globe on redesigning education systems for the challenges that face the world now and in the future. For example, in Finland she worked with the Ministry to inspire their specially selected Lighthouse schools to redesign learning environments, while in Denmark she worked with policy makers and professional development providers to re-imagine how learning environments can be designed to meet the needs of the complex connected world of the 21st century. Deirdre’s record of professional accomplishment demonstrates vision, energy and research excellence combined with a deep and passionate commitment to teaching and learning. The funding she have secured, and projects she has initiated and collaborated on, are evidence of both her strategic and innovative thinking, as well as her management and leadership abilities. Her publication record provides further evidence of these qualities, as well as demonstrating the ability to foster and extend national and international linkages and alliances. She have consistently worked across a broad range of stakeholders in education, technology, government, corporate and non-profit sectors. Deirdre’s ability to combine partnership-building among diverse stakeholders with focused research questions has been instrumental in her successfully bridging knowledge development, policy and practice. The key role she played in cultivating the recently launched Digital Strategy for Schools is an example of how her research on teachers’ learning (exemplified by the Empowering Minds community) and emphasis on learner-centred pedagogical orientation (demonstrated through the Innovative Schools Evaluation, TeachNet, Innovative Teaching and Learning Research, and New Pedagogies for Deep Learning) are key principles now underpinning the national educational agenda. Through her vision, negotiation skills and ability to translate principles from research into settings that make them operationally effective, Ireland’s educational potentials have improved within and beyond national bounds. For example, the 21CLD MOOC, which is free of charge and available to all educators globally, is the first Irish-designed MOOC for teacher professional learning. This initiative was made possible through her collaboration with Microsoft and H2 Learning, an Irish eLearning services and consultancy organisation. Another example of her ability to translate and sustain knowledge from research is the establishment of the flagship Lego Education Innovation Studio. This initiative results from a long tradition that Deirdre fostered, of using Lego and digital materials to spawn innovative learning environments. By continuing to partner with Microsoft and Lego Education, Dublin City University’s Institute of Education (DCU IoE) will develop new approaches to teaching and learning that can be replicated in schools throughout the country, igniting and sustaining a passion for STEM subjects from early childhood education through third level. Another collaborative venture, Mindrising, joins Business Model Adventures, Microsoft and the IoE and NIDL (National Institute of Digital Learning to transform learning environments by using Minecraft, design thinking, digital storytelling and games-based learning to enrich and enliven the experience for students.
Deirdre’s passion in life is exploring what being digital in learning can mean and how we can meaningfully use the extensive range of digital tools available in the 21st century. As a recognised thought leader in the area of new pedagogies, she advises ministries of education around the globe on redesigning education systems for the challenges that face the world now and in the future. For example, in Finland she worked with the Ministry to inspire their specially selected Lighthouse schools to redesign learning environments, while in Denmark she worked with policy makers and professional development providers to re-imagine how learning environments can be designed to meet the needs of the complex connected world of the 21st century. Deirdre’s record of professional accomplishment demonstrates vision, energy and research excellence combined with a deep and passionate commitment to teaching and learning. The funding she have secured, and projects she has initiated and collaborated on, are evidence of both her strategic and innovative thinking, as well as her management and leadership abilities. Her publication record provides further evidence of these qualities, as well as demonstrating the ability to foster and extend national and international linkages and alliances. She have consistently worked across a broad range of stakeholders in education, technology, government, corporate and non-profit sectors. Deirdre’s ability to combine partnership-building among diverse stakeholders with focused research questions has been instrumental in her successfully bridging knowledge development, policy and practice. The key role she played in cultivating the recently launched Digital Strategy for Schools is an example of how her research on teachers’ learning (exemplified by the Empowering Minds community) and emphasis on learner-centred pedagogical orientation (demonstrated through the Innovative Schools Evaluation, TeachNet, Innovative Teaching and Learning Research, and New Pedagogies for Deep Learning) are key principles now underpinning the national educational agenda. Through her vision, negotiation skills and ability to translate principles from research into settings that make them operationally effective, Ireland’s educational potentials have improved within and beyond national bounds. For example, the 21CLD MOOC, which is free of charge and available to all educators globally, is the first Irish-designed MOOC for teacher professional learning. This initiative was made possible through her collaboration with Microsoft and H2 Learning, an Irish eLearning services and consultancy organisation. Another example of her ability to translate and sustain knowledge from research is the establishment of the flagship Lego Education Innovation Studio. This initiative results from a long tradition that Deirdre fostered, of using Lego and digital materials to spawn innovative learning environments. By continuing to partner with Microsoft and Lego Education, Dublin City University’s Institute of Education (DCU IoE) will develop new approaches to teaching and learning that can be replicated in schools throughout the country, igniting and sustaining a passion for STEM subjects from early childhood education through third level. Another collaborative venture, Mindrising, joins Business Model Adventures, Microsoft and the IoE and NIDL (National Institute of Digital Learning to transform learning environments by using Minecraft, design thinking, digital storytelling and games-based learning to enrich and enliven the experience for students.
