Unit Report
Head: Dr Gerry McNamara

McNamara G

• The development of a new track on Information and Communications Technology on the Graduate Diploma/M.Sc in Education and Training Management
• The introduction of an innovative flexible part-time Degree the B.Sc in Education and Training
• The completion of the 'Infet' Leonardo Da Vinci Programme Project and the launch of the Report - An Analysis of the Training Needs of Trainers in the Further Education Sector in Ireland by Minister, Willie O'Dea

With the support of the Department of Education and Science a new B.Sc in Education and Training aimed at educators working in adult and further and community education was developed. The Degree is innovative and flexible involving a range of entry and exit routes and different certification options. Students may take one year of the Programme and obtain a Certificate in Education and Training, two year to complete the Diploma in Education and Training and the final year to achieve the B.Sc in Education and Training. The Department of Education and Science will fund the fees of students taking the Programme who work in provision under the remit of the Department such as Traveller Education, Adult Literacy Schemes or Programmes for early school leavers and the long term unemployed. Other students coming from such sectors as the disability area or community education/development may obtain funding through their employees from the European Social Fund. The first intake of students into the Programme will be in September 2002.

Also developed during the past year was a new track on the existing highly successful Graduate Diploma/M.Sc in Education and Training Management. The existing programme was re-designated the Leadership track and the new track was designated the Information and Communication Technology track. The new track is a joint innovation with the School of Computer Applications which will provide the specialist modules for inclusion in the Programme. The Programme is aimed at educators who wish to increase their expertise in creating and managing ICT learning environments.

The School completed a major Leonardo Da Vinci Project (jointly funded by Department of Education and Science entitled 'Infet' An Analysis of the Training Needs of Trainers in the Further Education Sector in Ireland. This report was launched in DCU by the Minister for Adult Education, Dr Willie O'Dea on 3rd May 2001.

Also completed and published was the final report of the E.U. 5th Framework Project on 'Work Experience as an Educational Tool for the 21st Century'. The published work is by Dr Peter McKenna and Mr Colm O'Maolmhuire and entitled Work Experience in Ireland: Partnerships for Future Effectiveness.

The School commenced work on a number of new research projects including a HEA funded project in developing teaching competence through on-line support using the Webct system. A second HEA funded project on 'Evaluating and Enhancing the Experience of Ethnic Minority Students in DCU is ongoing.

This year the School of Education Studies has further developed work in the area of Positive Discipline in post primary schools and has conducted in-service for some 23 schools and other groups at the Teachers Education Centres throughout the country.

The School is with partners in Ireland, the UK, and Spain to develop a significant research centre to build upon the work of the Centre for Pluralism in Education and enable large scale trans-national research projects in the field of
Educational disadvantage, access, equity and pluralism to be undertaken.

The Annual Science Olympiad was held in Dublin City University on December 8th 2001. Students from most countries took part and trophies and medals were awarded to the top students in Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Computer Programming in a number of age categories by Minister Noel Treacy T.D. (Director: Michael A. Cotter)

The Irish student teams to represent Ireland at the International Science Olympiads in Biology, Chemistry, Physics and Informatics were selected in May 2002. These students, who had been awarded the top marks at the Irish Science Olympiad receive residential training in DCU prior to their departure to the Internationals in July.
(Director: Michael A. Cotter)

The Chairman Michael A. Cotter of the National Policy Advisory and Development Committee for ICT at first and second level education published the results on a National Survey on the Impact of Schools IT 2000. This report was presented to the Minister for Education and Science Dr Michael Woods TD in January 2002.
(NPADC Chairman: Michael A. Cotter)