Although we were required to lecture to large groups of over 170 students, the traditional lecture clashed with our commitment to teach in a way that was student-centred, relational and socially and politically transformative. In this context, and using an action research approach, we sought to turn our large-group lectures into a space that both…

Because of the recent revolutionary developments brought about by Web 2.0, the emergence and popularity of blogs as learning tools represent an important area of consideration by the higher education sector. Indeed, while many researchers have acknowledged the advantages of using blogs in this environment, it is clear that more investigation is…

The "Multiple Intelligences, Curriculum and Assessment Project" at University College Cork was a collaborative project carried out between 1995 and 1999. The key research question focused on whether Howard Gardner's theory of Multiple Intelligences could be applied to, and enhance, aspects of curriculum and assessment at primary and…

This paper provides insights into teaching and learning based on the analysis of an accredited professional development program, entitled the Postgraduate Certificate in Third Level Learning and Teaching, aimed at lecturing staff/faculty in Irish higher education. The program has its theoretical basis in the Kolb Experiential Learning Cycle (Kolb,…

From October to December 2005, six biology associates were employed to progress the connection between curriculum implementation and the continuing professional development of teachers at regional level. The associates worked with one hundred biology teachers in Teacher Design Teams (TDTs) and together they produced eighteen innovative classroom…

Purpose: Higher education has a key role and responsibility in creating change and addressing issues of fundamental human concern such as inequality and social justice, globalisation and development, environmental protection and sustainability. The purpose of this paper is to describe how RCE-Ireland, established in September 2007, aims to develop…

The third annual conference of the National Academy for Integration of Research, Teaching and Learning (NAIRTL) was held at Trinity College Dublin on 11-12 November 2009, and was attended by over 300 delegates. The theme--"Research-Teaching Linkages: Practice and Policy"--was timely and generated some fascinating papers, workshops and…

Investigates the extent to which primary headteachers have become "chief executives" since introducing "market forces" to schooling. Contrasts heads as managers with a more holistic view of heads as leading professionals. To manage current reforms, heads are forced to adopt a managerial approach at the expense of more highly…

Conducted an action research project among student teachers emphasizing teacher self-analysis and reflection and studied the patterns of classroom interactions with male and female students taught by these teachers in 136 classrooms in Irish secondary schools. Findings from the classroom interaction study motivated student teachers to take…

Facilitating schools to develop more collaborative cultures is seen as one of the major challenges in promoting teachers' continuing professional development. This article recounts how a fifteen-month project designed to promote greater collegial learning and professional development emerged and developed within one school. Evidence suggests that…

Curriculum research is reviewed. In Part 1, a survey is reported that was designed to: (1) acquire information on action research projects in Ireland (North and South), the United Kingdom, and the United States; (2) determine the principal method of data collection; (3) identify the rank-order priority of constraints on research; (4) classify…

This paper addresses the question: how can e-learning be embedded in traditional universities so that it contributes to the transformation of the university? The paper examines e-learning strategies in higher education, locating the institutional context within the broader framework of national and international policy drivers which link…

Teacher professional development at second level in Irish schools has become an important issue for those of us concerned about ensuring quality teaching and learning in the classroom. In-service providers are aware that the models of provision that have been used in the past are no longer adequate to meet the professional needs of a modern…

An action research project was conducted to understand the learning style profile of Irish adult learners better and to integrate the findings into development seminars for adult education teachers and tutors. The Grasha-Riechmann Student Learning Styles Scale (GRSLSS) was chosen as the research instrument to explore Irish adults' learning styles…

This article explores the interests and motivations of older learners, their learning experiences and the barriers faced in accessing education. The research was conducted at Waterford Institute of Technology (WIT) in Ireland as a postgraduate research project. The aim of the research is to promote inclusiveness in education by investigating the…