CIT Teaching & Learning Unit

Lead Department

Management and Enterprise, MTU Cork campuses

Coordinated by

Wei Xiong (Wei.Xiong@mtu.ie) 

Active members

8

Purpose

The Economics Learning Community was initiated to discuss, improve, and implement best practices within the department. It serves as a platform for members to exchange ideas on teaching and learning, module design, and research. Additionally, the community fosters collaboration with other learning communities and external organisations to enhance pedagogical approaches and professional networking.

Summary of Activities

• Young Economist of the Year (YEOTY) – Members participated as judges and attended the prize-giving ceremony.

• Irish Economic Association (IEA) Annual Conference 2022 – Members attended and engaged in discussions on economic education and research.
• Having a "Date" with the Maths Learning Community to exchange ideas

• Collaboration with the Mathematics Learning Community – Joint meetings to exchange teaching and learning strategies.
• Best Practices in Economics Event (10th May, Bishopstown Campus)
  • Guest speakers:
    • Mr. Stephen Ryan – Spoke about using LinkedIn for networking, research promotion, and professional visibility.
    • Prof. Jim O’Mahony – Delivered a session on interactive presentations and animated infographics.
    • Networking and idea-sharing with the Mathematics Learning Community.

  Impact

  500 participants engaged.

  Feedback/Testimonials

  • "I enjoyed the guest speakers and learnt something new from both. I have since purchased and used SketchWow—thanks for the demonstration, Jim! It is always nice to catch up with colleagues from both my own and another discipline."
  • "It was great to meet Maths colleagues and chat informally with them over lunch. The two speakers were very informative, and I have plenty of actions following the two sessions. Thanks, Stephen and Jim."
  • "Nice and focused session with lots of tips and tricks. Great to have had a second date between our learning communities. Where to next time?"
  • "It was a thoroughly enjoyable event from start to finish. Two very interesting talks, lovely lunch, and great to get the opportunity to chat to colleagues. Thanks for organising it."

  Additional Information

  • Previous funding supported the development of an e-booklet to establish a teaching and research network between Technological Universities.
  • This year’s funding was used to organise an event on using visual communication tools in teaching and learning.
  • Strengthened collaboration by inviting members from another learning community to participate.