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Tuesday, June 23rd 2009, 10.30am – 3.30pm
St Patrick’s College, Drumcondra, Dublin 9
 Arts Based Educational Research - Seminar 2009 Seminar focus:
- What are the origins, discourses and tensions within the literature of Arts Based Educational Research methodologies?
- How can the practices of Arts Based Educational Research be problemetised?
- In what ways can participation in workshops using a variety of media and art-forms illuminate different pathways and entry points to ABER?
- How can we, as an emerging network, map a way forward for Arts Based Educational Research activities in Ireland, North and South?
To reserve a place on the 23rd June, please complete the registration form  and return to Regina.Murphy@spd.dcu.ie or Colm.Hefferon@spd.dcu.ie
Further information: Dr Ruth Leitch School of Education Queen’s University Belfast; Dr Mary Shine Thompson, St Patrick’s College Dublin City University Email: r.leitch@qub.ac.uk or mary.thompson@spd.dcu.ie
A SCoTENS-funded project : Developing All-Ireland Research Capacity in Arts-based Educational Research (ABER) Queen’s University Belfast in collaboration with St Patrick’s College, Dublin City University.
The Annual Conference of the Irish Association for Social, Scientific and Environmental Education (IASSEE) was held on the 19th and 20th June, 2008, in Queen’s University Belfast (QUB). It was the seventh annual conference organized by the association and it built on the success of previous conferences. IASSEE is an all-Ireland association, which focuses on the teaching and learning of history, geography and science at primary level and on the pedagogy underlying that teaching and learning in initial teacher education. The 7th IASSEE annual conference focused on educational research, particularly in the areas of images, perceptions and teaching. Members were updated on the IASSEE all-Ireland longitudinal study on Student Teachers’ Perceptions and Experiences of History, Geography and Science: An All-Ireland Survey which has been generously funded by SCoTENS since 2004.
This year’s conference was attended by thirty delegates. This attendance included members of IASSEE, invited participants, delegates from the NCCA, members of the
Northern Ireland Inspectorate, education and library boards as well as interested educationalists and academics drawn from the three disciplines. The conference was
opened by a welcome from the conference organisers, Karen Kerr (QUB) and Karen Carlisle (QUB). The first keynote address, ‘Educating for what? ‘soft’ versus ‘critical’
approaches to values-based educational initiatives in Ireland’ was delivered by Lesley McEvoy (QUB). Lesley introduced ‘soft’ and ‘critical’ global citizenship education.
This paper examined citizenship education in Northern Ireland in terms of potential tensions and ‘policy approximation’, human rights education, approaches to teaching
controversial issues and teaching ‘political generosity’. Lesley concluded by looking at ‘adjectival educations’ in terms of science, history and geography and discussed
‘going towards a more critical approach’. A lively and interesting debate ensued, chaired by Karen Kerr (QUB).
See the full report.
Education Minister Caitríona Ruane has attended the Learning Partnership Day at Rathore Special School in Newry.
The Minister said:
“The Learning Partnership Day brings together educationalists such as teachers, classroom assistants, therapists and medical staff to inform and to raise awareness of the whole school approach in meeting the needs of pupils with Special Educational Needs (SEN). It is vital that we develop a holistic approach to education that identifies the educational needs of all children, whenever they occur, and supports these needs as early as possible. Collaborative working, with a focus on outcomes for pupils rather than on the needs of institutions or buildings, represents the way forward for education. Schools across the north are now engaged in innovative and creative approaches to collaborative working through the Area Learning Communities. There are 29 such Area Learning Communities, which seek to plan and co-ordinate collaborative provision in a coherent way.”
The Minister continued:
“My aim is to ensure that every child and young person who faces a barrier to learning is given a fair and equal chance. There has been a steady increase in the number of children identified with special educational needs from 14.5% of the school population in 2003 to 18.6% in 2008. That is why my Department commenced a review of Special Educational Needs and Inclusion in April 2006 to address a range of issues associated with the current SEN framework. The Review aims to both strengthen the current provision for our children with SEN and address the growing diversity of need in our schools. The proposals emanating from the review are at present with the Executive awaiting approval to proceed to consultation. I hope that the Executive will urgently approve these proposals for consultation as soon as possible so that everyone involved can contribute to the shaping of the final policy.”
