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Centre for Academic Practice, Trinity Teaching & Learning

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Dr Pauline Rooney

Dr Claire McAvinia

Academic Developer, Trinity Teaching & Learning


Biography

Claire is an Academic Developer working closely with colleagues to provide expertise in learning, teaching, and assessment in higher education to support Trinity’s key objectives and respond to national initiatives. She has more than 25 years’ experience in academic development and digital education with roles at TU Dublin, Maynooth University, and University College London. Claire has taught and led accredited academic professional development programmes and supervised postgraduate research. She has contributed to institutional and national teaching and learning projects, and recently completed a secondment with the National Forum.

She received a Teaching Hero Award from the National Forum in 2021, and is a Fellow of the UK’s Staff and Educational Development Association (SEDA) and Advance HE. Together with Dr Róisín Donnelly and Dr Kevin O’Rourke, she co-edits the Irish Journal of Academic Practice. Claire holds a BA and PhD from Trinity College Dublin, an MA from the University of Kent, MA in Online and Distance Education from the UK Open University, and postgraduate certificates in learning and teaching from UCL and the UK Open University. Her research interests are in all aspects of academic professional development, open education, and post-digital learning spaces in higher education.

Publications and Further Research Outputs 

  • McAvinia, C. (2024). From Flagship to Flotilla? Findings from a Review of Literature on Learning Spaces in Higher Education, and Education for Sustainable Development. Irish Journal of Academic Practice (IJAP), 11(2). https://arrow.tudublin.ie/ijap/vol11/iss2/12/
  • Donnelly, R., Kennelly, I. & McAvinia, C. (2022). A multimodal framework for supporting academic writers’ perspectives, practice and performance. Teaching in Higher Education, https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/13562517.2022.2048365
  • Schalk, A.E., McAvinia, C. & Rooney, P. (2022). Exploring the concept of the digital educator during COVID-19. Australasian Journal of Educational Technology, 38(2), 131-143. https://doi.org/10.14742/ajet.7316
  • McAvinia, C., Gabaudan, O., Freeman, O., Ryan, B.J., O'Kane, C. & Tully, R. (2021). Foundations and scaffolding: exploring literature and practice to build a new curriculum framework for TU Dublin
. Irish Journal of Academic Practice, 9(2), IMPACT Special Issue. https://arrow.tudublin.ie/ijap/vol9/iss2/13/
  • Gormley, C., Keane, M., O’Sullivan, Í., McAvinia, C., Fitzpatrick, M. (2021). Show me the Impact! A Practical Online Tool (EDIN Impact Analysis Tool) for Evidencing the Impact of Academic Development Work. In M. Keane, C. McAvinia & Í. O’Sullivan, (eds.) (2021). Emerging Issues IV: Changing Times, Changing Contexts. Educational Developers in Ireland Network (EDIN). https://www.edin.ie/?page_id=528
  • Keane, M., McAvinia, C. & O’Sullivan, Í. (Eds.) (2021). Introduction. In Emerging Issues IV: Changing Times, Changing Contexts. Educational Developers in Ireland Network (EDIN). https://www.edin.ie/?page_id=421
