Tara Concannon-Gibney

Dr

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Dr Tara Concannon-Gibney lectures in the area of literacy. A former primary school teacher, she has worked with pre-service and in-service teachers in Ireland and in New York for two decades. Prior to joining D.C.U. in 2017, she was programme coordinator of the B.Sc. in Early Childhood Education at Marino Institute of Education (Dublin) where she lectured in literacy and Early Childhood Education. From 2009 until 2012, Dr Concannon-Gibney worked at Adelphi University in New York.

She was awarded an Advanced HE Fellowship in 2021 and earned a Universal Badge for Learning (UDL) in 2020 (AHEAD/CAST). Dr Concannon-Gibney has a keen interest in the scholarship of teaching and learning and has conducted and published self-studies in recent years to enhance her teaching. She currently leads the BEd4 Self-study Research Project module. She was a key member of a community of practice that pioneered the use of Interactive Oral Assessments at DCU. She was nominated (as part of a team), for the DCU President’s Teaching Excellence Award in 2021.

Dr Concannon-Gibney has a sustained and substantial publishing record in highly-ranked peer-reviewed journals. She is also the sole author of Teaching Essential Literacy Skills: A guide for students and teachers (Routledge). She is past president of the Literacy Association of Ireland and the current Irish representative for FELA (Federation of European Literacy Association). She was a member of an expert advisory panel for Doodle Den (Childhood Development Initiative) which developed a website and support materials to enhance the literacy development of children from disadvantaged backgrounds. She also worked with AMBER (Advanced Materials and BioEngineering Research) in 2020-2021 to develop lesson plans integrating science, maths, and literacy. Her recent SCOTENS-funded project focused on the 'Exploration of the Use of Children's Literature in Early Reading'. She recently worked with a large team of researchers from the IoE on the research report in relation to the updating of the national literacy (including digital literacy) & numeracy strategy and another team within the LLECE (DCU) on a Literature Review to Support the Updating of Aistear, the Early Childhood Curriculum Framework (NCCA, 2019). 

Her current research interests include early literacy, the literacy instruction of English language learners, literacy integration, creativity in literacy education, teacher professional development in literacy, and teaching and learning in higher education.  

She welcomes applications for Ph.D./Masters by research/EdD.  

  

Book

Year Publication
2019 Concannon-Gibney, T. (2019) Teaching Essential Literacy Skills in the Early Years Classroom: A Guide for Teachers and Students. Oxon: UK: Routledge. [Link]
2010 Concannon-Gibney, T., Kelly, A. & Willoughby, K. (2010) Literacy in the 21st Century: Perspectives, Challenges & Transformations, Proceedings of the Reading Association of Ireland’s 33rd Annual International Conference. Dublin: Reading Association of Ireland.

Book Chapter

Year Publication
2014 Weida, C. Concannon-Gibney, T. & Andeniji, D. (2014) 'Craft Objects and Storytelling' In: Crafting Creativity and Creating Craft. New York : Springer Link.
2012 Concannon-Gibney, T & Murphy, B. (2012) 'School-based Professional Development: Significant Insights from a Case Study of Irish Teachers of Reading' In: Cultures of Professional Development for Teachers: Collaboration, Reflection, Management & Policy. Paris : Analytrics.

