theirishtimes--2020-06-08--Gardaí no longer have enforcement powers over Covid-19 radius

Gardaí no longer have the power to enforce the movement restrictions laid out in the emergency coronavirus legislation introduced by the Government .
As of yesterday , people can travel anywhere within their own county or for up to 20km outside it , up from a previous radius of 5km .
However , unlike previous versions of the regulations , the latest provisions do not mention a criminal penalty for breaching the movement restrictions .
This means gardaí can no longer arrest or prosecute anyone moving outside the radius .
The move to revoke one of the most draconian Garda @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday with no announcement or publicity .
A Garda spokesman said the force will continue to “ encourage and educate ” people found travelling outside the radius but confirmed it no longer has powers of arrest .
The Garda still has the power to enforce other regulations introduced under the emergency legislation last March , including prohibitions on large events and the opening of certain businesses .
Those organising events of more than 15 people , including protests , could also still face criminal sanction .
A Department of Health spokeswoman said the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proportionate ” to retain criminal sanctions for breaching the movement restrictions .
“ The Government has been advised by the Attorney General that this is a proportionate and appropriate measure at this stage of the pandemic .
This is important for the law to be valid and human-rights compliant , ” she said .
Until this week , those found more than 5km from their home while not engaged in essential travel faced penalties of up to six months in prison and a €2,500 fine .
However , gardaí were instructed to only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to turn back home .
As of last Tuesday , gardaí had used their enforcement powers 289 times .
However , the rate of arrests has been dropping for several weeks , even as more people took to the roads .
During the June bank holiday weekend , only six enforcement actions were taken .
The Irish Council for Civil Liberties , which has been calling for the revocation of the Garda powers for weeks , welcomed the return of “ policing by consent ” .

As of last Tuesday, gardaí had used their enforcement powers 289 times. During the June bank holiday weekend, only six enforcement actions were taken. File photograph: Gareth Chaney/Collins
Gardaí no longer have the power to enforce the movement restrictions laid out in the emergency coronavirus legislation introduced by the Government.
As of yesterday, people can travel anywhere within their own county or for up to 20km outside it, up from a previous radius of 5km.
However, unlike previous versions of the regulations, the latest provisions do not mention a criminal penalty for breaching the movement restrictions.
This means gardaí can no longer arrest or prosecute anyone moving outside the radius. The move to revoke one of the most draconian Garda powers in living memory was made on Sunday with no announcement or publicity.
READ MORE
A Garda spokesman said the force will continue to “encourage and educate” people found travelling outside the radius but confirmed it no longer has powers of arrest.
The Garda still has the power to enforce other regulations introduced under the emergency legislation last March, including prohibitions on large events and the opening of certain businesses. Those organising events of more than 15 people, including protests, could also still face criminal sanction.
A Department of Health spokeswoman said the Government believed it would not be "proportionate" to retain criminal sanctions for breaching the movement restrictions.
“The Government has been advised by the Attorney General that this is a proportionate and appropriate measure at this stage of the pandemic. This is important for the law to be valid and human-rights compliant,” she said.
Essential travel
Until this week, those found more than 5km from their home while not engaged in essential travel faced penalties of up to six months in prison and a €2,500 fine. However, gardaí were instructed to only take enforcement action against people refusing directions to turn back home.
As of last Tuesday, gardaí had used their enforcement powers 289 times. However, the rate of arrests has been dropping for several weeks, even as more people took to the roads. During the June bank holiday weekend, only six enforcement actions were taken.
The Irish Council for Civil Liberties, which has been calling for the revocation of the Garda powers for weeks, welcomed the return of “policing by consent”.


theirishtimes--2020-06-08--Covid-19: Testing could cost State €450m by year end, says HSE

A Covid-19 testing system producing 15,000 results every day could cost the State €450 million by the end of the year , the Health Service Executive ( HSE ) has said .
In correspondence sent to the special Oireachtas committee on the Covid-19 response , which sits again on Tuesday , the HSE said that running 15,000 tests “ per day every day ” would entail projected costs “ in the region of €450 million ” .
Currently , the HSE has capacity to test about that number on a given day , but demand for testing is significantly lower @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5,000 community and hospital lab tests being carried out per day .
A HSE spokeswoman confirmed the sum would be for producing 15,000 tests a day every day until the end of 2020 .
According to the document , the HSE believes that level of testing will “ clearly will not be a requirement ” , but warns that the current testing system needs a significant overhaul to be fit for purpose in the medium term .
A spokeswoman said that current “ temporary solutions are not sustainable for the longer term ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it will complete a strategic plan for testing and tracing by the autumn .
The briefing document emphasises that the current testing and tracing model “ is not sustainable in the long term ” , due to its reliance on staff and equipment which have been temporarily reassigned from elsewhere , as well as the use of community centres and sports grounds such as Croke Park as sampling centres , and reliance on short-term laboratory provider contracts .
It says a longer-term testing and tracing strategy will include its own financial plan .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ almost €80 million on testing and tracing , the document shows , including €33 million procuring testing equipment .
Some €23 million has been spent on laboratory testing , and €14.5 million has been paid to general practitioners .
The document shows that €371,000 has so far been spent on the HSE ’ s delayed Covid-19 tracing app .
The costs of private labs are not yet included as contracts and payments schedules are being finalised .
It also emerged that the State ’ s health watchdog warned the Department of Health in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nursing homes – a fifth of the country ’ s care homes - were “ at risk ” and could need additional support from the HSE to address outbreaks of Covid-19 .
Documents released to the Oireachtas committee show the Health Information and Quality Authority ( Hiqa ) told the department on April 9th “ the lack of a direct relationship ” between the HSE and private nursing homes would make it difficult to project the homes ’ specific needs .
Hiqa ’ s chief inspector Mary Dunnion told the department in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of private homes the “ skills mix and competencies ” of staff fell short of what was required to deal with the “ escalating care needs of residents during a Covid-19 outbreak ” .
Meanwhile , the National Public Health Emergency Team ( NPHET ) confirmed another four deaths of people with Covid-19 in the State , the lowest daily number to be confirmed since March 11th .
This brought the total number of deaths associated with the disease to 1,683 .
Another nine cases of Covid-19 were diagnosed , bringing the total @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Covid-19 cases and hospitalisations has fallen , the average number of close contacts reported by those infected with the disease jumped to more than five .
Speaking at the NPHET briefing , the State ’ s chief medical officer , Dr Tony Holohan , has said Irish people “ can do better ” when it comes to the wearing of face masks in public as part of an effort to suppress the spread of coronavirus .

People walk past reopened shops and businesses on O’Connell Street, Dublin, on Monday as lockdown measures are eased. Photograph: Paul Faith/AFP via Getty Images
A Covid-19 testing system producing 15,000 results every day could cost the State €450 million by the end of the year, the Health Service Executive (HSE) has said.
In correspondence sent to the special Oireachtas committee on the Covid-19 response, which sits again on Tuesday, the HSE said that running 15,000 tests "per day every day" would entail projected costs "in the region of €450 million".
Currently, the HSE has capacity to test about that number on a given day, but demand for testing is significantly lower, with recent data showing fewer than 5,000 community and hospital lab tests being carried out per day.
A HSE spokeswoman confirmed the sum would be for producing 15,000 tests a day every day until the end of 2020.
READ MORE
According to the document, the HSE believes that level of testing will “clearly will not be a requirement”, but warns that the current testing system needs a significant overhaul to be fit for purpose in the medium term.
A spokeswoman said that current “temporary solutions are not sustainable for the longer term”.
The HSE has previously announced that it will complete a strategic plan for testing and tracing by the autumn. The briefing document emphasises that the current testing and tracing model "is not sustainable in the long term", due to its reliance on staff and equipment which have been temporarily reassigned from elsewhere, as well as the use of community centres and sports grounds such as Croke Park as sampling centres, and reliance on short-term laboratory provider contracts. It says a longer-term testing and tracing strategy will include its own financial plan.
Testing equipment
So far, the HSE has spent almost €80 million on testing and tracing, the document shows, including €33 million procuring testing equipment. Some €23 million has been spent on laboratory testing, and €14.5 million has been paid to general practitioners. The document shows that €371,000 has so far been spent on the HSE’s delayed Covid-19 tracing app. The costs of private labs are not yet included as contracts and payments schedules are being finalised.
It also emerged that the State's health watchdog warned the Department of Health in early April that 124 public and private nursing homes – a fifth of the country's care homes - were "at risk" and could need additional support from the HSE to address outbreaks of Covid-19.
Documents released to the Oireachtas committee show the Health Information and Quality Authority (Hiqa) told the department on April 9th “the lack of a direct relationship” between the HSE and private nursing homes would make it difficult to project the homes’ specific needs.
Risk assessment
Hiqa's chief inspector Mary Dunnion told the department in a risk assessment that in a large number of private homes the "skills mix and competencies" of staff fell short of what was required to deal with the "escalating care needs of residents during a Covid-19 outbreak".
Meanwhile, the National Public Health Emergency Team (NPHET) confirmed another four deaths of people with Covid-19 in the State, the lowest daily number to be confirmed since March 11th. This brought the total number of deaths associated with the disease to 1,683. Another nine cases of Covid-19 were diagnosed, bringing the total to 25,207.
While the number of Covid-19 cases and hospitalisations has fallen, the average number of close contacts reported by those infected with the disease jumped to more than five.
Speaking at the NPHET briefing, the State’s chief medical officer, Dr Tony Holohan, has said Irish people “can do better” when it comes to the wearing of face masks in public as part of an effort to suppress the spread of coronavirus.


