Trinity College Launches 21st Century Teaching & Learning Course
Posted on: 13 October 2014
Trinity College Dublin’s innovative new postgraduate certificate course in 21st Century Teaching and Learning was formally launched today at The Foundry in Google, Dublin. The first intake of 115 teachers from 16 schools have now commenced the year-long part-time study course aimed at supporting cultural and pedagogical change within schools and building teacher capacity to leverage technology in creating an active, engaged classroom.
400 teachers nationwide are expected to take the postgraduate certificate over the next three years. A further 600 teachers will have the option to take individual workshops or complete three course modules to earn a certificate of participation. Teachers participating in the programme will return to the classroom as students on weekends throughout the year to learn best practice in the use of technology in the classroom and to consider related issues in respect of leadership and change management, inclusive education and school/classroom based research.
The postgraduate certificate is offered by Trinity’s School of Education in partnership with the Trinity Access Programmes (TAP), the School of Computer Science & Statistics and the Bridge 21 project based at the Centre for Research in IT and Education (CRITE).
The new postgraduate qualification is being delivered as part of a three year partnership programme between Trinity College and Google announced last year, which aims to affect a significant long term change in STEM education through a range of innovative interventions focused on the second level system. Google has provided funding of €1.5 million to Trinity College Dublin to support the programme.
The multi-faceted partnership between Trinity College Dublin and Google will also include targeted efforts to improve computer science and STEM capacity within Deis Schools. 11 schools will this year implement an ambitious new ‘widening participation’ project which aims to cultivate a strong ‘college-going culture’ across Deis schools. Adapted from a US model and successfully piloted in St. Joseph’s Secondary School in Rush, Co. Dublin, cultural change is achieved through three core practices; ‘Pathways to College’, ‘Leadership through Service’ and ‘Mentoring’.
Speaking at the launch, Tánaiste Joan Burton said: “I would like to congratulate Google and Trinity College on their partnership and commitment to preparing future generations with the innovative skills to succeed in an ever changing world. This partnership between one of the world’s foremost technology companies and one of Ireland’s leading universities is an excellent match. I commend them both on leading the charge in developing ICT skills in education. I particularly welcome the inclusion of Deis Schools in the programme which gives an equal opportunity to all and ensures that education is for everyone, regardless of background.”
"We are delighted to launch this Post Graduate Certificate in 21st century Teaching and Learning, supported by Google and developed through an internal partnership between the School of Education, Trinity Access Programmes and Bridge21.” said Trinity Provost, Dr Patrick Prendergast. “This sponsorship enables Trinity to make a significant contribution to the further development of the Irish education system over the coming years through an extension of the work of both TAP and Bridge21 so that our teachers and students develop strong 21st century STEM skills."
John Herlihy, VP International SME Sales and Head of Google in Ireland said; “Building teacher capacity to leverage technology in creating active, engaged classrooms will support Ireland’s next generation of technology leaders. The success of Irish students at the Google Science Fair and the European Union Contest for Young Scientists in recent weeks is fantastic and demonstrates in a very tangible way the role teachers play in inspiring their students. I congratulate all the teachers and schools who are taking the lead and participating in this new 21st Century Teaching & Learning programme.”
Google is a long term supporter of educational innovation in Ireland through its support of the Science Gallery, TAP and Bridge21. It has also provided funding to the Centre of Academic Achievement which provides free after-school classes in science, math and engineering subjects for primary school students from disadvantaged areas.
Lord Puttnam, Ireland’s Digital Champion commented; “My warmest congratulations to everyone involved in conceiving, negotiating and delivering this important initiative. This is great news; great news for Trinity, for Google and for Ireland. As the country’s Digital Champion, this is exactly the type of imaginative partnership I’ve been arguing for – and I’m certain the results will speak for themselves”.
Teachers interested in learning more about the Trinity College postgraduate certificate in 21st Century Teaching and Learning can contact info@ta21.ie
About Trinity Access 21
The Trinity Access 21 network comprises the Trinity Access Programmes (TAP) and Bridge21. TAP celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2013 and has a long track record of developing innovative educational projects, courses and entry routes for students from socio-economically disadvantaged backgrounds. Bridge21 has a strong recent presence in this area, challenging conventional models of teaching and seeking to change the second level classroom so that students are empowered to teach and learn through technology and team work, and the teacher adopts the role of an orchestrator of learning.
About Google in Ireland
Google established in Dublin in 2003 with just five employees and today its Europe, Middle East and Africa Headquarters employs over 2,500 at its campus on Barrow Street. The company transacts business with more than 67 countries, helping them to transact online.
About School of Education, Trinity College Dublin
The School of Education is one of the largest professional schools in the University. It addresses educational issues at a number of levels: in initial teacher education, postgraduate teacher education, continuing professional development, and through engagement in high quality research. There is a long tradition in the School of Education of educating high quality teachers to cover the full range of educational provision in the State, and of further supporting them during their career through the provision of targeted and specialised in-career and postgraduate programmes ranging from certificate to doctoral level.
About School of Computer Science & Statistics, Trinity College Dublin
The School of Computer Science and Statistics comprises a community of 500 undergraduates, 480 postgraduates and in excess of 150 members of staff and it offers a wide range of courses encompassing computer science, statistics, management science, information systems, business, linguistics, European languages, computer engineering, electronic engineering and mathematics. Apart from its significant research output members of the School has been pivotal in the formation of multi-million Euro companies such as Havok and the first Irish company to be floated on the NASDAQ, Iona Technologies. Recent School start-ups to look out for in the future include Impartio, Treocht and Glanta Ltd.