Gov. Report or Document
Year | Publication | |
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2017 | A working group, representative of the Department and its inspectorate and its support service (Professional Development Service for Teachers), was established for this purposes and was supported by external expertise (Deirdre Butler & H2) (2017) Digital Learning Framework for Primary Schools. GOV Link | |
2017 | A working group, representative of the Department and its inspectorate and its support service (Professional Development Service for Teachers), was established for this purposes and was supported by external expertise (Deirdre Butler & H2 Learning) (2017) Digital Learning Framework for Post-Primary Schools. GOV Link | |
2013 | Butler, D., Leahy, M., Shiel, G., and Cosgrove, J. (2013) Building Towards a Learning Society: A National Digital Strategy for Schools. Dublin: GOV Link |
Book
Year | Publication | |
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2015 | Butler, D., Marshall, K., & Leahy, M. (Eds.) (2015) Shaping the Future: How technology can lead to educational transformation. Dublin: Liffey Press. | |
2014 | Murphy, C. Smith G., Glynn, M., Kavanagh, R., Losty, S. and Butler, D. (2014) Exploring Our Energy, Educational programme for primary schools, Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. SEAI online: SEAI online. Link |
Peer Reviewed Journal
Year | Publication | |
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2020 | Twining, P., Butler, D., Fisser, P., Leahy, M., Shelton, C., Forget-Dubois, N., & Lacasse, M. (2020) 'Developing a quality curriculum in a technological era'. Educational Technology Research and Development, . | |
2018 | Butler D.;Leahy M.;Twining P.;Akoh B.;Chtouki Y.;Farshadnia S.;Moore K.;Nikolov R.;Pascual C.;Sherman B.;Valtonen T. (2018) 'Education Systems in the Digital Age: The Need for Alignment'. Technology, Knowledge and Learning, . | |
2017 | Bulter, D., Leahy, M., Hallissy, M., & Brown, M (2017) 'Different strokes for different folks: Scaling a blended learning model of teacher professional learning'. Interactive Technology and Smart Education, 14 (3):230-245. Link | |
2016 | Leahy, M;Davis, N;Lewin, C;Charania, A;Nordin, H;Orlic, D;Butler, D;Lopez-Fernadez, O (2016) 'Smart Partnerships to Increase Equity in Education'. Educational Technology &Amp; Society, 19 :84-98. | |
2010 | Butler, D., & Leahy, M. (2010) 'Redefining Book Reviews for the Digital Era'. Contemporary Issues in Technology & Teacher Education, 10 (1). Link | |
2007 | Butler, D. (2007) 'A constructionist view of what it means to be digitally literate'. Nordic Journal of Digital Literacy, 2 :61-77. |
Book Chapter
Year | Publication | |
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2020 | Butler, D. & Leahy, M. (2020) 'Using Classroom Practice as “an Object to Think with” to Develop Preservice Teachers’ Understandings of Computational Thinking' In: Cham : Springer. | |
2020 | Butler, D., Twining, P., Broadley, T., Fisser, P., Forget-Dubois, N., Peiris, M.G., Kalaš, I. Lacasse,M., Leahy, M. & Shelton, C (2020) 'National Policies in Curriculum Reforms: What Makes a Quality Curriculum in a Technological Era?' In: eBook : EDUsummIT 2019 - eBook. Link | |
2019 | Butler D., Leahy M., Hallissy M., Brown M. (2019) 'MOOCs, Teacher Professional Learning and Deep Learning Conversations' In: Cham : Springer. | |
2018 | Butler, D., Hallissy, M., & Hurley, J. (2018) 'The Digital Learning Framework: What Digital Learning can Look Like in Practice, An Irish Perspective' In: Waynesville, NC USA : AACE. Link | |
2018 | Butler, D., Leahy, M., Hallissy, M., & Brown, M (2018) 'Scaling a model of teacher professional learning – Harnessing MOOCs to recreate deep learning conversations' In: Switzerland : Springer. | |
2017 | Margaret Leahy & Deirdre Butler, Peter Twinning, Yousra Chtouki, Kanda Moore, Roumen Nikolov, Amanda Sherman, Barbara Sherman, Teemu Valtonen, With Ben Akoh, Carlos Miniano Pascual, Sara Farshadnia (2017) 'Education Systems in the Digital Age: The need for alignment' In: Bulgaria : UNESCO. Link | |