theirishtimes--2020-06-08--Third-level teaching plans for autumn

Third-level teaching plans for autumn

Campuses were among the first to close .
Some third levels already had a basic infrastructure for online learning .
For many others , it meant a massive and quick adjustment to online delivery while still helping worried and distressed students whose life had been pulled out from under them .
For all third-level institutions , however , the pandemic has presented a major challenge , with staff from all departments having to rapidly change how they deliver courses while at the same time trying to protect the interests of the students while guaranteeing the integrity of each individual programme @ @ @ @ @ @ @ prompted many institutions to review their course offerings and to move them from a purely in-class delivery model to one that incorporates modern technology to facilitate distant and online learning .
The following is what a selection of institutions are planning for the autumn .
Students are advised to contact their own colleges for more information .
What they use : Moodle as a virtual-learning environment , TurnItIn for assignment submission ( a widely used tool for third levels to check for plagiarism ) .
What ’ s unique : Since 2002 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s core teaching method .
The college was one of the first in the world to use this technique .
After trying a few different tools , they have settled on Adobe Connect .
“ Teaching live online , if done well , can be very effective , ” a spokesperson says .
“ It can be highly engaging with great interaction between the lecturer and the students and can even facilitate small group discussions in breakout rooms .
Because of its similarity with classroom teaching , with appropriate training , lecturers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their existing learning materials , allowing us to quickly move courses online when we are asked to respond to demand from employers .
Unusually , their online offering means that learners interact with their lecturers online .
IT Sligo also runs remote-access labs for engineering and science students , and they recently received HEA funding to develop fulltime online programmes for people who would find it too challenging to attend on campus , whether that be because of disabilities , caring responsibilities or other issues , and these programmes are recruiting for September @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is perhaps among the most ready for the Covid-19 crisis .
It has established two taskforce teams to address the short , medium and long-term impact of Covid-19 on third-level education .
They hope to open the campus in September but will continue teaching remotely and improving techniques if this can not happen .
They are also looking at a “ hybrid flexible ” and a “ flipped classroom ” model if face-to-face contact needs to be minimised .
This would mean lecturers recording their classes and giving students exercises to apply their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Staying innovative and ahead of the game is something we continually strive for , as demonstrated by our broad portfolio of 140+ online programmes .
In the current crisis , and because we had the infrastructure in place , moving over all our courses to remote delivery went relatively smoothly .
A lot of institutions struggled with this when they suddenly had to close their doors and move everything online .
For us , it was a case of quietly and confidently switching all our courses over to remote online teaching.
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ range of digital tools and platforms as part of Loop , with Moodle at the core .
The university uses Zoom for live teaching , Mahara for eportfolios and Unicam to support video and rich media learning .
Students are encouraged to innovate through their own tools as new technologies emerge .
What ’ s unique : DCU is the pioneer of third-level online and distance learning in Ireland .
With more than 35 years experience in the design of online distance education it hosts the National Learning for Digital Learning and , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on Online Learning .
The university has a strategic partnership with FutureLearn which offers online courses and degrees from leading institutions and with Arizona State University , one of the leaders in online education .
Plans for 2020-21 : DCU ’ s Mark Brown says the university will develop its suite of online courses .
“ With plans well under way for the start of the new academic year should restrictions continue , we want to be proactive and leverage opportunities in the longer term .
This includes continuing our partnership with FutureLearn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a new free online course on “ how to learn online ” for students , and building strategic partnerships to increase online offerings .
What they use : The semester has continued for UL students using the open source platform Sakai , with 10,000 students accessing it every day .
Use of UL ’ s digital classroom and collaboration technologies such as Big Blue Button , Microsoft Teams and Skype for Business have skyrocketed .
What ’ s unique : UL has put in place a student engagement and success unit to help @ @ @ @ @ @ @ technology forum has provided centralised support and professional development for teaching staff via webinars and resources .
UL ’ s Glucksman Library has provided access to resources .
Plans for 2020-21 : Kerstin May , UL ’ s vice-president of academic affairs and student engagement , says that the university can not fully translate a face-to-face learning experience into online or blended modes but that they have to fully engage with the new reality .
“ We will see a transformation of higher education that includes more flipped classroom approaches and students as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shifts from high-stakes exams to formative assessments that use algorithms and learning analytics to offer personalised feedback to students and teachers .
They expect that the duration and shape of degrees will change in terms of length , how they ’ re offered and how they ’ re credited .
What they use : The university uses both Brightspace and Moodle as virtual learning platforms .
What ’ s unique : Technology has always played a role in how modules at TU Dublin ( formerly DIT , IT Blanchardstown and IT Tallaght before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a diverse study body and deliver flexible programmes in line with its mission .
The past few months , while challenging , have been used to test the experience of virtual provision .
TU Dublin says it has engaged with staff and students to learn from their perspective about what elements can be incorporated into future blended delivery .
Plans for 2020-21 : The next academic year in TU Dublin is scheduled to begin as usual on September 1st , with programme delivery resuming on September 21st , says a spokesperson .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ within which to reconfigure activities and facilities to cope with Covid-19 .
Our aim is to prioritise face-to-face activity in labs , kitchens and studios , and to engage directly where possible with first-year students .
Due to the projected social distancing constraints , it is highly likely that a blend of online delivery and face to face engagement will be part of the mix for all students for semester one.
” What they use : Canvas as the institutional virtual learning environment , Panopto for recording video content , MS Teams for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ suite of MS Office 365 tools and Google education apps .
What ’ s unique : The university says its use of Canvas means all learning tools are integrated for students but , more significantly , they now support students and staff with a 24/7 dedicated helpline and chatline .
Anyone with a UCC account can immediately get through to this service and get help , whether it is how to create content on Canvas , how to set up a discussion forum or how to submit an assignment in answer to an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ It is such a fluid situation , ” says a university spokesperson .
“ Any students who need to take supplemental examinations will be accommodated online .
September is still a little of the unknown but we are considering contingency plans for more online teaching if public health advice dictates students can ’ t be on campus for a while longer .
We are confident we have the appropriate technology to enable us to do this.
” What they use : IT Carlow implemented a roadmap in blended learning in 2019 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ use of Blackboard Collaborate as a virtual classroom .
It also uses MS Teams as a pedagogical support platform .
What ’ s unique : “ Our learner-centred approach will always be our underlying core value and we will continue to place the learner at the heart of all our activities , supporting their personal , social and professional learning throughout their time at Institute of Technology Carlow , ” says David Denieffe , vice-president for academic affairs at IT Carlow .
Plans for 2020-21 : IT Carlow is proceeding with a hybrid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ start of the coming academic year , supporting students both online and when on campus .
“ Social interaction and strengthening connections amongst all our learners will continue to be our priorities as we begin the new academic year , ” adds Denieffe .
What they use : Blackboard , frequent contact through online discussion forums , webinars and online learning activities provide opportunities for student exchanges which make learning just as interactive as the classroom experience .
What ’ s unique : NUI Galway is already home to more than 60 undergraduate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ programmes , designed in a part-time , modular format which provide students with an opportunity to take modules on a standalone , CPD basis or to accumulate credit over a time period that suits their personal and professional lives .
A comprehensive range of science and technology subjects , along with specialist modules , are also available in an online format ; this includes the BSc in science and technology .
Plans for 2020-21 : The university is planning a later start date of September 28th for all taught students , with start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ confirmed .
Teaching will be delivered through a mix of face-to-face on-campus and online methods , in consultation with staff and student representatives .
What they use : A virtual learning environment that provides a range of tools and resource to support online learning , teaching and assessment including quizzes , communication and collaboration tools , assessment and feedback tools , and the dissemination of resources such as course files , videos and links to external resources .
What ’ s unique : Because not all students have access to the technology for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ working to repurpose its laptops , while one lecturer has set up a GoFundMe campaign to purchase laptops for students in need .
Staff are using the least-possible bandwidth-intensive resources for students without access to reliable broadband .
Staff are building interactivity into live lecturers and working to maintain connection and provide student supports .
The university says that dialogue and collaboration with students has been key to its approach .
Plans for 2020-21 : Maynooth will put in place additional supports for incoming first year students and hopes that it will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and learning from September .
Students will continue to have online access to a range of specialist supports , such as the maths support centre and writing centre .
What they use : UCD already had platforms in place for library access and Brightspace for student learning when the campus closed in March .
Learning at UCD has followed a blended model for many years .
UCD IT Services offer the campus community a wide range of technologies to assist with teaching and research ranging from the Brightspace virtual learning environment enabling learning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ types of virtual content , ePortfolios and even more options for collaborative learning .
What ’ s unique : UCD has extended its VPN service so students and faculty could access materials .
A college spokesperson said they don ’ t want students to miss out on their university experience so they are working to stay connected through various channels .
The university already delivers fully online programmes in areas including environmental sustainability , food nutrition and health , forensic computing and cybercrime , world heritage conservation , safety and health at work @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it is too soon to confirm how classes will be given in September , the intention is to provide a campus-based experience for students and the university will follow the Government ’ s public-health protocols in relation to social distancing , movement and gatherings , and use of personal protective equipment , ” a spokesperson said .
“ Inevitably the use of online learning platforms will form an important part of classes for the coming trimester and the university is currently preparing plans on how classes will be delivered.
” What they use @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fostering active student engagement .
Adobe Connect and Microsoft Teams are also part of AIT ’ s suite of virtual learning tools .
What ’ s unique : In 2019 , AIT established the faculty of “ continuing , professional , online and distance learning ” to deliver relevant and flexible learning opportunities to those in the midlands and beyond .
Up to 900 learners nationally have taken one of the online blended learning programmes .
They are devising an AIT digital ecosystem to enable staff design learning , teaching and assessment both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is also trying to ensure the student experience will not be forgotten .
Plans for 2020-21 : AIT has convened a scenario planning group chaired by its president , Professor Ciarán Ó Catháin .
What they use : Ireland ’ s oldest school of law is as up-to-date as any other Irish third level and uses Moodle for its online learning environment .
Plans for 2020 : The institution offers a wide range of accessible part–time and blended/online courses in specialist areas of the law .
Preparations are under way to deliver our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s unique : All courses are scheduled to run from September/October 2020 online and in person depending on the safety of the Covid–19 outbreak and advice from the HSE .
To adapt to Covid-19 circumstances , the online application process for the diploma in legal studies and the barrister-at-law entrance exam has been updated , so all supporting documents as well as the application can be submitted online .
What they use : Moodle and Office365 , with lecturers supported by DigitalEd.ie , a digital education training platform .
The library provides @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s unique : GMIT highlights its access initiatives and disability supports for students in need and says it is working to deliver the same experience online .
Plans for 2020-21 : Plans are under way to further support staff and students in a blended model of delivery .
“ It will not be possible or desirable for GMIT to move its teaching and learning process to a fully online model of delivery as this would be counter to our ethos of providing an applied , technological and professional student experience , ” a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ blended and online learning transformation ( BOLT ) unit to support this transition to blended delivery .
The college is planning for the new academic year to ensure continuity of provision and to ensure that , although the student experience will be different , it will utilise all of the digital tools necessary to make it immersive and engaging for its student community .
What they use : Multiple platforms to deliver online training including the world ’ s most popular learning management system , Moodle is easy to use and provides a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is a learning platform designed to provide educators , administrators and learners with a single robust , secure and integrated system to create personalised learning environments .
What ’ s unique : The TEFL Institute of Ireland is one of the most accredited course providers in Ireland , with a strong reputation for high-quality learning experiences , and internationally recognised TEFL courses .
They are one of a few who offer Ofqual regulated Level 5 TEFL certification in teaching English as a foreign language , ( QCF ) which is the flexible , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the highest TEFL qualifications available online .
Plans for 2020-21 : The plan for 2020/2021 is to develop further virtual classroom training both within Ireland and globally , as well as developing specific courses for transition year students .
They are also in the process of establishing unique language training in both Spain and Italy through the use of conversation rather than traditional schooling .
What they use : Blackboard , which offers diverse options for delivering lectures and other teaching content .
Tuition will follow a hybrid model which combines online @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for larger class groupings and face-to-face seminars , tutorials and laboratory classes for smaller groups .
What ’ s unique : All students will have some degree of face-to-face teaching in 2020-2021 .
Trinity offers online postgraduate courses , continuous professional development courses and free online courses .
Trinity has decided that Erasmus exchanges – as part of the long established EU-wide programme for students – will proceed in the first semester , should students wish to avail of them .
Plans for 2020-21 : TCD announced last week that college would open @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new students will take place in the week before teaching resumes , starting September 21st .
“ We are committed to continuing with face-to-face education as a core element of the experience of attending Trinity and our intention is to facilitate seminars , laboratory classes and tutorials as far as possible for all students , while at all times following Government guidelines on social distancing , ” said provost Dr Patrick Prendergast .

