Exploring Co-Learning School of English & TCPID, School of Education

Trinity College Dublin (TCD) has launched a collaborative educational initiative, the Co-Learning pilot project, bringing together students from the Trinity Centre for People with Intellectual Disabilities (TCPID) and undergraduate students from the School of English.

During the Hilary Teaching Term 2024, TCPID students voluntarily participated in an Irish Writing Module offered by the School of English. These sessions, which occurred weekly, included bridging lectures alongside academic staff and Co-Learning Champions. The aim was to prepare TCPID students for subsequent tutorials with their undergraduate peers.

A highlight, as discussed in the video, is how students from TCPID were able to draw connections between the themes within the poetry of Eavan Boland, centred on feminist oppression, and the modern-day oppression of disabled people. This insight was something that undergraduate students from the School of English had never associated or thought about.

The Co-Learning Module is designed to promote inclusive education by fostering collaboration and mutual learning among students from diverse academic backgrounds. By providing a platform for interaction and shared learning experiences, the initiative aims to enrich the educational journey for all participants.

A video featuring testimonials from TCPID students, academic staff from the School of English, and Co-Learning Champions offers insights into the implementation and impact of the Co-Learning Module.

Funding for this project was secured through PATH 4 from the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and the Department of Further and Higher Education Research Innovation and Science (DFHERIS). Dr. Linda Doyle, Provost of TCD, provided endorsement and support for this collaborative endeavour.

Gratitude is extended to our colleagues in the School of English for their continued dedication and passion in facilitating the Co-Learning Project. Specific thanks go to our colleagues in the School of English, Dr Paul Delaney and Dr Rosie Lavan, as well as our Co-learning Champions Méabh Ní Choileáin and Reb Easler. Lastly, thanks to our students Al Martin and Conor Quinn for sharing their experience. TCPID is now collaborating with the School of Law, the School of Social Work and Social Policy, and the School of Nursing and Midwifery to develop new Co-Learning options for TCPID students.