2015 | Butler, D. & Leahy, M. (2015) 'Developing a Vision and Moving Forward' In: Dublin : Liffey Press. | |
2015 | Butler, D. & Leahy, M. (2015) 'Moving towards Innovation: The Development of a Sustainable Framework for Teacher Professional Learning' In: Dublin : Liffey Press. | |
2015 | Butler, D. (2015) 'Self-determined teacher learning: A model of teacher professional development for the in the 21st century classroom' In: Dublin : Liffey Press. | |
2015 | Niki Davis, Margaret Leahy, Cathy Lewin, Amina Charania, and Hasniza Nordin, with Ave Mejia, Davor Orlec, Deirdre Butler, Vanessa Chang, Ben Daniel Motidyang, Ola Erstad, and Olatz Lopez-Fernandez (2015) 'Smart Partnerships' In: Bangkok : UNESCO. Link | |
2015 | Nancy Law, Dale Niederhauser, Linda Shear, and Rhonda Christensen, with Esther Care, David Smith, Jonghwi Park, Bent Andresen, Hans van Bergen, Deirdre Butler, Allan Christie, Jill Downie, Tania Bradley, and Louise Starkey (2015) 'Indicators of quality technology-enhanced teaching and learning' In: Bangkok : UNESCO. Link | |
2011 | Butler, D. (2011) 'Learning in 21st century classrooms: A constructionist view' In: Dublin : NCTE. DWEC, NEC. | |
2007 | Butler, D., & Kelly, J. (2007) 'The Digital Era: Empowerment or digital divide' In: Dublin : IPA. | |
2006 | Butler, D., Strohecker, C., & Martin, F. (2006) 'Sustaining local identity, control and ownership while integrating technology into school learning' In: Berlin / Heidleberg : Springer. Link |
Guidelines for Practice
Year | Publication | |
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2014 | Murphy, C. Smith G., Glynn, M., Kavanagh, R., Losty, S. and Butler, D. (2014) Exploring Our Energy. Dublin: GFP Link |
Reports
Published Report
Year | Publication | |
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2021 | Butler, D. & LeahyM. (2021) Being a Digital Learning. National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, . | |
2020 | McLoughlin E., Butler., D., Kaya, S. & Costello, E. ( (2020) STEM Education in Schools: What Can We Learn from the Research? ATS STEM Report #1. Dublin City University, . | |
2020 | Butler, D., McLoughlin, E.,O'Leary, M., Kaya, S., Costello, E., & Brown, M. (2020) Towards the ATS STEM Conceptual Framework. ATS STEM Report #5. Dublin: Dublin City University. DCU, . | |
2014 | Cosgrove, J, Butler, D., Leahy, M., Shiel, G., Kavanagh, L. and Creaven, A. (2014) Report on the 2013 ICT Census in Schools. St. Patrick’s College of Education, Education Research Centre, . | |
2014 | Cosgrove, J, Butler, D., Leahy, M., Shiel, G., Kavanagh, L. and Creaven, A. (2014) Summary Report on the 2013 ICT Census in Schools. St. Patrick’s College of Education, Education Research Centre, . | |
2014 | Dunphy, E., Dooley, T., & Shiel, G. with Butler, D., Corcoran, D., Ryan, M. & Travers, J. (2014) Mathematics in early childhood and primary education (3–8 years) definitions, theories, development and progression (NCCA Research Report 17). National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, . | |
2014 | Dooley, T., Dunphy, E., Shiel, G., Butler, D., Corcoran, D., Farrell, T., NicMhuirí, S., O'Connor, M., Travers, J. & Perry, B (2014) Mathematics in Early Childhood and Primary Education (children aged 3-8 years), (Volume 18: Teaching and learning). National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, . Link | |
2014 | Dooley, T., Dunphy, E., & Shiel, G. with Butler, D., Corcoran, D., Farrell, T., Nic Mhuirí, S., O’ Connor, M., & Travers, J., (2014) Mathematics in early childhood and primary education (3-8 years) teaching and learning (NCCA Research Report 18). National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, . | |
2013 | Butler, D., Leahy, M., Shiel, G., & Cosgrove, J. (2013) Building Towards a Learning Society: A National Digital Strategy for Schools. St. Patrick’s College of Education, Education Research Centre, . |
Conference Publication
Year | Publication | |
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2020 | Butler, D., Leahy, M., Hsu, H. P., & Moynihan, D (2020) Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference. Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE) Impact of pre-service teachers’ gaming behaviours on their confidence and competence in applying game-based learning approaches: Implications for Teacher Educators | |