Campuses were among the first to close. Some third levels already had a basic infrastructure for online learning. For many others, it meant a massive and quick adjustment to online delivery while still helping worried and distressed students whose life had been pulled out from under them.
For all third-level institutions, however, the pandemic has presented a major challenge, with staff from all departments having to rapidly change how they deliver courses while at the same time trying to protect the interests of the students while guaranteeing the integrity of each individual programme.
The disruption caused by coronavirus has prompted many institutions to review their course offerings and to move them from a purely in-class delivery model to one that incorporates modern technology to facilitate distant and online learning.
The following is what a selection of institutions are planning for the autumn. Students are advised to contact their own colleges for more information.
READ MORE
IT Sligo
What they use: Moodle as a virtual-learning environment, TurnItIn for assignment submission (a widely used tool for third levels to check for plagiarism).
What's unique: Since 2002, live online teaching has been Sligo IT's core teaching method. The college was one of the first in the world to use this technique. After trying a few different tools, they have settled on Adobe Connect. "Teaching live online, if done well, can be very effective," a spokesperson says. "It can be highly engaging with great interaction between the lecturer and the students and can even facilitate small group discussions in breakout rooms. Because of its similarity with classroom teaching, with appropriate training, lecturers can learn the techniques quickly, use their existing learning materials, allowing us to quickly move courses online when we are asked to respond to demand from employers. Unusually, their online offering means that learners interact with their lecturers online. IT Sligo also runs remote-access labs for engineering and science students, and they recently received HEA funding to develop fulltime online programmes for people who would find it too challenging to attend on campus, whether that be because of disabilities, caring responsibilities or other issues, and these programmes are recruiting for September.
Plans for 2020-21: The college is perhaps among the most ready for the Covid-19 crisis. It has established two taskforce teams to address the short,medium and long-term impact of Covid-19 on third-level education. They hope to open the campus in September but will continue teaching remotely and improving techniques if this cannot happen. They are also looking at a "hybrid flexible" and a "flipped classroom" model if face-to-face contact needs to be minimised. This would mean lecturers recording their classes and giving students exercises to apply their learning before meeting them in smaller groups.
“Staying innovative and ahead of the game is something we continually strive for, as demonstrated by our broad portfolio of 140+ online programmes. In the current crisis, and because we had the infrastructure in place, moving over all our courses to remote delivery went relatively smoothly. A lot of institutions struggled with this when they suddenly had to close their doors and move everything online. For us, it was a case of quietly and confidently switching all our courses over to remote online teaching.”
Dublin City University
What they use: A wide range of digital tools and platforms as part of Loop, with Moodle at the core. The university uses Zoom for live teaching, Mahara for eportfolios and Unicam to support video and rich media learning. Students are encouraged to innovate through their own tools as new technologies emerge.
What's unique: DCU is the pioneer of third-level online and distance learning in Ireland. With more than 35 years experience in the design of online distance education it hosts the National Institute for Digital Learning and, last year, hosted the World Conference on Online Learning. The university has a strategic partnership with FutureLearn which offers online courses and degrees from leading institutions and with Arizona State University, one of the leaders in online education.
Plans for 2020-21: DCU's Mark Brown says the university will develop its suite of online courses. "With plans well under way for the start of the new academic year should restrictions continue, we want to be proactive and leverage opportunities in the longer term. This includes continuing our partnership with FutureLearn and developing more credit-bearing microcredentials, running a new free online course on "how to learn online" for students, and building strategic partnerships to increase online offerings.
University of Limerick
What they use: The semester has continued for UL students using the open source platform Sakai, with 10,000 students accessing it every day. Use of UL's digital classroom and collaboration technologies such as Big Blue Button, Microsoft Teams and Skype for Business have skyrocketed.
What's unique: UL has put in place a student engagement and success unit to help students manage studying remotely. A learning technology forum has provided centralised support and professional development for teaching staff via webinars and resources. UL's Glucksman Library has provided access to resources.
Plans for 2020-21: Kerstin May, UL's vice-president of academic affairs and student engagement, says that the university cannot fully translate a face-to-face learning experience into online or blended modes but that they have to fully engage with the new reality. "We will see a transformation of higher education that includes more flipped classroom approaches and students as partners."
UL expects to see further shifts from high-stakes exams to formative assessments that use algorithms and learning analytics to offer personalised feedback to students and teachers. They expect that the duration and shape of degrees will change in terms of length, how they’re offered and how they’re credited.
Technological University of Dublin
What they use: The university uses both Brightspace and Moodle as virtual learning platforms.
What's unique: Technology has always played a role in how modules at TU Dublin (formerly DIT, IT Blanchardstown and IT Tallaght before they merged) in order to attract a diverse study body and deliver flexible programmes in line with its mission. The past few months, while challenging, have been used to test the experience of virtual provision. TU Dublin says it has engaged with staff and students to learn from their perspective about what elements can be incorporated into future blended delivery.
Plans for 2020-21: The next academic year in TU Dublin is scheduled to begin as usual on September 1st, with programme delivery resuming on September 21st, says a spokesperson. "This gives us a very short timeframe within which to reconfigure activities and facilities to cope with Covid-19. Our aim is to prioritise face-to-face activity in labs, kitchens and studios, and to engage directly where possible with first-year students. Due to the projected social distancing constraints, it is highly likely that a blend of online delivery and face to face engagement will be part of the mix for all students for semester one."
University College Cork
What they use: Canvas as the institutional virtual learning environment, Panopto for recording video content, MS Teams for collaboration and video conferencing and the full suite of MS Office 365 tools and Google education apps.
What's unique: The university says its use of Canvas means all learning tools are integrated for students but, more significantly, they now support students and staff with a 24/7 dedicated helpline and chatline. Anyone with a UCC account can immediately get through to this service and get help, whether it is how to create content on Canvas, how to set up a discussion forum or how to submit an assignment in answer to an exam question.
Plans for 2020-21: "It is such a fluid situation," says a university spokesperson. "Any students who need to take supplemental examinations will be accommodated online. September is still a little of the unknown but we are considering contingency plans for more online teaching if public health advice dictates students can't be on campus for a while longer. We are confident we have the appropriate technology to enable us to do this."
IT Carlow
What they use: IT Carlow implemented a roadmap in blended learning in 2019, and since then has been supporting the use of Blackboard Collaborate as a virtual classroom. It also uses MS Teams as a pedagogical support platform.
What's unique: "Our learner-centred approach will always be our underlying core value and we will continue to place the learner at the heart of all our activities, supporting their personal, social and professional learning throughout their time at Institute of Technology Carlow,"says David Denieffe, vice-president for academic affairs at IT Carlow .
Plans for 2020-21: IT Carlow is proceeding with a hybrid approach to teaching and learning for the start of the coming academic year, supporting students both online and when on campus. "Social interaction and strengthening connections amongst all our learners will continue to be our priorities as we begin the new academic year," adds Denieffe.