NOTES
Media queries, contact the Department of Education Press Office on 028 9127 9701. Out of office hours please contact the Duty press officer via pager number 07699715440 and your call will be returned.
Northern Ireland Education Minister, Caitríona Ruane, has highlighted the work carried out in schools to support children with autism.
The Minister was speaking on World Autism Awareness Day and said:
“I think it is appropriate, given that this is World Autism Day, to look at the excellent Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) support being provided by dedicated professionals every day in our schools. All teachers and schools want to provide good quality educational experience for the 3,700 ASD children identified through the Education and Library Boards. The work of the autism support service has been instrumental in building the capacity to develop whole-school autism awareness and teaching approaches to effectively engage children in education. We are also making good progress at the Middletown Centre for Autism which has delivered invaluable training for around 700 professionals from throughout Ireland. When this all-Ireland centre is fully operational it will provide services directly to children and their families.”
Education and Training Inspectors have found evidence of excellent work carried out by the autism support service in the North of Ireland.
The service provides advice and guidance to 4,000-6,000 school staff and supports almost 300 schools each year through autism advisory teams in each Education and Library Board.
The inspectors found that staff in the advisory teams, consisting of over 40 ASD specialists including senior educational psychologists, speech and language therapists and autism intervention officers, are ‘highly qualified and skilled’, ‘have an in-depth knowledge of autism’ and that their work is highly valued by teachers and parents.
The Middletown Centre has been engaged in an intensive specialist training programme for educationalists bringing together international practitioners to share and promote best practice.
Since the Centre began to provide training services in December 2007, 700 professionals from throughout Ireland have benefitted from training programmes developed by the Centre. This included the first delivery in Ireland of an assessment training package for children and young people aged 14 years and upward transitioning to vocational opportunities.
RESEARCH
- The Centre’s Research and Information Division is actively involved in the dissemination of international best practice through its quarterly research bulletin.
- It has also commenced its own research programme based on priorities identified by its stakeholders and has completed research work, which will shortly be published on diet and autism.
- A research programme focusing on diet, sensory issues, challenging behaviour and mental health and autism has been identified through the Centre’s public consultation process and will be the focus of the Centre’s ongoing research work.
NOTES:
- The support service was established with earmarked funding from the Department of Education following the 2002 Task Group Report on Autism and since then has developed into a comprehensive service.
- An additional £ 8.7million has been provided for ASD services over the past seven years by the Department of Education, including almost £4million (£600K in 2009/10) for the Inter-Board Autistic Spectrum Disorder Advisory Service to promote commonality and consistency, develop training for education and library board staff and schools, play a key role in the design implementation, monitoring and evaluation of intervention programmes, advise DE on key issues and link with outreach and training services in Middletown.
- The Middletown Centre for Autism is a north/south educational initiative jointly funded by the Department of Education and the Department of Education and Science.
- Media enquiries to the Department of Education Press Office Tel: 028 9127 9207. Out of office hours please contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
Aims and Objectives
- Establish and develop links between the Centre for Human Rights and Citizenship Education, St Patrick’s College and the Global Dimension in Education Project in St Mary’s College
- Share practive in relation to ‘whole college’ approaches to the integration of a global justice dimension into initial teacher education
- Document current and potential pathways and opportunities for undergraduate and/or post graduate teachers to develop competencies in teaching for democratic citizenship in both colleges.
- Identify research needs in relation to the work of both centres and develop an appropriate plan in relation to initial teacher education and the global justice dimension in both colleges.
Contacts
Mr Brian Ruane, St Patrick’s College, Drumcondra
Dr Gerard McCann, St Mary’s University College
[SCoTENS Seed Funding 2008-2009 £1,700]
To investigate/examine the perceptions, knowledge, attitudes and experiences of primary school teachers in their teaching of healthy eating.
Objectives:
- To complete a comparative study of nutrition education with the primary level curricula in NI and R/I with regard to progression of key concepts from school entry age to completion of primary education stage.
- To establish how teachers translate the syllabus into practice in their classrooms
- To document teachers experiences of teaching healthy eating and nutrition within their respective SPHE syllabi
- To determine levels of satisfaction with course content, teaching resources available, access to relevant information.
- To identify barriers to effective teaching of the syllabus material and quantify issues of concern which are common to teachers within both jurisdictions.
- To examine experiences in relation to implementation of related nutrition intervention programmes incorporated into the curriculum
- To determine the supports required by teachers for enhanced teaching and learning of Healthy Eating Guidelines
Contacts
Ms Elaine Mooney, St Angela’s College of Education
Ms Eileen Kelly-Blakeney, St Angela’s College of Education
Ms Amanda McCloat, St Angela’s College of Education
Ms Dorothy Black, University of Ulster
[SCoTENS Seed Funding 2008-2009 £3,250]
Objectives:
- Focused research into post primary needs North and South
- Identification of common needs North and South
- Identification and response to common challenges North and South
- Addressing whole school and classroom challenges at post primary level North and South
- Promotion of the inclusive post primary schoolo/classroom
- Enhanced provision for post primary sector
- Sharing best practice
Dissemination of best practice at a conference for 120 delegates to be held in the Grand Hotel Malahide on Friday 3rd April 2009
Contacts
Ms Mary Yarr, North East Educationh & Library Board
Ms Barbara Simpson, Trinity College Dublin
[SCoTENS Seed Funding 2008-2009 £3,000]
To organise and run a conference for 40/50 delegates drawn from language teacher educators, primary and post-primary north and south to be held in Queen’s University Belfast.
Contacts
Dr Eugene McKendry, Queen’s University Belfast
Mr Patrick Farren, NUI Galway
[SCoTENS Seed Funding 2008-2009 £2,250]
To carry out a comparative study of the provision for EAL in pre-service and continuing professional development courses in Ireland north and south by holding 4 meetings of the project team between St Mary’s Belfast and Coláiste Mhuire, Marino.
The significant actions associated with the Project include:
- A literature review of the field
- A comparison of the education contexts in each jurisdiction
- A review of the official policy context
- An identification of the opportunities available for profession development for teachers in schools
- A determination as to how EAL is structured into courses at the ITE phase in these two colleges
- A survey of attitudes to EAL and views on personal competence among BEd students in the final year of their ITE programme in both institutions
- A seminar to disseminate findings of the Project.
Contacts
Mr Frank Quinn, St Mary’s University College, Belfast
Mr Martin Hagan, St Mary’s University College, Belfast
Dr Anne Ryan, Marino Institute of Education
[SCoTENS Seed Funding 2008-2009 £2,500]
Objectives:
- To ascertain how competent BEd primary students in their respective institutions perceive themselves to be in identifying the characteristics of ASD through the teaching element of the BEd course
- To establish how well prepared BEd primary students feel they are in addressing the needs of pupils with ASD through the teaching element of the BEd course.
- To ascertain how much BEd primary student competence in the field of ASD is enhanced as a result of their time spent on school experience.
- To investigate how BEd primary students could be helped to develop their teaching in the area of ASD whils on school experience
- To examine data gathered from the BEd primary students so as to establish whether there are observable differences between students in the two jurisdictions in order to make comparison.
Contacts
Mrs Mary Greenwood, St Mary’s University College, Belfast
Dr Patricia Daly, Mary Immaculate College
Ms Anne O’ Byrne, Mary Immaculate College
[SCoTENS Seed Funding 2008-2009 £1,679]
Objectives:
- To consult with primary and post-primary pupils on their level of participation in the assessment and remediation of their specific reading difficulties
- To share ideas and findings between the two partners of the project via e-mail and face-to-face meetings
- To work with Northern Irish and Southern Irish research partners to understand what constitutes good practice in collecting and analysing research data
- To provide opportunities for young people in Dublin and Belfast to exchange information about their learning experiences
To empower the young people involved in this project in becoming more fully involved in designing, implementing and evaluating their education plans.
