Deirdre Butler

Prof

Profile Photo
Deirdre Butler, a professor in DCU’s Institute of Education is internationally known as a leading scholar and creative practitioner of methods supporting teachers’ professional development and students’ learning. Prior to being a teacher educator, she was a primary school teacher, resource teacher, teacher for the travelling community and vice-principal. Her doctoral work developed an innovative model for teachers' professional development was supervised by world-renowned technology-and-education leader and MIT Professor, Seymour Papert.Deirdre has extensive experience in developing sustainable, scalable models of teacher professional learning, and has managed projects and school based initiatives which focus on creative uses of digital technologies.
Deirdre’s passion in life is exploring what being digital in learning can mean and how we can meaningfully use the extensive range of digital tools available in the 21st century. As a recognised thought leader in the area of new pedagogies, she advises ministries of education around the globe on redesigning education systems for the challenges that face the world now and in the future. For example, in Finland she worked with the Ministry to inspire their specially selected Lighthouse schools to redesign learning environments, while in Denmark she worked with policy makers and professional development providers to re-imagine how learning environments can be designed to meet the needs of the complex connected world of the 21st century.  Deirdre’s record of professional accomplishment demonstrates vision, energy and research excellence combined with a deep and passionate commitment to teaching and learning.  The funding she have secured, and projects she has initiated and collaborated on, are evidence of both her strategic and innovative thinking, as well as her management and leadership abilities. Her publication record provides further evidence of these qualities, as well as demonstrating the ability to foster and extend national and international linkages and alliances. She have consistently worked across a broad range of stakeholders in education, technology, government, corporate and non-profit sectors. Deirdre’s ability to combine partnership-building among diverse stakeholders with focused research questions has been instrumental in her successfully bridging knowledge development, policy and practice. The key role she played in cultivating the recently launched Digital Strategy for Schools is an example of how her research on teachers’ learning (exemplified by the Empowering Minds community) and emphasis on learner-centred pedagogical orientation (demonstrated through the Innovative Schools Evaluation, TeachNet, Innovative Teaching and Learning Research, and New Pedagogies for Deep Learning) are key principles now underpinning the national educational agenda. Through her vision, negotiation skills and ability to translate principles from research into settings that make them operationally effective, Ireland’s educational potentials have improved within and beyond national bounds. For example, the 21CLD MOOC, which is free of charge and available to all educators globally, is the first Irish-designed MOOC for teacher professional learning. This initiative was made possible through her collaboration with Microsoft and H2 Learning, an Irish eLearning services and consultancy organisation. Another example of her ability to translate and sustain knowledge from research is the establishment of the flagship Lego Education Innovation Studio. This initiative results from a long tradition that Deirdre fostered, of using Lego and digital materials to spawn innovative learning environments. By continuing to partner with Microsoft and Lego Education, Dublin City University’s Institute of Education (DCU IoE) will develop new approaches to teaching and learning that can be replicated in schools throughout the country, igniting and sustaining a passion for STEM subjects from early childhood education through third level. Another collaborative venture, Mindrising, joins Business Model Adventures, Microsoft and the IoE and NIDL (National Institute of Digital Learning to transform learning environments by using Minecraft, design thinking, digital storytelling and games-based learning to enrich and enliven the experience for students.                                                                                                                    

Book

Year Publication
2015 Butler, D., Marshall, K., & Leahy, M. (Eds.) (2015) Shaping the Future: How technology can lead to educational transformation. Dublin: Liffey Press.
2014 Murphy, C. Smith G., Glynn, M., Kavanagh, R., Losty, S. and Butler, D. (2014) Exploring Our Energy, Educational programme for primary schools, Sustainable Energy Authority of Ireland. SEAI online: SEAI online. [Link]