NUI Galway
What they use: Blackboard, frequent contact through online discussion forums, webinars and online learning activities provide opportunities for student exchanges which make learning just as interactive as the classroom experience.
What's unique: NUI Galway is already home to more than 60 undergraduate and postgraduate fully online and blended learning programmes, designed in a part-time, modular format which provide students with an opportunity to take modules on a standalone, CPD basis or to accumulate credit over a time period that suits their personal and professional lives. A comprehensive range of science and technology subjects, along with specialist modules, are also available in an online format; this includes the BSc in science and technology.
Plans for 2020-21: The university is planning a later start date of September 28th for all taught students, with start dates for incoming first years to be confirmed. Teaching will be delivered through a mix of face-to-face on-campus and online methods, in consultation with staff and student representatives.
Maynooth University
What they use: A virtual learning environment that provides a range of tools and resource to support online learning, teaching and assessment including quizzes, communication and collaboration tools, assessment and feedback tools, and the dissemination of resources such as course files, videos and links to external resources.
What's unique: Because not all students have access to the technology for learning online, the university has been working to repurpose its laptops, while one lecturer has set up a GoFundMe campaign to purchase laptops for students in need. Staff are using the least-possible bandwidth-intensive resources for students without access to reliable broadband. Staff are building interactivity into live lecturers and working to maintain connection and provide student supports. The university says that dialogue and collaboration with students has been key to its approach.
Plans for 2020-21: Maynooth will put in place additional supports for incoming first year students and hopes that it will be offering – albeit socially distant – teaching and learning from September. Students will continue to have online access to a range of specialist supports, such as the maths support centre and writing centre.
University College Dublin:
What they use: UCD already had platforms in place for library access and Brightspace for student learning when the campus closed in March. Learning at UCD has followed a blended model for many years. UCD IT Services offer the campus community a wide range of technologies to assist with teaching and research ranging from the Brightspace virtual learning environment enabling learning from anywhere, expertise in developing various types of virtual content, ePortfolios and even more options for collaborative learning.
What's unique: UCD has extended its VPN service so students and faculty could access materials. A college spokesperson said they don't want students to miss out on their university experience so they are working to stay connected through various channels. The university already delivers fully online programmes in areas including environmental sustainability, food nutrition and health, forensic computing and cybercrime, world heritage conservation, safety and health at work.
Plans for 2020-21: "Although it is too soon to confirm how classes will be given in September, the intention is to provide a campus-based experience for students and the university will follow the Government's public-health protocols in relation to social distancing, movement and gatherings, and use of personal protective equipment," a spokesperson said. "Inevitably the use of online learning platforms will form an important part of classes for the coming trimester and the university is currently preparing plans on how classes will be delivered."
Athlone IT:
What they use: Moodle, with a focus on fostering active student engagement. Adobe Connect and Microsoft Teams are also part of AIT's suite of virtual learning tools.
What's unique: In 2019, AIT established the faculty of "continuing, professional, online and distance learning" to deliver relevant and flexible learning opportunities to those in the midlands and beyond. Up to 900 learners nationally have taken one of the online blended learning programmes. They are devising an AIT digital ecosystem to enable staff design learning, teaching and assessment both on and off campus. The college is also trying to ensure the student experience will not be forgotten.
Plans for 2020-21: AIT has convened a scenario planning group chaired by its president, Professor Ciarán Ó Catháin.
King’s Inns
What they use: Ireland's oldest school of law is as up-to-date as any other Irish third level and uses Moodle for its online learning environment.
Plans for 2020: The institution offers a wide range of accessible part–time and blended/online courses in specialist areas of the law. Preparations are under way to deliver our courses fully online until 2021.
What's unique: All courses are scheduled to run from September/October 2020 online and in person depending on the safety of the Covid–19 outbreak and advice from the HSE. To adapt to Covid-19 circumstances, the online application process for the diploma in legal studies and the barrister-at-law entrance exam has been updated, so all supporting documents as well as the application can be submitted online.
GMIT:
What they use: Moodle and Office365, with lecturers supported by DigitalEd.ie, a digital education training platform. The library provides real-time live chat 24/7.
What's unique: GMIT highlights its access initiatives and disability supports for students in need and says it is working to deliver the same experience online.
Plans for 2020-21: Plans are under way to further support staff and students in a blended model of delivery. "It will not be possible or desirable for GMIT to move its teaching and learning process to a fully online model of delivery as this would be counter to our ethos of providing an applied, technological and professional student experience," a spokesperson says. GMIT has established a blended and online learning transformation (BOLT) unit to support this transition to blended delivery. The college is planning for the new academic year to ensure continuity of provision and to ensure that, although the student experience will be different, it will utilise all of the digital tools necessary to make it immersive and engaging for its student community.
The TEFL Institute of Ireland
What they use: Multiple platforms to deliver online training including the world's most popular learning management system, Moodle is easy to use and provides a rich, modern learning experience, which is a learning platform designed to provide educators, administrators and learners with a single robust, secure and integrated system to create personalised learning environments.
What's unique: The TEFL Institute of Ireland is one of the most accredited course providers in Ireland, with a strong reputation for high-quality learning experiences, and internationally recognised TEFL courses. They are one of a few who offer Ofqual regulated Level 5 TEFL certification in teaching English as a foreign language, (QCF) which is the flexible, affordable alternative to CELTA and is one of the highest TEFL qualifications available online.
Plans for 2020-21: The plan for 2020/2021 is to develop further virtual classroom training both within Ireland and globally, as well as developing specific courses for transition year students. They are also in the process of establishing unique language training in both Spain and Italy through the use of conversation rather than traditional schooling.
Trinity College Dublin:
What they use: Blackboard, which offers diverse options for delivering lectures and other teaching content. Tuition will follow a hybrid model which combines online and face-to-face elements such as online lectures for larger class groupings and face-to-face seminars, tutorials and laboratory classes for smaller groups.
What's unique: All students will have some degree of face-to-face teaching in 2020-2021. Trinity offers online postgraduate courses, continuous professional development courses and free online courses. Trinity has decided that Erasmus exchanges – as part of the long established EU-wide programme for students – will proceed in the first semester, should students wish to avail of them.
Plans for 2020-21: TCD announced last week that college would open on September 28th. Orientation for all new students will take place in the week before teaching resumes, starting September 21st. "We are committed to continuing with face-to-face education as a core element of the experience of attending Trinity and our intention is to facilitate seminars, laboratory classes and tutorials as far as possible for all students, while at all times following Government guidelines on social distancing," said provost Dr Patrick Prendergast.
Note: This is not an exhaustive list. Students planning on attending college this autumn are advised to contact the faculty in question for more information on individual courses.


