TEU Update May 29 2025
TEU is leading a QUID-funded project on ‘Decolonising the Curriculum’ and aims to develop an interactive toolkit which can support DCU educators in relevant decolonising activity in teaching, learning and assessment. Decolonising the curriculum involves undoing the colonialist power that shapes the production, circulation and reproduction of knowledge. It is also about creating a diverse and inclusive curriculum in which everyone, especially those who are marginalised, are heard and represented. See further explanation here.
We are interested in including examples of practice of decolonising the curriculum in any aspect of teaching, learning, and assessment across DCU. These practices will be integrated in the interactive toolkit to support wider staff engagement and guide future Communities of Practice. If you are interested in sharing any examples of current or indeed past work in this area, please contact samantha.xu@dcu.ie for an initial conversation.
Would you like to share how your teaching practice relates to LGBTQ+ themes or topics? If so, you may wish to respond to the recent call for presentations for the second annual ‘DCU Pride in Teaching & Research’ event. The deadline for expressions of interest in Tuesday 3 June.
The event will take place on Thursday 12 June as part of the schedule of events for Pride at DCU.
Full details are available in the call for papers or on the expressions of interest form. Queries can be directed to prideplus@dcu.ie.
(The event also seeks presentations from DCU researchers, so please feel free to share with research colleagues, PhD students, postdocs, etc.)
Given the challenges currently faced by people and the planet at a local, national and global level, the need to integrate ESD into curricula and practice has never been greater.
ESD is about more than just the content of your modules and programmes. It can also support you to develop pedagogical approaches and classroom practices that develop the skills and competencies that all our graduates will need.
A good place to start is with DCU’s Education for Sustainable Development hub. This includes introductory material on economic, environmental and social challenges as well as ideas for developing student competencies. There are also sections on curriculum design, refreshing assessment and classroom methodologies.
If you’d like to talk more about how ESD can refresh your modules or support your practice, please contact DCU’s ESD Officer, Barry Peak.
The deadline to register for our digital badge course, “Getting Started With Personal & Professional Digital Capacity” is tomorrow Friday 30 May.
Why take this course?
The higher education student population is increasing in diversity and there are demands for increased flexibility in when and how learning opportunities are provided. Digital devices and applications are ubiquitous. To respond to these changes in higher education and the increasingly digital environment, educators have to develop their digital skills and adapt to more innovative teaching approaches.
Educators and those who support education are invited to participate in a rollout of the Open Course "Getting Started With Personal & Professional Digital Capacity", jointly facilitated by ATU and DCU.
What’s in it for me?
Those who successfully complete the course will earn a digital badge issued by the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching & Learning.
For more information on what’s involved, the indicative course schedule, and to register, visit this link.
The 2025 SEDA Spring Conference, held at Liverpool John Moores University on 15–16 May, brought together educators and academic developers under the theme "Empowering Voices: Innovations in Student Engagement for Higher Education Success." SEDA is the professional association for staff and educational developers, promoting innovation and good practice in higher education.
Professor Tansy Jessop (University of Bristol) opened with an inspiring keynote highlighting how small, deliberate actions can significantly enhance student agency and partnership. Her message resonated throughout the conference, setting the tone for sessions focused on co-creation, compassion, and innovative teaching practices.
Vicki Dale from the University of Glasgow shared a project in which student interns worked in partnership with staff to create case studies of good practice. Melike Bulut Albaba, Sheffield Hallam University, highlighted the benefits of embracing multilingualism for more inclusive and effective learning. Tadhg Blommerde from Northumbria University spoke about empowering students to use GenAI effectively, critically, and ethically by turning AI challenges into learning opportunities. He co-presented with a student who shared her experience.
The TEU was represented by Noeleen O’Keeffe, Rob Lowney, and Seamus Campau, who delivered a presentation on enhancing student engagement in group work using a digital group review tool.
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.