  • Donnelly, R., McAvinia, C., McDonnell, C. (2020). Finding Inspiration: Sharing Practice and Developing Authentic Multimedia Artifacts for Supervision of Undergraduate Research in Irish Higher Education. In N.H. Hensel & P. Blessinger (eds.) International Perspectives on Undergraduate Research p. 147-175. New York: Palgrave Macmillan. Publication details here.
  • O’Riordan, F., O’Sullivan, I., Fitzpatrick, M., Keane, M., McAvinia, C. & Rísquez, A. (2020) Structured professional development for academic developers: A collaborative approach. Innovations in Education and Teaching International, published online August 2020. DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14703297.2020.1813189
  • Rísquez, A., McAvinia, C., Desmond, Y., Bruen, C., Ryan, D., & Coughlan, A. (2020). Towards a Devolved Model of Management of OER? The Case of the Irish Higher Education Sector. The International Review of Research in Open and Distributed Learning, 21(1), 99-111. https://doi.org/10.19173/irrodl.v20i5.4545
  • McAvinia, C. & Rísquez, A. (2018). Editorial: The #VLEIreland project. [Special Issue, McAvinia and Risquez]. Irish Journal of Technology Enhanced Learning, 3(2), i-ix.
  • McAvinia, C., Ryan, D. & Moloney, D. (2018). “I don’t have the time!” Analysing talk of time in lecturers’ use of the VLE. [Special Issue, McAvinia and Risquez]. Irish Journal of Technology Enhanced Learning, 3(2), 35-46.
  • Rísquez, A. & McAvinia, C. (2018). The VLE versus Open Education. [Special Issue, McAvinia and Risquez]. Irish Journal of Technology Enhanced Learning, 3(2), 88-93.
  • Donnelly, R., Harvey, J., McAvinia, C., & McDonnell, C. (2017). Evaluating how engaging in Professional Development impacts on Assessment Practice: A Proposed Framework. In M. Maguire, N. Harding, G. Noonan & T. O’Connor (eds.) Teachers as Learners: Exploring the impact of accredited professional development on learning and assessment in Irish Higher Education. Dublin: All Ireland Society for Higher Education (AISHE).
  • McAvinia, C. (2016). Online Learning and Its Users: Lessons for Higher Education. Kidlington: Chandos Elsevier.
  • McAvinia, C. (2015). Communities of Practice: The TeachNet Experience. In D. Butler, K. Marshall & M. Leahy (eds.) Shaping The Future: How Technology Can Lead to Educational Transformation. p. 137-151. Dublin: Liffey Press.
  • McAvinia, C., Donnelly, R., McDonnell, C., Hanratty, O., & Harvey, J. (2015). Does accredited professional development for academics improve teaching and learning in higher education? In Ribeiro, F.M., Politis, Y. and Culum, B. (Eds.) New Voices in Higher Education Research and Scholarship. Hershey: IGI Global.
  • Rísquez, A., McAvinia, C., Raftery, D., O’Riordan, F., Harding, N., Cosgrave, R., Logan-Phelan, T., & Farrelly, T. (2013). An Investigation of Students’ Experiences Using Virtual Learning Environments: Implications for academic professional development. In O’Farrell, C. and Farrell, A. (Eds.) Emerging Issues in Higher Education III: From capacity building to sustainability. Athlone: EDIN.
  • Farrell, A. & McAvinia, C. (2012). The place of the university teacher in a dynamic student-centred curriculum: A snapshot of practice at NUI Maynooth. In Hughes, J. and Tan, E. (Eds.) The Dynamic Curriculum: Shared Experiences of Ongoing Curricular Change in Higher Education. Dublin: Dublin City University
  • Donnelly, R. & McAvinia, C. (2012). Academic development perspectives of blended learning. In Anastasiades, P.S. (Ed.) Blended Learning Environments for Adults: Evaluations and Frameworks, 1-18. Hershey: IGI Global.