2020 | Shonfeld, M., Knezek, G., Starkey, L., Christensen, R., Ng, C.Y., Butler, D., Leahy, M., Twinning, P., Phillips, M. and Yildiz, M (2020) Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference EDUsummIT Symposium SITE 2020-Learners and learning contexts: New alignments for the digital age | |
2020 | Butler, D & Leahy, M. (2020) CONSTRUCTIONISM 2020 . In: Tangney, B., Rowan Byrne, J., Girvan eds. Developing pre-service teachers’ understanding of computational thinking: a constructionist lens Link | |
2018 | Voogt, J., Lai, K.W., Knezek, G., Christensen, R., Forkosh Baruch, A., Grinshkun, V., Grigoryev, S., Shonfeld, M., Smits, A., Henrikson, D., Henderson, M., Uvarov, A., Philips, M., Webb, M., Niederhauser, D., Mishra, P., Leahy, M., Butler, D. & Strijker, A. (2018) Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference . In: E. Langran & J. Borup eds. Part 1: Rethinking Learning in the Digital Age – Implications for Teacher Education | |
2018 | Leahy, M., Butler,D., Mc Quaid, D., Ryan, R. & Tormey F. (2018) Proceedings of Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference, Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE) Introducing Computational Thinking to Primary School Classrooms in Ireland: A Constructionist Approach | |
2017 | Butler D.;Leahy M.;Hallissy M.;Brown M. (2017) IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology Scaling a model of teacher professional learning – harnessing MOOCS to recreate deep learning conversations | |
2016 | Butler D.;Leahy M.;Hallissy M.;Brown M. (2016) ASCILITE 2016 - Conference Proceedings - 33rd International Conference of Innovation, Practice and Research in the Use of Educational Technologies in Tertiary Education: Show Me the Learning Embedding classroom practice in a 21st Century Learning Design (21CLD) MOOC framework | |
2016 | Butler, D., Leahy, M., Hallissy, M., and Brown, M (2016) 33rd International Conference of Innovation and Research in the Use of Educational Technologies in Tertiary Education Embedding Classroom Practice in as 21st Century Learning Design (21CLD) MOOC Framework Adelaide. Australia, | |
2016 | Butler, D., Leahy, M., Hallissy, M., & Brown, M. (2016) Proceedings of the International Conferences on Internet Technologies & Society 2016, Educational Technologies 2016 and Sustainability, Technology and Education 2016 Scaling a Model of Teacher Professional Learning – to MOOC or not to MOOC? Melbourne, Australia, | |
2016 | Butler, D., Brown, M., & Mac Críosta, G. (2016) ICEdTech16, International Conference on Educational Technologies Telling the story of MindRising: Minecraft, mindfulness and meaningful learning Melbourne, | |
2016 | Butler, D., Brown, M., & Mac Críosta, G. (2016) The Next Generation Digital Learning Research Symposium Minecraft and digital learning: Building a research culture Dublin City University, 01/11/2016- | |
2015 | Leahy, M., & Butler, D. (2015) Proceedings of Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference, Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE) . In: D. Slykhuis & G. Marks eds. Key Elements of a Sustainable Framework for Teacher Professional Learning Chesapeake, VA:, | |
2015 | Butler, D., & Leahy, M. (2015) Proceedings of Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference, Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE) . In: D. Slykhuis & G. Marks eds. Towards the development of a new Digital Strategy for Schools in Ireland Chesapeake, VA:, | |
2011 | Butler, D.,& Leahy, M. (2011) Proceedings of Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference, Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE) Sharing Classroom Practices: A Scalable, Sustainable Model of Teacher Professional Development for Learning in the 21st Century Chesapeake, VA:, | |
2011 | Shear, L., Butler, D., & Leahy, M. (2011) Proceedings of Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference, Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE) Examining the Artifacts of Classroom Practice: 21st Century Learning Rubrics for Teacher Professional Development Chesapeake, VA:, | |