theirishtimes--2020-06-08--Where to begin when it comes to teaching a course online

The starting point for instructors looking to move their programmes online should be to seek professional help .
Most universities will have a Department for Online and Distance Learning and they will have the expertise required to help instructors understand what exactly online delivery will entail .
Not every course will lend itself well solely to online delivery while others may enjoy improved outcomes when delivered through a well-designed bespoke online framework .
Training is key .
Delivering a course originally designed for in-class delivery to an online setting will require an understanding of the new format , the tools @ @ @ @ @ @ @ student expectations and planned course outcomes .
The more prepared the teacher or instructor is , the better .
Expectations are important too .
Be aware of what students expect to get from the course and clearly set out how the course will function throughout the year and how students will be assessed .
Prepare a course handbook and make that permanently available to students through the learning platform .
[ “ SET ] expectations from the start , outlining how students will be required to engage …and.. how the instructor-student interaction will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Director of NUI Galway ’ s Centre for Adult Learning and Professional Development .
“ Set expectations as to the level of engagement required and have a clear statement of how the course will be assessed along with an assessment of engagement required , ” she adds .
Technology should be a concern !
There should be an awareness that internet access and availability of digital resources will be an issue for some students .
Therefore , certain flexibilities will have to be accounted for in the design of the course to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nature of the subject area is also important .
Think creatively about how you will teach the course .
Consider the tools available to you through the virtual learning environment .
There are ways you could increase engagement through the use of online quizzes and other dedicated tools .
One of the key strengths of online or distance learning is that students can prepare material in advance of a classroom session .
Make that material available to them .
It can be packaged into course reading packs or short recorded lectures , podcasts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in their own time .
“ The use of smaller , bite-sized chunks of information for all alternative formats used makes it easier for learners to engage with the content in a flexible format and increases the assimilation of information , ” says McGuinn .
Building prompts or check-ins for students asking them to carry out an exercise or directing them to research the concept further is a way to keep them interested and engaged in the course .
Decide how you wish to use your live sessions with students - it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ notes .
Instead , consider live settings as a dedicated learning opportunity where you can also encourage student discussion .
Make sure to build in opportunities for pastoral support for students and check in to see how they are coping with online learning .

“The use of smaller, bite-sized chunks of information for all alternative formats used makes it easier for learners to engage with the content.”
The starting point for instructors looking to move their programmes online should be to seek professional help.
Most universities will have a Department for Online and Distance Learning and they will have the expertise required to help instructors understand what exactly online delivery will entail.
Not every course will lend itself well solely to online delivery while others may enjoy improved outcomes when delivered through a well-designed bespoke online framework.
Training is key. Delivering a course originally designed for in-class delivery to an online setting will require an understanding of the new format, the tools available as well as an insight into student expectations and planned course outcomes. The more prepared the teacher or instructor is, the better.
READ MORE
Expectations are important too. Be aware of what students expect to get from the course and clearly set out how the course will function throughout the year and how students will be assessed.
Prepare a course handbook and make that permanently available to students through the learning platform.
[“SET ]expectations from the start, outlining how students will be required to engage …and.. how the instructor-student interaction will take place,” advises Nuala McGuinn, Director of NUI Galway’s Centre for Adult Learning and Professional Development.
“Set expectations as to the level of engagement required and have a clear statement of how the course will be assessed along with an assessment of engagement required,” she adds.
Technology should be a concern! There should be an awareness that internet access and availability of digital resources will be an issue for some students. Therefore, certain flexibilities will have to be accounted for in the design of the course to accommodate them and their needs.
The nature of the subject area is also important. Think creatively about how you will teach the course. Consider the tools available to you through the virtual learning environment. There are ways you could increase engagement through the use of online quizzes and other dedicated tools.
One of the key strengths of online or distance learning is that students can prepare material in advance of a classroom session. Make that material available to them. It can be packaged into course reading packs or short recorded lectures, podcasts or video recordings for them to view in their own time.
“The use of smaller, bite-sized chunks of information for all alternative formats used makes it easier for learners to engage with the content in a flexible format and increases the assimilation of information,” says McGuinn.
Building prompts or check-ins for students asking them to carry out an exercise or directing them to research the concept further is a way to keep them interested and engaged in the course.
Decide how you wish to use your live sessions with students - it is not advised to simply regurgitate the course notes. Instead, consider live settings as a dedicated learning opportunity where you can also encourage student discussion.
Make sure to build in opportunities for pastoral support for students and check in to see how they are coping with online learning.


theirishtimes--2020-06-08--Student tips for online learning

Student tips for online learning

Anyone who is new to online learning is bound to have questions .
How will my course be delivered ?
How will I submit coursework and assignments ?
How will I interact with my teachers and classmates ?
How will I ask a question in the classroom ?
Most universities and colleges now have systems in place to facilitate remote working and distance learning .
These systems , which are expected to feature more prominently in the coming years , have built-in tools that allow instructors to deliver lectures by video or audio , facilitate discussions , and track student @ @ @ @ @ @ @ instructors and academics , the following list of tips touches on some of the key areas students should be mindful of when using a virtual learning environment .
1 .
How will my course be delivered ?
“ There are many communication tools within the virtual learning environment which enable lecturers to interact with their students and also to enable students to interact with each other ” – Nuala McGuinn , director at NUI Galway ’ s Centre for Adult Learning and Professional Development .
How each course will be delivered will depend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is likely in most cases to be a blend of remote delivery and on-campus activities involving some face-to-face engagement with academic staff .
Dedicated integrated virtual learning platforms such as Brightspace , Canvas and Blackboard provide instructors with the software tools to deliver lectures and track student performance .
They also allow students to access their course curriculum as well as other course-related resources such as reading lists and assignment details .
Your college will provide guidance on how to use its remote teaching platform .
Familiarise yourself with it and its capabilities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you probably already use similar tech tools in your everyday life such as video chats via Zoom and Google Hangouts or connecting with friends on WhatsApp , Facebook , Twitter and Instagram .
Using the college ’ s learning platform won ’ t be so different .
In most courses , lectures are likely to be delivered by video for students to view ahead of class while class-time is more likely to be used to explore topics in greater depth .
On-campus activities , while subject to health restrictions , are likely to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ groups .
2 .
What should I do to prepare ?
Familiarise yourself with the course syllabus and understand what is expected of you .
Read your course or module handbook .
This should be available on the virtual learning platform .
Take note of fixed lecture and tutorial times .
Set aside time for study and research and integrate your course calendar with your own personal calendar .
Plan to submit your assignments on time and participate in the virtual classroom if and when required .
While online learning is in many @ @ @ @ @ @ @ learning , don ’ t forget you will need the discipline to dedicate a significant amount of time to your course .
Familiarise yourself with each module and make a list of what is required of you .
To engage in online learning you will obviously need good online access .
Check your internet access .
Is it reliable ?
Will it allow you to follow online lectures at designated times ?
Do you live in an area with limited access to broadband ?
Notify your tutor if this is the case .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ same access to technology .
If you don ’ t have your own computer or laptop or if you live in a setting where the computer in your home is in use at key times by a parent or others , attending online classes at set times might not always be possible .
Inform your course organiser or tutor of any difficulties you may have and perhaps suggest the times that you can be present .
If you do have a computer or laptop , is it less than three-years old ?
If @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have difficulties handling your college ’ s chosen online platform .
The college should have a list of computer specifications you can check your device against .
If you do not have access to a suitable laptop or desktop computer can you follow proceedings on your phone ?
If you do not have access to a computer , contact your course administrator as many colleges have schemes to assist students get access to the appropriate technology .
Consider using a second monitor if you have access to one .
It can make it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ studies show that a second monitor can improve productivity .
Not only that but you could use Zoom or other communications tools while still maintaining access to course material .
3 .
How will I submit coursework and assignments ?
Your college ’ s virtual learning environment is likely to be where you will view most of your lectures and access course material .
Depending on the course , it will be delivered through an assortment of tools from videos and quizzes to downloadable documents and simulations .
You will interact with your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , assignment platforms , group work collaboration options and video conferencing tools .
Assessing student knowledge is an integral part of third-level education .
Analysing performance over time gives instructors the information they need to understand a student ’ s strengths and weaknesses and hopefully maximise their chances of improving over the course of the programme .
While assessments have traditionally had a focus on end-of-year examinations , the virtual learning environment offers multiple tools that are specifically designed to measure ability and knowledge .
Students can be assessed through a variety of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a live setting at specified times , while other assignments and tests could be downloaded to your computer for you to work on in your own time .
For some assignments you might be required to upload a prepared essay or record and upload a piece of video or audio .
For some group assignments you will engage with your fellow classmates in forum discussions .
Try to co-ordinate group chats with your classmates to discuss ideas and the task in hand .
Stay up to date with your assignments and make @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Take note of delivery dates for projects and assignments and use a study planner .
4 .
How do I ask a question in class and who do I contact if I need help ?
“ I can take each group into a private breakout room which is not recorded and have a personal meeting with them while the others are working on something else ” – Kathleen Hughes , lecturer in marketing communications and social media marketing at TU Dublin .
The software used to create virtual online classrooms is very sophisticated @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , set a task during the class , and create a separate chatroom with a student in the event that they have a question or need assistance or advice .
Make sure to familiarise yourself with the functionality of the learning environment as most modern virtual learning systems will also offer students the digital equivalent of raising their hand in class and asking a question .
Don ’ t hesitate to email a lecturer if you have a question about your course or if you need access to reading lists or lecture slides @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the key people related to your course and institution .
Making a list of the contact details of tutors , student union representatives and course organisers is particularly useful when it comes to finding out who can answer any questions you may have .
Find out who to contact if you have queries about supportive resources , course administration , finance , student health or if you want to find out about student activities .
If you miss a class or an assignment or feel that you are falling behind , don ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ class representative .
They are there to help you .
Keep an eye out for class announcements and be cognisant of your deadlines .
5 .
Where and how will I study ?
“ Students can benefit from self-paced learning and revisit lectures to listen again to complex ideas in a way that isn ’ t possible in traditional teaching environments ” – Trinity College Dublin spokeswoman .
Blended learning is set to become the new norm for many courses this year as social restrictions disrupt traditional teaching models .
Much of your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at home over the coming academic year .
So it is important to create a dedicated home-study space – this will help you establish a learning routine .
Make sure you have good ventilation and light , a desk with enough space and a decent chair .
Have all the materials you need to hand and make sure your power connection is nearby .
Keep your desk tidy and as distraction-free as possible .
Use organisers , boxes and shelves to store your materials and don ’ t forget to turn off your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a challenge at the best of times but the pay-off will be worth it .
Create a routine by setting aside time each day for study .
Build a study plan by first considering your own learning style .
Is it more effective for you to learn in the morning or in the evening ?
Work out your study needs , for example , think how much do you need to do for each class ?
Highlight upcoming classes and study sessions on your calendar .
Draw up a plan for each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ breaks .
“ Our flexible blended model of teaching will require students to carry out small activities each week and engage with both the lecturer and their fellow students .
This will be an encouragement to students to keep up and will allow individual lecturers to monitor their engagement and provide individual support , ” – Prof Jacqueline McCormack , vice president ( online development ) IT Sligo .
While many course activities are likely to be conducted off-campus in the coming months , the software available to colleges is designed to enhance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the progress of students and identify those who may have disengaged or who may be struggling with the course content .
Not all activities will be online and some face-to-face teaching will take place in the form of tutorials , seminars and lab work .
It is important to attend as many of these as is possible as they offer students a valuable opportunity to engage directly with teachers and instructors .
7 .
How will we collaborate ?
“ Technology can enable new opportunities for groupwork and collaborative learning and can generate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ feedback , for example audio and video feedback .
If utilised well , technology can improve access and support more inclusive participation for students with disabilities ” - Dr Alison Hood , dean of teaching and learning at Maynooth University .
Being able to share notes and discuss coursework with fellow students and help each other with questions has always been a great help for students and there are so many tech tools that can enhance communication between you and your teachers as well as with your classmates .
Teachers can work individually @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s needs are met while networking and video-conferencing tools make it possible for you to collaborate with fellow students no matter where they are located .
Talk to your classmates and work out what method works best for you to stay in touch with each other .
Some will use services such college discussion forums while others will already be in touch on Facebook , Instagram or Twitter .
“ Don ’ t give up .
Reach out for support if things don ’ t always go as well as you expect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anxious , have setbacks and from time to time struggle for motivation , but remember even the very best students take advantage of the wider supports available to them ” – Prof Mark Brown of the National Institute for Digital Learning at DCU .
If in doubt , seek it out !
You will need to stay organised and motivated if you are to keep on top of your workload but if you are struggling with coursework don ’ t suffer in silence .
Get in touch with your tutor even if it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not sure about .
While your college ’ s integrated virtual learning platform will provide tutors with all sorts of analytics about student performance they won ’ t necessarily realise that you are experiencing difficulties with a subject unless you let them know .
Don ’ t be shy – get in touch , they are there to help .

