The Learning Innovation Network: A Ground-breaking Framework for Academic Professional Development

The Coordinator’s Experience

Dr Niamh Rushe

Learning Innovation Network Coordinator

Institutes of Technology Ireland

Overview

Focus on Coordinator role

•Review of phase 1 achievements and legacy•Summary of phase 2 – activity, outcomes and successes•Reflection on project

Coordinator’s Experience

LIN Process

Since 2007 – Learning to

• Collaborate

• Support teaching and learning

Since 2007 – Learning at

• Individual level

• Institute level

• Sectoral level

*

* Dennison & Kirk, 1990

LIN Values

• Commitment to learning and development of each learner to achieve their potential

• Fairness, Justice, Equity, Respect, Ethical practice

• Valid/authentic, fair and consistent assessment

• Collaborative Learning, Community of Practice

• Evidenced research based teaching informed by scholarship

• Courage, Openness to new approaches, innovations, continuing reflection on professional practice

Phase 1

2007 - 2010

SIF 1 Funding

• National survey

• 9 modules validated in 7 different institutes

• Modules piloted

• APD aims and objectives achieved and exceeded

• 2008 & 2009 conferences

• Jan 2010 Designing Together

Module Institute

Learning & Teaching AIT

Assessment & Evaluation WIT

Formative Assessment & Feedback

IT Carlow

Mentoring WIT

Technology Enhanced Learning

LIT

Enquiry Based Learning ITB

Researching Educational Practice

IT Sligo

PDP1 DIT

PDP2 DIT

End phase 1 – start phase 2

Developments 2010

SIF II Flexible Learning

• New LIN Coordination Group formed

• APD

• Conference

* Dennison & Kirk, 1990

*

LIN Coordination Group

Terms of reference 2010

The task of the LIN coordination group is to support the following activities for staff in the Institute of technology sector, which meets local and national needs;

•Academic Professional development (APD)•LIN Website & Newsletter•LIN Annual Conference

2010 – 2012 Phase 2

Major areas of work

• APD 1

• LIN modules June 2012 – 307 LIN certificates

• Postgraduate Diploma in Learning Teaching & Assessment

• LIN framework further established – PG Dip subgroup, mapping

• APD 2

• Conference participation increases year on year

• Meets the needs of lecturers in DIT/IoT’s

• December 2011 HEA Funding for LIN projects

Phase 2 – New developments

Major areas of work

SIF II Flexible Learning

• LIN responding to national agenda

• Response to hunt

• Response to HEA consultation document on the National Academy

• Supported IOTI response

• LIN on national stage

• Achieving more with less – aims and objectives exceeded again

Coordinator’s view

• LIN achieved the aims of SIF – has been mainstreamed within institutes

• Teaching and learning embedded across the sector

• LIN maintained and strengthened institute activity and increased sectoral activity

• Recognised as a voice for teaching and learning agenda

Final remarks

• LIN works

• Exceeded expectations and aims again – risks of doing more with less

• Funding since 2010

• At sectoral level for coordination and conferences

• Additional funding for projects

• No funding at institute level for day to day LIN work

• Needs a voice at sectoral level to continue and grow

Thank you