1. The Learning Innovation
Network: A Ground-
breaking Framework for
Academic Professional
Development
The Coordinator’s Experience
Dr Niamh Rushe
Learning Innovation Network Coordinator
Institutes of Technology Ireland

2. Overview
Focus on Coordinator role
•Review of phase 1 achievements and legacy
•Summary of phase 2 – activity, outcomes and successes
•Reflection on project

3. Coordinator’s Experien
ce
LIN Process
Since 2007 – Learning to
*
• Collaborate
• Support teaching and
learning
Since 2007 – Learning at
• Individual level
• Institute level
• Sectoral level
* Dennison & Kirk, 1990

4. LIN Values
• Commitment to learning and development of each learner to achieve their
potential
• Fairness, Justice, Equity, Respect, Ethical practice
• Valid/authentic, fair and consistent assessment
• Collaborative Learning, Community of Practice
• Evidenced research based teaching informed by scholarship
• Courage, Openness to new approaches, innovations, continuing reflection
on professional practice

5. Phase 1
Module Institute
Learning & Teaching AIT
2007 - 2010
Assessment & Evaluation WIT
SIF 1 Funding
Formative Assessment & IT Carlow
• National survey Feedback
• 9 modules validated in 7 Mentoring WIT
different institutes Technology Enhanced LIT
Learning
• Modules piloted
Enquiry Based Learning ITB
• APD aims and objectives
Researching Educational IT Sligo
achieved and exceeded Practice
• 2008 & 2009 conferences PDP1 DIT
• Jan 2010 Designing Together PDP2 DIT

6. End phase 1 – start ph
ase 2
*
Developments 2010
SIF II Flexible Learning
• New LIN Coordination
Group formed
• APD
• Conference
* Dennison & Kirk, 1990

7. LIN Coordination Grou
p
Terms of reference 2010
The task of the LIN coordination group is to support the
following activities for staff in the Institute of technology
sector, which meets local and national needs;
•Academic Professional development (APD)
•LIN Website & Newsletter
•LIN Annual Conference

8. 2010 – 2012 Phase 2
Major areas of work
• APD 1
• LIN modules June 2012 – 307 LIN certificates
• Postgraduate Diploma in Learning Teaching & Assessment
• LIN framework further established – PG Dip subgroup,
mapping
• APD 2
• Conference participation increases year on year
• Meets the needs of lecturers in DIT/IoT’s
• December 2011 HEA Funding for LIN projects

9. Phase 2 – New develop
men ts
Major areas of work
SIF II Flexible Learning
• LIN responding to national agenda
• Response to hunt
• Response to HEA consultation document on the National
Academy
• Supported IOTI response
• LIN on national stage
• Achieving more with less – aims and objectives exceeded again

10. Coordinator’s view
• LIN achieved the aims of SIF – has been mainstreamed within institutes
• Teaching and learning embedded across the sector
• LIN maintained and strengthened institute activity and increased sectoral
activity
• Recognised as a voice for teaching and learning agenda

11. Final remarks
• LIN works
• Exceeded expectations and aims again – risks of doing more with less
• Funding since 2010
• At sectoral level for coordination and conferences
• Additional funding for projects
• No funding at institute level for day to day LIN work
• Needs a voice at sectoral level to continue and grow

12. Thank you