Programmes

LTTC Accredited Professional Development Short Courses 2011-12

The following modules are being offered by the LTTC as stand alone Postgraduate short courses. Credits from these Modules can also contribute towards our PostGraduate Programmes.

DIT staff may be eligible to avail of funding or support through the staff development office. Please contact Gabrielle Deegan Ext 7871 (gabrielle.deegan@dit.ie) for details.
To register for LTTC courses contact Linda Boyd Ext 7875 (linda.boyd@dit.ie)
To discuss your APD short course options contact Vincent Farrell Ext 7881 (vincent.farrell@dit.)

Teaching in Virtual Worlds (5ECTS)

Course Coordinator: Claudia Igbrude/John O'Connor

This module is aimed at practitioners who are considering teaching in a Virtual world,
and aims to: Give participants an insight into the kinds of skills and tools they need to teach in a virtual world such as Secondlife,
Highlight the issues around teaching in Secondlife. Delivery will be via a blended approach of face to face workshops and discussions  and in  world classes.
In the module, participants will gain an insight into the potential or limitations of Virtual Worlds in learning and teaching (focusing on Secondlife).
Participants will  explore Secondlife as a virtual environment,  identify its strengths and weaknesses.  They will then examine its applications in learning and teaching contexts.

This starts Thursday 17th May 2012.

Technology Enhanced Learning, Teaching & Assessment (5 ECTS)

Course co-ordinator: Frances Boylan and Kevin O’Rourke

This accredited stand alone postgraduate short course has grown out of the Dublin eLearning Summer School which is now in its tenth year.
The field of eLearning and the vast range of technologies that have the power to enhance learning, teaching and assessment practices both in the traditional face-to-face environment, as well as in the blended and online learning environments, is evolving now at a rapid pace. Current students do not see eLearning as a separate or special activity but rather expect it to be an integral part of their learning process (HEFCE 2007), therefore it is hugely important that practitioners in the higher education sector be receptive to such changes and advancements, and become reliably informed as to the potential these technologies hold for them and their students.

Through participating fully in the unique combination of workshops, guest presentations, reflective group discussions, practical hands-on sessions, and online tutorials and peer collaboration, available during the Dublin eLearning Summer School it is envisaged that participants will immerse themselves completely in both existing and emerging learning technologies. Participants will also have the opportunity to discuss meaningfully with like-minded peers how best these technologies could be utilised with their students so as to enhance and enrich their learning, teaching and assessment experiences at higher education level. 

Participants must attend the Dublin eLearning Summer School in its entirety (June 18^th – June 22^nd 2012). Additional hours over the three months following the Summer School will be spent in contact with the tutors partaking in online tutorials/webinars/discussions/ consultations etc. Participants will be also expected to undertake additional personal learning, maintain an eportfolio for the duration of the course, and submit an assessment before September 30^th 2012.

Introduction to Learning, Teaching and Assessment (5ECTS) Course

Coordinator: Muireann O’Keeffe

The overall aim of this Certificate is to provide a teaching and learning qualification to enable design and delivery of lectures, tutorials and workshops to students in higher education.  This course is aimed at professionals within organisations who currently teach or lecture, and research students who may have some teaching hours and are interested in teaching and learning in higher education. A series of 6 workshops will be provided and participants will also be required to participate in a microteaching session within a small group setting. The course is recognised by FAS as part of the ‘Train the Trainers’ scheme. On completion of this short course exemptions may be given to those wishing to advance to the Postgraduate Diploma in Third Level Learning and Teaching
Our Accredited Professional Development (APD) Short Course in teaching, learning & assessment has been delivered to DIT staff and externally to lecturers, teachers and educational support staff in other educational institutions, including the Law Society. The course timetable and sessions can be made appropriate and individualised to the participants involved.

Further Information Learning, Teaching and Assessment Certificate

Learning Theories (5ECTS)

Course Coordinator: Vincent Farrell

This blended learning module examines a number of theories that will provide useful insights into how people learn. This is also an excellent opportunity to experience what it is like to be an online learner by experiencing th “live classroom” software. It is a useful module for practitioners to examine critically how they and their learners approach their learning and what implicit / explicit theories are behind these processes. We will have the opportunity to reflect of the learning environment in Higher Education based on detailed empirical and theoretical research.

Higher Education Policy (10ECTS)

Course Coordinator: Vincent Farrell

This module will provide an overview of policy issues within the sector.  It will look critically at a number of contemporary developments that are impacting on Higher Education in Ireland such as the Bologna Process, the Hunt report, funding for Higher Education, Access to third level education as well as international perspectives and developments

Supervising Undergraduate Dissertations & Projects (5ECTS)

Course Coordinator: Dr Roisin Donnelly

This is a new research and practice based module run via a blend of face to face and eLearning which would suit anyone developing and refining their skills in undergraduate supervision. Undoubtedly, the quality of supervision is the most important element of the undergraduate dissertation process. This module will include strategies for development of supervisors at all levels of experience and aims to deepen and extend the study and exploration of good supervisory practices at undergraduate level.
This 4 week module is research-enlightened, and using information, discussion, and interactive activities, participants will be able to develop and share experience-informed good practice in effective undergraduate supervision.

Timetable: Mondays, 10am-1pm [1 Oct - 22 Oct 2012]

Writing and Disseminating Research (10ECTS)

Course Coordinator: Dr Roisin Donnelly

There are ever increasing pressures on academics to undertake research and to publish both in their own disciplines and in higher education pedagogy/practice/policy.  By providing key knowledge and support to those interested in publishing in teaching, learning or eLearning professional practice, this module will enable participants’ work to become the focus of a form of sustained inquiry, leading towards publication. Through exploration of a wide variety of practical academic writing tools, the intention is to progress well planned research work along the road to publication. Key to participant success will be honing written and oral communications skills through extensive writing practice and presentation in a selected area of their choice. Principles of academic writing will be investigated along with the necessary skills of information literacy; there are two practical and useful outputs from the module – each participant will write a paper for publication in a peer reviewed journal and make a conference presentation.

Educational Research Methods Module (10ECTS)

Course Coordinator: Vincent Farrell
 
This module is designed to enable people to acquire the knowledge skills and understanding of how to gain an insight into how educationalists undertake research.  It is also designed to promote an understanding of how educational research contributes to our understanding of researching in education.  It will equip participants to examine how to design a feasible research project and how to formulate an effective research proposal. 

Postgraduate Diploma in Third Level Learning & Teaching Bridging Module (DT914) (30 ECTS)

Course CoOrdinator : Martina Crehan
 
This is a period of study and reflection for graduates of the DIT Post Graduate Certificate in Third Level Learning & Teaching who wish to be awarded a Post Graduate Diploma in Third Level Learning & Teaching. The module aims to allow the applicant to examine analyse and capture their learning in developing their skill and knowledge of their discipline in practice since completing the DIT Postgraduate Certificate in Third Level Learning & Teaching.  The module consists of two components  - a Practitioner Research Project, and a Professional Portfolio Pod and/or video cast.

All general short course enquiries can be directed to the short course co-ordinator: Vincent Farrell
Learning Development Officer, Learning, Teaching & Technology Centre, DIT, 14 Upper Mount Street, Dublin 2
Tel + 353 (1) 402 7881
Email: vincent.farrell@dit.ie
Fax: +353 (1) 676 7243