About us – Digital Learning Dispatches

In May 2017, the NIDL Ideas Lab was established under the leadership of Associate Professor Mairéad Nic Giolla Mhichíl to help foster a stronger culture of innovation in teaching and learning. As the figure below illustrates, The Ideas Lab shares a common interest in new learning designs and models of Blended, On-line and Digital (BOLD) education and will focus primarily on externally funded projects and exploring the potential of alternative teaching approaches, including MOOCs.

NIDL Structue

Currently the NIDL Ideas Lab team, which at this stage includes three new staff, with more people in time, is working on the Fáilte ar Líne project. This is a new project supported by the Irish government and DCU in the development of an Irish language and cultural online degree programme.

The overarching philosophy of The Ideas Lab is to create a space where learning and digital innovation seed, blossom and grow.

NIDL_logo_02

Last week we were pleased to announce a group of leading scholars and well-known educators who will play a valuable role in guiding the work and future direction of the National Institute for Digital Learning as members of the International Advisory Board. Board members currently include:

Professor Grainne Conole (DCU Visiting Professor)
Professor Terry Anderson
Dr Larry Johnson
Professor Mike Keppell
Sally Reynolds
Professor George Siemens
Professor Rhona Sharpe
Professor Peter Shea
Professor Norm Vaughan
Professor Airina Volungevicene
Professor Martin Weller
Professor Steve Wheeler

Over the next year we expect the NIDL will host many of our Advisory Board members and they will feature in our Visiting Scholar Series. These presentations will be open to all educators and we also welcome approaches from people who may wish to host some of our visiting speakers in their own institutions.