TEU Update May 1 2025

Would you like to know more about what Challenge-Based Learning (CBL) is and why it might be a valuable addition to your pedagogical toolkit? Are you thinking of incorporating CBL into your teaching in the near future? Would you like an overview of the core characteristics? If so, come along to one of these online introductory sessions for those new to the concept which will be repeated on three separate dates (Thurs May 15th, 2 pm; Friday May 23rd, 11 am; Monday May 26th, 11 am) in May. Please pick whichever date best suits your schedule.

Note that this introductory session should also act as a useful precursor to potential one-to-one or group CBL design sessions so it’s a chance to get familiar with the fundamentals before diving in.

On Monday 19th May, DCU will host a mini-symposium focusing on two important aspects of ESD:

Dr Kieran Higgins from the University of Ulster and Dr Alison Calvert from Queen’s University, Belfast will lead a session on integrating ESD themes into modules using their CRAFTS methodology. This was developed for Advance HE and more details can be found here.
Lizzy Noone from Worldwise Global Schools (Irish Aid) will lead a workshop on simple yet powerful active learning methodologies involving a ball of string. This hands-on method turns abstract issues like inequality, climate change, and human rights into something participants can see and feel.

The event will take place in HG 10 (Alice Reeves Building) on the Glasnevin campus between 11am and 2pm. Lunch will be provided.

The event is open to all staff and PhD students and will also serve as a celebration for staff who have completed the NFTL Digital Badge ‘Introduction to Education for Sustainability.’

Please register here.

We’re pleased to share that the Teaching Enhancement Unit has developed a new report to support your review of SSOT (Student Survey of Teaching) results. The SSOT Module Feedback Summary Report provides a clear overview of student feedback for each module you teach. This summary report is now available in Loop - simply scroll down the main page to the right-hand side, locate the Configurable Reports block, and select the report titled SSOT Module Feedback Summary Report. From there, you’ll be able to view a summary of your module's SSOT results and access a link to the full report.

If you encounter any issues accessing or interpreting your module’s report, please contact Motasem.alhajali@dcu.ie for support.

You may wish to enrol your external examiner to your module page so that they can peruse students’ submitted coursework. If they already hold a non-DCU Loop account, you should be able to enrol them with the role of “External examiner” through the usual method - by selecting “Participants” and then “Enrol users” and searching for and selecting them.

Newly appointed external examiners will have their non-DCU Loop accounts created in advance by the TEU (with thanks to the Guru team for supplying the details). Therefore they should appear in the enrolment screen when you search for them.

Please note that all holders of non-DCU Loop accounts need to authenticate into Loop via multi-factor authentication.

The ILTA EdTech organising committee have been in touch to highlight a call for submissions for innovative contributions on teaching and learning. Under the leadership of Dr Claire McAvinia of Trinity College Dublin, a committee has been formed that will consider applications for the 2025 Jennifer Burke Award for Innovation in Teaching and Learning. This award recognises and rewards innovative practice and in particular aims to reflect and remember Jenn’s vibrancy, creativity, energy and passion for learning.

Please consider submitting a short video proposal presenting your work as per the attached call document. The submission link is in the document along with other important guidance. Time is tight as proposals are due May 12th. The winner will be announced at the EdTech conference.

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.