Book Chapter

Year Publication
2020 Butler, D. & Leahy, M. (2020) 'Using Classroom Practice as “an Object to Think with” to Develop Preservice Teachers’ Understandings of Computational Thinking' In: Empowering Teaching for Digital Agency and Equity. IFIP TC 3 Open Conference on Computers in Education, OCCE 2020, Mumbai, India, January 6–8, 2020, Proceedings. Cham : Springer. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-59847-1
2020 Butler, D., Twining, P., Broadley, T., Fisser, P., Forget-Dubois, N., Peiris, M.G., Kalaš, I. Lacasse,M., Leahy, M. & Shelton, C (2020) 'National Policies in Curriculum Reforms: What Makes a Quality Curriculum in a Technological Era?' In: EDUsummIT2019. Learners and Learning Contexts: New Alignments for the Digital Age. eBook : EDUsummIT 2019 - eBook. [Link]
2019 Butler D., Leahy M., Hallissy M., Brown M. (2019) 'MOOCs, Teacher Professional Learning and Deep Learning Conversations' In: Encyclopedia of Education and Information Technologies. Cham : Springer.
2019 Butler D., Leahy M., Hallissy M., Brown M. (2019) 'Encyclopedia of Education and Information Technologies' In: Encyclopedia of Education and Information Technologies. Springer Nature Switzerland AG : Springer International Publishing.
2018 Butler, D., Hallissy, M., & Hurley, J. (2018) 'The Digital Learning Framework: What Digital Learning can Look Like in Practice, An Irish Perspective' In: Research Highlights in Technology and Teacher Education 2018. Waynesville, NC USA : AACE. [Link]
2018 Butler, D., Leahy, M., Hallissy, M., & Brown, M (2018) 'Scaling a model of teacher professional learning – Harnessing MOOCs to recreate deep learning conversations' In: Tomorrow's Learning: Involving Everyone. Learning with and about Technologies and Computing: 11th IFIP TC 3 World Conference on Computers in Education. Switzerland : Springer.
2017 Margaret Leahy & Deirdre Butler, Peter Twinning, Yousra Chtouki, Kanda Moore, Roumen Nikolov, Amanda Sherman, Barbara Sherman, Teemu Valtonen, With Ben Akoh, Carlos Miniano Pascual, Sara Farshadnia (2017) 'Education Systems in the Digital Age: The need for alignment' In: EduSummIT Report: Rethinking Learning in a Digital Age. Bulgaria : UNESCO. [Link]
2015 Nancy Law, Dale Niederhauser, Linda Shear, and Rhonda Christensen, with Esther Care, David Smith, Jonghwi Park, Bent Andresen, Hans van Bergen, Deirdre Butler, Allan Christie, Jill Downie, Tania Bradley, and Louise Starkey (2015) 'Indicators of quality technology-enhanced teaching and learning' In: EDUsummIT 2015 Summary Report. Bangkok : UNESCO. [Link]
2015 Butler, D. & Leahy, M (2015) 'Moving towards Innovation: The Development of a Sustainable Framework for Teacher Professional Learning' In: Shaping the Future: How Technology can lead to Educational Transformation. Dublin : Liffey Press.
2015 Butler, D. & Leahy, M. (2015) 'Developing a Vision and Moving Forward' In: Shaping the Future: How Technology can lead to Educational Transformation. Dublin : Liffey Press.
2015 Butler, D. (2015) 'Self-determined teacher learning: A model of teacher professional development for the in the 21st century classroom' In: Shaping the Future: How technology can lead to educational transformation. Dublin : Liffey Press.
2015 Davis, N., Leahy, M., Lewin, C., Charania, A., & Nordin, H. with Ave Mejia, Davor Orlec, Deirdre Butler, Vanessa Chang, Ben Daniel Motidyang, Ola Erstad, and Olatz Lopez-Fernandez (2015) 'Smart Partnerships' In: EDUsummIT 2015 Summary Report. Australia : Curtin University. [Link]
2011 Butler, D. (2011) 'Learning in 21st century classrooms: A constructionist view' In: ICTs in the Primary School: Teaching and Learning for the 21st Century. Dublin : NCTE. DWEC, NEC.
2007 Butler, D., & Kelly, J. (2007) 'The Digital Era: Empowerment or digital divide' In: Moving Beyond Educational Disadvantage: Envisioning the Future. Dublin : IPA.
2006 Butler, D., Strohecker, C., & Martin, F. (2006) 'Sustaining local identity, control and ownership while integrating technology into school learning' In: Informatics Education – The Bridge between Using and Understanding Computers” in the series Lecture Notes in Computer Science, Volume 4226/2006. Berlin / Heidleberg : Springer. [Link] [DOI]