  • Jyothi, S., McAvinia, C. & Keating, J. (2012). A visualisation tool to aid exploration of students’ interactions in asynchronous online communication. Computers and Education, 58(1), 30-42
  • McKenna, C. & McAvinia, C. (2011). Difference and discontinuity: Making meaning through hypertext. In Land, R. and Bayne, S. (Eds.) Digital difference: perspectives on online learning. Rotterdam: Sense.
  • McAvinia, C. & Maguire, T. (2011) Evaluating the National Digital Learning Repository (NDLR): new models of Communities of Practice. AISHE-J Special Issue: papers from EdTech 2009.
  • Cosgrave, R.J., Rísquez, A., Logan-Phelan, T., Farrelly, T., Costello, E., Palmer, M., McAvinia, C., Cooper, R., Harding, N., & Vaughan, N. (2011). Usage and uptake of Virtual Learning Environments and Technology Assisted Learning Tools: Findings from a multi institutional, multi year comparative study. AISHE-J Special Issue: papers from EdTech 2009.
  • Bruen, C., Fitzpatrick, N., Gormley, P., Harvey, J., & McAvinia, C. (2010). The management and creation of knowledge: do wikis help? In R. Donnelly, J. Harvey and K.C. O'Rourke (eds.) Critical Design and Effective Tools for E-Learning in Higher Education: Theory into Practice, 92-112. Hershey: IGI Global.
  • Rickard, A., Quirke-Bolt, N. & McAvinia C. (2009) The Challenge of Change: Digital video-analysis and constructivist learning approaches on a one year pre-service teacher education programme in Ireland. Journal of Technology and Teacher Education, 17(3), 349-368.
  • McAvinia, C., Fallon, H. & McQuaid, M. (2008). The role of a virtual learning environment (VLE) in the delivery of an accredited module in information literacy skills: case study and considerations. Emerging Issues II. Educational Developers in Ireland Network/NAIRTL.
  • Seale, J., Boyle, T., Ingraham, B., Roberts, G., & McAvinia, C. (2006). Chapter Eight: Designing digital resources for learning. In G. Conole and M. Oliver (eds.) Contemporary perspectives in e-learning research. London: Routledge.
  • McAvinia, C. (2006). CALLers and Learning Technologists: where do they meet, and what do they have in common? Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL), 19 (4 & 5), 389-403.
  • McAvinia, C. & Oliver, M. (2004). Developing a managed learning environment using 'Roundtables': an activity theoretic perspective. Interactive Learning Environments, 12(3), 209-225.
  • Hughes, J., McAvinia C. & King, T. (2004). What really makes students like a web site? What are the implications of this for designers of language learning sites? ReCALL, 16(1), 85-102.
  • McAvinia, C. & Hughes, J. (2004). Sharing Systems, Sharing Language: designing and working in a virtual department. Computer Assisted Language Learning (CALL), 16(5), 445-468.
  • McAvinia, C. (2002). Key Skills by Design: adapting a central web resource to departmental contexts. Association for Learning Technology Journal (ALT-J), 10(1), 11-23.
  • Holt, R., Oliver, M. & McAvinia, C. (2002). Using web-based support for campus-based open learning: lessons from a study in Dental Public Health. Association for Learning Technology Journal (ALT-J) 10(2), 51-62
  • McAvinia, C. & Oliver, M. (2002). ''But my subject's different'': a web-based approach to supporting disciplinary lifelong learning skills. Computers and Education 38(1-3), 209-220.
  • Secker, J. & McAvinia, C. (2001). Enhancing teaching and learning at UCL: the access to core course materials project and the key skills web development project. Vine 122, 35-40.