Anyone who is new to online learning is bound to have questions. How will my course be delivered? How will I submit coursework and assignments? How will I interact with my teachers and classmates? How will I ask a question in the classroom?
Most universities and colleges now have systems in place to facilitate remote working and distance learning. These systems, which are expected to feature more prominently in the coming years, have built-in tools that allow instructors to deliver lectures by video or audio, facilitate discussions, and track student performance.
Based on conversations with educational instructors and academics, the following list of tips touches on some of the key areas students should be mindful of when using a virtual learning environment.
1. How will my course be delivered?
READ MORE
"There are many communication tools within the virtual learning environment which enable lecturers to interact with their students and also to enable students to interact with each other" – Nuala McGuinn, director at NUI Galway's Centre for Adult Learning and Professional Development.
How each course will be delivered will depend on individual programme learning outcomes but it is likely in most cases to be a blend of remote delivery and on-campus activities involving some face-to-face engagement with academic staff.
Dedicated integrated virtual learning platforms such as Brightspace, Canvas and Blackboard provide instructors with the software tools to deliver lectures and track student performance. They also allow students to access their course curriculum as well as other course-related resources such as reading lists and assignment details.
Your college will provide guidance on how to use its remote teaching platform. Familiarise yourself with it and its capabilities. Don't be intimidated – you probably already use similar tech tools in your everyday life such as video chats via Zoom and Google Hangouts or connecting with friends on WhatsApp, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. Using the college's learning platform won't be so different.
In most courses, lectures are likely to be delivered by video for students to view ahead of class while class-time is more likely to be used to explore topics in greater depth.
On-campus activities, while subject to health restrictions, are likely to involve meeting instructors individually or in smaller groups.
2. What should I do to prepare?
Familiarise yourself with the course syllabus and understand what is expected of you. Read your course or module handbook. This should be available on the virtual learning platform. Take note of fixed lecture and tutorial times. Set aside time for study and research and integrate your course calendar with your own personal calendar. Plan to submit your assignments on time and participate in the virtual classroom if and when required.
While online learning is in many ways more convenient and flexible than in-class learning, don’t forget you will need the discipline to dedicate a significant amount of time to your course. Familiarise yourself with each module and make a list of what is required of you.
To engage in online learning you will obviously need good online access. Check your internet access. Is it reliable? Will it allow you to follow online lectures at designated times? Do you live in an area with limited access to broadband? Notify your tutor if this is the case.
Of course, not everyone has the same access to technology. If you don’t have your own computer or laptop or if you live in a setting where the computer in your home is in use at key times by a parent or others, attending online classes at set times might not always be possible. Inform your course organiser or tutor of any difficulties you may have and perhaps suggest the times that you can be present.
If you do have a computer or laptop, is it less than three-years old? If it is older than that it may have difficulties handling your college’s chosen online platform. The college should have a list of computer specifications you can check your device against. If you do not have access to a suitable laptop or desktop computer can you follow proceedings on your phone? If you do not have access to a computer, contact your course administrator as many colleges have schemes to assist students get access to the appropriate technology.
Consider using a second monitor if you have access to one. It can make it easier to manage multiple programmes simultaneously and studies show that a second monitor can improve productivity. Not only that but you could use Zoom or other communications tools while still maintaining access to course material.
3. How will I submit coursework and assignments?
Your college’s virtual learning environment is likely to be where you will view most of your lectures and access course material. Depending on the course, it will be delivered through an assortment of tools from videos and quizzes to downloadable documents and simulations. You will interact with your lecturer and fellow students through discussion forums, assignment platforms, group work collaboration options and video conferencing tools.
Assessing student knowledge is an integral part of third-level education. Analysing performance over time gives instructors the information they need to understand a student’s strengths and weaknesses and hopefully maximise their chances of improving over the course of the programme.
While assessments have traditionally had a focus on end-of-year examinations, the virtual learning environment offers multiple tools that are specifically designed to measure ability and knowledge.
Students can be assessed through a variety of means; you may sit some tests in a live setting at specified times, while other assignments and tests could be downloaded to your computer for you to work on in your own time. For some assignments you might be required to upload a prepared essay or record and upload a piece of video or audio. For some group assignments you will engage with your fellow classmates in forum discussions. Try to co-ordinate group chats with your classmates to discuss ideas and the task in hand.
Stay up to date with your assignments and make sure you back up your work. Take note of delivery dates for projects and assignments and use a study planner.
4. How do I ask a question in class and who do I contact if I need help?
"I can take each group into a private breakout room which is not recorded and have a personal meeting with them while the others are working on something else" – Kathleen Hughes, lecturer in marketing communications and social media marketing at TU Dublin.
The software used to create virtual online classrooms is very sophisticated. A lecturer can deliver a class, set a task during the class, and create a separate chatroom with a student in the event that they have a question or need assistance or advice.
Make sure to familiarise yourself with the functionality of the learning environment as most modern virtual learning systems will also offer students the digital equivalent of raising their hand in class and asking a question.
Don’t hesitate to email a lecturer if you have a question about your course or if you need access to reading lists or lecture slides. Make a point of connecting with the key people related to your course and institution.
Making a list of the contact details of tutors, student union representatives and course organisers is particularly useful when it comes to finding out who can answer any questions you may have.
Find out who to contact if you have queries about supportive resources, course administration, finance, student health or if you want to find out about student activities.
If you miss a class or an assignment or feel that you are falling behind, don’t worry – contact your tutor or class representative. They are there to help you. Keep an eye out for class announcements and be cognisant of your deadlines.
5. Where and how will I study?
"Students can benefit from self-paced learning and revisit lectures to listen again to complex ideas in a way that isn't possible in traditional teaching environments" – Trinity College Dublin spokeswoman.
Blended learning is set to become the new norm for many courses this year as social restrictions disrupt traditional teaching models. Much of your learning and studying is likely to happen at home over the coming academic year. So it is important to create a dedicated home-study space – this will help you establish a learning routine. Make sure you have good ventilation and light, a desk with enough space and a decent chair. Have all the materials you need to hand and make sure your power connection is nearby. Keep your desk tidy and as distraction-free as possible. Use organisers, boxes and shelves to store your materials and don’t forget to turn off your phone when studying!
Time management can be a challenge at the best of times but the pay-off will be worth it. Create a routine by setting aside time each day for study.
Build a study plan by first considering your own learning style. Is it more effective for you to learn in the morning or in the evening? Work out your study needs, for example, think how much do you need to do for each class? Highlight upcoming classes and study sessions on your calendar. Draw up a plan for each subject. Allow for revision and take breaks.
6. How will I stay engaged?
"Our flexible blended model of teaching will require students to carry out small activities each week and engage with both the lecturer and their fellow students. This will be an encouragement to students to keep up and will allow individual lecturers to monitor their engagement and provide individual support," – Prof Jacqueline McCormack, vice president (online development) IT Sligo.
While many course activities are likely to be conducted off-campus in the coming months, the software available to colleges is designed to enhance student engagement. Course co-ordinators can monitor the progress of students and identify those who may have disengaged or who may be struggling with the course content. Not all activities will be online and some face-to-face teaching will take place in the form of tutorials, seminars and lab work. It is important to attend as many of these as is possible as they offer students a valuable opportunity to engage directly with teachers and instructors.
7. How will we collaborate?
"Technology can enable new opportunities for groupwork and collaborative learning and can generate new opportunities for conducting assessment and providing feedback, for example audio and video feedback. If utilised well, technology can improve access and support more inclusive participation for students with disabilities" - Dr Alison Hood, dean of teaching and learning at Maynooth University.
Being able to share notes and discuss coursework with fellow students and help each other with questions has always been a great help for students and there are so many tech tools that can enhance communication between you and your teachers as well as with your classmates.
Teachers can work individually with students to make sure the student’s needs are met while networking and video-conferencing tools make it possible for you to collaborate with fellow students no matter where they are located.
Talk to your classmates and work out what method works best for you to stay in touch with each other. Some will use services such college discussion forums while others will already be in touch on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter.
8. Ask!
"Don't give up. Reach out for support if things don't always go as well as you expect. It's normal to feel anxious, have setbacks and from time to time struggle for motivation, but remember even the very best students take advantage of the wider supports available to them" – Prof Mark Brown of the National Institute for Digital Learning at DCU.
If in doubt, seek it out!
You will need to stay organised and motivated if you are to keep on top of your workload but if you are struggling with coursework don’t suffer in silence. Get in touch with your tutor even if it is just something that you’re not sure about. While your college’s integrated virtual learning platform will provide tutors with all sorts of analytics about student performance they won’t necessarily realise that you are experiencing difficulties with a subject unless you let them know. Don’t be shy – get in touch, they are there to help.