Peer Reviewed Journal

Year Publication
2024 Concannon-Gibney, Tara (2024) 'Comprehending Poetry with Social Justice Themes'. Reading Teacher, 77 (4). [DOI]
2023 Ward, M.; O’Riordan, F.; Logan-Fleming, D.; Cooke, D.; Concannon-Gibney, T.; Efthymiou, M.; Watkins, N. (2023) 'Interactive oral assessment case studies: An innovative, academically rigorous, authentic assessment approach'. Innovations in Education and Teaching International, . [Link] [DOI]
2021 Concannon-Gibney, T. (2021) 'Moving beyond the transmission of knowledge in the lecture hall: a self-study'. Professional Development in Education, Published online 25 January 2021 . [Link]
2021 Concannon-Gibney, Tara (2021) 'Teacher, Teacher, can't Catch Me!: Teaching Vocabulary and Grammar using Nursery Rhymes to Children for Whom English is an Additional Language'. Reading Teacher, 75 (1). [DOI]
2019 Concannon-Gibney, T. (2019) 'Immersing First Graders in Poetry: A Genre Study Approach'. Reading Teacher, 72 . [Link] [DOI]
2018 Concannon-Gibney, T. (2018) 'Immersing first grade in poetry: A genre study approach'. Reading Teacher, .
2012 Concannon-Gibney, T & McCarthy, M. (2012) 'The Explicit Teaching of Reading Comprehension in Science Class: A Pilot Professional Development Program'. Improving Schools, 15 (1):33-45.
2012 Concannon-Gibney, T. & Murphy, B. (2012) 'Explicit Reading Comprehension Instruction and Teacher Professional Development: An Irish Experience'. Teacher Development, 38 (1):131-148.
2012 Concannon-Gibney, T. & Murphy, B. (2012) 'Reading comprehension instruction in Irish primary classrooms: Key insights into classroom practice from one recent study'. Irish Educational Studies, 31 (4):433-449.
2012 Gibney, T. (2012) 'Teaching Memoir in the Elementary School: A Genre Study Approach'. Reading Teacher, 63 (3):243-253.
2010 Concannon-Gibney, T. & Murphy, B. (2010) 'Reading Practice in Irish Primary Classrooms: Too Simple a View of Reading?'. Literacy, 44 (3):122-130.

Other Journal

Year Publication
2018 Concannon-Gibney, T. (2018) 'Play and the primary school curriculum: Developing quality practices and examining curricular opportunities' VI (1) . [Link]
2011 O’Connor, E. & Concannon-Gibney, T. (2011) 'Using Formative Assessment to Effectively Identify and Remediate Reading Issues in the Early Grades' 8 (1) :37-51.

Conference Publication

Year Publication
2017 Concannon-Gibney, T (2017) Proceedings of the Literacy Association of Ireland Annual International Conference . In: B. Culligan and G. Mehigan eds. Playful Literacy: Linking children’s literature to play and learning across the curriculum in the infant classes
2014 Concannon-Gibney, T. (2014) Language, Literacy and Literature: Re-Imagining Teaching and Learning, Proceedings of the Reading Association of Ireland Annual International Conference . In: Willoughby, K eds. Using a Big Book to Teach Essential Literacy Skills
2012 Concannon-Gibney, T. & Murphy, B. (2012) Proceedings of the Reading Association of Ireland’s 34th & 35th Annual International Conferences Perspectives and Practice in Relation to Reading Pedagogy in Irish Primary Classrooms: A Perceived Preference for the ‘Simple View’
2012 Concannon-Gibney, T. & Murphy, B. (2012) Proceedings of the Reading Association of Ireland’s 34th & 35th Annual International Conferences School-based Teacher Professional Development focused on the teaching of Reading Comprehension: A Case Study
2006 Concannon, T (2006) Literacy at the Crossroads: Moving Forward, Looking Back, Proceedings of the Reading Association of Ireland 28th Annual International Conference Teaching Reading Comprehension Strategies in the Primary School

