Category: Digital Learning

Digital Learning, Funding Calls, Teaching

Pitching the ‘What Works and Why? Technology Enhanced Learning’ Project

On November 10th, Dr Mark Glynn made a final presentation for funding for the ‘What Works and Why? Technology Enhanced Learning’ project. The project is a collaboration between a number of Irish universities and Institutes of Technology, consisting of Dublin City University (lead), Maynooth University, Athlone Institute of Technology, and Dundalk Institute of Technology.

Presenting on behalf of all the collaborators involved, Mark highlights in the presentation the aims of the project, should it receive the necessary funding. An ambitious project, the collaborating institutes will aim to, among other things, launch a minimum of eight peer mentoring circles, establish a minimum of ten TEL innovation projects, and conduct a number of surveys with staff and students. Ultimately, the aim is to ‘focus on impactful professional development for staff through a range of events which are linked by a common, overarching question’. The project was approved in the following weeks by the National Forum selection panel, and was allocated a total of €135k in funding. The program proved a success, and wrapped up in June 2016. Mark’s presentation can be viewed in full below at the following Youtube link.

Conferences, Digital Learning

One Conference, Through Two Different Lenses

Reflections by Dr Mark Glynn from ECEL 2015, hosted in the University of Hatfield, Hartsforshire

Nearly every time, any conference that I attend, I curse the conference in the lead up to it. For the simple reason taking time away from the “day job” to attend them is so inconvenient. But in the majority of cases and I glad to say including this one, I come back from the conference glad that I have taken the time to attend. Conferences like these are really important professional development opportunities in my opinion. I’m firmly believe that every manager should facilitate their staff to attend them, and I’m glad to say my manager is very supportive in this respect.

Looking at this conference through two different lenses – a conference organiser and also a conference participant and a manager. This post will concentrate on the latter, a subequent post tomorrow will look at the conference through the lense of a conference organiser.

You can read more of Mark Glynn’s reflections on this conference in a two-part post on his “Technology-enhanced Learning” personal blog.