theirishtimes--2020-06-08--Coronavirus and the ‘new norm’ at third level

The threat posed to public health by the coronavirus pandemic has led to universities across the globe having to address how they can continue teaching while keeping their staff and students safe .
While non-essential businesses had to close their doors to the public in the space of just a few weeks in March , almost all teaching activity at Ireland ’ s universities and colleges had to rapidly migrate online .
Course instructors had to adopt technologies that had never before been used on this scale in the experience of Irish education .
All of a sudden , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would complete their studies online without having to attend classes in-person , while assessments and examinations were quickly reappraised and reconstituted .
This migration represented the single biggest structural change in the third-level sector in Ireland in recent years .
One academic referred to it as “ the great onlining of Irish higher education ” .
While the rapid response of the sector to the pandemic was a testament to the universities and dedication of the staff involved , it quickly became apparent that this new approach , or at least a more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the “ new norm ” for Irish education in the short to medium term .
This , ideally , should mean revisiting the design of course programmes .
Hastily shoe-horning course content online in response to a crisis might work as a stop-gap but it is not considered to be best practice when it comes to online education .
“ When done well , online teaching involves far more than putting your lecture slides on the internet and merely substituting your scheduled face-to-face classes with live online ones using Zoom or MS Teams @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the National Institute for Digital Learning at DCU .
“ Indeed , this type of remote teaching and digital delivery of course content in a crisis is almost the antithesis of good online education , ” he adds .
“ The challenge is to help educators understand that online education requires different learning designs and teaching approaches.
” In Ireland , colleges are already planning their own blended or hybrid approach to the delivery of education for the next academic year .
In many cases , lectures will be delivered remotely while students @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face-to-face sessions , tutorials and lab work .
While the new student experience is likely to be substantially different this year , students and their parents will expect that the integrity of academic programmes will not be compromised by the transition to online .
The degree to which academic programmes will be redesigned to place online at the core of curriculum delivery still remains to be seen .
Quality and Qualifications Ireland ( QQI ) , the State ’ s watchdog for education standards , has already stated that it is working with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ to support and provide leadership for FET and HE providers in their efforts to maintain the integrity , quality and standards of the Irish education and training system , at this time of unprecedented challenge ” .
Fully transitioning courses online requires fundamental course redesign , a process that is costly and resource-heavy .
Instead , most colleges in Ireland are likely to offer a blended approach where some elements will be delivered online and some delivered on-campus .
They will spend the remainder of the summer months fine-tuning and re-evaluating their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the needs and expectations of their students , and it will probably be August before it becomes clear what students can expect in the autumn .
Of course , any lengthy continuation of campus closures is likely to have significant and unforeseen implications for students and colleges alike .
Universities have lost considerable revenues over the summer months from the loss of tourism and conferences , not to mention the losses likely to be incurred by the absence of foreign student revenues .
Students are also likely to feel somewhat uncertain of what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ costs normally associated with full-time college are justifiable when courses will be delivered online .
Many academic , learning and social support services designed with on-campus students in mind will have to be adapted and innovative opportunities will have to be developed to assist students who wish to engage in the wider life of the university , including sports clubs and societies .
Of course , huge uncertainties lie ahead and many students will ask whether they should plan for a return to campus this year or should they delay going to college @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a return to some degree of normality by then .
In this supplement we look at some of the issues that are likely to arise in the upcoming academic year .
We ask if it is possible to improve learning outcomes through online learning and examine what options are available to school-leavers .

As colleges and universities shut their doors, in came video conferencing, online quizzes, virtual learning platforms, specialised simulations, asynchronous and synchronous teaching. Photograph: iStock
The threat posed to public health by the coronavirus pandemic has led to universities across the globe having to address how they can continue teaching while keeping their staff and students safe.
While non-essential businesses had to close their doors to the public in the space of just a few weeks in March, almost all teaching activity at Ireland’s universities and colleges had to rapidly migrate online.
Course instructors had to adopt technologies that had never before been used on this scale in the experience of Irish education. All of a sudden, the virtual classroom took centre stage. Students would complete their studies online without having to attend classes in-person, while assessments and examinations were quickly reappraised and reconstituted.
As colleges and universities shut their doors, in came video conferencing, online quizzes, virtual learning platforms, specialised simulations, asynchronous and synchronous teaching. Photograph: iStock
This migration represented the single biggest structural change in the third-level sector in Ireland in recent years. One academic referred to it as "the great onlining of Irish higher education".
READ MORE
While the rapid response of the sector to the pandemic was a testament to the universities and dedication of the staff involved, it quickly became apparent that this new approach, or at least a more sophisticated variant of it, would become the “new norm” for Irish education in the short to medium term.
This, ideally, should mean revisiting the design of course programmes. Hastily shoe-horning course content online in response to a crisis might work as a stop-gap but it is not considered to be best practice when it comes to online education.
"When done well, online teaching involves far more than putting your lecture slides on the internet and merely substituting your scheduled face-to-face classes with live online ones using Zoom or MS Teams," says Prof Mark Brown of the National Institute for Digital Learning at DCU.
“Indeed, this type of remote teaching and digital delivery of course content in a crisis is almost the antithesis of good online education,” he adds.
“The challenge is to help educators understand that online education requires different learning designs and teaching approaches.”
Planning
In Ireland, colleges are already planning their own blended or hybrid approach to the delivery of education for the next academic year. In many cases, lectures will be delivered remotely while students will attend campus in smaller groups for face-to-face sessions, tutorials and lab work.
While the new student experience is likely to be substantially different this year, students and their parents will expect that the integrity of academic programmes will not be compromised by the transition to online.
The degree to which academic programmes will be redesigned to place online at the core of curriculum delivery still remains to be seen.
As colleges and universities shut their doors, in came video conferencing, online quizzes, virtual learning platforms, specialised simulations, asynchronous and synchronous teaching. Photograph: iStock
Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI), the State’s watchdog for education standards, has already stated that it is working with partners across the education and training sector “to support and provide leadership for FET and HE providers in their efforts to maintain the integrity, quality and standards of the Irish education and training system, at this time of unprecedented challenge”.
Fully transitioning courses online requires fundamental course redesign, a process that is costly and resource-heavy.
Instead, most colleges in Ireland are likely to offer a blended approach where some elements will be delivered online and some delivered on-campus.
They will spend the remainder of the summer months fine-tuning and re-evaluating their course offerings to make sure they fulfil the needs and expectations of their students, and it will probably be August before it becomes clear what students can expect in the autumn.
Of course, any lengthy continuation of campus closures is likely to have significant and unforeseen implications for students and colleges alike. Universities have lost considerable revenues over the summer months from the loss of tourism and conferences, not to mention the losses likely to be incurred by the absence of foreign student revenues.
Students are also likely to feel somewhat uncertain of what lies ahead with many questioning whether the costs normally associated with full-time college are justifiable when courses will be delivered online.
Campus life
Many academic, learning and social support services designed with on-campus students in mind will have to be adapted and innovative opportunities will have to be developed to assist students who wish to engage in the wider life of the university, including sports clubs and societies.
Of course, huge uncertainties lie ahead and many students will ask whether they should plan for a return to campus this year or should they delay going to college by a year in the hope of a return to some degree of normality by then.
In this supplement we look at some of the issues that are likely to arise in the upcoming academic year. We ask if it is possible to improve learning outcomes through online learning and examine what options are available to school-leavers.