Peer Reviewed Journal

Year Publication
2023 Mairéad Hurley; Deirdre Butler; Eilish McLoughlin (2023) 'STEM Teacher Professional Learning Through Immersive STEM Learning Placements in Industry: a Systematic Literature Review'. Journal for STEM Education Research, . [Link] [DOI]
2023 Slattery, E.J.; Butler, D.; O’Leary, M.; Marshall, K. (2023) 'Teachers’ experiences of using Minecraft Education in primary school: An Irish perspective'. Irish Educational Studies, . [Link] [DOI]
2021 Butler, D.; Leahy, M. (2021) 'Developing preservice teachers' understanding of computational thinking: A constructionist approach'. British Journal of Educational Technology, 52 . [Link] [DOI]
2021 Twining, P.; Butler, D.; Fisser, P.; Leahy, M.; Shelton, C.; Forget-Dubois, N.; Lacasse, M. (2021) 'Developing a quality curriculum in a technological era'. Educational Technology Research and Development, 69 . [Link] [DOI]
2018 Butler, D.; Leahy, M.; Twining, P.; Akoh, B.; Chtouki, Y.; Farshadnia, S.; Moore, K.; Nikolov, R.; Pascual, C.; Sherman, B.; Valtonen, T. (2018) 'Education Systems in the Digital Age: The Need for Alignment'. Technology, Knowledge and Learning, 23 . [Link] [DOI]
2017 Bulter, D., Leahy, M., Hallissy, M., & Brown, M (2017) 'Different strokes for different folks: Scaling a blended learning model of teacher professional learning'. Interactive Technology and Smart Education, 14 (3):230-245. [Link]
2017 Butler, D; Leahy, M; Hallissy, M; Brown, M (2017) 'Different strokes for different folks: scaling a blended model of teacher professional learning'. Interactive Technology and Smart Education, .
2017 Butler, D.; Leahy, M.; Hallissy, M.; Brown, M. (2017) 'Different strokes for different folks: scaling a blended model of teacher professional learning'. Interactive Technology and Smart Education, 14 . [Link] [DOI]
2016 Leahy, M.; Davis, N.; Lewin, C.; Charania, A.; Nordin, H.; Orlič, D.; Butler, D.; Lopez-Fernadez, O. (2016) 'Smart partnerships to increase equity in education'. Educational Technology and Society, 19 . [Link]
2016 Leahy, M., Davis, N., Lewin, C., Charania, A., Nordin, H., Orlic, D., Butler, D., & Lopez-Fernandez, O. (2016) 'Smart Partnerships to Increase Equity in Education'. EDUCATIONAL TECHNOLOGY & SOCIETY, 19 (3):84-98.
2016 Leahy, M; Davis, N; Lewin, C; Charania, A; Nordin, H; Orlic, D; Butler, D; Lopez-Fernadez, O (2016) 'Smart Partnerships to Increase Equity in Education'. Educational Technology &Amp; Society, 19 :84-98.
2010 Butler, D., & Leahy, M. (2010) 'Redefining Book Reviews for the Digital Era'. Contemporary Issues in Technology & Teacher Education, 10 (1). [Link]
2007 Butler, D. (2007) 'A constructionist view of what it means to be digitally literate'. Nordic Journal of Digital Literacy, 2 :61-77.

Other Journal

Year Publication
Butler, D. 'Constructing new ways of learning' Centrepoint, 3 (Spring) .

