TEU Update 11 December 2025

Loop grading tips

Many of you will currently be grading or preparing to do so. Keep these tips in mind for grading on Loop. 

1. Keep your grade items hidden in the Gradebook while grading if you do not want students to see grades while you are still grading.

2. Ensure that grade items in the Gradebook are weighted correctly and all weights add up to 1.0.

3. Organise assignments, quizzes, and other graded activities into ‘Grade Categories’(e.g., Exams, Participation, Weekly Quizzes), which  makes it easier to view things, and helps students clearly see their coursework grade breakdown.

If your module is graded on a “Pass/Fail” basis you may wish to follow this guidance for setting up your Loop Gradebook to facilitate that.

A comprehensive suite of resources on grading and Loop Gradebook are also available on the Loop Staff Support Page in the Assessment section—including a specific-purposes resource on Loop Gradebook.

Transferring coursework grades from Loop to Banner

As indicated by Academic Systems, there is currently an issue with the Loop Grades Transfer to Banner process, which is being investigated by the Banner vendor. Colleagues will be notified when it is resolved. Once resolved, you can follow these instructions to transfer Loop course grade totals to Banner as coursework component grades.

Loop Gradebook Setup and Grades Transfer: Workshop Recording Available

On 1st December, we held the workshop “Making the Grade: Loop Gradebook and Grades Transfer”. In this session aimed at DCU module co-ordinators and lecturers, we cover setting up Loop Gradebook to ensure the correct grade visibility, weighting, and overall calculation of student coursework grades. 

The workshop recording is available on the Loop Staff Support Page.

Loop support desk

The Loop support desk will close from Friday 19th December and re-open Friday 2nd January. Any tickets raised for the Loop team via DCU Help during this period will be handled upon re-opening.

Interested in trying portfolio assessment in semester 2?

Are you interested in using ePortfolios in your teaching? Take some time to browse a recording of a recent session on using ePortfolios and Loop Reflect (DCU’s ePortfolio platform) to support learning, reflection, and assessment. Whether you are new to ePortfolios or looking to deepen your understanding of how they support student growth and showcase learning over time, this will provide practical insights and hands-on guidance. You will learn about the features of the platform, best practices for integrating ePortfolios into your teaching, and how they can be used for meaningful assessment. You can browse the slides as well.

If you would like to discuss the potential of ePortfolios in your programme/module, please contact teaching.enhancement@dcu.ie 

Loop Reflect Demo for Students

If you plan to use Loop Reflect in your assessment next semester, the TEU would be happy to provide a demo for your students. Please email teaching.enhancement@dcu.ie to arrange this.

Review Zoom recordings
 

If you have recorded some Zoom class sessions to the cloud for students to revisit this semester, take some time to review them to see if they are still needed, and to check when their auto-deletion will occur. Log into the Zoom web portal and from the left hand panel choose Recordings & Transcripts.

Active learning engages students in the learning process, requiring them to complete meaningful activities in which they think about and apply what they are learning (Prince, 2004). Active learning can create energetic, engaged classrooms and promote deep learning. 

Join this active, hands-on session to get started with all things active learning, and get familiar with some approaches which you might employ yourself this academic year.

Date & Time: Wednesday 14 January 2026, 14:00-16:00

Location: Room AG42, The Spark - Active Learning Spaces powered by DCU Futures,  (ground floor, Albert College, Glasnevin campus).

Registration is essential. Places will be limited at this active and hands-on session. Note that parts of this session will be recorded using a 360 degree camera. Please bring devices (e.g. smartphone , tablet or laptop). Refreshments will be provided.

Date & Time: Thursday 15 January 2026, 13:00-14:00

Online via Zoom

Involving students as partners in the assessment process helps develop assessment literacy, support student engagement, and recognises students’ agency and their being experts in their own learning. Moreover, it helps support academic integrity and universal design for learning. There are multiple ways of working in assessment partnership with your students (some of which you might be doing already!)

If you’d like to learn more, register to attend this online session. Session will be recorded and circulated afterwards.

More information about student partnership in assessment available on our webpage.

Learning through discussion, collaboration and production (Laurillard, 2012) are often some of the most impactful ways for students to co-construct knowledge. These types of learning can be leveraged in small group teaching scenarios, and can be facilitated through the pedagogically effective use of classroom technologies.

Join us at this practical lunchtime session to explore ways of creating collaboration for students in small group sessions.

Date & Time: Wednesday 21 January 2026, 13:00-14:00

Location: SPC.F119

Registration is essential. Places will be limited at this interactive and collaborative session. Please bring devices (e.g. smartphone , tablet or laptop). Note that parts of this session will be recorded using a 360 degree camera.

The ECIU University Forum is a yearly networking event that unites the entire ECIU University community. In 2026, under the theme Futuremakers: Educating for Impact, the focus will be on how education can drive real change and empower people and communities to turn ideas into action and societal impact. Colleagues are invited to submit a proposal for a session. 

Location: University of Aveiro, Portugal

Dates: 16-17 June 2026

Further information: The event is organised under the framework of the Erasmus+ ECIUn+ project. Visit https://www.eciu.eu/events/eciu-university-forum-2026 for more information 

Application: You can apply for different sessions at https://www.eciu.eu/events/eciu-university-forum-2026#sessions 

Queries: Contact events@eciu.eu with any queries on the event or sessions.

Deadline for application: 22 December 2025  

Financial support: There are some limited funds to support travel expenses. Queries on funding can be sent to Olivia Daly, ECIU Senior Project Officer (olivia.daly@dcu.ie).

Submit a request at DCU Help for Loop queries
More complex query or prefer to chat? Join a Loop drop in clinic
Find comprehensive resources on our Loop Staff Support Page - enrolment key is 'staff'
 

For advice on teaching practice, including on the use of technology, email teaching.enhancement@dcu.ie
Request a workshop or extended consultation

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