Teaching and Learning
Projects
GMIT Teaching and Learning Officer initiates and coordinates a range of innovative projects, that support the development of learning, teaching and assessment. A sample of current projects are outlined below. For further information, contact Dr Carina Ginty
 GMIT 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 teaching and learning development project was funded by the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning. To view the workshop programme click here. |
 GMIT is collaborating with LIN members (ww.lin.ie) AIT, IT Sligo, DkIT, IT Carlow, LyIT and WIT on the ATLAS project – Aligning Teaching and Learning across the Technological Sector. This project seeks to interpret the PD 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 is funded by the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning |
 This project was awarded in January 2019 by the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning. This two year project involves designing, developing and piloting a professional development capacity framework for staff, students and industry stakeholders involved in BIM-related practice. For further information on this project contact Dr Mark Kelly, Dept. Building and Civil Engineering (Project lead) or Dr Carina Ginty, GMIT Teaching and Learning Office. |
 In 2015-2016, GMIT participated in the pilot of the Carnegie Community Engagement Assessment Framework for Ireland. The Carnegie Community Engagement Assessment Pilot in Ireland is part of a continued national process to find appropriate tools to build an evidence-base of an institution’s contribution to civic and community engagement that aligns with the national higher education policy context. 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 Details on this project available here. |
 Following on from the Carnegie Pilot Project in Ireland, GMIT is participating in a national group under Campus Engage that is examining Metrics and Evaluation Tools for Measuring Community Engagement in Higher Education Institutes in Ireland. For further information see http://www.campusengage.ie/ or email carina.ginty@gmit.ie |
 From November 2018, GMIT Teaching and Learning Office 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 also 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-design an existing course for online, blended or face to face. Contact Dr Carina Ginty by emailing TLO@gmit.ie to book a session. |
 This is a national project where GMIT School of Business and the Teaching and Learning Office will collaborate with TU Dublin. This project was awarded in January 2019 and it is funded by the National Forum for Teaching and Learning. It involves professional development in learning analytics, that will examine how to obtain actionable intelligence from learning data that supports student success initiatives. For further information on this project contact Phelim Murnion, School of Business (Project lead) and Dr Carina Ginty, GMIT Teaching and Learning Office. |
 GMIT Teaching and Learning Office developed an Online Learning Course/Resource for GMIT External Examiners (launched December 2018). This is a short 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 For further information contact Dr Carina Ginty by email at TLO@gmit.ie |
 The First Steps online CPD course aims to provide an introduction to teaching, learning and assessment in Higher Education. This online resource pack is designed to provide a condensed, 'just-in-time' introduction to teaching, learning and assessment for new lecturers. The First Steps online CPD course was developed by Dr Carina Ginty (GMIT and LIN co-ordination group member www.lin.ie) in consultation with the LIN CPD project group (Foundations in Learning & Teaching: Developing a Structured Induction for Academic Staff 2015). |
 The first year experience 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). This module includes a new suite of online learning resources called Academic Success. GMIT 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. |
 GMIT has 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. The MOOC has been designed to address the needs of students making the transition from 2nd to 3rd level education. The MOOC is available to second level students in Ireland from transition year to leaving certificate. The MOOC combines online content with optional teacher led classroom activities, online forums and quizzes. Digital Badges are awarded to participants. For more information visit www.getready.education |
 The Learning, Teaching and Assessment Strategy (LTA) and implementation plan was developed by the GMIT Teaching and Learning Office. The plan was developed following 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 strategy and implementation plan is focused on creating a quality driven environment for student centred learning. It aligns with GMIT’s strategic goals and includes more specific and detailed learning and teaching development objectives under six themes. Student-centred learning, quality assurance (QA) and the development of the digital teaching and learning experience, are key elements of higher education in Europe today. There is also strong consensus on the need to further enhance accessibility and inclusion, and to provide a broader and more diversified educational experience. The following topics and recommended actions are presented in this GMIT LTA strategy and implementation plan:
To view the GMIT LTA Strategic Objectives visit this link https://galwaymayoinstitute.sharepoint.com/sites/TLO/SitePages/Home.aspx and https://www.gmit.ie/sites/default/files/public/general/docs/gmitltastrategicobjectives20192023lowres-2.pdf |
 In November 2017, the GMIT Technology Enhanced Learning (TEL) Teaching Network launched in GMIT. 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. For further information about the network, please email carina.ginty@gmit.ie |
 The Irish National Digital Experience (INDEx) Survey is a national survey of the digital engagement, experiences and expectations of students and staff who teach in Irish higher education. The first GMIT INDEx survey took place in October 2019.