Conference Publication

Year Publication
2021 Leahy, Margaret; Butler, Deirdre; Hsu, Hsiao-Ping; Moynihan, Denis (2021) IFIP TC3 Conference OCCE 2021 DTEL Building Pre-Service Teachers’ Confidence and Competence in Using Game-Based Learning Online,
2020 Shonfeld, M., Knezek, G., Starkey, L., Christensen, R., Ng, C.Y., Butler, D., Leahy, M., Twinning, P., Phillips, M. and Yildiz, M (2020) Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference EDUsummIT Symposium SITE 2020-Learners and learning contexts: New alignments for the digital age
2020 Butler, D., Leahy, M., Hsu, H. P., & Moynihan, D (2020) Annual Conference of the Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education (SITE) . In: D. Schmidt-Crawford eds. Impact of pre-service teachers’ gaming behaviours on their confidence and competence in applying game-based learning approaches: Implications for Teacher Educators Online, 06/04/2020- 10/04/2020 [Link]
2020 Butler, D & Leahy, M. (2020) CONSTRUCTIONISM 2020 . In: Tangney, B., Rowan Byrne, J., Girvan eds. Developing pre-service teachers’ understanding of computational thinking: a constructionist lens [Link]
2020 Butler, D., Leahy, M., Hsu, H. P., & Moynihan, D (2020) Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference. Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE) Impact of pre-service teachers’ gaming behaviours on their confidence and competence in applying game-based learning approaches: Implications for Teacher Educators
2018 Leahy, M., Butler,D., Mc Quaid, D., Ryan, R. & Tormey F. (2018) Proceedings of Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference, Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE) Introducing Computational Thinking to Primary School Classrooms in Ireland: A Constructionist Approach
2018 Voogt, J., Lai, K.W., Knezek, G., Christensen, R., Forkosh Baruch, A., Grinshkun, V., Grigoryev, S., Shonfeld, M., Smits, A., Henrikson, D., Henderson, M., Uvarov, A., Philips, M., Webb, M., Niederhauser, D., Mishra, P., Leahy, M., Butler, D. & Strijker, A. (2018) Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference . In: E. Langran & J. Borup eds. Part 1: Rethinking Learning in the Digital Age – Implications for Teacher Education
2017 Butler D.; Leahy M.; Hallissy M.; Brown M. (2017) IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology Scaling a model of teacher professional learning – harnessing MOOCS to recreate deep learning conversations [DOI]
2016 Butler D.; Leahy M.; Hallissy M.; Brown M. (2016) ASCILITE 2016 - Conference Proceedings - 33rd International Conference of Innovation, Practice and Research in the Use of Educational Technologies in Tertiary Education: Show Me the Learning Embedding classroom practice in a 21st Century Learning Design (21CLD) MOOC framework
2016 Butler, D., Leahy, M., Hallissy, M., and Brown, M (2016) 33rd International Conference of Innovation and Research in the Use of Educational Technologies in Tertiary Education Embedding Classroom Practice in as 21st Century Learning Design (21CLD) MOOC Framework 33rd
2016 Butler, D., Leahy, M., Hallissy, M., & Brown, M. (2016) Proceedings of the International Conferences on Internet Technologies & Society 2016, Educational Technologies 2016 and Sustainability, Technology and Education 2016 Scaling a Model of Teacher Professional Learning – to MOOC or not to MOOC?
2016 Butler, D., Brown, M., & Mac Críosta, G. (2016) The Next Generation Digital Learning Research Symposium Minecraft and digital learning: Building a research culture Dublin City University, 01/11/2016-
2016 Butler, D., Brown, M., & Mac Críosta, G. (2016) ICEdTech16, International Conference on Educational Technologies Telling the story of MindRising: Minecraft, mindfulness and meaningful learning Melbourne,
2016 Butler, D., Leahy, M., Hallissy, M., and Brown, M (2016) 33rd International Conference of Innovation and Research in the Use of Educational Technologies in Tertiary Education Embedding Classroom Practice in as 21st Century Learning Design (21CLD) MOOC Framework Adelaide. Australia,
2015 Butler, D & Leahy, M (2015) Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference Towards the development of a new Digital Strategy for Schools in Ireland
2015 Butler, D., & Leahy, M. (2015) Proceedings of Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference, Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE) . In: D. Slykhuis & G. Marks eds. Towards the development of a new Digital Strategy for Schools in Ireland Chesapeake, VA:,
2015 Leahy, M., & Butler, D. (2015) Proceedings of Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference, Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE) . In: D. Slykhuis & G. Marks eds. Key Elements of a Sustainable Framework for Teacher Professional Learning Chesapeake, VA:,
2015 Leahy, M. & Butler, D. (2015) Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference Key Elements of a Sustainable Framework for Teacher Professional Learning
2011 Butler, D.,& Leahy, M. (2011) Proceedings of Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference, Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE) Sharing Classroom Practices: A Scalable, Sustainable Model of Teacher Professional Development for Learning in the 21st Century Chesapeake, VA:,