  • McAvinia, C. (2021). Keynote: Going all online - teaching practice, learning design and assessment. University College Cork, 18th-19th March 2021.
  • O’Keeffe, M., McAvinia, C. & Donnelly, R. (2021). Care, community and curriculum: a case study of an academic professional development programme. Academic Practice & Technology (APT) Conference 2021: Reflecting for the future - higher education in disruptive times. University College London (UCL), 2nd July 2021, Online.
  • Darby, F., Ryan, B., McAvinia, C. & Ferns, S. (2021). Developing a curriculum framework: the rhythm, the rigour and the relevance from the CoCREATE and IMPACT projects. Polytechnic Summit 2021, TU Dublin, 4th-6th June 2021, Online.
  • Rísquez, A., Cronin, C., McAvinia, C. & Peignen, C. (2021). ‘Practising what we Preach’: an open resource on OER/OEP. OERxDomains21 Conference, 21st-22nd April 2021, Online.
  • Schalk, A., McAvinia, C. & Rooney, P. (2020). Responding to complexity: exploring the concept of the “Digital Educator” during Covid-19. Research paper at ALT Summer Summit 2020. 26th-27th August, Online.
  • Fitzsimons, J., McAvinia, C., O'Rourke, K.C. & Harvey, J. (2019). Transforming Spaces: Fostering Student-Centered Learning Through the Intentional Design of Formal and Informal Learning Spaces. Learning Connections 2019: Spaces, People, Practice. University College Cork, 5th-6th December 2019. 
  • Kennelly, I., Donnelly, R. & McAvinia, C. (2019). Moving modalities: An exploration on how switching modes of reader, writer and reviewer can enhance academic writing pedagogy. University of Brighton Research and Enterprise Conference, 14th June 2019. 
  • McAvinia, C., Rooney, P., Donnelly, R. & Harvey, J. (2019). When staff are the students: engaging staff as student partners in the design of academic professional development programmes. Discussion paper at SEDA Spring Teaching, Learning and Assessment Conference 2019: Collaboration to support the student experience and progression, 9th-10th May, Clayton Hotel, Belfast.
  • McAvinia, C., Rooney, P., O’Keeffe, M. & Donnelly, R. (2019). Open practices in academic professional development programmes. Reflective practice presentation at OER19 Recentring Open: Critical and global perspectives, 10th-11th April 2019, National University of Ireland, Galway.
  • McAvinia, C., Fitzsimmons, J., Harvey, J. & O’Rourke, K.C. (2019) The openness of new learning spaces in campus-based institutions. Research presentation at OER19 Recentring Open: Critical and global perspectives, 10th-11th April 2019, National University of Ireland, Galway.
  • McAvinia, C. (2016) How can online learning be used more effectively in higher education in the 21st Century? Paper presentation at the Higher Education in Transformation Canada Ireland Symposium, University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Oshawa, Canada, 2nd-4th November 2016.
  • McAvinia, C., McDonnell, C. & Donnelly, R. (2016) Technology Infusion within Part Time Professional Development Programmes for Academic Staff and Industry Practitioners. Paper presentation at the Higher Education in Transformation Canada Ireland Symposium, University of Ontario Institute of Technology, Oshawa, Canada, 2nd-4th November 2016.
  • McDonnell, C., Donnelly, R., McAvinia, C. (2015) An Evaluation of Formative Audio Feedback within Part Time Professional Development Programmes in DIT . EdTech 2015 Beyond the Horizon: Policy, Practice and Possibilities, University of Limerick, 28-29 May 2015.
  • Rísquez, A., McAvinia, C., Desmond, Y., Bruen, C., Flynn, S., Rooney, P., Ryan, D., O’Keeffe, A. (2015) Where next for Open Educational Resources in higher education in Ireland? EdTech 2015 Beyond the Horizon: Policy, Practice and Possibilities, University of Limerick, 28-29 May 2015.
  • Farrelly, T., Raftery, D., Rísquez, A., McAvinia, C., Harding, N., Costello, E., O’Grady, M., Ryan, D., McSweeney, D., Logan Phelan, T. (2015) Exploring lecturer engagement with the VLE: initial findings from a multi-college survey. EdTech 2015 Beyond the Horizon: Policy, Practice and Possibilities, University of Limerick, 28-29 May 2015.
  • Rísquez, A., McAvinia, C., Desmond, Y., Bruen, C., Flynn, S., Rooney, P., Ryan, D. & O’Keeffe, A. (2015). Where next for Open Educational Resources in higher education in Ireland? Research paper presentation at EdTech 2015 Beyond the Horizon: Policy, Practice and Possibilities, University of Limerick, 28th-29th May 2015.
  • McAvinia, C., Harvey, J., Donnelly, R., McDonnell, C. & Hanratty, O. (2014) What has been the impact of accredited professional development for people teaching in higher education?UK Higher Education Academy 10th Annual Conference, Aston University, Birmingham, UK, 2nd-3rd July 2014.