Conference Contribution

Year Publication
2023 Concannon-Gibney, T. (2023) Literacy Association of Ireland's 47th International Conference Exploring the possibilities of the Reader's Theatre approach within a community of practice Dublin, .
2023 Concannon-Gibney, T. (2023) Literacy Association of Ireland's 47th International Conference Pedagogical strategies, approaches and methodologies to support the literacy development of pupils for whom English is an Additional Language (EAL) Dublin, .
2023 Concannon-Gibney, T. (2023) Aistear: The Journey Continues Conference Communicating and young children for whom English is an Additional Language (EAL) DCU Dublin, .
2022 Concannon-Gibney, T. (2022) 22nd European Conference on Literacy Literacy education and pupils for whom English is an Additional Language (EAL) DCU Dublin, .
2022 Concannon-Gibney, T. & Magennis, G. (2022) 22nd European Conference on Literacy An exploration of the use of children's literature in early reading DCU Dublin, .
2021 Concannon-Gibney, T. (2021) The Literacy Association of Ireland's 46th Annual International Conference Nursery rhymes as a means of enhancing the language acquisiton of young English language learners Dublin, .
2020 Concannon-Gibney, T (2020) Federation of Literacy Educator's Webinar Assessing the literacy knowledge of pre-service teachers in an on-line environment On-line, .
2019 Concannon-Gibney, T. & Watkins, N. (2019) E.S.A.I Teaching teachers of literacy: A hybrid self-study Sligo: Ireland, 11/04/2019-13/04/2019.
2019 Concannon-Gibney, T. (2019) United Kingdom Literacy Association Phonological Awareness in Context: A Playful Approach to an Essential Early Literacy Skill Sheffield: UK, .
2018 Concannon-Gibney, T. (2018) Literacy Association of Ireland Poetry and the Primary School Curriculum: Possibilities and Opportunities Dublin: Ireland, 09/11/2018-10/11/2018.
2017 Concannon-Gibney, T. (2017) Literacy Association of Ireland International Conference Why do children write? Exploring writing purpose among 4-6 year olds Why do children write? Exploring writing purpose among 4-6 year olds Dublin, .
2016 Concannon-Gibney, T. (2016) Literacy Association of Ireland International Conference Playful Literacy Dublin, .
2016 Concannon-Gibney, T. & O'Connor, E. (2016) Early Childhood Ireland Annual Conference The Big Book Project: Learning about Early Literacy Skills Dublin, .
2016 Concannon-Gibney, T. (2016) European Early Childhood Research Association Annual Conference An Irish Perspective on Emergent Writing in a Reggio Emilia Inspired School Dublin, .
2014 Concannon-Gibney, T. (2014) 38th Annual International Conference, Reading Association of Ireland Language and Literacy Development in the Aistear Classroom Dublin, .
2014 Concannon-Gibney, T. (2014) International Conference, World Organisation for Early Childhood Education Implementing Aistear in the English Language Learner Classroom University College Cork, Ireland, .
2014 Concannon-Gibney, T. (2014) International Annual Conference, Educational Studies of Ireland Aistear as a Vehicle for Imaginative and Innovative Pedagogy in the Infant Classroom Athlone, Ireland, .
2013 Concannon-Gibney, T. (2013) 37th Annual International Conference, Reading Association of Ireland Using a Big Book to Teach Essential Early Literacy Skills, 37 Dublin, .
2011 Concannon-Gibney, T., Adeniji-Neill, D. & Weida, C. (2011) Weaving Story through Social Studies, Literacy and Visual Art Education Weaving Story through Social Studies, Literacy and Visual Art Education Adelphi University, New York, .
2011 Concannon-Gibney, T. & Murphy, B. (2011) 35th Annual International Conference, Reading Association of Ireland School-based Professional Development to Transform the Teaching of Reading Comprehension Dublin, .
2010 Concannon-Gibney, T. & Murphy, B. (2010) 34th Annual International Conference, Reading Association of Ireland Reading Practice in Irish Primary Schools: Too Simple a View of Reading? Dublin, .
2010 Concannon-Gibney, T. & McCarthy, M. (2010) National Reading Conference Fostering Reading Comprehension in the Science Classroom: A Pilot Professional Development Program Fort Worth, TX, .
2010 Concannon-Gibney, T. (2010) Keystone State Reading Conference Exploring Poetry in the Writer’s Workshop: A Genre Study Approach Hershey, PA, .
2010 Concannon-Gibney, T. (2010) International Reading Association’s Annual Convention Reading Comprehension Strategy Instruction in Irish Elementary School Classrooms: An Examination of Current Practices and an Exploration of Future Possibilities Chicago, IL, .
2010 Concannon-Gibney, T. (2010) Literacy Essentials Conference Teaching Young English Language Learners to Write: Exploring the Writing Workshop in the Early Years of School Central Connecticut University, CT, .
2008 Concannon-Gibney, T. (2008) Annual International Conference, United Kingdom Literacy Association Becoming Literate: The EAL Learner in the Infant Classroom Liverpool, United Kingdom, .
2008 Concannon-Gibney, T. (2008) Annual International Conference, Reading Association of Ireland The English Language Learner in the Infant Classroom: Strategies for Developing Literacy Skills Dublin, .
2007 Concannon-Gibney, T. (2007) United Kingdom Literacy Association, Annual International Conference Exploring Genre in the Writing Workshop Nottingham, United Kingdom, .
2006 Concannon-Gibney, T. (2006) Reading Association of Ireland’s Annual International Conference Reading Comprehension Strategies Dublin, .
2005 Concannon-Gibney, T. (2005) Reading Association of Ireland’s International Annual Conference Genre Study in the Writing Workshop: Ideas for Mini-lessons Dublin, .
2004 Concannon-Gibney, T. (2004) Reading Association of Ireland’s International Annual Conference The Implementation of the Writing Process in Primary School Classrooms Dublin, .