2011 | Leahy, M. & Butler, D. (2011) Proceedings of Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference 21st Century Learning Rubrics: A Catalyst Towards School-Level Innovation Chesapeake, VA, | |
2010 | Butler, D. & Leahy, M (2010) Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference Moving Towards Innovation: The development of a sustainable framework for teacher professional development | |
2010 | Butler, D., & Leahy, M. (2010) Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association, Denver, Colorado Job-embedded professional development: Moving traditional education toward innovation in Ireland | |
2010 | Butler, D. (2010) Big Ideas Global Summit 2010, Maine Emerging New Models of Teacher Learning, Equity, Access, Opportunity for All – Learning for the 21st Century | |
2010 | Butler, D. (2010) Lead paper presented at the Hosting and Harvesting Conference, Australian Council for Educational Leadership, Sydney Deep Learning, Rich Understandings: Teacher Learner, Learner Teacher | |
2010 | Hurley, J., & Butler, D. (2010) Computers in Education Society of Ireland (CESI), Portlaoise New Developments in Teacher CPD: Online courses for teachers, UNESCO ICT Competency Framework & EPICT | |
2010 | Butler, D. & Hallissy, M. (2010) Annual Conference & International Symposium, Washington, DC Thinking Tool to enable school change, Consortium for School Networking | |
2010 | Butler, D., & Hurley, J. (2010) Learning & Technology World Forum (LATWF), London Re-imagining CPD for Education | |
2010 | Butler, D. (2010) ICT Forum 10 10 10, Yesterday’s Challenges, Tomorrow’s Opportunities, Jordan MENA Ecosystem; Education, MENA’ (Middle East North Africa) | |
2009 | Butler, D. (2009) Presentation on physical site and online through the webcast Digital technologies supporting K-12 learning and teachers' professional development | |
2008 | Butler, D. (2008) Keynote presentation at European Innovative Teachers Forum, Zagreb School V’s real world | |
2008 | Butler, D. (2008) Keynote presentation to Innovative Teachers Special Forum, Microsoft HQ, Redmond, WA Constructionism in action: 21st century learning | |
2008 | Butler, D. (2008) Keynote presentation to the World Innovative Teachers Forum, Hong Kong Constructionism in action: 21st century learning | |
2007 | Butler, D. & Leahy, M (2007) Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education Conference (SITE2007 Using DV to create Online Digital Video Book Reviews | |
2007 | Butler, D. (2007) Keynote address at The Internet Experience for Schools (Seminar for Teachers), Tipperary Institute Learning for the 21st Century | |
2006 | Butler, D;Strohecker, C;Martin, F (2006) Informatics Education - The Bridge between Using and Understanding Computers Sustaining local identity, control and ownership while integrating technology into school learning | |
2006 | Butler, D. (2006) Keynote presentation at School of the Future Summitt, Philadelphia, PA Small is powerful | |
2005 | Butler, D. & Leahy, M (2005) Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education Conference The TeachNet Ireland Project as a Model of Professional Development for Teachers | |
2004 | Strohecker C.;Butler D. (2004) Proceedings of the 2004 Conference on Interaction Design and Children: Building a Community, IDC 2004 The informal informing the formal to form new models of Learning | |
2003 | Butler, D., & Gash, H. (2003) Paper presented at the International Symposium on Celtic Civilization in conjunction with the International Conference on Systems Research, Informatics and Cybernetics, Baden Baden Germany Creative learning and spiritual moments | |
2002 | Shepherd, R., Butler, D., Mikak, B., & Diamond, D. (2002) Poster presented at the International Workshop on Advanced Materials for Sensors & Actuators Role of Nanotechnology, University of Wollongong, Australia Autonomous sensing robots: Powerful tools for project-based science education |
Conference Contribution
Certain data included herein are derived from the © Web of Science (2021) of Clarivate. All rights reserved.