Ms Louise Long, St Mary’s University College, Belfast
Dr Michael Shevlin, Trinity College Dublin
[SCoTENS Seed Funding 2008-2009 £2,400]
The Project Aim is to ascertain and compare the mathematical identities of primary school student teachers.
Project Objectives:
- To briefly compare the mathematics curricula (4-17) north and south and provide a comparison of mathematics in initial teacher education
- To determine the mathematical identity of selected student teachers using a range of tools including the use of narrative.
- To explore how narrative might inform good practice in mathematics education.
Contacts
Dr Patricia Eaton, Stranmillis University College
Dr Maurice O’Reilly, St Patrick’s College, Drumcondra
[SCoTENS Seed Funding 2008-2009 £2,500]
- To provide an opportunity for the dissemination of findings from the current longitudinal research project: Student Teachers’ Perceptions and Experiences of History, Geography and Science: An All-Ireland Survey
- To provide a forum for discussion of findings with policy makers and curriculum developers
- To provide a workshop involving senior researchers in which IASSEE members can consider ways to extend the level of analysis for phase 3 data
- To strengthen North/South links in pre-service teacher education and to support the development of this and other projects and research in an all-Ireland context.
Contacts
Ms Colette Murphy, Queen’s University Belfast
Ms Susan Pike, St Patrick’s College, Drumcondra
[SCoTENS Seed Funding 2008-2009 £1,260]
Concept & Purpose
- To investigate and apply a novel approach to measuring the value of educational technologies in schools
- To contribute to the developing international understanding of this issue
The dimensions of the study are to investigate:
- The value of technologies in learning and teaching
- The complexities of measuring this value
- The role of intangibles in value measurements
The inter-relationships between teaching and learning with technologies, school infra-structure and financial models.
Contacts
Dr Conor Galvin, University College Dublin
Professor John Gardner, Queen’s University Belfast
[SCoTENS Seed Funding 2008-2009 €6,100]
This project will:
- Identify a sample of comparative programmes for the professional education of teachers in the post-compulsory, learning and skills [including adult education] fields.
- Liaise with providers to investigate teacher education models of work-based reflective practice in the North and South of Ireland
- Consider the implication of post-compulsory teacher education and emerging national and professional standards
- Design a website to support the project by hosting an online community forum for key discussion areas, survey instruments/e-questionnaires and project information for participating providers.
The researchers aim to host an online conference to disseminate key findings and establish a community of practice for future collaboration.
Contacts
Professor Gerry McAleavy, University of Ulster
Mrs Celia O’Hagan, University of Ulster
Mr Walter Bleakley, University of Ulster
Ms Sylvia Alexander, University of Ulster
Mr Harry McCarry, Belfast Metropolitan College
Dr Ted Fleming, NUI Maynooth
Dr Robbie Burns, DIT
[SCoTENS Seed Funding 2008-2009 £3,000]
28 April 2009 10am-4pm
Postgraduate Research Centre, Queen’s University Belfast, 18 College Green, Belfast BT7 1LN
This event which is aimed at teacher educators, students, researchers and practitioners engaged in postgraduate study is organised by Queen’s University Belfast in collaboration with St. Patricks College, Drumcondra, Dublin City University.
This event offers a creative space for
- Experiencing and reflecting on the use of arts based educational research methods
- Exploring personal and professional creativity
- Sharing ideas with teacher educators and researchers throughout Ireland
To reserve a place at this event please contact Shelley Tracey at s.tracey@qub.ac.uk or download a registration form .
Cliona Murphy, St Patrick’s College, Drumcondra
Colette Murphy, Queen’s University Belfast
[SCoTENS grant: £3000]
26 – 27 June 2009
Europa Hotel, Belfast
This conference will update evidence based practice in the treatment of ASD to ensure that parents and professionals have the best possible information. This conference will follow on from three previous conferences.
Karola Dillenburger, Queen’s University Belfast
Geraldine Leader, NUI Galway
[SCoTENS grant £3000]
This research project will:
Develope case studies exemplifying good practice in the teaching of pupils from ethnic minorities by focusing mainly on identifying teaching/learning strategies which are successful in integrating ethnic minority children into the classroom and engaging them actively in their learning. Schools will be chosen from the North and South and will be representative of both the primary and post-primary sector.
Contacts
Ken Wylie, Stranmillis University College
Mark Morgan, St Patrick’s College, Drumcondra
[2009-2010 SCoTENS Seed Funding £6,000]
To help fund a conference which seeks to:
- Develop a dynamic interface on the island of Ireland that will harness educational theory, research and practice on the special educational needs, dyslexia for the purposes of enhancing learning and teaching in schools.
- Promote collaboration between Northern Irish and Southern Irish educational practitioners into what constitutes best practice in the identification and management of dyslexia.
- Contribute to an overall knowledge-based society and inform the educational inclusion debate in the North and South of Ireland.
- Bring together a nucleus of academics, educational psychologists, NGOs ( for example, representatives from the Northern Ireland Dyslexia Association) and curriculum developers from the North and South of Ireland who are interested in the area of dyslexia, and to sustain this initiative through the creation of a discussion group via e mail to disseminate research and examples of best practice.
Louise Long, St Mary’s University College
Therese McPhillips, St Patrick’s College, Drumcondra
This research will focus on:
- Redeveloping the Lift Off programme into Irish;
- Exploring the training needs for teachers and classroom assistants to organise, plan and carry out this programme in Irish;
- Assessing the outcomes of the programme, using the AML assessment tool;
- Producing resources and information to support the implementation of this programme on a wider scale in the future;
Contacts
Gabrielle Nig Uidhir, St Mary’s University College
Elizabeth Connolly, Monaghan Education Centre
[2009-2010 SCoTENS Seed Funding £6,000]
This project will:
Examine the proficiency in Irish of Primary 7 pupils in Irish-medium primary schools in Northern Ireland and compare them to data already gathered in relation to 6th class pupils in Irish-medium primary schools in the Republic of Ireland. The study in the Republic of Ireland identified weaknesses in the syntactic and lexical features of Irish-medium pupils’ spoken Irish and the present study will seek to ascertain if there are significant differences between the features of both populations.
Contacts
Pádraig Ó Duibhir, St Patrick’s College, Drumcondra
Jill Garland, St Mary’s University College, Belfast
[2009-2010 SCoTENS Seed Funding €5,213]
Spring 2010
School of Education, Queen’s University Belfast
To organise a cross-border research conference for doctoral students in Higher Education Schools of Education throughout the island of Ireland in Spring 2010 at the School of Education at Queen’s University Belfast.
Contacts
Caitlin Donnelly, Queen’s University Belfast
Dympna Devine, University College Dublin
This research project will focus on:
Piloting a formalized model of mentorship in line with FE partners north and south.
The project will explore a model of peer mentoring in support of Cavan FE teachers and Belfast FE teachers, through the formalized certification of mentors at the University of Ulster in support of the formation of a community of practice across boundaries.
Contacts
Celia O’Hagan, UU Jordanstown
Dr Ted Fleming, NUI Maynooth
[2009-2010 SCoTENS Seed Funding £6,000]
This research project will focus on:
- Profiling the religious beliefs, attitudes and practices of sixth-form / sixth year pupils in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland.
- Comparing the current situation in Northern Ireland today with the earlier studies conducted in the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s and 1990s (taking full account of the comparison between pupils attending Protestant and Catholic schools).
- Extending the research to sixth form pupils in the Integrated schooling sector in Northern Ireland
- Comparing the current situation in Northern Ireland with that of the Republic of Ireland.
Contacts
Andrew G McGrady, Mater Dei
Christopher A Lewis, Dept of Psychology, UU, Magee
[2009-2010 SCoTENS Seed Funding £6,000]
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