  • Harvey, J., Donnelly, R. & McAvinia, C. (2013). Engaging lecturers as students: building sustainable professional development. 6th Annual Learning Innovation Conference: Sustainable Models of Student Engagement – Rhetoric or Achievable? Aisling Hotel Dublin, 17 October 2013. Slides available here.
  • McAvinia, C. (2013). What can the VLE tell the MOOC? Implementing change with learning technologies in higher education. Research paper presentation at EdTech 2013 Opening Up Education, University College Cork, 30th-31st May 2013.
    McAvinia, C. (2012). Best practice, and the case of the VLE. Invited presentation for DKIT Teaching and Learning Day, 7 June 2012.
  • Delaney, M. & McAvinia, C. (2012). Information Literacy and the case of the “natives”. LILAC 2012, Glasgow Caledonian University, 11-13 April 2012.
  • Maguire, T. & McAvinia, C. (2009). Evaluating the National Digital Learning Repository Project: evolving models for communities of practice. Presentation at EdTech 2009 – 2020 Vision: Changing Learning Futures through Technology, National College of Ireland, 21-22 May 2009
  • O’Keeffe, M., Bruen, C., Wade, V., Harvey, J., McAvinia, C., Maguire, T, Jennings, D., Munro, M., Gormley, P. & O’Leary, G. (2009). Opening digital doors through communities of practice. In Same places, different spaces. Proceedings ASCILITE Auckland 2009. Available to download from ASCILITE
  • Cosgrave, R., Logan-Phelan, T., McAvinia, C., Rísquez, A., Farrelly, T., Harding, N., Cooper, R. & Vaughan, N. (2009). Usage and uptake of virtual learning environments and technology assisted learning tools: findings from a multi-institutional, multi year comparative study. Presentation at EdTech 2009 – 2020 Vision: Changing Learning Futures through Technology, National College of Ireland, 21-22 May 2009.
  • Delaney, M. & McAvinia, C. (2008). The design and development of an information literacy module for postgraduate researchers in Science and Engineering. Presentation at LILAC (Librarians’ Information Literacy Annual Conference), Liverpool John Moores University, 17-19 March 2008.
  • McKenna, C. & McAvinia, C. (2007). Difference and discontinuity – making meaning through hypertexts. Paper at the Ideas in Cyberspace Education Symposium (ICE 3), Ross Priory, Loch Lomond, Scotland, 21-23 March 2007.
  • McAvinia, C. (2005). CALLers and Learning Technologists: where do they meet and how can they support each other? Presentation at University of Ulster CALL Conference, Coleraine, 14-15 June 2005.
  • McAvinia C. (2004). Changing practice in the design of web-based materials for CALL: past experiences and new opportunities. Presentation at EUROCALL 2004 (European Association for Computer Assisted Language Learning) Conference, University of Vienna, 1-4 September 2004.
  • Hughes, J., McAvinia C. & King, T. (2003). What really makes students like a web site? What are the implications of this for designers of language learning sites? Presentation at EUROCALL 2003 (European Association for Computer Assisted Language Learning) Conference, University of Limerick, 3-6 September 2003.
  • McAvinia, C. & Oliver, M. (2003). Developing a managed learning environment using ‘Roundtables’: an activity theoretic perspective. Proceedings of CAL 2003 (Computers and Learning) Queen’s University, Belfast 8-10 April 2003.
  • McAvinia, C. & Hughes, J. (2002). Sharing Systems, Sharing Language: designing and working in a virtual department. In proceedings of the UNTELE 2002 Conference (Usages des Nouvelles Technologies dans l’Enseignement des langues Etrangères), Compiègne, France, 28-30 March 2002.
  • Hughes, J., King, J.T., McAvinia, C. & Roed, J. (2001). Learning to Work in a Virtual Danish Department. Presentation at ALT-C 2001 (Association for Learning Technology Conference), University of Edinburgh, 11-13 September 2001.

Projects 

  • Secondment October 2020-December 2021, National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning:  Valuing Ireland’s Teaching and Learning (VIT&L) and Next Steps for Teaching and Learning: Moving Forward Together projects.
  • Using OER and OEP in Teaching and Learning With Dr Catherine Cronin (National Forum), Dr Angélica Rísquez (UL), and Céline Peignen (TUS Midlands Midwest, Athlone Campus), National Forum resource.
  • #VLEIreland project investigating staff and student use of VLEs in Ireland.

Memberships

  • UK Staff and Educational Development Association (SEDA) Fellow
  • UK Advance HE Fellow
  • Educational Developers in Ireland Network (EDIN) Committee Member