2011 Butler, D. & Leahy, M. (2011) Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference Sharing Classroom Practices: A Scalable, Sustainable Model of Teacher Professional Development for Learning in the 21st Century
2011 Leahy, M. & Butler, D. (2011) Proceedings of Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference 21st Century Learning Rubrics: A Catalyst Towards School-Level Innovation Chesapeake, VA,
2011 Shear, L., Butler, D. & Leahy, M (2011) Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference Examining the Artifacts of Classroom Practice: 21st Century Learning Rubrics for Teacher Professional Development
2011 Shear, L., Butler, D., & Leahy, M. (2011) Proceedings of Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference, Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE) Examining the Artifacts of Classroom Practice: 21st Century Learning Rubrics for Teacher Professional Development Chesapeake, VA:,
2011 Leahy, M. & Butler, D. (2011) Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference 21st Century Learning Rubrics: A Catalyst towards School-Level Innovation
2010 Hurley, J., & Butler, D. (2010) Computers in Education Society of Ireland (CESI), Portlaoise New Developments in Teacher CPD: Online courses for teachers, UNESCO ICT Competency Framework & EPICT
2010 Butler, D. (2010) ICT Forum 10 10 10, Yesterday’s Challenges, Tomorrow’s Opportunities, Jordan MENA Ecosystem; Education, MENA’ (Middle East North Africa)
2010 Butler, D. (2010) Big Ideas Global Summit 2010, Maine Emerging New Models of Teacher Learning, Equity, Access, Opportunity for All – Learning for the 21st Century
2010 Butler, D. & Hallissy, M. (2010) Annual Conference & International Symposium, Washington, DC Thinking Tool to enable school change, Consortium for School Networking
2010 Butler, D., & Hurley, J. (2010) Learning & Technology World Forum (LATWF), London Re-imagining CPD for Education
2010 Butler, D. & Leahy, M (2010) Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference Moving Towards Innovation: The development of a sustainable framework for teacher professional development
2010 Butler, D., & Leahy, M. (2010) Paper presented at the Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association, Denver, Colorado Job-embedded professional development: Moving traditional education toward innovation in Ireland
2010 Butler, D. (2010) Lead paper presented at the Hosting and Harvesting Conference, Australian Council for Educational Leadership, Sydney Deep Learning, Rich Understandings: Teacher Learner, Learner Teacher
2009 Butler, D. (2009) Presentation on physical site and online through the webcast Digital technologies supporting K-12 learning and teachers' professional development
2008 Butler, D. (2008) Keynote presentation to Innovative Teachers Special Forum, Microsoft HQ, Redmond, WA Constructionism in action: 21st century learning
2008 Butler, D. (2008) Keynote presentation to the World Innovative Teachers Forum, Hong Kong Constructionism in action: 21st century learning
2008 Butler, D. (2008) Keynote presentation at European Innovative Teachers Forum, Zagreb School V’s real world
2007 Butler, D., & Leahy, M. (2007) Using DV to create online digital video book reviews Proceedings of the Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education Conference (SITE2007)
2007 Butler, D. (2007) Keynote address at The Internet Experience for Schools (Seminar for Teachers), Tipperary Institute Learning for the 21st Century
2007 Butler, D. & Leahy, M (2007) Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education Conference (SITE2007 Using DV to create Online Digital Video Book Reviews
2006 Butler D.; Strohecker C.; Martin F. (2006) Lecture Notes in Computer Science (including subseries Lecture Notes in Artificial Intelligence and Lecture Notes in Bioinformatics) Sustaining local identity, control and ownership while integrating technology into school learning
2006 Butler, D; Strohecker, C; Martin, F (2006) Informatics Education - The Bridge between Using and Understanding Computers Sustaining local identity, control and ownership while integrating technology into school learning
2006 Butler, D. (2006) Keynote presentation at School of the Future Summitt, Philadelphia, PA Small is powerful
2005 Butler, D. & Leahy, M (2005) Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education Conference The TeachNet Ireland Project as a Model of Professional Development for Teachers
2004 Strohecker C.; Butler D. (2004) Proceedings of the 2004 Conference on Interaction Design and Children: Building a Community, IDC 2004 The informal informing the formal to form new models of Learning [DOI]
2003 Butler, D., & Gash, H. (2003) Paper presented at the International Symposium on Celtic Civilization in conjunction with the International Conference on Systems Research, Informatics and Cybernetics, Baden Baden Germany Creative learning and spiritual moments
2002 Shepherd, R., Butler, D., Mikak, B., & Diamond, D. (2002) Poster presented at the International Workshop on Advanced Materials for Sensors & Actuators Role of Nanotechnology, University of Wollongong, Australia Autonomous sensing robots: Powerful tools for project-based science education

Conference Contribution

Year Publication
2020 Webb, M., Fluck, A., Lewin, C., Bescherer, C., Butler, D. & Leahy, M. (2020) Open Conference on Computers in Education (OCCE) 2020, IFIP TC3 Learners and learning contexts: New alignments for the digital age - Outcomes from EDUsummIT 2019 Mumbai, India, .
2020 Butler, D. & Leahy, M. (2020) Open Conference on Computers in Education (OCCE) 2020, IFIP TC3 Using classroom practice as “an object to think with” to develop Preservice Teachers’ understandings of Computational Thinking Mumbai, India, .
2020 Leahy, M., Butler, D., & Broderick, N. (2020) Open Conference on Computers in Education (OCCE) 2020, IFIP TC3 IGGniting STEM in Irish Girl Guides Mumbai, India, .
2020 Deirdre Butler (2020) Designing sustainable digital transformation of learning: BC/AC Third European Education Summit: Digital Education Transformation https://ec.europa.eu/education/summit/digital-education-transformation_en, 10/12/2020-.
2018 Leahy, M., Butler,D., Mc Quaid, D., Ryan, R. & Tormey F. (2018) SMEC 2018. Science and Mathematics Education Conference Bringing Computational Thinking into STEM Education in Primary School Hosted by CASTeL, Centre for the Advancement of STEM Teaching and Learning. Dublin City University, .
2018 Voogt, J., Kwok W.L., Knezek, G.,Christensen, R., Forkosh Baruch, A., Grinshkun, V., Grigoryev, S., Shonfeld, M., Smits, A., Henrikson, D., Henderson, M., Uvarov, A., Philips, M., Webb, Niederhauser, D., Mishra, P., Leahy, M., Butler, D. & Strijker, A. (2018) Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference, Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education (AACE) Rethinking Learning in the Digital Age – Implications for Teacher Education Washington DC, .
2017 Butler, D., & Brown, M (2017) Computers in Education Society of Ireland (CESI) Conference We need to talk: Are we making the right connections? DCU St Patrick's Campus, Dublin, .
2017 Butler, D., Leahy, M., Hallissy, M., and Brown, M (2017) World Conference on Computers in Education Scaling a model of teacher professional training - Can we recreate deep learning conversations live online Dublin, .
2017 Lai, K-W., Butler, D., Leahy, M., Lewin, C., Passey, D., Shonfeld, M., Twinning, P. & Webb, M. (2017) World Conference on Computers in Education Rethinking learning in a digital age: Connecting research, practice and policy making. Symposium Dublin, .
2016 Butler, D. (2016) Microsoft’s European School Leaders Seminar Students need to have skills for life and for work in the 21st century. What teacher professional learning is needed?” Cardinal Place, London, 22/01/2016-.
2016 Costello, E., Brown, M., Donlon, E., Ward, M., & Butler, D. (2016) Science and Mathematics Education Conference (SMEC) Massive Open Online Coding: Exploring the role of MOOCs for post-primary computing education in Ireland St. Patrick's College, Dublin City University, Dublin, Ireland, 16/06/2016-17/06/2016.
2016 Butler, D. & Hallissy, M. (2016) Consortium for School Networking, Annual Conference & International Symposium “(MooC) Move over or Change: Designing professional learning to generate innovation” Washington, DC, 01/02/2017-01/02/2017.
2016 Butler, D., Hallissy, M., Donlon, E., Leahy, M., Hurley, J. & Brown, M. (2016) Irish Learning Technology Association (ILTA):EdTech2016 21CLD MOOC: A Triarchic Response to Teacher Professional Learning Dublin, .
2016 Leahy, M. & Butler, D (2016) SaITE 2016 International Federation of Information Processing TC3 Joint Conference Smart Partnerships to build a sustainable framework for teacher professional learning Guimarães,Portugal, .
2016 Brown, M., Costello, E., Butler, D., Donlon, E., & Nic Giolla Mhichil, M. (2016) e-Learning Africa: 11th International Conference on ICT for Development, Education & Training Thinking Strategically about MOOCs: Developing an institutional response Cairo, Egypt, 24/05/2016-26/05/2016.
2016 Butler (2016) Digital Portfolios and Collaborative Learning Conference Embedding Collaborative Learning in Lesson Design Dublin Castle, Ireland, 17/05/2016-.
2016 Butler, D., Hallissy, M., Donlon, E., Leahy, M., Hurley, J., & Brown, M. (2016) ReConstituting TEL: Rising to the Challenge (ILTA Conference 2016) 21CLD MOOC: A triarchic response to teacher professional learning Law Society of Ireland, Dublin, Ireland, 26/05/2016-27/05/2016.
2016 Mac Griosta, G., Butler, D., & Brown, M. (2016) 6th Irish Conference on Game-Based Learning (IGBL 2016) MindRising16: From blockheads to grayheads Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, 01/09/2016-.
2015 Butler, D. (2015) British Council sponsored international conference “Building Skills: The role of skills development in Education Athens, Greece, 27/03/2015-.
2015 Butler, D. (2015) Finnish National Board of Education. Development School Network national seminar “Developing New Pedagogies and 21st Century skills” Helsinki, Finland, 11/05/2015-.
2015 Butler, D. (2015) ePortfolio International Conference “Embedding the development and assessment of ‘key skills’ into the use of ePortfolios Dublin Castle, Dublin, 22/04/2015-.
2015 Butler, D. (2015) American Educational Research Association Promoting Equitable Access to 21st Century Skills: Global and Local Designs for Professional Learning Symposium (discussant) Chicago, 19/04/2015-.
2015 Butler, D. (2015) Teachers Skills Forum “Education as a Gateway or Roadblock: Shaping the Youth of tomorrow”, Invited Panel chaired by Her Majesty Queen Rania of Jordan King Hussein Bin Talal Convention Center, Dead Sea, Jordan, 06/12/2015-.
2015 Butler, D. (2015) Dublin eLearning Summer School “The Digital Strategy: Implications for Schools and beyond Dublin Institute of Technology, Aungier Street Campus, 25/06/2015-.
2015 Butler, D. (2015) Finnish National Board of Education. Development School Network national seminar New Pedagogies and New Learning Challenge us Helsinki, Finland, 08/12/2015-.
2010 Butler, D. & Leahy, M (2010) Annual Meeting of the American Educational Research Association Job-embedded professional development: Moving traditional education toward innovation in Ireland Denver, Colarado, .