Published Report

Year Publication
2022 Kennedy, E; Concannon-Gibney, T.; Dwyer, B. (2022) Pedagogical strategies, approaches and methodologies to support literacy in the primary school: A review of the literature. Department of Education, . [DOI]
2022 Concannon-Gibney, T., de Brún, J., Ní Dhiorbháin, A., Ní Láimhín, M., & Ó Duibhir, P. (2022) Pedagogical strategies, approaches and methodologies to support literacy and digital literacy development for Gaeilge and EAL. Department of Education (Ireland), . [Link] https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7881298
2022 French, G.; McKenna, G.; Giblin, F.; Concannon-Gibney, T.; Farrell, T.; Gillic, C.; Halligan, C.; Lake, G.; Ni Dhiorbhain, A.; Ni Laimhin, M.; O'Neill, S. (2022) Literature review to support the updating of Aistear, the Early Childhood Curriculum Framework. National Council for Curriculum and Assessment, . [Link]
2015 Concannon-Gibney, T. & Shiel, G. (2015) Reading Literacy in PIRLS 2011:in E. Eivers & A. Clerkin, National Schools, International Contexts: Beyond the PIRLS and TIMSS test results. Educational Research Centre, .

Other Publication

Year Publication
2022 Concannon-Gibney, Tara (2022) Arts Integration in Diverse K-5 Classrooms: Cultivating Literacy Skills and Conceptual Understanding. [DOI]
Certain data included herein are derived from the © Web of Science (2024) of Clarivate. All rights reserved.

Professional Associations

Association Function From / To
International Reading Association Member -
FELA (Federation of European Literacy Associations)s Member of Conference 2021 sub-committee 01/01/2019 - 31/08/2021
United Kingdom Literacy Association Member -
Alpha Upsilon Alpha (Literacy Honor Society, International Literacy Association) Faculty Advisor 01/10/2009 - 31/08/2012
Nassau County Reading Association Member 29/10/2009 - 31/08/2012
New York State Reading Association Member 24/09/2009 - 31/08/2012
Literacy Association of Ireland President (2018-2019) -

Honors and Awards

Date Title Awarding Body
01/01/2006 The President’s Scholarship University College Cork
01/01/2019 DCU IoE Staff Research Travel Award Scheme DCU IoE
01/01/2011 Shortlisted for exemplary article in the peer reviewed journal Literacy United Kingdom Literacy Association
01/08/2021 Advance HE Fellowship Advance HE
01/09/2020 Universal Design for Learning Badge AHEAD/CAST
01/05/2021 DCU President's Teaching Excellence Award Nomination DCU

Committees

Committee Function From / To
FELA (Federation of European Literacy Associations) -
22nd European Conference on Literacy organising committee (Federation of European Literacy Associations) -
Literacy Association of Ireland -

Education

Start date Institution Qualification Subject
University College Cork Ph.D
St. Patrick's College (D.C.U.) B.Ed.
St. Patrick's College (D.C.U.) M.Ed. (Literacy)

Reviews

Journal Role
Reading Teacher Reviewer
Literacy Reviewer

Creative Outputs

Year Title Type
2019 Inside Education podcast: Tara Concannon-Gibney on Early Years Literacy Recording
2021 DCU Edge of Discovery: Promoting Academic Integrity Recording

