The Conversations on Teaching & Learning Seminar Series is a series of end of semester seminars/workshops organised by the Teaching & Learning Unit in response to feedback from and consultations with staff regarding their specific requirements. The series is designed to provide a mix of input from both a facilitator and staff themselves where staff can meet their colleagues at the end, of what is often, a hectic semester and experiences can be discussed, common issues identified and teased out, and best practice shared. Staff are invited to attend any or all sessions as appropriate.
Conversations on Teaching and Learning Winter Series 2024/25
The following are details of sessions held together with links to the relevant resources:
My Professional Development - TLASE CPD Opportunities 2024/25
Tuesday, 7th January 2025, 14.00 – 15.00 Description Each academic year, the Teaching and Learning Unit (TLU) offer an important range of relevant, useful and accessible formal continuing professional development opportunities related to teaching learning, assessment and student engagement (TLASE) to MTU staff. This session provided information about TLASE related CPD related offerings for 2024/25, including:
These offerings provide staff with opportunities to reflect on and identify potential changes to their practice with the ultimate aim of providing an enhanced teaching, learning, assessment and student engagement experience for both themselves and students. Resources |
Role Of Purpose
Friday, 10th January 2025, 10.00 – 11.30 Description This insightful session, delivered by Dr Pio Fenton, looked at popular models and theories to align teaching practive with a sense of purpose. Pio explored what Purpose means to you and looked at how to find purposeful work in that you do. Please note, due to the nature of the content, this session was not recorded. Resources |
The impact of satle funded projects: a shortlist
Monday, 13th January 2025, 14.00 – 15.00 Description Award Overview: The National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education announced a new award in 2024 for previous SATLE (Strategic Alignment of Teaching and Learning Enhancement) projects called the SATLE Impact Award. This is a national award programme, open to recipients of SATLE funding in eligible HEIs, focused on recognising impact and excellence through the fund’s current focus: digital transformation, academic integrity, and education for sustainable development. This award highlights institutional and sectoral efforts to promote, learn from, and extend the reach of excellent practices in teaching and learning across Irish higher education. Session Details: We heard from some of the SATLE funded projects who applied for the SATLE Impact Award:
Resources |
Launch of MTU Staff Development Portal
Wednesday, 15th January 2025, 10.00 – 11.30
Description We were delighted to launch of the MTU Staff Development Portal, a new initiative supporting staff in their Continuous Professional Development (CPD). The MTU Staff Development Portal is a brand-new initiative that will support staff members who wish to undertake and record their Continuous Professional Development (CPD). It was developed from the CPD@MTU project, which was initially conceived and submitted by the Teaching & Learning Unit and funded by the Higher Education Authority (HEA) under its “Performance Fund 2021”. President Maggie Cusack formally opened the event. Resources |
Artificial Intelligence in Education – Challenges and Opportunities
Thursday, 16th January 2025, 10.00 – 11.30 Description Participants who joined us for this in-person session learned about the main tools that have been developed for generative AI, and examined the potential and dangers of these tools for educators using worked examples. The impact of AI on assessment design was also considered with practical examples given for modifying assessments in an AI age. Finally, this session provided information regarding the MTU working group on AI as well as showcase the work of the recently formed AI learning community at MTU. Presented by:
Resources |
Safeguarding Assessments - Identifying Vulnerabilities to GenAI
Friday, 17th January 2025, 9.00 – 11.00 Description Dr Tom O'Mahony delivered this GenAI Assessment online workshop, where participants: • Identified the assessments most at risk to GenAI in your programme/modules • Explored the implications of AI for those particular assessments • Considered the redesign problem where on one extreme AI is embraced as an enabling technology, and on the other where the assessment is made (more) robust to GenAI. Resources |
being a better coach and mentor series: empowering resilience in diversity
Friday, 17th January 2025, 13.00 – 13.45 Description Delivered by Shelley Crawford, this online session explored why empowering resilience matters. Empowering resilience for strength and growth is critical in enabling us to overcome challenges, thrive in our personal and professional lives, and contribute meaningfully to our community. In this session, we looked at how resilience empowers people to lead by example, take calculated risks, and address challenges with poise and determination. Participants heard about mental and emotional wellbeing, how they are linked and what it takes to rebound stronger after setbacks. Also, we explored environments that are more equitable, inclusive, and supportive of diverse voices. Resources |
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When does the Conversations on Teaching & Learning Seminar Series take place?
To begin with, this series typically took place twice a year – either at the start or end of semester 1, end at the end of semester 2. However, experience showed that staff were most receptive to this series at the end of a semester.
Hence, this series now typically runs twice during the academic year – winter and summer. The seminars are held at the end of semester once classes finish, i.e. from week 13 onwards. So, watch this space and keep an eye out for notifications via email, the TLU website news and what’s on sections or on social media.
How is the series structured?
Each series consists of several seminars/workshops held over a two-week period with each seminar/workshop typically lasting around 2 to 3 hours. The seminars/workshops are designed to be a mix of input from facilitator and opportunity for discussion/ networking with colleagues and always promise to be stimulating and thought-provoking for participants.
Who should attend these workshops?
These sessions are offered free of charge and are open to all MTU staff. Each session aspires to be relevant to both early career and experienced staff.
