Teaching & Learning
Teaching and learning are at the heart of the mission of each of THEA’s member institutions. These activities, together with assessment, combine in a transformative process of transmitting knowledge, skill and competence to a learner through a curriculum, and verifying that that learner can demonstrate their acquisition. Within the technological higher education sector, these activities also encourage the development of confidence and understanding, as well as the acquisition of knowledge-in-use. In line with the National Strategy for Higher Education to 2030, all of the members of the technological higher education sector are committed to providing their students with the highest quality teaching and learning experience; integrating research with teaching and learning; enhancing the flexibility of programme-provision; and continually strengthening the focus on learning outcomes to ensure that all their graduates acquire key competences.
National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning
The National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning, which was launched in 2012, is the overarching infrastructure for the enhancement of teaching and learning in Irish higher education. Its Board includes nominees from THEA, the Irish Universities Association (IUA), the Union of Students in Ireland (USI), the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI). The Forum supports the implementation of the recommendations of the National Strategy for Higher Education to 2030 in the teaching and learning area, and works collaboratively with THEA and its member institutions and the broader higher education community. The National Forum was integrated into the HEA in January 2022 which ensures its sustainabiliy and places teaching and learning at the heart of the higher education system. THEA is committed to continuing to play an active part in the next stage of development of the National Forum as an integral element of activities of the HEA.
Further details on the National Forum are available here.
Next Steps for Teaching and Learning: Moving Forward Together
THEA partnered with the National Forum to reflect on experiences of pandemic-related experiences and learning as part of a cross-sectoral national project to consider the Next Steps for Teaching and Learning: Moving Forward Together. The considered reflections of Registrars / Chief Academic Officers of member institutions are available in these two reports:
