In 2019, I led the development of the Learning, Teaching and Assessment Strategy (LTA) and implementation plan for GMIT. This involved widespread consultation with GMIT staff and students and aligns with the new GMIT strategic plan (2019-2023). Furthermore, the LTA strategic objectives connect with the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning Strategic Priorities in Ireland and the EUA EFFECT Principles for the enhancement of teaching and learning in higher education institutes in Europe. The GMIT LTA strategic objectives are available here. As part of the iNOTE Project, I led the development of www.DigitalEd.ie. DigitalEd.ie is a Digital Teaching and Learning education platform, providing access to digital learning pathways, a discovery tool, digital stories, a digital resources directory, a digital champions network and a digital education forum available to all CUA staff to collaborate on developing teaching and learning. The site provides a gateway to help CUA staff build digital capabilities and pedagogic expertise, in order to design, deliver and support flexible and online learning programmes. This initiative is led by GMIT Teaching and Learning Office. GMIT Teaching and Learning Office and the School of Science was awarded VIBE funding from the Dept. of Foreign Affairs and the Irish Embassy in Vietnam to deliver a teaching and learning development programme to Nong Lam University in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The project runs from 2019-2020 and involves the transfer of knowledge and skills on technology enhanced learning, student centred learning, curriculum design strategies, online teaching skills, and a female entrepreneurship programme from the School of Science. GMIT T&L Project team includes: Dr Carina Ginty, Annette Cosgrove and Dr Pauline Logue. In the School of Science Dr Lisa Ryan and Maria McDonagh. |
Peer Assisted Learning is a student led learning programme and it helps first year students: transition to higher education; tackle assignments; develop collaborative learning skills; and create connections on their degree programme. In 2009, I established the PASS student led learning programme in GMIT, AIT and NUI Galway as part of the HEA funded, SIFII Programme. In 2017/18, I developed an online course on Peer Assisted Learning Leadership Skills to further enhance the PASS programme in GMIT and to support a flipped learning model. It is available at www.cpdlearnonline.ie. Annually up to 100 student leaders access the online learning course.
The Digital Leadership resources explore: how organisations can engage more effectively with the digital technology at their disposal; discover and reflect on how digital technology is changing the way higher education institutes operate; learn to lead, manage and influence digitally-driven change across department teams. The outputs from this programme form part of a regional Teaching and Learning Champions Programme supported by the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning.
From November 2018, I introduced GMIT colleagues to a 90 minute game based curriculum design workshop. The workshop suite of tools is based on an established theory 'Conversational Framework' (Laurillard, 2012). It is a widely used method internationally and it draws from resources developed by the University College London, JISC UK and the Erasmus + ABC Learning Design Programme. The workshop supports module leaders and programme board teams in creating stimulating, creative and engaging learning experiences for students and the teachers. It is particularly useful if you are planning to design a new module or programme or re-designing an existing course for online, blended or face to face. Contact Dr Carina Ginty [email protected] to book a session.
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In 2015-2016, I led the development of a suite of post graduate courses in teaching and learning development for GMIT. This programme builds on the LIN modules, I introduced to staff following a strategic innovation programme in 2010. The portfolio of special purpose awards continues to expand and the CPDLearnonline.ie suite of resources, supports the blended and flexible learning approach of the programme. For further details visit https://www.gmit.ie/teaching-and-learning/master-arts-teaching-and-learning
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The CUA, HEA Innovation in Teaching and Learning award (2019-2022) is building digital capabilities in the region. The iNOTE project provides opportunities to transform the higher education experience in the CUA institutes. The project includes five work packages. I'm leading Work Package 2 and this involves the development of a digital teaching and learning training programme and online education courses for all staff to build digital capabilities and pedagogic expertise, in order to design, deliver and support flexible distance and e-learning programmes.
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I participated in a national group under Campus Engage that is examining Metrics and Evaluation Tools for Measuring Community Engagement in Higher Education Institutes in Ireland. The outputs include a guide to measuring community engagement in higher education institutes in Ireland.
For further information see http://www.campusengage.ie/ and http://www.campusengage.ie/groups/measuring-higher-education-civic-and-community-engagement-support-framework |
In 2015-2016, I participated in the pilot of the Carnegie Community Engagement Assessment Framework for Ireland. Engagement with the programme involved assessing GMIT's contribution to civic and community engagement. This process has driven commitment, momentum, and practice on the importance and centrality of community and civic engagement within higher education in Ireland. See https://carnegiececframeworkire.wordpress.com
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In November 2017, I launched the GMIT Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) Teaching Network. The GMIT TEL Network, is a lunchtime seminar series and networking initiative to bring staff together across five campuses, talking TEL and sharing initiatives and ideas of innovative teaching and learning practice. Sessions run once a month and an annual development day in May. For further information about the network, contact [email protected]
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In 2016, I started the annual teaching and learning showcase events in GMIT. The showcase takes place at December and May/June. It as an opportunity for lecturers across a range of disciplines to showcase teaching resources, teaching strategies, assessment tools, retention initiatives, portfolios, technology enhanced learning tools and lots more. For further information about the showcase outputs, contact [email protected] or [email protected]
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In 2016, I developed an online course on RPL assessor and mentor skills with the support of the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning. Course contributors include GMIT, LyIT, IT Sligo, DIT, WIT, SUNY - State University New York, Scotland Quality Assurance body. Higher education staff can access the course at www.cpdlearnonline.ie
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GMIT, IT Sligo and LyIT launched the My Experience RPL Assessment Toolkit in 2016 at www.myexperience.ie . The RPL toolkit includes an information website and an online RPL application tool (www.rplportfolio.ie) for candidates looking for access or advanced entry to a higher education programme. In addition, a free open online course on RPL assessment skills and supporting RPL applicants effectively at www.cpdlearnonline.ie
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Student Led Learning (SLL) is a national special interest project group (2013-2018) supported by the National Forum for the Enhancement of Learning and Teaching. It was founded by Dr. Carina Ginty (GMIT) and Ms. Nuala Harding (AIT) in 2013. It is focused on developing free nationally available educational resources that support retention, student engagement and the transition to Higher Education. Learning and teaching resources are available at this link and the 2018 national SLL seminar details are available to download below.