Who is the survey designed for? The INDEx Survey is designed for:
Over 50% of the GMIT staff and 23% of GMIT students completed the survey. The data has informed development plans for the iNOTE Digital Teaching and Learning Project (see DigitalEd.ie). Learn more about the INDEx national survey with the National Forum at https://www.teachingandlearning.ie/index/ |
 In January 2019, GMIT along with CUA partners LyIT and IT Sligo have been awarded a HEA Innovation in Teaching and Learning award to build digital capabilities in the region over the next 3 years. The iNote project provides opportunities to transform the higher education experience in the CUA institutes. The project includes five work packages: Work Package 1: The development of quality assurance policies and procedures to enable digital learning (Project Lead Letterkenny IT, Dr Simon Stephens) Work Package 2: 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. This work package will also include consultation and mentoring from an international partner (NY State University/SUNY) with a focus on replicating best online and flexible delivery practice. (Project Lead GMIT, Dr Carina Ginty) Work Package 3: The development of an online learning student support services model. (Project Lead IT Sligo, Prof. Jacqueline McCormack) Work Package 4: Design and development of three online learning programmes in Galway-Mayo, Sligo and Letterkenny. Work Package 5: Evaluation and dissemination of all project outputs across the CUA. For further information on the iNote project, contact Dr Carina Ginty, GMIT Project Lead, Teaching and Learning Office at TLO@gmit.ie |
 GMIT works with the national student survey of engagement group annually on this initiative. Over 90,000 students 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" |
 GMIT is collaborating with LyIT, IT Sligo and St. Angela’s NUI Galway on a professional development programme for managers in Irish Higher Education. This project seeks to build teaching and learning champions across the West/North West Higher Education Cluster, by enhancing the capacity of middle and senior managers for leadership in digitally engaged teaching. It is funded by the National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning |
 Galway-Mayo Institute of Technology (GMIT), Institute of Technology Sligo (ITS) and Letterkenny Institute of Technology (LyIT) launched the My Experience RPL (Recognised Prior Learning) Assessment Toolkit in 2016 at www.myexperience.ie . The toolkit includes an information website and an online RPL application tool for candidates looking for access or advanced entry to a higher education programme. In addition, a free open online course has been developed for Higher Education staff seeking professional development in RPL assessment skills and supporting RPL applicants effectively |
 GMIT was awarded teaching and learning funding in 2020 to support a range of T&L enhancement initiatives including:
Engagement with a range faculties and disciplines to highlight the value of Teaching and Learning Enhancement in GMIT. Find out more at this link https://www.teachingandlearning.ie/project/galway-mayo-institute-of-technology-local-enhancement-projects/ Find out more at this link Find out more at this link https://www.teachingandlearning.ie/project/embedding-sustainability-across-the-curriculum-and-beyond-stimulating-active-citizenship-for-possible-sustainable-futures/ Data Analytics to Inform and Enhance Learning (DAnIEL) Find out more at this link https://www.teachingandlearning.ie/project/data-analytics-to-inform-and-enhance-learning-daniel/ Pilot Higher Diploma in Engineering (Civil Engineering). Find out more at this link https://www.teachingandlearning.ie/project/pilot-higher-diploma-in-engineering-civil-engineering/ |
 An online course in peer assisted learning leadership was developed in 2017 by Dr Carina Ginty (GMIT Teaching & Learning) and it is available to access at www.cpdlearnonline.ie This is a student centred learning course and it is designed to support students undertaking the PASS student leadership module at GMIT. It is also a learning resource for lecturers engaged on the level 9, Certificate and Diploma in Teaching and Learning at GMIT. |
 GMIT and AIT Student Union and the Teaching and Learning Office are collaborating on the rollout of a student engagement leadership programme called ‘Step Forward’. This creation of the programme was inspired by the Scottish Universities student leadership initiative Sparqs (http://www.sparqs.ac.uk) and the GMIT SIFII Student Led Learning programme (2008-2011). |
 Student Led Learning (SLL) is a national special interest group (2014-2018) 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 2014. It was focused on developing free nationally available educational resources that support retention, student engagement and the transition to Higher Education. The SLL members included representatives from Universities, Institutes of Technology, HECA, FE Colleges, IGC, Ahead and the USI working in teaching and learning, and student development. SLL Resources Development Team (2014-2018)
Student Led Learning Resources
Downloads First 6 Weeks e-book (PDF, 3.5MB) Peer Assisted Learning (PAL) Guidebook (PDF, 3.2MB) SLL Digital Identity Programme Poster (PDF, 216KB) |
 Examples of excellence in teaching teams and developing the student learning experience at GMIT.
The National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Ireland recognised two Departments in GMIT for a DELTA National Award and Recognition.
The award criteria includes:
EDUCATION AWARDS 2019 GMIT School of Science and Computing DELTA NATIONAL AWARD GMIT Department Building and Civil Engineering DELTA NATIONAL RECOGNITION GMIT Department of Mechanical and Industrial Engineering
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 GMIT Teaching and Learning Office develop and publish a range of online teaching and learning development courses on a dedicated site called www.cpdlearnonline.ie The first course launched in April 2016 on RPL Assessor and Mentor Skills. Online courses and toolkits include:
Enrol for access at www.cpdlearnonline.ie or contact TLO@gmit.ie |
 GMIT 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, online teaching skills and building a teaching portfolio. In addition, participants will engage with an online course created on www.cpdlearnonline.ie (GMIT Teaching & Learning Office VLE). GMIT Teaching and Learning VIBE Project team includes: Dr Carina Ginty, Annette Cosgrove and Dr Pauline Logue. |
Contact Us
Teaching and Learning Projects at GMIT:
Dr Carina Ginty, GMIT Teaching and Learning Officer/ Project Manager
carina.ginty@gmit.ie
www.gmit.ie/teachingandlearning
