TEU Update 4 September 2025
Featured this week
- Loop Preparation for the New Academic Year
- Loop Reflect
- Engaging students with Vevox
- Digital Badge in GenAI
- Interactive Oral Assessment Introductory Workshop
As you get ready for teaching to commence, here is a reminder of key Loop instructions.
-
All module pages for the year are available on Loop. Those listed as “Instructors” in Banner are enrolled to their Loop pages as Teachers.
-
Pages are accessible from your Loop Dashboard. Make sure your course overview filter is set to “All”. Change the number of courses displayed (e.g., 12, 24, 48) and use the arrows to navigate through your list of courses if you are enrolled in lots of them.
- If you have checked throughout your Loop Dashboard and cannot see your module page, it probably means you are not listed as an “Instructor” on Banner, so contact your faculty office to make sure you’re correctly added. Neither TEU nor DTS can assist with this.
- Your pages from 2024/2025 remain on Loop should you wish to import material from last year’s pages to your new pages for the new academic year. If you need access to another module page from last year, again, request your faculty office to add you as instructor.
- To import material from a 24/25 page, go to your new page for the new academic year follow these steps (taking care to locate the right page if there are multiple CRNs for your particular module):
On the Loop module page top menu, choose:
- More
- Course Reuse
- Import
You can also watch this video on the Loop Staff Support Page to learn how to import material and make some key configurations to your pages.
6. An important reminder - DO NOT import Loop Assignment activities. These should be re-created from scratch on your new Loop module page so they have right Turnitin Similarity text-matching settings applied. The settings must be correct before students start submitting.
7. You should not enrol students directly onto Loop module pages. They get access as they work through their online registration steps. Cohort enrolment to programme pages is being refreshed at present and will be completed soon, so numbers of participants on these pages will be in flux until this is completed.
8. If you have an e.g. guest lecturer, new member of staff without an account yet, who needs access to Loop, you can request a non-DCU account be created for them.
Piloting and evaluating AI content generation in Loop
This session is aimed at DCU lecturers who want to explore the potential of AI content generation within Loop. This year the TEU is piloting and evaluating the use of two AI tools within Loop:-
1) the AI Subsystem, for generating text/images and summarising text; and
2) the Question Generator, for generating quiz questions and feedback.
If you want to learn more and be part of a small pilot group to explore these features, register to attend via the link below:
Session will be recorded and circulated afterwards, so register anyway if you are interested.
Getting Started with Loop Quizzes (17 September @ 2 PM)
This 60-minute workshop focuses on creating and managing quizzes in Loop to boost student engagement and formative assessment. You'll learn the basics of quiz setup, explore question types, and configure settings for grading and feedback. By the end, you'll have hands-on experience in building a quiz and analysing results. This session is ideal for both new users and those needing a refresher on Loop quizzes.
The workshop will be held Wednesday, September 17, 2025, at 2:00 PM. You can attend remotely via Zoom or in person at room DG10 in the Bea Orpen Building.
Using a Loop Reflect Template
Are you incorporating ePortfolios or Loop Reflect in your assessments this semester? If so, consider setting up a Loop Reflect template for your students. A template is a pre-created page, or collection of pages, that students can copy to use for themselves. It may contain prompt questions, headings, and guidelines that support students in structuring their work and can reduce the stress of beginning with a blank page.
Follow these instructions to Build and Share a Loop Reflect Template.
Group Portfolios in Loop Reflect
Do you have a group assignment that requires students to work together to present evidence of their learning? Loop Reflect offers a collaborative space for students to create a shared portfolio, bringing together individual contributions, reflections, and supporting materials into a single, cohesive submission. Once complete, the portfolio can be submitted directly to Loop for assessment. If you would like to hear more about group portfolios please contact teaching.enhancement@dcu.ie.
Loop Reflect Demo for Students
If you plan to use Loop Reflect in your assessment this semester, the TEU would be happy to provide a demo for your students. Please email teaching.enhancement@dcu.ie to arrange this.
Vevox is a quick way to run fun icebreaker polls or word clouds that get everyone involved right from the start of class. It helps students relax, find common ground, and feel more connected before diving into the main content. When used consistently across lectures, Vevox builds a habit of interaction, keeps students engaged throughout the term, and provides ongoing feedback to help you adapt teaching to their needs. More information about Vevox is available in this resource on the Loop Staff Support Page.
As previously shared, this year the TEU will facilitate a Digital Badge in GenAI. This badge is designed to support the development of your GenAI literacy so that you can explore its use of Generative AI within your teaching, learning, and assessment practices, with a specific focus on ethical practice. This badge will be a DCU tailored version of the open course designed and run last year by TCD, DCU, and UL. The badge will start in the latter half of the Autumn semester and continue into the Spring semester to facilitate staff engagement.
Please click here to register your interest, and we will contact you when registration opens. If you have any questions, please contact samantha.xu@dcu.ie.
Monday 15th September 2025 at 14:00 to 15:00, in person in DG10, Bea Orpen, Glasnevin Campus.
Have you heard about Interactive Oral Assessment and wondered if it could be applied in your module? How does it differ from other forms of oral assessment? What are the steps involved in designing an Interactive Oral? The aim of this upcoming online workshop is to provide an overview of Interactive Oral Assessment, highlight its value as an authentic assessment format and outline its design and application.
This workshop is in person and will not be recorded. Please direct any queries relating to the workshop to Lily Girme (lily.girme@dcu.ie) and Martina Crehan (martina.crehan@dcu.ie), Teaching Enhancement Unit.
Technical Queries
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'
Teaching and Learning
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.