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I collaborated with IT Sligo, University of Limerick, NUI Galway, GMIT, Limerick IT, Mary Immaculate College, Letterkenny IT on the development of a MOOC called Get Ready.Education from 2015-2017. The MOOC is designed to address the needs of students making the transition from 2nd to 3rd level education. The resources are included in the GMIT Learning and Innovation Skills Module.
For more information visit www.getready.education |
GMIT works with the national student survey of engagement group annually on this initiative. Over 150,000 students in Ireland have participated in the survey since launching in 2013. The survey asks students about their experiences of higher education. It is designed to inform developments within institutions while also providing a national set of data - "National Survey, Local Impact". The annual report is available www.studentsurvey.ie . It is a valuable resource to help guide the development of teaching and learning initiatives. From 2012-2017, I participated in the national working group, representing T&L in GMIT. The work group established the ISSE survey in Ireland in HEI's, worked on the pilot review process, communication strategies, survey design improvements and student engagement with SU partners.
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Representing T&L from GMIT, I collaborated with THEA members AIT, IT Sligo, DkIT, IT Carlow, LyIT and WIT on the ATLAS project – Aligning Teaching and Learning across the Technological Sector (2017-2019). This project sought to interpret the Professional Development Framework within the context of existing accredited provision across the technological sector with a view to examining and addressing specific professional development needs. This project was funded by the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning. Outputs published at www.teachingandlearning.ie
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For GMIT, I developed a series of Digital Learning Skills workshop for the All Aboard initiative in 2017, a week-long series of national and regional public events designed to build confidence in Ireland’s digital skills for learning. Workshops ran in GMIT's Galway and Mayo Campuses from April 3rd to 7th, 2017. This initiative was funded by the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning. To view the workshop programme click here.
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I created CPDlearnonline.ie in 2016, to provide for a flexible online learning engagement space for teachers in higher education. To date, a series of online teaching and learning courses and toolkits have launched including: RPL Assessor Skills in HE; Online Teaching Skills; First Steps in T&L; Peer Learning Leadership; External Examiner Toolkit; Programme Design & Assessment; Learning & Innovation Skills; The Next Step Toolkit. Enrol for access at www.cpdlearnonline.ie
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The First Steps online course aims to provide an introduction to teaching, learning and assessment in Higher Education. I developed this online course to support a blended delivery of the level 9 Certificate in Teaching and Learning. The course provides a condensed, 'just-in-time' introduction to teaching, learning and assessment for new lecturers. Register to access at www.cpdlearnonline.ie
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An online learning and teaching suite of courses to support students at pre-entry or first year of college. The course suite includes nine topics and a selection of assessment tools. This suite works well when blended as part of a first year skills module. It requires 12-15 hours of online student engagement and topics covered include: Academic Integrity; Study Skills; Digital Literacy; Creativity; Global Citizenship; and Reflection. 25+ First Year Lecturers are integrating this online course into their teaching of LIS at GMIT. You can access the online course suite at www.cpdlearnonline.ie
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The First Year Experienc (FYE) for GMIT students includes a weekly one hour peer assisted learning session called PASS and this is led by student leaders from senior years. In addition all first years undertake a module led by the lecturers on Learning Innovation Skills (LIS). The FYE was developed following a SIFII HEA funded programme called Student Led Learning and Curriculum Reform. I managed the SIFII programme for GMIT from 2008-2011.
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In 2015-2016, I collaborated with 12 higher education institutes in Ireland, the UK, Australia and New Zealand to develop the Academic Success programme with Online Publishing company called Epigeum. This course is now integrated into the GMIT LIS first year skills module (i.e. annually 2,000 first year students undertake LIS).
Learn More at https://www.epigeum.com/ |
I developed an Online Learning Course/Resource for GMIT External Examiners (launched December 2018). This is a short online course containing five parts outlining the quality assurance framework, the role of assessment and seven steps to external examining. A mix of learning resources is provided including media objects, an assessment glossary, information graphics and useful advice to support and guide an external examiner in completing their report. To access the course participants create an account at www.cpdlearnonline.ie
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GMIT was awarded teaching and learning funding in 2020 to support a range of T&L enhancement initiatives. This award involves engagement with a range faculties and disciplines to highlight the value of Teaching and Learning Enhancement in GMIT. Find out more at this link and the full suite of GMIT Projects at this link https://www.gmit.ie/about/teaching-and-learning-project/national-forum-tl-enhancement-projects
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