Enterprise Engagement

Year Engagement Type Client Description
2023 Continuous Professional Development/Training DCU Literacy Across the Curriculum Webinar Series
March 2021 Invited talk/presentation LAI Connects: A closer look at early Literacy Instruction
September 2020 Invited talk/presentation Presented a webinar titled 'Early Literacy Skills in Context' Presented a webinar titled 'Early Literacy Skills in Context'
2020 Invited talk/presentation Invited to discuss 'What matters in early literacy' at the Literacy Association of Ireland's 'fireside chat' in partnership with Tralee Education Centre. Invited to discuss 'What matters in early literacy' at the Literacy Association of Ireland's 'fireside chat' in partnership with Tralee Education Centre.
2019 Invited talk/presentation Margaret Aylward Community School Reading Aloud to Children: Possibilities and Opportunities
2018 Invited talk/presentation Adamstown Educate Together National School The Writer's workshop in primary school

Outreach Activities

Year Engagement Type Organisation Description
2023 Advisory Work Educational Research Centre Consultant for the Educational Research Centre in relation to the updating of the Drumcondra Test of Early Literacy (D-TEL)
Advisory Work AMBER (Advanced Materials and BioEngineering Research) Member of an expert advisory group that developed 'Materials Now' lesson plans which integrate science, maths, and literacy at 3rd and 4th class level.
Advisory Work Doodle Den (Childhood Development Initiative) Member of an expert advisory group that developed an updated 'Doodle Den' website and support materials. Doodle Den is an after-school literacy programme targeted at children aged 5 to 6 years of age in Senior Infants. The programme focuses on improving children’s literacy through a wide range of activities, with a child, parent, and family component, and it places a strong emphasis on parental engagement.
2021 Advisory Work AMBER (Advanced Materials and BioEngineering Research) Member of an expert advisory group for the 'Sunpilot' project which is focused on developing lesson plans that integrate science, literacy and drama for young children.

Media

Title Year Type Authors
Teaching Essential Literacy Skills 2019 Podcast Inside Education
Academic Integrity: Interactive Oral Assessment 2021 Podcast DCU Edge of discovery
DCU Let’s Talk about Research Podcast (2022): Exploring the use of Children’s Literature. 2022 Podcast Concannon-Gibney, T.

Research Interests

Meaningful literacy teaching in the early years
Reading Comprehension
Literacy instruction for pupils for whom English is an additional language (EAL)
Literacy/STEM integration
Writing instruction

Research Projects

Title Role Description Start date End date
Cur chuige ilteangach do theagasc ghramadach na Gaeilge i mbunscoileanna arb é Béarla an meán teagaisc/ A Pluriliningual Approach to teaching Irish grammar in English-medium primary schools Co-PI 31/08/2023 31/08/2024
An Exploration of the use of Children’s Literature in Early Reading within a Balanced Literacy Framework in the North and South of Ireland EuCLER PI 01/09/2020 31/08/2021
Literature Review to Support the Updating of Aistear, the Early Childhood Curriculum Framework researcher 01/12/2021 30/06/2022
Research Report in Relation to Literacy (including digital literacy) & Numeracy researcher 01/06/2021 01/01/2022
Fostering Reading Comprehension through Science in Middle and Upper Elementary Classrooms: A Pilot Professional Development Program Co-PI 01/01/2010 31/05/2010

Current Postgraduate Students

Student Name Degree Supervision
Nulty ,Alison PhD-track Supervisor

Internal Collaborators

Type Name Company Role
Internal Dr Eithne Kennedy, Prof. Padraig O Duibhir, Dr Joe Travers, Dr Geraldine French, Dr Margaret Leahy DCU Academic
Internal Dr Geraldine French, Gráinne McKenna, Dr Gillian Lake, Fiona Giblin, Dr Aisling Ní Diorbháin, Máire Ní Laimhín DCU Academic

External Collaborators

Type Name Company Role
External Dr Penny Humby AMBER (Advanced Materials and BioEngineering Research) Academic
External Dr Emily Kang/ MaryJean McCarthy Adelphi University, New York Academic
External Dr Geraldine Magennis St Mary's University, Belfast Academic

Teaching Interests

Dr. Concannon-Gibney teaches modules in literacy at both undergraduate and postgraduate level.

Modules Coordinated

Term Title Subject
2022 Literacy Education in the Early Years ED1021
2022 Literacy for English Language Learners EC226
2022 Literacy 1 ED9045
2024 ED4015