TEU Update 2 April 2026

Creating Collaborative Classrooms

Tuesday 14 April, 13:00
Room F119, first floor, F Block, St Patrick’s Campus

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 in particular, and can be facilitated through the pedagogically effective use of available classroom technologies at DCU, such as the new Samsung Flip Interactive Displays.

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

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.

VR Convos & Cuppas

Thursday 16 April, 13:00, GLA.DG10

Have you ever wondered what virtual reality is all about? Curious to try on a headset and explore some educational apps? Want to have a chat to see if VR is something which would enhance your students’ learning experiences? If so, drop in to our VR Convos & Cuppas session, where we can have a good chinwag over the potential of VR. And don’t worry, the tea and coffee is real, not virtual!

No need to register - drop in to DG10 in the Bea Orpen Building on the day/time.

Call for submissions for the Jennifer Burke Award

The call for submissions for the Jennifer Burke Award for Innovation in Teaching and Learning is open, closing 13 April 2026. The award was launched in 2009 by the Irish Learning Technology Association (ILTA) in memory of Jennifer Burke, a member of staff of DCU's Learning Innovation Unit (the predecessor to the TEU). The Award aims to reflect and remember Jenn’s vibrancy, creativity, energy and passion for learning. The Award celebrates unique or pioneering approaches to teaching and learning, novel in your specific discipline or context. Importantly, innovation doesn’t have to involve technology - it’s about innovative and effective examples that showcase how to enhance the learning experience.

Teaching and Learning Hub Launch - Save the Date!

On Tuesday 26th May, the Teaching Enhancement Unit is launching the Education for Sustainable Development Teaching and Learning Hub.

This online space will bring together all of the supports and resources available to help academics and other teaching staff integrate ESD into their practice. From frameworks and self-assessment guides to workshops and consultations, there should be something for everyone.

To launch the initiative, there will be a full day of events focused on a variety of themes related to ESD. Full details will follow in the coming weeks but, for now, please hold a space in your diary.

Register for the DCU Spring 2026 Universal Design Badge Course

This semester, we will be facilitating a UDL Badge course locally for DCU staff. Along with offering the "Universal Design in Teaching and Learning" badge, this instance of the programme will also offer a second track for professional staff in "Universal Design Beyond the Classroom".. Participants who complete the course will be awarded a digital badge recognised by the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning. The course will run from 20th April to 28th June. Register your interest for the course via this form.

For more info on the content of the UDL badge course, see this page, or reach out directly to steve.welsh@dcu.ie with any specific questions.

Loop Guidance

Managing your Loop Gradebook

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

Keep your grade items hidden in the Gradebook while grading if you do not want students to see grades while you are still grading.
Ensure that grade items in the Gradebook are weighted correctly and all weights add up to 1.0.
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.

A comprehensive suite of resources on grading and Loop Gradebook are also available on the Loop Staff Support Page in the Assessment section.

Checking your Turnitin Similarity text-matching settings

If you want student submissions to Loop Assignments to be text-matched, you must ensure these settings are applied before students start submitting. You can read more on Turnitin settings on the Loop Staff Support Page.

Please also notify students that they must accept the End User Licence Agreement (EULA) before uploading a file to a Loop Assignment to be processed. by Turnitin Similarity. They only need to do this once for the entire site. There is a helpful Turnitin Similarity resource on the Loop 101 for Students support page which you may also wish to share with your students.

SoTL Spotlight

In this section, we will regularly share conferences, call for papers and other items related to the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning across disciplines

Change One Thing in Spring

An online teaching sharing series Change one Thing in Spring from the Irish Learning Technology Association may be of interest to DCU Staff providing professional development and exchange opportunities. The next session is on Tuesday, April 21st: 12:30 - 13:30

Dr Angelica Risquez and Dr Michael Wride, University of Limerick: Using the Portflow ePortfolio tool in the PGCert in Teaching, Learning and Assessment
Dr Celeste McNamara, Dublin City University: Reading and Annotating Together with Perusall
Michael O Connor of TU Dublin: Incorporating hints and video tutorials into asynchronous learning quizzes
Jessica Marbe, Munster Technological University: The Living Archive, A GCE resource and playbook
Dr Ciarán O'Carroll of TU Dublin: A Day in My Life: Building Intercultural Bridges Through Digital Storytelling

Where to Find Help and Support

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

Stay in the loop Professional and technical staff - Join Group to stay informed on TEU activities, including Loop communications and professional development opportunities.