TEU Update Jul 3 2025
Module pages
With thanks to colleagues in DTS, all module pages for Autumn 2025, Spring 2026 and Summer 2026 have been created on Loop.
Those listed as “Instructors” in the student information system Banner will be 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 you will need to arrange for yourself to be listed as one. Contact your faculty office to make sure you’re correctly added to your course in Banner. Neither TEU nor DTS can assist with this.
Importing material
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.
To import, go to your new page for Autumn 2025/Spring 2026/Summer 2026 - taking care to locate the right one 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 (enrolment key is ‘staff’ if prompted) to learn how to import material from last year’s page (or any other page on Loop) and to make some key configurations to your pages.
Programme pages
With thanks to those faculty offices who have supplied programme information to TEU, from 7 July we will begin the process of creating ‘programme pages’ on Loop. Programme chairs will be emailed direct links to their pages when they are ready.
These programme pages can act as a hub for programme information across different student cohorts, help them perceive their programme identity and help support community building. Programme chairs are invited to explore this resource on the Loop Staff Support Page to learn how to make the most of their programme page (enrolment key is ‘staff’).
Creating ad hoc pages
If you need a Loop page for some other purpose, such as:
- Creating a shared Loop page to teach out of where there are two or more CRN module pages on Loop
- An auxiliary page connected to a module page
- Internal staff training
- External collaborative project
Or more, you can request a page’s creation using this form.
This form should NOT be used to request an official module page - those are only created via the integration with the student information system Banner.
Migration to new text-matching solution
The migration to our new text-matching solution Turnitin Similarity will commence in August and from 1 September, Ouriginal will cease to operate.
Programme chairs should indicate to the Teaching Enhancement Unit (teaching.enhancement@dcu.ie) any major assessments they expect students on their programme to submit in August and which require text matching so the TEU can ensure Turnitin Similarity is properly configured for them.
Further information and resources about Turnitin Similarity will be made available in due course. Information about an initial training for programme chairs is listed below.
Loop support during the summer
As always, you can get assistance with Loop by logging a ticket via DCU Help or joining a Loop online drop-in clinic, details in the TEU calendar. The clinics continue during July and August, but on a reduced schedule. Regular clinic frequency will resume in mid/late August. The Loop Staff Support Page is also an excellent first place to start with all things Loop.
Introduction to Portfolio Assessment with Loop Reflect
Are you interested in using ePortfolios in your teaching? Join our upcoming online session focused 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 session will provide practical insights and hands-on guidance. We will explore the features of the platform, discuss best practices for integrating ePortfolios into your teaching, and highlight how they can be used for meaningful assessment.
Date: Wednesday 3rd September | Time: 11:00-12:00 | Location: Online through Zoom
Please register to attend the online session.
Turnitin Similarity Training Session for Programme Chairs
As part of the migration to Turnitin Similarity from Ouriginal, we wish to invite programme chairs to an online training session on Wednesday, 27 August, from 2-3 p.m. Register via this link. This session will also be recorded.
Programme chairs are an important cohort of staff, who can help disseminate key information about Turnitin Similarity to colleagues who teach on their programme.
Further information and resources about Turnitin Similarity will be made available in due course, as well as details of other training sessions for other groups of staff. Our first target for training is programme chairs. If you have any questions about Turnitin Similarity, please raise a ticket at DCU Help.
Theme: Teaching and Learning in Turbulent Times: Recognising Diversity and Promoting Inclusion
Dates: September 29th - October 3rd 2025
Modes: Series of In-Person and Online Events
Deadline for submissions: Extended to August 15th
This year’s Teaching and Learning Week, themed "Teaching and Learning in Turbulent Times: Recognising Diversity and Promoting Inclusion," encourages staff to share teaching and learning practices that critically engage with global challenges, acknowledge diverse perspectives, and actively promote inclusion.
We have invited keynote speaker Dr Jennifer Fraser, University Director of Student Partnership and Principal Lecturer at the University of Westminster, UK. Dr Jennifer Fraser led a comprehensive project to decolonise the curriculum at UoW. They will be joined by student Kelsea Costin to co-present the keynote and exemplify true student partnership.
For more information about topics of interest and how to get involved, please visit the Call for Contributions. If you are interested in sharing your work, please complete the form by Friday August 15th and a member of the Teaching Enhancement Unit will get back to you.
Whilst the work of the TEU will continue over the summer, the newsletter is setting sail and taking a short break. This will be our final edition until early August. As always, you can contact us in the interim at teaching.enhancement@dcu.ie.
Wishing everyone a happy, and hopefully sunny, summer and we look forward to continuing to work with you all in the academic year 2025/2026.
If you require assistance or guidance with teaching and learning or Loop related matters, avail of the below methods.
Support for technical issues
For Loop technical queries, go to help.dcu.ie. You can also attend one of our regular online Loop drop in clinics, details in the TEU calendar. The drop in clinics are particularly useful for more complex queries. The Loop Staff Support Page also provides a comprehensive range of resources on Loop and Zoom. For new users, the enrolment key for this page is ‘staff’.
Advice on using technology for Teaching and Learning
If you are looking for advice on developing your teaching practice, including but not limited to the application of technology, please contact the TEU team teaching.enhancement@dcu.ie. We will endeavour to respond to you as soon as possible.
Consultancy request form
Interested in requesting a workshop or more extended consultation on a specific topic? Use this consultancy request form.
TEU mailing list
Going forward, the TEU newsletter and other updates will be issued to the academic staff mail group. Anyone else who wishes to receive our communications, please click “Join Group” to be added to our mailing list. This is particularly important if you wish to receive updates on Loop related communications; professional development opportunities such as Advance HE supported journey, etc.
