In this book we aim to share the knowledge, resources and research generated by the #Openteach project, which aimed to create an evidence-based and open professional learning approach to support educators to teach online.
Teaching online is different, in this book we explore this difference with the aim of supporting educators to develop their online teaching practice and knowledge of online pedagogy.
The book combines the theory and practice of teaching online and contains examples and ideas, drawn from the voices of online educators and online students. We consider key themes in online pedagogy such as presence, interaction, supporting online students, and synchronous and asynchronous engagement.
Why an open book?
#Openteach: Professional Development for Open Online Educators is an open online book published on the Pressbooks platform. The book is further evidence of our commitment to open access publishing through a Creative Commons License (CCL). The principle of openness was at the heart of the #Openteach project. All of the resources and intellectual outputs were CCL and openly shared through social media and the project website. The #Openteach online course was freely available and participation was open to anyone, from anywhere, with the capability to join an online course.
You are invited to join this forthcoming panel discussion where we look to the future of higher education, with a particular focus on some of the valuable lessons that students have taught us over the different waves of the COVID crisis. The webinar reflects on what we knew previously about the design of effective online learning from a students’ perspective and how our understanding has been affirmed, challenged and in some cases reshaped by the pandemic experience.
We begin with a short overview of the DCU Futures initiative to help frame the conversation and then invite panel members to share their personal stories and insights from the emerging literature on some of the challenges and opportunities that need purposeful consideration as we build back the next normal of higher education.
The discussion provides a timely opportunity to pause, take stock and reimagine as individually and collectively we emerge from a once in generation disruption to the old normal.
You will have the opportunity to engage with a diverse panel that will share their own lessons and experiences from differing perspectives. Participants will also be invited to ask questions and contribute their own thoughts as we think about how to design more active, meaningful and personalised student-centred learning experiences.
Members of the Panel
Chair, Prof. Mark Brown, NIDL Director, DCU
Prof. George Veletsianos, Royal Roads University, NIDL D’Arch Beacon Fellow
Dr. Sharon Flynn, IUA, Project Manager
Dr. Ciarán Dunne, Director of Transversal Skills, DCU Futures
Dr. Elaine Beirne, Ideas Lab, DCU
Megan O’Connor incoming VP for Academic Affairs, Union of Students Ireland (TBC)
Each panel member brings a unique and interesting perspective to this lively conversation.
Dr. Sharon Flynn who leads the Enhancing Digital Teaching and Learning (EDTL) initiative managed by the Irish University Association (IUA) has been working in close partnership with students and recently coordinated an innovative crowd-source student vision for learning in a post-Covid environment.
Dr. Ciarán Dunne was recently appointed to a new position as Director of Transversal Skills and is playing an important role in the implementation of DCU Futures. This four year project aims to transform the learning of undergraduate students, reconceptualising how we teach, introducing exciting new areas of study, and embedding the digital literacies, disciplinary competencies and transferable skills that students will require to thrive in the post-pandemic world.
The DCU Futures Framework
Dr. Elaine Beirne is a Researcher in the NIDL Ideas Lab and was the Project Manager for the development of A Digital Edge Essentials for the Online Learner. This free online course was designed for students and co-facilitated by students in response to the COVID crisis and is predicated on the assumption that learning how to learn online is now an important life skill. This initiative has now evolved and is a core part of the EU-funded DigiTEL Pro Strategic Partnership.
Megan O’Connor is incoming VP for Academic Affairs, Union of Students Ireland. In her new position, Meghan is likely to play an important role working with other student bodies and higher education institutions in shaping the next normal. Due to other commitments, Meghan has yet to confirm her participation.
When: 16:00 (Irish Time) Thursday 17th June
Where: Online via Zoom
Registration: You must register in advance for this event. Please click here to register. We look forward to your participation and contribution to this timely panel discussion.
Digital Learning Dispatches 