Published Report

Year Publication
2021 Butler, D. & LeahyM. (2021) Being a Digital Learning. National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, .
2020 McLoughlin E., Butler., D., Kaya, S. & Costello, E. ( (2020) STEM Education in Schools: What Can We Learn from the Research? ATS STEM Report #1. Dublin City University, . http://dx.doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.3673728
2020 Butler, D., McLoughlin, E.,O'Leary, M., Kaya, S., Costello, E., & Brown, M. (2020) Towards the ATS STEM Conceptual Framework. ATS STEM Report #5. Dublin: Dublin City University. DCU, .
2014 Cosgrove, J, Butler, D., Leahy, M., Shiel, G., Kavanagh, L. & Creaven, A (2014) Summary Report on the 2013 ICT Census in Schools. St. Patrick’s College of Education, Education Research Centre, .
2014 Dooley, T., Dunphy, E., Shiel, G., Butler, D., Corcoran, D., Farrell, T., NicMhuirí, S., O'Connor, M., Travers, J. & Perry, B (2014) Mathematics in Early Childhood and Primary Education, Children aged 3-8 years, Volume 18: Teaching and Learning. NCCA, .
2014 Dunphy, E., Dooley, T., & Shiel, G. with Butler, D., Corcoran, D., Ryan, M. & Travers, J. (2014) Mathematics in early childhood and primary education (3–8 years) definitions, theories, development and progression (NCCA Research Report 17). National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, .
2014 Cosgrove, J, Butler, D., Leahy, M., Shiel, G., Kavanagh, L. & Creaven, A (2014) Report on the 2013 ICT Census in Schools. St. Patrick’s College of Education, Education Research Centre, .
2014 Dooley, T., Dunphy, E., Shiel, G., Butler, D., Corcoran, D., Farrell, T., NicMhuirí, S., O'Connor, M., Travers, J. & Perry, B (2014) Mathematics in Early Childhood and Primary Education (children aged 3-8 years), (Volume 18: Teaching and learning). National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, . [Link]
2014 Dooley, T., Dunphy, E., & Shiel, G. with Butler, D., Corcoran, D., Farrell, T., Nic Mhuirí, S., O’ Connor, M., & Travers, J., (2014) Mathematics in early childhood and primary education (3-8 years) teaching and learning (NCCA Research Report 18). National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, .
Certain data included herein are derived from the © Web of Science (2023) of Clarivate. All rights reserved.

Professional Associations

Association Function From / To
AACE (Association for the Advancement of Computers in Education) Member -
AERA (American Educational Research Association) Member -
CASTel (Centre for the Advancement of STEM Teaching and Learning) Member -
CESI (Computer Education Society of Ireland) Member -
ESAI (Educational Studies Association of Ireland) Member -
EduSummit (UNESCO) TWG1: Smart Partnerships TWG7: Indicators of quality technology-enhanced teaching and learning Member -
IADIS (International Association for the Development of the Information Society) Member -
IFIP Working Group 3.3 (International Federation for Information Processing) Member -
ILTA (Irish Learning Technology Association) Member -
SITE (Society for Information Technology and Teacher Education) Member -

Committees

Committee Function From / To
DES Strategy Group External Expert to the Department of Education and Skill for the implementation of the Digital Strategy for Schools 2015-2020 01/01/2014 - 30/06/2017
Horizon K12 Advisory Board 01/01/2012 - 31/12/2017

Enterprise Engagement

Year Engagement Type Client Description
2017 Other Lego Education Innovation Studion Deirdre is responsible for developing the initiative which sees Dublin City University partnering with Lego® Education to create an interactive learning hub that will help DCU student teachers and Irish schools develop innovative and creative approaches to teaching STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths) subjects in the classroom. The creation of the flagship Lego® Education Innovation Studio (LEIS), will see the new Institute of Education (IoE) at DCU’s St Patrick’s Campus, Drumcondra become the first centre of teacher education in Ireland to mainstream these innovative approaches across all its programmes. The Institute’s students will develop new approaches to teaching that can be replicated in schools throughout the country, igniting a passion for STEM subjects from early childhood education right through to third level. By adopting Lego®’s playful learning tools, teachers graduating from DCU Institute of Education will be fully skilled in helping schoolchildren develop ‘Hands-on Minds-on’ 21st Century skills such as creative thinking, problem-solving, team-working and communication.
2015 Other MindRising Mindrising, joins Business Model Adventures, Microsoft and the IoE and NIDL (National Institute of Digital Learning), as well as a number of community groups such as CoderDojo. In phase one, Mindrising focused on transforming the teaching of history in schools by using Minecraft, design thinking, digital storytelling and games-based learning to enrich and enliven the learning experiences
2009- 2014 Consultancy ITL Research Advisor to ITL Research which is a multiyear global research program designed to investigate the factors that promote the transformation of teaching practices & the impact those changes have on students’ learning outcomes across a broad range of country contexts.
2008 - 2013 Consultancy Microsoft Partners in Learning Chair of the international advisory board for the second phase of Microsoft’s Partners in Learning initiative (MS-PIL 2008-2013). In 2008, Microsoft strengthened its commitment to the PIL initiative by adding an additional US$235 million over five years. The primary focus of this advisory board is to provide ongoing feedback & input on the Partners in Learning initiative & a worldwide perspective on education.

Media

Title Year Type Authors
Nationwide 2017 Documentary RTE
Mitchelstown scoop top award with magical Minecraft video 2016 Newspaper article (Print) The Corkman
Using "digital lego" to recreate event of 1916 2016 Newspaper article (Print) Irish Independent
MindRising 2016: Students round the world invited to partake in digital storytelling competition 2016 Newspaper article (online) Irish Independent
1916 Rising - A story told through Minecraft 2016 Newspaper article (online) Silicon Republic
Irish students are building their own homage to 1916 through Minecraft 2016 Newspaper article (online) Irish Independent
Lego Education & Teacher Education 2016 Radio Interviews Spin FM
Eight technologies that are changing the c;lassroom 2016 Newspaper article (Print) Irish Times
Brick by brick: the Lego approach to learning 2016 Newspaper article (Print) Irish Times
Lego is building skills among Irish teachers 2016 Newspaper article (Print) Irish Independent
Chip off the Old Block 2016 Newspaper article (Print) In Business
Flagship Lego Education Centre Launched 2016 Newspaper article (Print) Kildare Post
Learning with Lego at Dublin City University 2016 Newspaper article (Print) Dun Laoghaire Gazette
Learning with Lego @ DCU 2016 Newspaper article (Print) Dundrum Gazette
Eight technologies that are changing the classroom 2016 Newspaper article (online) Irish Times
Irish Designed 21st Century MOOC goes live 2016 Newspaper article (online) Tech Central
Learning with Lego at Dublin City Univeristy 2016 Newspaper article (Print) Lucan Gazette
Dublin City University - Learning with Lego 2018 Newspaper article (Print) Clondalkin Gazette
DCU Falls in Love with Lego 2016 Newspaper article (Print) Business Plus Magazine
DCU Launches Flagship Lego Education Centre 2016 Newspaper article (Print) Swords Gazette
Learning with Lego at DCU 2016 Newspaper article (Print) Blanch Gazette
Learning with Lego at Dublin City Univeristy 2016 Newspaper column (Print) Dublin City Gazette
St Pat’s College now using Lego to help teachers teach 2016 Newspaper article (online) Silicon Republic
Lego is building block in Science Education 2016 Newspaper article (online) Business Post
Lego building Irish Teachers skills 2016 Newspaper article (online) Independent.ie
DCU launches flagship Lego Education Centre 2016 Newspaper article (online) TechCentral

Current Postgraduate Students

Student Name Degree Supervision
Barr ,Anna Doctor of Education Supervisor
Corry ,Maura Doctor of Education Supervisor
Lowney ,Robert Peter Doctor of Education Supervisor

Modules Coordinated

Term Title Subject
2022 Design & Build to Learn SG208
2022 Enabling Learning ED8039
2022 Designing, Learning with Digital Technologies SG403
2021 Enabling Learning and Online Pedagogies ED4064